A man’s wardrobe is made up of several core elements, at the forefront of this: the shirt. For a man who is interested in fashion and latest trends- or simply concerned with being comfortable and practical, a shirt is a staple item. A smart look can be effortlessly created by wearing a shirt, whilst it can also produce a flawless casual outfit, appropriate for a huge range of day to day activities, be it a weekday at work, or an evening spent having a drink with friends. It is therefore essential that any man holds a strong collection of shirts for these occasions- or at least a couple which are versatile; applicable to several outfits or situations.

This season there have been several significant trends that have been based around shirts. Taking inspiration from retro and vintage fashion, shirts boasting a flamboyant and eye-catching design have been immensely popular. Short sleeved shirts of the ‘Hawaiian’ style variety, featuring vibrant sunset colours have been spotted in fashionable holiday destinations. Of course the fit is a crucial element; creating a comical appearance in a large and loose Hawaiian shirt would be far from fashion-forward. To avoid this error at all costs these loud and proud shirts are to be worn slim fitting with buttons done up to the collar. Pair the shirt with a pair of light coloured chinos either rolled up at the bottom with espadrilles or flip flips, or with a vintage style knee-length denim shorts. Complete the look with some retro, tortoiseshell shades and await the imminent complements.

We have also witnessed this year that whilst ‘real men wear pink’ they also dare to wear floral patterns. A subtle floral pattern creates a shirt which is undoubtedly both striking and appealing. Several high-end designers have favoured adding a floral touch to a well-fitting shirt, and shown how this style is a perfect addition to a formal suit, or a more casual choice of chinos or jeans. For a classy evening ensemble, combine a floral shirt with slim-cut dark trousers or jeans, and a pair of leather shoes. For a cooler evening add your favourite suit jacket. Be sure to leave a couple of buttons open and leave a tie behind, to sustain a sophisticated, yet effortlessly stylish look.

Whilst a patterned shirt is certainly extremely fashionable, the classic Oxford button down style is never to be criticised. When aiming to create a look which is simple but refined, teaming a clean cut shirt with the appropriate trousers never results in anything but a success story. Again, the fit of the shirt is essential. A baggy ill-fitting shirt will completely destroy this tasteful look. Always avoid the temptation to dash out of a shop with the first item that looks as though it might be alright; take your time experimenting with a couple of styles and sizes until the perfect shirt is found- your patience is without a doubt worth it.

Remember that owning a selection of fantastic shirts means nothing without the appropriate shoes and trousers. As with choosing a shirt, take time to try on several styles and sizes of trouser, until finding those which suit you fantastically. A pair which is too tight or too baggy will absolutely never do- making the purchase a waste of money, and a loss of a potentially great outfit.

Men’s shoes come in a vast selection of styles and genres, be sure to own a great pair of go-to casual day time shoes and an equally stylish, smart and versatile, leather or suede shoe for the evening, around which you can base several looks- versatility is key to a wardrobe to never get bored of.

When looking for a new shirt, Blue Inc is a brilliant destination. Upon entering a store or viewing the website, there, can be found men’s shirts ranging from plain to patterned, short sleeve to long sleeve, smart to casual; all creating customer satisfaction with fully accessible prices. Blue Inc is consistent in delivering the latest styles and trends in menswear, with an indisputably excellent selection. When in hunt of inspiration for new clothing ideas and ‘looks’, the Blue Inc blog is frequently updated. Here you can find a carefully picked selection of celebrity style looks, up and coming trends as well as spotlighting exciting new products.