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The Shirt Edit: How to Master Work vs Weekend Dressing (And Finally Get Your Size Right)

The Shirt Edit: How to Master Work vs Weekend Dressing (And Finally Get Your Size Right)

Shirts can either sharpen your entire look or fall completely flat—and the difference often comes down to cut, fabric, and fit. Whether you’re investing in crisp workwear or effortless weekend styles, knowing what type of shirt to buy (and how each brand fits your body) is essential.

The problem? A UK 10 at COS fits nothing like a UK 10 at Reiss. And designer labels? Even worse. That’s why Tellar.co.uk exists—to cut through the confusion and give you real-world size accuracy across over 1,500 brands.

This definitive guide will show you:

  • Which shirt styles work best for smart vs casual wear

  • The difference between designer vs high street shirt brands (with sizing tips)

  • What fabrics, cuts, and seams actually flatter your shape

  • How to use Tellar’s free sizing tool to get your perfect fit the first time

  • With full backlinks to Tellar.co.uk‘s expert resources

📌 Related Posts on Tellar.co.uk:

👔 Smart & Workwear Shirts: Structure, Sharpness, and Professional Polish

DESIGNER BRANDS: Tailored Investment Pieces

1. Reiss – Known for crisp, structured tailoring; fitted sleeves and narrow torsos.
2. ME+EM – Precision tailoring with discreet shaping darts and hidden fastenings; ideal for curvy or hourglass frames.
3. Joseph – Premium cotton poplin and silk; long lines, best for tall or athletic builds.
4. Max Mara Studio – High-quality Italian construction, elegant button placement, and lightweight crepe options.
5. Theory – Ultra-sleek NYC brand; slim armholes, minimal excess, great under suiting.
6. Vince – Soft polished cottons and relaxed tailoring; best for rectangular or athletic builds.

🧠 Fit Insight: Most designer brands fit smaller through the shoulders and bust than UK high street sizes. Always check your chest and shoulder span on Tellar.co.uk before buying.

📌 Related: Do Luxury Brands Run Small?

HIGH STREET BRANDS: Reliable Daily Essentials

1. Hawes & Curtis – A go-to for corporate professionals; generous bust space and sleeve length options.
2. Charles Tyrwhitt – Cut for broader builds; includes classic, tailored, and slim fits.
3. Massimo Dutti – Elegant high-street staple; armholes can be narrow, especially in structured poplin.
4. Marks & Spencer – Affordable, consistent sizing; great for busty figures and plus-size needs.
5. Uniqlo – Minimalist, machine-washable cotton shirts; often boxy.
6. Boden – Especially good for hourglass and petite sizing, with bust-friendly cuts.
7. Hobbs – Excellent tailoring and true UK sizing; ideal for short waists and fuller hips.

🧵 Fabric Tip: For daily wear, choose shirts in poplin, cotton twill, or non-sheer viscose blends with darting or side seams for a cleaner finish under blazers.

📌 Related: How Smart Shirts Should Fit – The Hidden Details

👚 Casual Shirts: Texture, Movement & Personality

DESIGNER BRANDS: Effortless but Elevated

1. Rails – Californian-based, known for buttery-soft brushed cotton and relaxed tailoring
2. Sézane – Romantic French cuts in linen, organic cotton, and embroidered detailing
3. The Frankie Shop – Oversized, fashion-forward tailoring; boxy and bold
4. Totême – Sculpted cuffs, high-quality finishes, and neutral colour palettes
5. Isabel Marant Étoile – Loose flannel shirts with Parisian boho twist
6. Acne Studios – Unisex, oversized cuts and Scandinavian-inspired minimalism

🧠 Fit Caution: Designer casual shirts are often intentionally oversized—but some still run small across the chest. Tellar.co.uk can confirm if you should size up based on your exact bust-to-shoulder ratio.

📌 Related: Oversized Shirts – How to Style Without Losing Shape

HIGH STREET BRANDS: Everyday Style You Can Trust

1. COS – Best for tall and rectangular builds; architectural, clean shirts with drop shoulders
2. Arket – Minimal Swedish cuts; suits taller frames
3. Mango – Excellent casual shirts with shaping seams; best for curves
4. H&M – Trend-led, often oversized; sizing varies seasonally
5. Weekday – Relaxed silhouettes, soft flannel and streetwear-inspired options
6. New Look – Affordable basics with petite-friendly lengths
7. & Other Stories – Modern classics with slight puff sleeves, great for pear shapes
8. Zara – Inconsistent sizing; narrow bust and short arms in many cuts
9. FatFace – Brushed cotton shirts with UK-friendly bust proportions
10. Matalan – Affordable smart-casual; standardised UK high street fit

📌 Related: Are Zara Shirts True to Size? A Full Breakdown

🧵 Technical Fabric & Fit Insights

Poplin: Smooth, wrinkle-resistant, and perfect under jackets. Look for 100% cotton or stretch blends for comfort.
Oxford: Heavier weave; great for transitional weather and structured looks.
Linen: Ideal for heat; always buy slightly oversized due to shrinkage and lack of stretch.
Satin & Silk: Drapey and elegant but can cling. Choose midweight silk blends with bias-cut shaping.
Flannel & Brushed Cotton: Soft, warm, and perfect for autumn—but opt for minimal bust seams to avoid pulling.

📌 Related: What Are Shirts Made From? Fabric Guide

📏 Fit by Body Type – Smart and Casual

Hourglass:

  • Look for darted sides, wrap blouses, and bias-cut shaping

  • Avoid boxy fits unless belted

  • Try: Boden, Mango, ME+EM, Massimo Dutti

Rectangle / Athletic:

  • Add structure with defined collars, front seams, and curved hems

  • Great in oversized or military styles

  • Try: COS, The Frankie Shop, Whistles

Apple:

  • Looser fits through the waist, hidden plackets, v-necks

  • Avoid heavy cotton poplin without stretch

  • Try: Marks & Spencer, Zara Relaxed Fit, Sézane

Pear:

  • Choose volume and colour on top to balance hips

  • Puff sleeves, oversized collars, and patterns flatter

  • Try: & Other Stories, Mango, Isabel Marant

Petite:

  • Avoid longline or oversized cuffs

  • Go for cropped, straight hem, or petite-fit lines

  • Try: Topshop Petite, New Look, Boden Petite

Tall:

  • Longline and exaggerated cuffs work beautifully

  • Embrace tunics, dropped hems, and wide silhouettes

  • Try: COS, Arket, Reiss Tall

👉 Get exact size and cut guidance with your free Tellar profile

❌ Why Shirt Sizing Is So Inconsistent

Shirt fit varies due to:

  • Different base patterns (UK brands vs European luxury houses)

  • Fabric behaviour (e.g. linen shrinks, silk clings, cotton stretches slightly)

  • Cut intention (relaxed vs tailored)

  • Vanity sizing – especially on the high street

📌 Related: Understanding Brand Sizing Variations

🔍 Use Tellar.co.uk’s Size Lookup Tool to decode size anomalies in seconds.

✅ Why Tellar.co.uk Solves All of This

  • Compares your body data to over 1,500 brands

  • Flags brands that run small, large or inconsistent

  • Recommends by fit, not just label size

  • Converts UK, US and EU sizes

  • Tailors recommendations for smart or casual styling goals

No more guessing. No more returns.

👉 Create your free profile now
👉 Find your perfect shirt size in 1,500+ brands

Final Word – The Right Shirt, The First Time

You don’t need to waste time ordering three sizes “just in case.” Whether you’re investing in luxury tailoring or buying your tenth high-street shirt this season, your shirt should fit your body—not fight it.

Tellar.co.uk makes that possible.
It’s free, instant, and gives you real-world size advice tailored to your shape.

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy”
Start now: https://www.tellar.co.uk

john Webarising

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