THE CANVAS FOR CREATING A FITTED MEN’S DRESS SHIRT

Your Shirt Fabric Guide

What makes the perfect white shirt? Apart from the combination of high quality construction and the perfect fit, the most important element is what the shirt is actually made out of – The Fabric. When we talk about shirt fabrics, what we’re referring to is the actual weave of the fabric.

A weave is the way in which threads of cotton called warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) are woven together to make a fabric. They play a major role in giving each shirt a unique quality. The weave does not only affect how and when to wear the shirt, but also how warm the fabric will be, how easy it is to iron, the way it drapes and how it feels.

Here at Swan Shirts, we have a variety of different fabric weaves, all being in 120’s double ply, available so you can choose the best one suited for your needs. We’ve created a guide and broken down what it all means to give you the power to create yet your best sartorial statement white shirts.

White Twill

Twill is a more easily recognizable fabric because they show a diagonal weave or texture. It is a durable cotton that is soft and thick, making it more ideal for cooler seasons. Twill fabrics are also slightly more sheeny, drape very well, and are resistant to creases. We suggest a twill shirt for:

Formal
Business travel

French Oxford

The french oxford fabric is a very popular fabric that is used for a more casual look. It has a unique checkerboard appearance which is slightly rougher in texture, but is more durable than most fabrics. It is not only soft, but doesn’t wrinkle easily thanks to its plain weave made from Egypian Cotton. Overall, a tailored oxford shirt is definitely a wardrobe essential due to its durability and versatility, however, it is only suitable to wear in the colder fall and winter months. We suggest an oxford shirt for:

Casual business day
Weekend business

Pinpoint

Pinpoint has the same weave as oxford, but is woven with a lighter and finer thread. Because it’s weave is made from Egypian Cotton, the final product is softer, smoother and breathable. In terms of formality, the fabric sits between the oxford cloth and poplin or twill. It is not only durable, but has a lightweight and thinner texture, making it perfect to wear year-round. Therefore, we suggest a pinpoint shirt for:

Everyday work wear

Classic Herringbone

Classic Herringbone is a diagonal weave made from Egypian Cotton and features a stylish and distinctive V-shaped pattern. Like twill, it feels luxurious against the skin, has a soft drape and is made from crease-resistant quality. We suggest a classic herringbone shirt year round for:

Everyday business look
Business time

Fine Herringbone

The Fine Herringbone has the same properties and enjoys all the benefits of a Classic Herringbone. The only difference is that the weave is smaller and finer, resulting in the V-shape pattern being closer together. We suggest a fine herringbone shirt year round for:

Everyday business look Business time

Poplin

Poplin is a substantial fabric whose weave is made from Sea Island Cotton. Thus, this makes poplin more durable, lightweight, smooth and flat looking. Because of its plain and tight weave, it gives a vague striped appearance and an almost silky hand feel. We suggest a poplin shirt year round for:

Formal occasions
Everyday business look

Classic Linen

Made from a plain weave, linen fabrics are woven quite loosely, making it incredibly breathable and suitable to be worn in hot climates. Even though linen tends to wrinkle more easily than other fabrics, it is still loved for its strength, durability and softness. We suggest a classic linen shirt for:

Weekend escapes
Pool parties
Summer nights