The Right Shirt? The White Shirt!

Unlike women's fashion, which can change hugely from one season to the next, men's style tends to favor variations on tried and tested staples. Open any men's fashion rag and you'll see the words 'classic' and 'basic' very often. That's why the labels love to sell the solid white shirt so much: you can't get any more classic and much more basic than the solid white shirt. It's a timeless piece every guy over 20 should own in abundance.

The solid white shirt performs at its strongest when you get it as described: solid white. A plain, unadorned white shirt is one of the most versatile pieces you could own; they can go with everything from tailored pants to cutoff shorts. Don't buy ones with epaulettes, embroidery and such until you have a big set of the simple, white-buttoned variety.

One thing you'll notice about men's fashion is the emphasis that everyone puts on fit and cut. Nowhere else are bespoke and custom items valued so much. Cut and fit are given even more importance on the solid white shirt because it's a piece that sculpts and shapes your torso. A slim (but not body-hugging) fit is crucial to a sharp-looking white shirt. A fitted chest, sag-free arms and a slightly cinched waist all help improve your silhouette.

Fabric quality is another major consideration when buying a solid white shirt. Even the most expensive silk tie can't hide a cheap polyester shirt. A plain white shirt will remain just that – plain, white and blah – with mediocre materials. Higher grade fabrics like linen blends, meanwhile, make your shirt stand out right away, necktie or no necktie.

Going custom-made isn't always the best option now that so many store-bought choices are available, but bespoke is still the way to go with white shirts. Not only are they very fit-conscious, but you're likely to get a lot of style mileage out of them anyway. It's a combination that adds to the value proposition of getting all of them tailored.

Versatility is one of the foremost strengths of the solid white shirt, and you're more likely to run out of things to wear it with. Whether flat-front khaki shorts or inky black jeans are all you have left in your closet, a crisp white shirt will have you looking ready to go.

Consistency is perhaps one of the biggest challenges with a white shirt. Since it's so easy to dress up and dress down, a lot of men tend to leave the whole outfit ambiguous. Are you turning up the formal tonight? Wear a tie and cuff links to go all the way with natty details. Is it a laid back Saturday afternoon? Break out the jeans, roll up the sleeves and maybe undo one more button at the top than what you usually leave open.

Men's style rewards the experimenter, the Marc Jacobs or the Thom Browne who does things that people think are crazy. Should you ever have the urge to play around with your wardrobe a bit, have a white shirt at the ready.

Have you been thinking about wearing formal attire with a skinny tie rather than bow tie? Don a waistcoat and loafers with your shirt, and maybe add a bow tie for good measure. What about trying a neon trend? Wear a fluorescent necktie with a white shirt and classic slacks. The sheer versatility of the white shirt isn't just for daily office wear; it's also good news for the little fashion daredevil hiding in all of us.