Everyone at least has one crip white in their wardrobe; that’s how essential they have become now. Whether it is a formal or a casual outing, white shirts can be your best choice! The thing that makes white shirts stand apart is that they can not only blend in with other accessories but also make them pop in a subtle, sophisticated manner. Thus, today, thousands of stylish men’s white shirts are available in the market for you to pick from. But did you know white shirts come a long way and have a history of their own? The stylish white shirts that everyone loves to wear today have come a long way, and there are many things that might actually amuse you. So, read on!
For starters, here are a few things about the classic white shirt that you did not know:
- White Shirts were Undergarments
Yes, you read it right. Men’s white shirts were worn as an undergarment and were supposed to be kept hidden below the waistcoats and jackets. Only the collar and the cuffs were supposed to be visible throughout the 1800s. To make it more convenient to wash, men at that time used detachable options that are highly sought after today due to their rarity and connotations with traditional forms of dress.
- The White Collar Worker
By the early 1900s, linen collars were offered in various styles and had become the status symbol of the growing office-going men. Definitely, we evolved from the time when shirts were a reflection of wealth, but even now, the white shirt still holds a connection with class and status.
The term ‘white collar worker’ was used to differentiate between men who worked in offices or corporate environments and those who earned a living doing manual labor, AKA the blue collar workers. Why? Because a navy blue colored shirt could easily conceal stains, unlike the crisp, clean white shirt and thus it became a symbol of social status and class.
- Symbol of masculinity
Since white shirts were worn by the working class, the garment quickly got associated with masculinity and power. It was considered as a “uniform” of sorts, worn by men who wanted to be distinguished as respectable, professionals, and sincere. The silhouette of the men’s white shirt with its stiff, triangular collar and the fitted cut was the perfect design for depicting the anatomy of masculinity.
- The Frilled white shirts
In the early 1980s, for a short period, a modern romantic style of dressing in loosely styled foppish and frilled white shirts was the height of fashion – inspired by a popular new romantic band, such as the British band Spandau Ballet. Also known as the ‘poet shirts’ or ‘ruffled shirts.’
Now, the next time you walk through a store and come across the rows of intricately folded and exactingly boxed stylish white shirts, you can pause to consider the significant historical connections.
In case you are someone looking for quality white shirts that can elevate the wardrobe and notch up the style game effortlessly, then do consider brands such as Andamen, a name you can rely on while buying the shirts for men. Their premium shirts are sourced from high-quality fabrics that offer you a chic look without compromising on your comfort. You can pick from their solid white shirts, checks, printed shirts, Nehru collar shirts, denim shirts, and embroidered shirts.
So, go for the shirts that level up your fashion game this year and embellish with class and comfort!
