Style enthusiasts, weekend dandies, fabric devotees, the perpetually hard-to-please, champions of comfort, the t-shirt averse, sensitive skins, modern-day James Stewarts, Sunday eccentrics, family style icons, reluctant tie-wearers, and understated dressers to unapologetic sartorialists—today’s men are no longer afraid to own their style preferences.
Giving a shirt to a man in 2020 is just as likely to delight—because we appreciate dressing well—as it is to be scrutinised—because we are more discerning than ever.
Yet it is precisely because modern menswear is as diverse as it is discerning that we at Hast have chosen to specialise in one of its most essential staples. Since 2012, our expertise has been dedicated to well-dressed men, showcased through the countless ways to wear a shirt.
And if there is one thing we have learned over time, it is that giving a shirt to a man for Christmas reflects the image we have of him.
Here is our guide to pinpointing the tastes and needs of the recipient—and finding the ideal shirt.
The different types of shirt wearers
While there may be as many shirts as there are men—or men as there are shirts—we can still narrow them down into a few non-exhaustive categories. Once you have identified his style profile, you will know exactly which men’s shirt to choose as the perfect gift.
The high-rotation wearers
Some people change their minds at the drop of a hat, while others change their shirts even more often. First in line are those who work under a relatively strict dress code, requiring them—even on a Zoom call—to look the part, at least from the waist up, in the quintessential suit and tie.
To find the right men’s Christmas shirt for this profile, take a look in his wardrobe. If it is mostly understated—simple blue and white shirts without fuss—it is best to keep things subtle. Make your gift stand out with measured originality by opting for a distinctive weave, such as twill, pinpoint, flannel, or end-on-end. Choosing a men’s shirt with an unconventional collar, like a club or band collar, can be trickier, but if he has expressed an interest in branching out, why not try different collars?
Finally, if your budget allows, treat him to our premium shirt: a fine, crease-resistant white shirt crafted in Europe and finished with mother-of-pearl buttons sewn using the zampa di gallina technique. It is the ultimate shirt—and a guaranteed success.
The casual chic aficionados
For them, wearing a shirt is no obligation. It is a hobby, a passion, a ritual, and a sartorial signature. They wear it simply because they love it and it looks good. They might occasionally trade it in for a relaxed t-shirt, but deep down, they are only truly at ease when their silhouette is sharpened by a well-cut shirt.
For these men, the opposite approach is best. Take a close look at their wardrobe, not to see what dominates, but what is missing. Then choose a men’s shirt that complements an already well-stocked collection. A beige flannel shirt, one pairing a club collar and chambray, a classic yet often overlooked grey Oxford shirt, a checked twill shirt, or a zephyr shirt; it is up to you to find the next favourite piece for your shirt aficionado.
The shirt sceptics
Yes, they do exist, and we cannot really say we understand it. But the question is: can you give a men’s shirt as a Christmas gift to someone who never wears one? We might be a little biased, but our conviction is an unequivocal yes.
You simply need to pick the right one. For a newcomer, opt for a casual shirt. With its back pleat, relaxed fabrics, and slightly shorter cut, it wears almost like a t-shirt—or layered over one.
Consider this: giving a shirt to a man who never wears one makes the world just that little bit more elegant. And no one will blame you for a well-placed sartorial nudge.
