Different Styles of Shirts: What Style Is in Fashion Now?

Different Styles of Shirts: What Style Is in Fashion Now?

Shirts are among the most versatile and essential garments in modern wardrobes. In 2025, shirt styles are diverging more than ever—driven by both runway trends and shifts in consumer behaviour toward comfort, functionality, and silhouette diversity.

This article explores the most fashionable shirt styles today, underpinned by industry data, tailoring standards, fabric innovations, and styling science. It also includes expert recommendations, sourcing tips, and guidance on matching each style to body shape—backed by tools from Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading sizing platform for over 1,500 brands.

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1. Oversized Shirts: The Rise of Volume

Trend Overview:

Oversized silhouettes remain dominant in 2025, reflecting a continuation of the post-pandemic comfort dressing trend. In fact, Lyst’s 2024 Q4 report noted a 38% YoY increase in searches for “oversized shirt” globally.

Construction Details:

These shirts often feature dropped shoulders, wide yokes, and a longer hemline. Box pleats at the back and curved hemlines help retain structure while allowing movement.

Best For:

• Tall or rectangular body types benefit from added width

• For petite frames, avoid tunic lengths—cropped oversized cuts or belting at the waist help preserve proportions

Popular Fabric Choices:

• Organic cotton poplin

• Cotton-linen blends

• Tencel for fluidity

Brand Recommendations:

• COS: Known for exaggerated boxy cuts and premium poplin

• ARKET: Focuses on sustainable cotton with sharp tailoring

• The Frankie Shop: Known for directional volume in muted colourways

🔗 See how to style oversized shirts for different body shapes

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2. Structured Button-Downs: Tailored Precision

Trend Overview:

Fitted shirts are evolving from traditional corporate wear to hybrid casual-dress options. Enhancements include elastane-infused cotton blends and subtle ruching for form-fitting appeal.

Tailoring Metrics:

Ideal shoulder seam alignment should sit at the acromion (shoulder edge). Armhole placement and bust darts define contouring in modern women's fits.

Best For:

• Hourglass figures benefit from defined waists

• Inverted triangles gain balance with subtle draping at the waist or flared cuffs

Key Materials:

• Stretch cotton blends (typically 97% cotton, 3% elastane)

• Mercerised cotton for durability and sheen

Brand Recommendations:

• Massimo Dutti: Uses Italian fabrics for refined fits

• Reiss: Excellent shaping through bust and waist darts

• Banana Republic: Broad range of classic and slim fits

🔗 Explore shirt styles suitable for work and casual wear

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3. Cuban Collar Shirts: Revival of Resortwear

Trend Overview:

Cuban collar shirts (also called revere collar shirts) are characterised by open lapels and straight hems. Popularised in mid-century menswear, they’ve now become unisex staples, especially for warm weather.

Technical Design Features:

• No collar stand (unlike Oxford shirts)

• Often single-piece collars

• Boxy cuts for airflow

Best For:

• Rectangular, athletic or tall frames benefit from the horizontal collar line

• Often worn untucked to elongate the body visually

Fabrics:

• Viscose (Rayon) for softness and drape

• Linen for breathability

• Cupro blends for sustainability

Brand Recommendations:

• Percival: Offers modern cuts with heritage detailing

• & Other Stories: Known for subtle feminine reworks

• Sézane: Offers breathable linen versions with French styling

🔗 See Cuban collar styling in our summer shirt guide

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4. Utility Shirts: Function-First Aesthetic

Trend Overview:

Utility shirts reflect a broader industry trend toward “function meets fashion.” Their structural nature—often featuring box pleats, flapped pockets, and hardwearing fabrics—makes them ideal for transitional layering.

Technical Features:

• Reinforced seams

• Military-inspired styling

• Often includes epaulettes or metal snaps

Best For:

• Pear-shaped or curvier silhouettes benefit from defined shoulder lines

• Wear open or belted to create waist definition

Fabrics:

• Cotton twill

• Denim

• Canvas blends

Brand Recommendations:

• Whistles: Offers clean lines and polished utilitarian cuts

• Uniqlo: Excellent affordable staples with durable finishes

• AllSaints: Known for washed-out tones and oversized utility fits

🔗 Match shirt styles to your shape using Tellar’s body-fit tool

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5. Sheer & Mesh Shirts: Transparency and Texture

Trend Overview:

Sheer shirts surged in 2024, with luxury designers embracing transparency across collections. Now democratized on the high street, these shirts provide layering opportunities while showcasing silhouette play.

Technical Fabric Facts:

• Organza (polyester or silk) is crisp and translucent

• Power mesh adds stretch and contouring

• Sheer voile cotton offers breathability with subtle opacity

Best For:

• All body types when layered intelligently—pair with bralettes, camisoles or structured vests

Style Tip:

Avoid clashing seams or underlayers with contrast stitching, which may disrupt the clean lines of sheer shirts.

Brand Recommendations:

• Zara: Trend-led interpretations with varied transparency levels

• Ganni: Statement mesh tops with prints

• Weekday: Minimalist Scandinavian layers in muted tones

🔗 Master the art of layering with sheer shirts

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6. Cropped Shirts: Balanced Proportions

Trend Overview:

As part of the Y2K revival, cropped shirts are surging across demographics. Paired with high-waisted garments, cropped shirts elongate the legs and emphasise waistlines.

Fit Standards:

• Optimal cropped length hits 1–2 inches above the navel

• Darting and panelling help add structure to otherwise minimal garments

Best For:

• Hourglass or petite frames

• Avoid boxy crops if you’re tall—opt for slightly extended versions

Fabrics:

• Structured poplin

• Lightweight denim

• Knit blends for hybrid shirt-jumpers

Brand Recommendations:

• House of Sunny: Known for 70s-inspired cropped tailoring

• River Island: Urban styles at high street prices

• Mango: Elevated basics with precise fits

🔗 See our guide on evolving shirt fits

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7. Statement Sleeve Shirts: Volume & Visual Balance

Trend Overview:

Shirts with puff sleeves, ruffles, and sculptural arms are becoming core fashion pieces. This trend adds instant drama while offering proportion control, especially in minimal outfits.

Construction Insights:

• Bishop sleeves: Fitted cuff + full volume

• Balloon sleeves: Gathered both at the shoulder and wrist

• Gigot sleeves: Historical revival with high armhole seams

Best For:

• Rectangle and pear shapes, as the volume on top creates balance

• Avoid if you already have very broad shoulders unless sleeve volume tapers at the wrist

Fabrics:

• Crisp poplin

• Taffeta

• Stretch blends to reduce stiffness

Brand Recommendations:

• Kitri: British label known for theatrical shirting

• Ghost: Delivers romantic options in soft fabrics

• Sleeper: Luxe day-to-night pieces with oversized sleeves

🔗 Balance bold sleeves with smart silhouettes

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How to Choose the Right Shirt Style for You

Start with your body shape and identify the zones you want to emphasise or balance. Then consider:

• Shoulder-to-hip ratio

• Torso length

• Waist definition

• Your day-to-day activities (shirts for sitting vs movement, for example)

🔗 Our interactive sizing tool at Tellar.co.uk helps you match your measurements to ideal shirt styles and fits.

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Sourcing Trends: Where to Buy These Shirts in 2025

📌 Use Tellar.co.uk/store-size-lookup to compare your measurements with these retailers’ sizing frameworks.

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Final Call to Action

Whether you prefer clean-lined button-downs or high-impact statement sleeves, shirt trends in 2025 prioritise versatility, personal expression, and body-aware design. But the most stylish shirt is one that fits.

✨ Find your size across 1,500+ brands now at Tellar.co.uk

It’s Free & Easy.

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