Different Styles of Shirts: Luxury Designer Brands vs High Street Best Buys

Different Styles of Shirts: Luxury Designer Brands vs High Street Best Buys

When it comes to wardrobe staples, the humble shirt is one of the most versatile pieces you can own. Whether crisp and tailored or oversized and casual, shirts bridge the gap between practicality and polish. But with so many styles, fabrics, cuts, and brands available, how do you know where to invest? Should you opt for a luxury designer shirt with exquisite detailing, or head to the high street for a budget-friendly alternative?

At Tellar.co.uk, we help you find your perfect fit across 1,500+ brands, whether you're shopping from COS or Céline. In this comprehensive style guide, we’ll explore the most popular shirt styles, break down the differences between high street and luxury shirts, and recommend the best buys in both categories—complete with links to our sizing tool and trusted brand insights.

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Popular Shirt Styles: A Quick Guide

Before comparing where to shop, it's important to understand the different styles of shirts that dominate the fashion landscape today:

1. The Classic Button-Down

A wardrobe essential. Whether worn under a blazer or styled with denim, this shirt is synonymous with versatility. Look for high-quality cotton poplin or twill, a structured collar, and clean lines.

2. The Oversized Shirt

Loved for its relaxed silhouette, this style works brilliantly for layering or as a standalone statement. Typically cut from breathable cotton or linen.

3. The Silk Shirt

Luxurious and drapey, silk shirts are a go-to for evening wear or elevated work looks. These require careful sizing and often feature delicate finishes like French seams or mother-of-pearl buttons.

4. The Western Shirt

Identified by snap buttons, pointed yokes, and a rugged aesthetic. Typically crafted from denim or heavy cotton, ideal for off-duty style.

5. The Utility Shirt

Inspired by military styling, these shirts often feature flap pockets, boxy cuts, and earthy tones. Popular in cotton canvas or twill.

6. The Linen Shirt

Perfect for warm weather, linen shirts offer breathability and a relaxed appearance. However, sizing can vary greatly due to natural shrinkage and drape.

For more shirt-specific sizing advice, read our post: How Shirt Fabrics Affect Fit.

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What Defines a Luxury Shirt?

Designer shirts often carry a higher price tag—and for good reason. Let’s look at what you typically get when buying from luxury brands:

✅ Premium Materials

Expect Egyptian cotton, Japanese selvedge denim, or Italian silk. These materials are softer, longer-lasting, and tend to drape more elegantly.

✅ Superior Craftsmanship

Luxury shirts often feature hand-sewn buttons, reinforced seams, and precision pattern cutting. Details like pattern-matched pockets and gusseted hems are common.

✅ Unique Design Elements

From bold prints to sculptural silhouettes, luxury brands like The Row, Dries Van Noten, or Jacquemus push the boundaries of traditional shirt design.

✅ Ethical Production

Many designer labels invest in ethical sourcing, fair labour, and small-batch production. Brands like BITE Studios or Stella McCartney lead in sustainability.

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Best Luxury Shirt Brands in 2025

1. The Row

Unparalleled minimalist tailoring. Their oversized white shirts are investment pieces known for lasting years.

2. Totême

Scandinavian simplicity at its best. Look out for their signature monogram print shirts and structured cotton poplin options.

3. Saint Laurent

Perfect if you love slim silhouettes and rocker appeal. Their silk and sheer shirts add a dramatic edge to nightwear dressing.

4. Victoria Beckham

Exquisitely structured with strong cuffs and elongated sleeves, ideal for fashion-forward office wear.

5. Raey (from Matches)

Known for its heavyweight silk and oversized, androgynous fits.

Need to know your perfect fit across luxury brands? Use the Tellar.co.uk free sizing tool to compare fit between brands like Totême vs COS or The Row vs Arket.

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Why High Street Shirts Still Have a Place

While luxury shirts offer elevated style and durability, high street alternatives have improved drastically in quality and fit in recent years.

✅ Affordability

You can build a versatile wardrobe with multiple shirt styles at a fraction of the price of one designer piece.

✅ Trend Responsiveness

High street brands are fast to replicate designer looks. If you love something seasonal like balloon sleeves or pastel stripes, you’ll likely find it quickly on the high street.

✅ Sustainable Progress

Brands like M&S, & Other Stories, and Arket now offer organic cotton, recycled fibres, and traceable supply chains.

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Best High Street Shirt Brands in the UK

1. Arket

Minimal, Scandinavian-influenced shirts with a great range of sustainable fabrics and consistent sizing.

2. COS

Tailored, architectural pieces with a designer aesthetic at an accessible price. Their cotton poplin shirts are especially well cut.

3. & Other Stories

More feminine and trend-led. Think puff sleeves, embroidered collars, and playful patterns.

4. Uniqlo

Unbeatable on price for quality. Known for its Supima cotton shirts and collaborative collections (JW Anderson, Ines de la Fressange).

5. Mango

Great range for workwear and occasion shirts. Look out for their “Committed” collection with eco-conscious production.

6. Marks & Spencer

Reliable sizing across a wide range of styles and body shapes, especially their linen summer shirts and Easy Iron work shirts.

See our post: The Best High Street Brands for Fit

Or jump straight to the Tellar Size Lookup Tool to get your size across all these high street retailers.

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Designer vs High Street: The Technical Fit Differences

At Tellar.co.uk, we’ve analysed fit data from both luxury and high street brands, and here’s what we’ve found:

This is exactly why using Tellar’s real-time size-matching tool matters—no more guessing between UK 10 in COS and FR 38 in Sezane. Find your size now.

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Shirt Styling Tips: How to Make the Most of Your Shirt Wardrobe

• Tuck Strategically: French tuck an oversized shirt into jeans or trousers to balance proportions.

• Layer Thoughtfully: Wear open over tank tops or knitwear in winter. Try layering under knit vests for preppy styling.

• Contrast Fabrics: Pair silk with denim or cotton with leather for balanced texture.

• Play With Buttons: Button all the way to the top for polish, or leave half open with layered necklaces for relaxed glamour.

• Roll Your Sleeves: An easy styling trick to change the entire vibe of the outfit.

Need help styling different shirts for your body shape? Read:

• Shirts for Curvy Figures

• What Shirt to Wear for Tall Frames

• Smart vs Casual Shirts

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Final Thoughts: Which Should You Buy?

If you're building a capsule wardrobe, invest in a couple of designer shirts in neutral colours—they’ll last longer and elevate any outfit. But for seasonal trends or everyday workwear, high street shirts are cost-effective and increasingly well made.

Regardless of where you shop, the most important factor is getting the right fit. That’s where Tellar.co.uk comes in.

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💡 Find Your Perfect Shirt Size in Seconds

No more guesswork, no more returns. At Tellar.co.uk:

• Match your body measurements to over 1,500+ brands

• See size recommendations across both luxury and high street

• Convert between UK, US, FR, and EU sizes instantly

• Works in real-time on web + app (coming soon)

👉 Start now – it’s free and easy

👉 Try the Store Size Lookup Tool

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Follow Us for More Sizing and Styling Tips:

• Instagram: @Tellarsizing

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• Facebook: Tellar Sizing

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Whether you’re browsing Harrods or H&M, the key to shirt success is fit. Let Tellar.co.uk guide you through the size maze, so you can focus on style and confidence—whatever your budget.