Collection: Formal Shirts Page 3

At the heart of Hast's expertise since its inception, our formal shirts are meticulously crafted by the finest European workshops in two-ply cotton fabrics with refined finishes. 

In just a few years, Hast has become the benchmark for dress shirts. By keeping intermediaries to a minimum, working with carefully selected workshops and specialising in shirts (while also offering suit jackets, trousers, knitwear and more), we have achieved unrivalled value for money. Our simple, elegant designs, offered in subtle variations, give our customers a wide choice of shirts suited to everyday life as well as exceptional occasions. Discover our men’s dress shirt here, in its minimalist version or in more original interpretations.

How do you recognise a dress shirt?

Clichés and common assumptions abound when it comes to choosing a dress shirt. For many, it must necessarily be a white poplin shirt, topped with a point collar of the most classic kind. Yet the men’s dress shirt comes in many forms and allows more freedom than one might think.

The hallmarks of a dress shirt

• The fit: The first element that distinguishes a dress shirt is, of course, its fit. Generally, fitted or even fitted. The aim is not only to keep the shirt tucked into the trousers, but also to flatter the silhouette and showcase the tie and jacket. Conversely, a more casual shirt will often be slightly shorter, to be worn untucked trousers, and considerably roomier.
• Finishing details: Unless you are invited to a ceremony or a particularly formal dinner, you do not need French cuffs, a wing collar and a concealed placket to achieve a formal look. However, dress shirts are most often recognisable by the absence of a pocket, a visible back pleat and visible buttons on the collar.
• Patterns and colours: Contrary to popular belief, a dress shirt can certainly feature patterns. However, these will generally be finer and less contrasting than on other types of shirts. Classic patterns such as stripes or checks , avoiding putting together too many colours to avoid the “lumberjack shirt” effect. The same applies to colours: they are acceptable on a dress shirt, but overly bright shades should be avoided.

The different types of dress shirts

Depending on the type of event you are attending, the level of formality will not always be the same. That is why, at Hast, we offer a wide range of options to bring together all the features of an outfit perfectly suited to the occasion.

Our highly formal shirts

In reality, most dress shirts can now be worn in a more relaxed setting, at the office or at the weekend. There is only one shirt suited to a very particular dress code: the fitted white poplin shirt with a wing collar. This is the dinner shirt, which only works with a bow tie (thanks to its concealed placket) and requires cufflinks (with its French cuffs).

Our essential dress shirts

If you are looking for a dress shirt that is easy to wear and pair with all your outfits, turn to the timeless classics of the genre: the shirt with a semi-cutaway collar in white or blue poplin. An absolute wardrobe essential.

Original dress shirts

Tired of always wearing the same white poplin shirt? Why not try other weaves with subtle patterns, such as Oxford, twill, dobby, or pinpoint or herringbone. As suggested above, vary colours and patterns, and try original collars, such as the club collar, recently back in fashion, or the band collar, to wear without a tie.