Have you ever noticed that you don’t need to use the top button of a business shirt?

Sure you can button it up for when you put on a tie, but you actually don’t need to do so. In fact, if you do it up and the tie is too lose, it looks terrible; and if your tie is tighter than the shirt really allows, it also looks terrible!

So I am now having all my shirts made without the top button.

An advantage of this is that I can have the button replaced with an extra set of buttonholes in a contrasting colour. This can be a subtle but stylish design feature (just note it in the “special requests” section) that is invisible when you are wearing a tie, but comes out when you want to play.

And keep your eyes open for the return of pin-collar shirts…

A dress shirts can make or break a fine suit.

• Pointed collars tend to be more formal. Button-down or rounded collars typically look better with textured jackets.
• A double breasted suit is well complimented by a spread collar.
• Tab-behind collars are sometimes called the “Ivy League” look, from their association with such colleges in the United States. It is a distinctive look, and one that I very much enjoy. Tab-behind collars remain unusual in Australia and convey a strongly distinctive style.
• Remember to choose the right knot to go with your shirt…
• We love French cuffs. They are more formal, demand the use of cufflinks (or a silk knot) and require a little more effort to iron. But they really look good!