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Casual Shirts – What to Buy and What to Pair Them With

Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar

Date: 2025

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Casual Shirts – What to Buy and What to Pair Them With

When it comes to everyday style, nothing beats the versatility and comfort of a great casual shirt. Whether you're heading out for brunch, a stroll through town, or an impromptu Zoom meeting, the right shirt can elevate your outfit effortlessly. But with countless options available—from oversized linen classics to crisp cotton button-downs—it can be tricky to figure out what works for your body shape, style, and wardrobe. In this guide, we’ll explore what casual shirts are worth investing in, how to choose the best fit, and what to pair them with—backed by expert sizing tools and real-time fit guidance from Tellar.co.uk.

Why a Casual Shirt is a Wardrobe Staple

Casual shirts sit at the intersection of smart and relaxed. They offer a level of polish that’s ideal for both off-duty and low-key professional settings, without sacrificing comfort. You can dress them up with tailored trousers or pare them back with vintage denim—making them one of the most adaptive pieces you can own.

But the biggest challenge? Fit.

Too loose, and it swamps your frame. Too fitted, and it pulls across the chest or rides up at the waist. That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in. We help you find your best size across 1,500+ brands, using your own measurements or your known size from another store. You can create a free profile and start matching your shape to perfect-fit shirts instantly.

Create your free sizing profile here →

1. Best Types of Casual Shirts to Own

Let’s break down the best shirt styles worth adding to your wardrobe:

Oxford Shirts

  • Best for: Smart-casual looks, brunches, work-from-home polish

  • Fabric: Heavy cotton weave, soft and textured

  • Pair with: Rolled chinos, denim, or a blazer

  • Try these brands:

    • High street: Uniqlo, Arket, COS

    • Designer: A.P.C., Maison Kitsuné, Sunspel

Linen Shirts

  • Best for: Warm weather, holidays, layering over vests

  • Fabric: Lightweight, breathable natural fibre

  • Pair with: Tailored shorts, slim jeans, or relaxed trousers

  • Try these brands:

    • High street: H&M Premium, Mango, & Other Stories

    • Luxury: Theory, Reiss, Orlebar Brown

Overshirts / Shackets

  • Best for: Transitional dressing, casual layering

  • Fabric: Cotton twill, flannel, wool blends

  • Pair with: T-shirts, slim jeans, boots

  • Try these brands:

    • High street: Zara, Weekday, Marks & Spencer

    • Designer: Norse Projects, AMI Paris, Rag & Bone

Denim Shirts

  • Best for: Off-duty looks, country styling

  • Fabric: Mid-weight denim, sometimes faded or distressed

  • Pair with: Black trousers or white jeans for contrast

  • Try these brands:

    • High street: Levi's, Pull & Bear, Jack & Jones

    • Designer: Diesel, AllSaints, RRL by Ralph Lauren

Checked / Flannel Shirts

  • Best for: Cooler seasons, relaxed weekend outfits

  • Fabric: Brushed cotton or wool blend

  • Pair with: Dark denim, leather jackets, boots

  • Try these brands:

    • High street: Superdry, Next, FatFace

    • Designer: Filson, Saint Laurent, Barbour

2. Pairing Casual Shirts: What Works With What?

Pairing casual shirts depends on fabric, fit and seasonality. Here’s a quick matching guide:

With Jeans

  • Slim fit jeans + Oxford shirt = Effortless weekend look

  • Wide-leg jeans + linen shirt = Breezy, modern style

  • Black skinny jeans + denim shirt = Double denim done right

With Trousers

  • Neutral chinos + checked shirt = Clean and relaxed

  • Wide-leg trousers + oversized shacket = Edgy streetwear energy

  • Smart trousers + flannel shirt = Perfect pub-to-dinner transition

With Shorts

  • Tailored shorts + short-sleeve linen shirt = Holiday hero

  • Cargo shorts + utility overshirt = Functional and cool

With Layers

  • T-shirt under open Oxford = Simple, styled, and casual

  • Roll neck under overshirt = Autumn layering that works

Need help figuring out your perfect shirt fit? Try Tellar’s real-time size matcher.

Find your size instantly →

3. How to Choose the Right Fit for Your Body Shape

Each body shape calls for a slightly different approach to shirt styling. Here are some tips from the Tellar.co.uk Blog you might find useful:

Athletic Builds

  • Look for fitted or tapered shirts that follow your shape without clinging.

  • Avoid boxy cuts which can make you appear bulky.

  • Try: Reiss tailored shirts, Massimo Dutti stretch cotton fits

Petite Frames

  • Avoid oversized collars and shirts that drown your figure.

  • Opt for shorter lengths, slightly cropped, or tucked-in looks.

  • Try: Arket slim fit, COS cropped shirt styles

Tall Figures

  • Ensure sleeves and torsos are long enough.

  • Layer with longline overshirts for added depth.

  • Try: Asket, Uniqlo U, Topman Tall

Curvier or Broad Builds

  • Prioritise stretch fabrics or relaxed cuts that won’t pull at buttons.

  • Choose V-yoke or pleat-backed styles for shoulder movement.

  • Try: White Stuff, Boden, Barbour

Explore more tailored advice in our post: “Shirts: What Style Suits My Body Shape?”

4. Shirt Colours: What to Keep in Rotation

Don’t overcomplicate your shirt wardrobe. These four base colours can rotate through almost any look:

  1. White – The all-rounder. Pairs with literally anything.

  2. Light Blue – Clean, cool, and easy to layer.

  3. Navy – More forgiving than black and more versatile.

  4. Olive / Earth tones – Perfect for transitional looks.

Then add a couple of statement patterns or seasonal tones—think mustard, burgundy, or checks—to add personality.

5. Where to Shop for Quality Casual Shirts

If you’re buying new casual shirts this season, these are the best brands across the spectrum:

High Street Heroes

  • Uniqlo – Classic, minimal and affordable

  • Arket – Great fabrics and modern fits

  • Marks & Spencer – Excellent for value, sleeve length options

  • H&M Premium – Strong seasonal pieces, especially linen

  • White Stuff – Relaxed styles that flatter fuller builds

Designer Favourites

  • Sunspel – Premium essentials with timeless style

  • Reiss – Perfect for tailored, dressier casual looks

  • AMI Paris – Effortlessly Parisian, modern boxy cuts

  • Rag & Bone – Elevated basics with edge

  • Norse Projects – Scandinavian simplicity at its best

Not sure which size you’ll be in each brand? Let Tellar.co.uk calculate it for you.

6. Shirt Care: Keep Them Looking New

To extend the life of your casual shirts:

  • Avoid tumble drying linen or flannel—it causes shrinkage and warp

  • Use garment steamers instead of irons for softer cottons

  • Hang dry inside out to avoid fading from sunlight

  • Spot clean stains early and avoid over-washing

More on this in our blog post: “How to Care for Shirt Fabrics”

Final Thoughts: Invest Smartly, Wear Often

A good casual shirt isn’t a one-season wonder—it’s a wardrobe backbone. Whether you're dressing for comfort or presentation, the right shirt balances both. The trick is knowing your body, understanding fit, and buying smart.

That’s exactly what Tellar.co.uk helps you do.

With our free size tool, you’ll:

  • Instantly match your body shape to over 1,500 brands

  • Avoid costly sizing mistakes

  • Build a smarter wardrobe with pieces that actually fit

Ready to Find Your Perfect Casual Shirt?

✅ Create your free Tellar profile today

✅ Use our store size lookup tool here

✅ Explore our shirt blog library

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