Question for Hamish - White Dress Shirts

**Cawdorian** · 22nd November 05, 06:59 AM

Which style of white dress shirt is correct to wear with the Black Argyle Jacket and Kilt?

Last Sunday I wore a white dress shirt with a red wool tie to the Kirk'in. (along with my Kilt and Argyle Jacket of course) The shirt had a spread collar and french cuffs. In my opinion the spread collar looks more appropriate with the Argyle than a button down collar.

Are french cuffs the correct attire for this sem-formal look and should a shirt with barrel (button) cuffs be worn and the french cuffs reserved for wear with black tie?

**macwilkin** · 22nd November 05, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Cawdorian

Which style of white dress shirt is correct to wear with the Black Argyle Jacket and Kilt?

Last Sunday I wore a white dress shirt with a red wool tie to the Kirk'in. (along with my Kilt and Argyle Jacket of course) The shirt had a spread collar and french cuffs. In my opinion the spread collar looks more appropriate with the Argyle than a button down collar.

Are french cuffs the correct attire for this sem-formal look and should a shirt with barrel (button) cuffs be worn and the french cuffs reserved for wear with black tie?

I'm not Hamish, but I see nothing wrong with French Cuffs with this particular outfit -- take a look at Brooks Brothers, TM Lewin, etc. and you will see many dress shirts in a wide variety of patterns and colours with French Cuffs. My friend the "clothes-horse" wears French Cuffed shirts almost exlusively. He wears silk "monkey's fist" cuff knots that match his shirts for less formal affairs.

I agree with you on the button-down collar; btw, Brooks Brothers is given credit for the invention of the button-down in 1896 in response to polo players complaining about their collars flapping in the breeze!

Cheers,

Todd

**Cawdorian** · 22nd November 05, 08:23 AM

Todd,

Your opinion is always appreciated, I really don't think it makes a lot of difference either. Some of us are probably overly concerned with the correct manner of dress for various occaisions. French cuffs are dressier than the regular barrell cuffs, I only wear french cuffs with a suit. I am happy they are back in style these days.

I looked in my cuff link collection and found a set of cuff links with a '55 T-Bird on them, I must have worn french cuffs in 1955 (that would have been high school). Man, time flies when you're having fun.

**davedove** · 22nd November 05, 08:29 AM

I'll agree with Todd on this one. Although you don't see the French cuffs often outside of formal wear, you can certainly wear them at other times. Many upscale businessmen wear them with their suits.

I wouldn't wear them unless I was at least wearing a business style suit, but that's my personal taste. Actually, to date I've only worn them with a tuxedo, but that's more a cost thing (you can get regular dress shirts at Walmart:-) ).

**Freelander Sporrano** · 22nd November 05, 08:34 AM

First off I'm not Hamish either . :rolleyes:

However I own several dress shirts. My favorite is a white cotton shirt with satin stipes in white which give a structure to the shirt. The buttons or hidden behind a flap and it has double cuffs. I find this works well for most situations needing a tie and not needing a PC. For my PC I use a wing tipped collar shirt witha bow tie.

Other than that wait for his masters voice 8)

**macwilkin** · 22nd November 05, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Cawdorian

Todd,

Your opinion is always appreciated, I really don't think it makes a lot of difference either. Some of us are probably overly concerned with the correct manner of dress for various occaisions. French cuffs are dressier than the regular barrell cuffs, I only wear french cuffs with a suit. I am happy they are back in style these days.

I looked in my cuff link collection and found a set of cuff links with a '55 T-Bird on them, I must have worn french cuffs in 1955 (that would have been high school). Man, time flies when you're having fun.

Jim and all -- I have shirts with both French and barrel cuffs in my closet, and I usually wear the former with a suit or a blue blazer & grey flannels (the equivalent of a suit). I like the look of French Cuffs, but I do not want to wear them all the time. Variety is the spice of life.

Dave -- we need to talk about buying dress shirts at Wal-Mart...tisk, tisk! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

**davedove** · 22nd November 05, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Dave -- we need to talk about buying dress shirts at Wal-Mart...tisk, tisk! :mrgreen:

Hey, I have to save the money so I can pay for my kilts!8)

**MacMullen** · 22nd November 05, 09:53 AM

Hey, I'm glad to hear of so many other guys who wear french cuffs. I also wear them almost exclusively. I hate the tight feel that barrel cuffs have on my wrists and french cuffs are just so much cooler.

The button down collar is the least formal of the dress shirt collars, and the spread collar the most formal (without going to a winged collar tux shirt), but you need a good knot in your tie to fill that spread.