Shirts are one of the most adaptable garments in men’s wardrobes. They shift between boardrooms, summer beaches, workshops and dinner tables with ease. The cut and collar define the style, but the choice of fabric shapes how the shirt feels and looks. Knowing the different types of shirts for men and the fabrics they are usually made of helps in choosing the right one for every occasion. 

The Dress Shirt 

The dress shirt is the cornerstone of formal wear. Designed with a structured collar, long sleeves and a clean silhouette, it is most often made from finely woven cotton. Egyptian cotton and Supima cotton are favoured because of their long fibres, which create smooth, durable fabrics like poplin and broadcloth. These fabrics resist wear, hold a crisp crease and carry the sharpness expected in professional or ceremonial settings. 

The Oxford Shirt 

An Oxford shirt stands between formality and leisure. Woven from Oxford cloth, a cotton fabric with a basket weave, it has a slightly textured surface and a heavier hand than standard poplin. The button-down collar and sturdy feel make it suitable for offices that lean casual, as well as relaxed dinners. Oxford shirts can come in solid colours or soft stripes and the fabric itself ages well, softening over time. 

The Linen Shirt 

Linen has a character all its own. Spun from flax, it has visible slubs that give shirts a textured, airy quality. Linen shirts are lightweight and breathable, making them perfect for hot climates or summer holidays. While they wrinkle easily, the creases are part of their appeal, signalling comfort and ease rather than stiffness. Linen works well in both plain neutrals and pastel shades, lending itself to resort wear and casual evenings. 

The Flannel Shirt 

Flannel shirts are cut from soft, brushed fabrics that trap warmth. Traditionally made from wool or cotton flannel, they became symbols of rugged workwear before crossing into mainstream fashion. Most flannel shirts are designed with checks or plaids, but solid flannels in darker shades are just as versatile. A flannel shirt paired with denim or layered over a T-shirt is as much about comfort as it is about style. 

The Polo Shirt 

The polo shirt has a history in sport, with its short sleeves, knit collar and button placket. Unlike woven dress shirts, polos are usually made from piqué cotton, a knitted fabric that offers breathability and stretch. Polos are less formal but sharper than a plain T-shirt, which makes them popular in smart-casual wardrobes. They work equally well on a golf course, in a relaxed office or at weekend gatherings. 

The Denim Shirt 

Denim shirts are built on the same fabric as jeans, a sturdy, indigo-dyed cotton twill. Their toughness comes from the weave, but they soften with wear and develop unique fades. A dark-wash denim shirt can pass as semi-formal when paired with tailored trousers, while lighter shades lean casual. Denim shirts also double as overshirts, layered open over T-shirts in cooler months. 

The Chambray Shirt 

Chambray is often mistaken for denim but differs in weave. Where denim is twill, chambray is a plain-weave cotton fabric with a smoother finish. Chambray shirts are lighter, more breathable and better suited for warm weather. They often appear in soft blue tones, but can also carry other shades. Easy to pair with almost anything, chambray is a practical alternative to denim. 

The Cuban Collar Shirt 

The Cuban collar shirt, with its open notch collar and short sleeves, is relaxed by design. It became popular in the mid-20th century and is often cut from lightweight cotton, rayon or linen blends. Many Cuban collar shirts carry bold patterns, floral prints or pastel colours, making them summer favourites. They are worn untucked, often on holidays or casual evenings. 

The Henley Shirt 

A Henley shirt has no collar, a round neckline and a placket with a few buttons. It can have short or long sleeves and is typically made of cotton jersey, a soft, knitted fabric. The Henley is comfortable on its own, but it also looks good under jackets and sweaters. It has a casual, rustic look that is somewhere between a T-shirt and a polo. 

The Mandarin Collar Shirt 

The Mandarin collar shirt has a short, upright band collar instead of a folded one. This simple style is inspired by Asian tailoring traditions and is often featured in modern, sleek men’s clothing. It is usually made of light cotton or linen, which makes the collar’s clean lines stand out. When paired with tailored pants, it exudes a modern vibe that suits both casual and semi-formal events. 

Why Fabric Defines a Shirt 

Across all these types of shirts, the shirt fabric decides how the garment performs. Cotton remains the most common, versatile, durable and breathable fabric; however, each weave has its own distinct effect. Poplin and broadcloth sharpen dress shirts, Oxford adds texture, chambray lightens casual wear and flannel brings warmth. Linen offers coolness, while knitted fabrics like piqué and jersey supply stretch. Even silk finds its way into men’s shirting for occasions that demand sheen and fluidity. 

Fabric, more than cut or colour, is what determines comfort, drape and longevity. A man who understands his shirt fabrics will always dress with confidence. 

Cirocco Fabrics: Tradition and Innovation in Shirting 

For over ninety years, Cirocco Fabrics has stood at the intersection of tradition and modern design, working with fabrics that shape men’s shirts, including Egyptian cotton, Supima cotton, pure linen and fine blends. Our library of more than 3,000 ready designs, refreshed with 200 new additions each month, gives shirtmakers and brands the freedom to move between classic styles and current trends with ease. 

If you create, source, or sell shirts, you already know fabric is never just fabric. It is comfort, identity and style. At Cirocco, we make sure you always have the right material to bring that vision to life.