13 Types of Shirts For Men & Women

Let’s be honest for a second: most of us have a closet full of clothes but “nothing to wear.” We grab the same three shirts every week because the others just… don’t feel right. Maybe the collar sits weird, or the fabric feels like cardboard, or you’re just not sure if it’s “too dressy” for a Tuesday.

The problem isn’t you; it’s the vocabulary. When you know exactly what a shirt is built for—why the fabric was chosen, how the collar is supposed to behave, and where it actually belongs—shopping stops being a gamble. As a fashion editor who has spent years obsessing over weaves, stitches, and silhouettes, I’m going to walk you through the essential shirt styles for men and women.

We aren’t just listing items here; we are building the kind of wardrobe that makes getting dressed the easiest part of your day.

Types of Men’s Shirts

Men’s style is often about the details you feel rather than the ones you see from a distance. It’s about texture, weight, and how a collar frames your face.

1. The Oxford Cloth Button-Down (OCBD)

If you could only save one shirt in a fire, make it this one. It is the absolute workhorse of the male wardrobe.

Materials: Oxford Cloth. This is a basket-weave cotton that uses multiple threads crossing each other. It feels thicker and rougher than a silky dress shirt, giving it incredible durability.
Key Feature: The Button-Down Collar. Originally invented by Brooks Brothers in 1896 to stop polo players’ collars from flapping in their faces, these buttons give the collar a perfect, soft “roll.”
Purpose: To look polished without trying too hard. It bridges the gap between a T-shirt and a suit.
Occasions: Business casual offices, first dates, or Sunday brunches.
Best to Wear With: Chinos, dark raw denim, or under a crewneck sweater.
Care Tip: Don’t baby it. Wash on warm and hang dry. It’s actually supposed to look a little rumpled; a razor-sharp iron crease kills the relaxed vibe.

2. The Formal Dress Shirt

This is where guys often get confused. A Dress Shirt isn’t just “a shirt with buttons”; it is a specific tool for a specific job.

Materials: Cotton Poplin or Twill. These are tightly woven, smooth fabrics that have a slight sheen and feel cool against the skin.
Key Feature: A Stiff, Fused Collar designed specifically to hold a tie knot. You might also find French cuffs that require cufflinks.
Purpose: Pure elegance. This is your armor for high-stakes moments.
Occasions: Weddings, funerals, job interviews, and board meetings.
Best to Wear With: A full suit or tuxedo. Never wear this untucked with jeans—it’s too long and looks like you lost your suit pants.
Care Tip: This shirt hates the washing machine. Ideally, get it professionally laundered. If you do it at home, you need to iron it while it’s still damp using high heat and starch.

3. The Polo Shirt

The diplomat of the wardrobe, negotiating the peace between athletic wear and formal wear.

Materials: Traditionally Cotton Piqué, a knit fabric with a waffle-like texture that breathes and hides sweat. Newer versions come in smooth jersey or “performance” blends.
Origin: Tennis legend René Lacoste invented this in the 1920s to replace stiff, long-sleeved tennis whites, famously adding the crocodile logo.
Purpose: To provide the comfort of a T-shirt with the respectability of a collar. It is the definition of “Smart Casual.”
Occasions: Golf courses, summer BBQs, Casual Fridays.
Care Tip: To prevent the dreaded “bacon collar” (where the collar curls up at the edges), flip the collar up before washing, and never hang it on a wire hanger while wet.

4. The Flannel Shirt

When the leaves start changing, the flannel comes out. It is strictly about thermal regulation.

Materials: Brushed Cotton or Wool. The “brushing” process raises the fibers to create a fuzzy “nap” that traps body heat against your skin.
Origin: Originally worn by 17th-century Welsh farmers to survive wet, windy winters before becoming a 90s grunge icon.
Occasions: Bonfires, casual pub nights, or running errands in November.
Best to Wear With: Heavy boots and denim, layered over a white T-shirt.
Care Tip: Heat is the enemy here. Wash in cold water and skip the fabric softener, which coats the fibers and reduces the shirt’s warmth.

5. The Denim / Chambray Shirt

The rugged, rebellious cousin of the Oxford.

Materials: Denim (heavy, twill weave, indigo outside/white inside) or Chambray (lighter, plain weave, looks like denim but flows like cotton).
Key Feature: Often includes “Western” details like snap buttons (instead of sewn buttons) and pointed yoke stitching on the shoulders.
Purpose: To add texture. A denim shirt breaks up the monotony of cotton pants.
Best to Wear With: Chinos (khaki or olive) or black jeans. Warning: If wearing blue jeans, make sure the shirt is a significantly different shade than the pants to avoid the “Canadian Tuxedo” look.

6. The Cuban Collar (Camp Collar)

The shirt that signals “I am currently out of office.”

Key Feature: An open, notch-lapel neckline that lies flat against the collarbone, and a straight, boxy hem meant to be worn untucked.
Materials: Breezy fabrics like Linen, Tencel, or Rayon.
Occasions: Pool parties, summer festivals, or beach vacations.
Care Tip: Be careful with rayon—it shrinks if you look at it wrong. Wash on a delicate cold cycle and air dry on a hanger.

Types of Women’s Shirts

Women’s shirting is less about uniform and more about silhouette. The right top can change the shape of your body, adding curves or creating long, lean lines.

1. The Classic White Button-Up

Borrowed from the boys but re-engineered for the female form.

Key Feature: Unlike the men’s version, this often features darts at the bust or back to taper the waist so you aren’t drowning in fabric.
Materials: Crisp Cotton Poplin (for structure) or a blend with elastane (for comfort).
Purpose: It is a blank canvas. Wear it buttoned up for a strict corporate look, or unbuttoned low for evening drinks.
Care Tip: The struggle is keeping it white. Body oils turn the collar yellow over time, so pre-treat the collar and underarms with a stain remover spray before every wash.

2. The Silk Blouse

There is nothing quite like the feeling of silk against skin. It is all about movement and luxury.

Key Feature: Soft, fluid lines. These often skip the rigid collar in favor of a pussy-bow tie, bishop sleeves, or a simple scoop neck.
Materials: 100% Mulberry Silk or Chiffon.
Occasions: Dates, gallery openings, or holiday parties. It elevates everything it touches.
Best to Wear With: Leather pants or tailored trousers to contrast the soft silk with tough textures.
Care Tip: This is a high-maintenance relationship. Dry cleaning is the safest bet, or hand wash with extreme care using a pH-neutral detergent.

3. The Wrap Top

Universally regarded as the most flattering garment ever made.

Key Feature: The front panels cross over the chest and tie at the waist or side.
Origin: Popularized by Diane von Furstenberg in the 70s as a symbol of women’s liberation and ease.
Purpose: It creates a custom V-neck depth and cinches the waist, adjusting perfectly to weight fluctuations or different bust sizes.
Occasions: From office wear (with a camisole underneath) to weddings.
Care Tip: Rely on the internal ties. Most wrap tops have a hidden button or tie inside the garment to keep it secure; if you ignore this, the top will gape open awkwardly.

4. The Peplum Top

If you want to create an hourglass figure instantly, this is your secret weapon.

Key Feature: Fitted tight through the bodice and then flares out at the waist with a gathered ruffle.
Materials: Structured knits or Scuba fabric. Flimsy fabrics won’t hold the flared shape.
Best to Wear With: Skinny jeans or a pencil skirt. Because the top is voluminous, your bottom needs to be slim to balance the silhouette.
Care Tip: To keep that flare looking sharp, iron the ruffle from the inside out to puff it up.

5. The Tunic

Sometimes, you just want comfort without looking sloppy.

Key Feature: A hemline that falls below the hips, sometimes to mid-thigh, often with side slits.
Materials: Lightweight Cotton Voile, Linen, or Gauze.
Purpose: Ease of movement. Perfect for beach cover-ups or travel days.
Best to Wear With: Leggings or very slim trousers.
Care Tip: Because tunics are long, the fabric loves to twist around other clothes in the washer. Throw it in a mesh laundry bag to save yourself the headache.

6. The Bodysuit

The solution to the shirt that always comes untucked.

Key Feature: A top attached to a panty bottom that snaps at the crotch.
Materials: Spandex blends or Ribbed Jersey.
Purpose: To provide a perfectly sleek, smooth silhouette with zero bunching at the waist.
Best to Wear With: High-waisted jeans or A-line skirts.
Care Tip: Snap the crotch closed before washing. If you don’t, the metal hooks will snag on your other clothes and tear holes in delicate fabrics.

7. The Camisole (Cami)

The unsung hero of layering.

Materials: Silk, Satin, or Lace-trimmed Polyester.
Purpose: Originally underwear, the modern silk cami is a standalone piece. It adds a touch of sensuality under a tough leather jacket or a professional blazer.
Care Tip: These delicate straps stretch out easily. Fold them in a drawer; never hang them.

Choosing the Right Collar and Fabric

To truly master your wardrobe, you need to understand the technical details that dictate quality and fit.

The Collar Cheat Sheet

The collar dictates the formality. Don’t buy the wrong one.

Spread Collar: The points are spread far apart. The Rule: You must wear a tie with a thick knot (like a Windsor) or wear it open. A skinny tie looks lost here.
Point Collar: The points are close together. The Rule: This is the standard business collar. It narrows the face, making it great for rounder face shapes.
Band / Mandarin Collar: No fold, just a band of fabric. The Rule: The ultra-modern choice. Never wear a tie with this. It signals high-fashion or creative work.

The Fabric Weight Guide (GSM)

If you are buying online, look for the GSM (Grams per Square Meter) to know how thick the shirt is.

Lightweight (Under 120gsm): Voile, Linen, Silk. Summer only. Likely to be slightly sheer.
Midweight (120-170gsm): Poplin, Oxford, Broadcloth. The year-round standard. opaque and durable.
Heavyweight (200gsm+): Flannel, Denim, Heavy Cotton. Winter only. Rigid structure.

Final Thoughts

Building a wardrobe isn’t about owning the most clothes; it’s about owning the right ones. When you understand the difference between an Oxford and a Poplin, or why a Peplum works with a pencil skirt but not wide-leg trousers, you stop dressing by accident and start dressing with intent. Start with these essentials, pay attention to the care labels, and your closet will finally start working for you, not against you.