Best Shirts for Workwear: What Brands to Buy and How to Wear Them

Best Shirts for Workwear: What Brands to Buy and How to Wear Them

When it comes to dressing for success, shirts are a cornerstone of your professional wardrobe. Whether you’re suiting up for boardroom meetings, remote calls, or casual office settings, the right work shirt does more than just fit well—it speaks volumes about your personal style and confidence. But with the sheer variety of cuts, fabrics, fits, and brands out there, choosing the right shirt for work can feel overwhelming.

That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in. Our free, smart sizing tool helps you find your perfect fit in over 1,500 brands—no guesswork, no returns, no disappointment. Create your profile now to get personalised size recommendations in seconds.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

Key workwear shirt styles you need in your wardrobe
What fabrics to look for (and avoid)
How to style shirts for different work environments
The best high street and luxury brands worth investing in
Why sizing varies—and how Tellar.co.uk solves it

Understanding Workwear Shirt Styles

1. The Classic Button-Down

A timeless staple that works for both men and women, the button-down is as versatile as it is essential. Look for clean lines, crisp collars, and minimal detailing to ensure maximum adaptability from formal meetings to after-work drinks.

Best For: Traditional office settings, formal events

How to Wear: Tucked into tailored trousers or a pencil skirt; pair with loafers or pumps.

2. The Poplin Shirt

Poplin shirts are lightweight and smooth, making them a favourite for structured, polished looks. The tightly woven cotton gives a flat surface that resists wrinkles better than other weaves.

Best For: Summer offices, business travel

How to Wear: Under a blazer with high-waisted trousers for a sharp silhouette.

3. The Oversized Shirt

More relaxed but still professional when styled correctly, the oversized shirt is a modern wardrobe favourite. Perfect for creative roles or hybrid working.

Best For: Creative workplaces, casual Fridays

How to Wear: French-tuck into tailored trousers or belted over a midi skirt.

Choosing the Right Fabric for Work Shirts

Your fabric choice plays a crucial role in comfort, breathability, and professionalism.

Fabric	Pros	Cons
Cotton	Breathable, durable, widely available	Prone to creasing
Poplin	Smooth, crisp, slightly formal	Less breathable in warmer weather
Tencel / Lyocell	Sustainable, soft, drapes well	May require special care
Silk	Elegant, luxurious	High maintenance, not ideal for warm days
Linen blends	Light and breathable	May wrinkle easily unless blended

Learn more in our full Shirt Fabric Guide.

Best Brands for Workwear Shirts

🟩 High Street Heroes

You don’t need to spend a fortune to look sharp at work. These high street brands offer style, structure, and comfort without the premium price tag:

M&S Collection – Known for generous cuts and quality fabrics. Their cotton stretch blouses and men’s easy-iron shirts are workwear essentials.
Uniqlo – Their Supima cotton shirts are soft, breathable, and extremely durable. Great for minimalists.
& Other Stories – Offers beautifully tailored shirts for women, with modern colour palettes and sustainable materials.
Massimo Dutti – One of the best in terms of style-to-price ratio. Sophisticated details, refined cuts, and great fabrics. Explore sizes at Tellar.co.uk.

✅ Find your best size in all the brands above in seconds using Tellar’s free sizing tool.

🟨 Luxury & Designer Staples

If you’re investing in long-term wardrobe pieces, these brands deliver quality, longevity, and timeless design:

Theory – Sharp, minimalistic, and built for boardrooms. Their stretch poplin shirts are a cult favourite.
Reiss – Excellent for both men and women. Their slim-fit and tailored shirts have excellent drape and hold.
ME+EM – For women, ME+EM offers workwear elegance with comfort at its core—especially their stretch-cotton shirts.
Eton Shirts – For men, these Swedish-made shirts use high-performance cotton blends. Crisp all day long.
Joseph – Known for fluid tailoring and subtle luxury, perfect for creatives in leadership roles.

Need help deciding what size to get in Eton or Reiss? Use Tellar’s tool—you’ll get your personalised size across hundreds of brands instantly.

What Shirt Style Suits Your Body Shape?

A shirt that fits well will flatter your shape, enhance proportions, and make you feel confident.

Petite frames: Opt for cropped or short-line shirts that don’t overwhelm your frame. Avoid excess fabric.
Curvier shapes: Shirts with darting or wrap styles can contour naturally. Stretch cotton helps avoid gaping at the chest.
Tall individuals: Look for longer lengths and extended sleeves. Oversized fits often sit better and look proportional.
Athletic builds: Choose structured fabrics with slim tailoring to show definition without clinging.

🔍 Read more in our Body Shape Shirt Guide

How to Style Work Shirts for Different Settings

💼 Corporate / Formal Workwear

Stick to classic colours—white, pale blue, navy. Pair with structured trousers, pencil skirts, or suits. Always iron your shirt. Cufflinks optional but powerful.

Try: Reiss for men; ME+EM or Massimo Dutti for women.

🏢 Smart-Casual Offices

You can experiment with soft pastel tones, pinstripes, or half-button blouses. Layer with knits or blazers.

Try: Uniqlo or & Other Stories with relaxed tailored bottoms.

💻 Remote Work / Hybrid

Comfort is key, but Zoom-ready collars still matter. Soft fabrics like Tencel or relaxed cotton poplins work well.

Try: COS oversized shirts or M&S jersey collared tops.

Why Sizing Varies Across Brands

You’ve probably noticed that you're a size 10 in one store and a 12 in another—and it’s not your body that’s inconsistent, it’s the brands.

Reasons include:

Different size charts for different markets (UK, US, EU)
Vanity sizing in some brands
Cut/style differences: slim fit vs regular vs relaxed
Inconsistent grading across collections

🧠 That’s why Tellar.co.uk was created—to end the frustration and guesswork. Just enter your measurements once, and we’ll match you to your best size across 1,500+ brands.

👉 Start here – it’s free and easy

Final Tips When Buying Work Shirts

Check the shoulder seams: They should align perfectly with your natural shoulder edge.
Mind the gaping: If buttons pull at the chest or stomach, try a different fit or size.
Test mobility: Lift your arms, twist your torso—comfort counts just as much as looks.
Rotate wisely: Aim for 4–5 shirts you can rotate weekly to minimise wear and washing.

Call to Action: Get Your Perfect Fit Today

Tired of returns and inconsistent sizing? Stop guessing and start dressing smarter. At Tellar.co.uk, we help you find your best fit in over 1,500 brands—from Reiss to Uniqlo, Theory to M&S.

✅ It’s quick, accurate and completely free.

✅ Works for men and women.

✅ Your size, in seconds.

🎯 Click here to create your profile now

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Want more workwear tips, brand reviews and smart style advice?

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