We all have our history of horrific holidays. Realizing you have the flu as soon as you’ve boarded the plane to paradise, or your sister and her husband decide to pay you a surprise visit with their three (savage) children just as you sat down with a bottle of red and all six seasons of Game of Thrones that you were planning on binge watching in nothing but sweatpants. The list is unnervingly endless.

Alas, while these might be minor setbacks in the grander scheme of personal indulgences you may have had planned, I am certain I speak for all with utmost conviction that regardless of all the unexpected, unwanted surprises we may face during our ‘me’ time, nothing ever seems to prepare us enough for that very moment when you start counting down the days you have left before you have to return to reality and our jobs.

Having worked the first ten of my fifteen professional years in the oilfield rotating from home (Dubai) to work and back every five weeks; I have honed a few tips that always seemed to work for me. Here’s hoping they work in your favor:

1.) Power Down
Schedule permitting; allow yourself the last couple of days of your vacation relaxing your body and powering down your mind. Wind up your internal clock by turning in at an appropriate hour ensuring you get your healthy seven to eight hours of snooze time.

2.) Ducks In A Row
Get organized a day or two prior to returning to the fray. Pick out your favorite shirt and trousers and have them pressed. If the ‘just-returned-from-holiday’ you feels that your wardrobe is uncharacteristically stale, treat yourself to some new threads that make you feel positive and confident. Ensure your refrigerator is well stocked with your favorite fare.

3.) Break A Leg
Figuratively of course. Kick-start your mind by exercising your body. Nothing gets those endorphins raging than an exhilarating workout at the gym, or going for a run around your local park or by the beach. Load up all your favourite summer tracks and turn it up. This is a surefire way of uplifting downcast spirits.

4.) Battle Ready
Ease your transition of returning to the grind by (this might sting), opening up your laptop and rifling through emails. Staring at the screen, waiting with anxiety setting in, as the unread emails go well into triple digits and it’s only loaded forty percent. Fret not; Remind yourself that a fair share of those are CC’s. Once synced; prioritize based on subject and sender. Keep your diary free of major appointments for the first few days. It will give you time to catch up on what you have missed and strategize next moves.

5.) Lemon Squeezy
Do your best to keep your first day as easy and light as possible. Engage in water dispenser banter with office colleagues about your holiday to while away some time. Maybe even make plans for the coming weekend so you have something to look forward to.

6.) Escape Artist
Come 4:45pm, tiptoe out of there.

As with everything else in your wardrobe, proper care of your Bamboo Shirts will prolong their life and sustain all the incredible benefits of this natural fabric. Here are a few tips on how to care for your Bamboo Shirts:

How to wash Bamboo Shirts?

• We recommend hand wash or machine wash.
• For regular care, set your washing machine on a normal 40° cycle (or gentle wash cycle) with similar coloured clothing. Cool water is recommended if you prefer to hand wash your shirts.
• On heavily soiled shirts, pre soak them in warm water to loosen the stains before putting them in the machine.
• Never use hot water as this could damage the fabric and cause shrinkage.
• Do not dry clean your Bamboo shirts.

What products can I use to wash Bamboo Shirts?

• A good brand of gentle powder or liquid detergent is recommended.
• Do not use any products that contain bleach and it can damage the natural fibres and cause yellowing.
• Bamboo fabric is renowned for its softness so do away with fabric softeners/conditions. Regular use of these products could decrease the natural moisture wicking abilities of this fabric.
• Stain removers are fine as long as they are chlorine free.

How to dry Bamboo Shirts?

• The best way to dry your Bamboo shirts is in the sun on a clothesline or folding rack.
• Bamboo shirts are generally quite wash-and-wear so long as you lay them out or hang the shirts as flat and wrinkle free as you can.
• If the outdoors is not any option, you could tumble dry on a low heat/mild setting in the dryer for a quick cycle. Remove the shirts as soon as the cycle is done.
• At high temperatures, the shirts could shrink in the dryer.

 How to iron Bamboo Shirts?

• If you dry your bamboo shirts properly, you could do away with ironing them.
• But if you need to iron your Bamboo shirt, set your iron on the lowest heat setting.
• High temperatures can burn the bamboo fibres and cause yellowing on the fabric.

And there you have it! You now know everything there is to know on how to care for your Bamboo Shirts.

Today we delve into murky waters. The often misunderstood cousin of Mr. Full Sleeved Shirt – Mr. Short-Sleeve.

Flashes from the sixties of men wearing white short-sleeved shirts with black ties and thick black-rimmed glasses as they rush to work at the Pentagon come to mind. However, thanks to many a trendsetter, opinions have shifted from the short-sleeved shirt being a fashion faux pas to wardrobe hero.

When worn and styled well, the short-sleeved shirt can become your go-to piece especially during the long summer months or even if you are after a bit of change.

Fit

As with all items of clothing, fit is key. Your shirt should accentuate your shoulders, chest and torso. An oversized, billowing shirt will do you no favours. The shoulder seams should sit right at the shoulder point. The chest buttons should not look like they are holding on for dear life. Wear your shirt comfortably and properly fitted but not tight.

The sleeves should fit close to your arm – that is, the sleeves should not dig into your skin nor should they stick out like wings. The sleeves should end mid-upper arm. Remember, the summery months are all about showing off your guns, even if you’re rocking starter pistols.

Colours & Prints

Unless you’re lounging on the beaches of a tropical island sipping on a drink out of a coconut shell, or you’re Mr. Tommy Bahama himself, that floral island number might be a bold choice for a new initiate to the Short-Sleever club – still, if it screams your personality and style then we say go for it. Solids, checks and stripes are a safe bet for starters. Of course, when choosing color, go with what suits you best. For the workplace, whites, blues and pinks are a good choice.

Fabric

Short-sleeved shirts are not ideal for the cold. So, you will probably only get to don your short-sleeved best while it’s summer and/or summer-y outside. Considering this, always go for natural fabrics such as cottons, linen and bamboo. Natural fabrics are quite lightweight and unbeatably breathable which means you will feel more relaxed and cool while you brave the heat.

Style

While a short-sleeved shirt may not have a place in a formal dress code, they are a great alternative to long-sleeved shirts in a more casual/smart casual environment. Short-sleeved shirts can we worn tucked in or untucked. It really depends on your preference and setting. Generally, shirts that are meant to be worn tucked in are longer than casual untucked styles which are slightly shorter (usually ending just below your waist).

With regards to buttoning up, there is only one correct way to do so; your way. So if you’re inclined towards the hipster persuasion, button your shirt all the way up. For a more relaxed approach, consider popping the collar and second buttons open. If you do choose to wear your short-sleeved shirt with a tie, opt for one that is slim in width.

Lastly gents, have fun with your short-sleeved shirts – it may be half the sleeve but it’s full on style!

Gentlemen, the moment of reckoning approaches. The day your soon-to-be-missus has been long dreaming of and the day you have been thinking of since she brought it up. Truth be told, most men look forward to their wedding day. Let’s face it; all we have to do is show up. Our future brides have a certain idea of what they want, and we’re more than happy to let them grab the reins.

There is one aspect of the wedding day that lies upon our shoulders – the outfit. Needless to say, this special occasion warrants looking your best. While there are endless variations and combinations of suits, tuxedos even the occasional kilt; the common denominator with every groom’s ensemble is the shirt. With our indifference towards colors and palettes, this can be a feat for many. Bear the following in mind when picking out the perfect wedding shirt.

Collar and cuff styles are definitely dealer’s choice. Nothing screams class and elegance like a crisp, white shirt – be it buttoned up for the ceremony or buttoned down for when you and your new bride hit the dance floor. The versatility of a white shirt will allow you to work with different colours and patterns while selecting the rest of your ensemble. Considering the formalities of the day, generally a solid colour shirt is recommended but venture outside your comfort zone with colours, patterns and textures (tentative to your future bride’s approval, of course). Alas, what remains a priority is ensuring that your ensemble does not clash with the bridal party and (heaven forbid), the bride.

Consult with your bride-to-be what shade of white her gown is, and do your best to complement it with your shirt color.

Another tidbit we lads overlook is the quality and fabric of our shirts. Considering, the entire day will be spent wearing it; it is important that the right fabric is selected considering the weather and your body type. A slightly thicker fabric like Twill or even Pinpoint always works well, as it would not show creases as prominently as finer fabrics would, and would drape well over most body shapes. Furthermore, if you are not particularly partial to undershirts; a thicker shirt fabric would keep unsightly sweat stains at bay, especially during those pesky summer months. Still, it would not hurt to wear one!

Gentlemen, you have selected the color, style and fabric; and now the piece de resistance, the fit. This is the culmination of time and effort spent towards the initial stages of finding your correct shirt. Without the correct fit, it would have all been for naught.

For your collar, an ideal fit would allow room for one finger space between your neck and the buttoned collar. Also, make sure the collar is fitted with collar stays to give it that sharp crisp look. Remember, collars are what frames are to portraits; it holds everything together, so take your time in selecting the collar that would best enhance your features.

Sleeves must be quarter to half an inch longer than your suit jacket sleeve for barrel cuffs and a good half-inch for French cuffs. A longer length shirt would also sit well and neat when tucked in, especially if you plan on keeping it tucked in throughout the day.

Ensure your masterpieces are completely crafted well before your big day. Do a few practice runs with your whole outfit to work out any kinks. This will give you the luxury of making any alternations/adjustments well ahead of schedule. Also, consider purchasing a spare wedding shirt for any contingencies.

In conclusion, enjoy the process of shopping for the right ensemble. Most of all, apply your creativity towards your outfit for your biggest day with your sweetheart; brownie points will be earned (at the very least).

Gentlemen, good hunting!

From Groom to Father-of-the-Bride, whatever role you play on the big day, explore our collection of exquisite Pure Cotton Formal Shirts to look and feel your very best.

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Article featured on The Wedding Script – An online guide for to-be-weds in the UAE. Discover wedding vendors and learn about real weddings in Dubai, UAE.

Caring for your shirts the right way will ensure you get the most out of them in appearance and wear. It would be pointless and heartbreaking to invest time and money into a wardrobe of fine things if one does not take as much effort in its upkeep. Here are a few basic tips on how to care for your shirts.

Washing

The Care Label on your shirt is your best guide to washing instructions. Washing your shirts at home will allow you full control of the process. From treatment of stains to temperature setting to quality of detergent – you can pay as much attention as you would like at each stage. If you prefer to send your shirts to the cleaners, be sure to choose one that is reputable with quality service. Drying cleaning is not always recommended unless stated so in the Care Label of the shirt.

Stain Treatment

Sometimes, stains are not always visible and if left untreated can build up over time from perspiration, deodorant, colognes, body products, food, etc. The longer you leave your dirty shirts in the laundry basket, the more time stains will have to set into the shirt fabric. The sooner you treat a stain, the better. One of the hardest areas on a shirt to clean are the collar and cuffs. Always pre-treat the collar, cuffs and underarms of your shirts before every wash even if you don’t see a stain. Stain sticks or pens or sprays are all popular options for pre-treating collars and cuffs. If you send your shirts to the cleaners, always alert them of any stains to remove.

Tip: Apply cologne or spray on to your body and NOT on your shirt. Wait until the cologne/spray has dried before putting on the shirt to avoid staining or discolouration.

Shrinkage

Washing your shirts at unnecessarily high temperatures will cause your shirts to shrink, especially shirts of natural fabrics – cotton, linen, bamboo, etc. Always maintain the temperature mentioned on the shirt’s care label. When in doubt, stick to cold or lukewarm water set to a delicate cycle on the washing machine.

Ironing

A proper ironing technique can make such a difference to how clean and crisp a shirt looks and more importantly, how it will make YOU look.

Tip: Never iron over buttons, always around them to avoid damage. If you give your laundry to the cleaners, let them know to be extra careful as they could damage the shirt buttons using the press.

Storage

Hangers play a large role in protecting and extending the life of a shirt. Wooden hangers or thick plastic hangers that are wider at the shoulders, at least ¼” to 2”s wide, are perfect for supporting the shirt from its own weight and will prevent unsightly shoulder bumps on your shirts. Using wire hangers for your shirts is not recommended as its sharp edges can warp the shirt fibres.

For shirts that you do not plan on wearing for a while, protect them from dust, moisture and moths by enclosing them in bags or boxes. Cedar blocks, boxes, drawer liners or hangers offer natural protection against garment damage from moisture and moths. Its pleasant aroma keeps your wardrobe smelling fresh.

Ever wondered about the Button-Down collar? How did those little buttons get there? Here’s a brief history of the button-down collar.

Let’s look to the polo fields of late 19^th century England. At the time, polo players wore traditional collared shirts while playing. As if there weren’t other distractions on the field, their shirt collars would keep flapping about and blocking their line of sight! Their solution? Players would sew buttons onto their collars and fasten them down while they galloped away during the games. Genius!

John Brooks of Brooks Brothers fame noticed this trend while attending a polo match and brought the idea to the US. In 1896, he produced the iconic button-down polo shirt and fashion history was made – very soon there wasn’t a gentleman’s wardrobe without the essential button-down collar shirt. Fast forward to now, we’re still talking about this wardrobe staple.

[Image] Kal Jacobs Tailored Fit Brown & Black Gingham Cotton Shirt

When choosing a button-down collar, go for one with good quality buttons as they are very visible however you decide to wear it. Remember, a shirt collar serves to frame the face, so any detail to it draws more attention to the face. Ensure the buttons on this collar style are smaller than those down the shirt placket and cuffs. If this is too much fuss but you still prefer the nature of a button-down collar, there’s always the option of hidden collar buttons.

[Image] Kal Jacobs Tailored Fit Red Gingham Cotton Shirt

Pair yours with chinos/jeans and loafers for an effortlessly casual look. Or try sporting it with a sharp blazer and pocket square for something dressier.

Dressed up or down, from work to the weekend, the Button-Down is the go-to shirt for most men.

[Image] Kal Jacobs Tailored Fit Classic Plaid Natural Bamboo Shirt

What makes an article of clothing an ‘essential’? We believe an essential garment or accessory is one that serves as a foundation to any ensemble or style you wear; not only does it compliment the other items in your wardrobe but it also successfully dresses you for every season and occasion. It is timeless, it is versatile and it is an investment in making you look every bit the classic, stylish and well-dressed gentleman you are.

Here are 8 wardrobe essentials every man should own. From this continue to build your wardrobe as you explore and experiment with the latest trends, colours, and statement pieces.

1. A Crisp White Shirt

You need this ultimate article of versatile clothing in your wardrobe. A clean, crisp white shirt will never, ever, go out of style – it transcends seasonal trends and fashions. Consider this must-have a blank canvas to pair with pretty much everything in your wardrobe from trousers to jackets, from ties to accessories – dressed up or down.

2. A Pale Pink and Blue Shirt

A true wardrobe workhorse, you will most certainly get a lot of wear out of a classic Blue or Pink shirt. It pairs as well with a grey, navy or beige suit as it would with jeans or chinos.

3. Plain White T-Shirt

Oh the many ways to wear a plain white t-shirt! Pair with jeans for a cool and casual weekend look or layer it on when it’s cooler outside. If you wear your white T-shirt often we suggest you keep a couple of these in your wardrobe and switch between crew necks and V-necks for a bit of variety.

4. Navy Blazer

A navy blazer is one of those essentials that are as timeless and versatile as they come. A surefire way to dapper any outfit, one of these bad boys will take you from work to drinks out like the debonair you are. Our favourite pairing is with a crisp shirt under a V-neck sweater!

5. Dark Jeans & Chinos

Nothing like a well made, clean cut, and reliable pair of classic dark wash jeans! Whether you opt for a smart casual or laid back look, there isn’t much that doesn’t look fantastic with it. Dress them up with a sharp blazer and dress shoes or keep it casual with just a pair of sneakers and your favourite T-shirt.

For the sake of variety, you’re going to need something other than your jeans for those less formal occasions – chinos perfectly sort that out. Start your essentials wardrobe off with a pair of classic camel or navy chinos. Wear your chinos with crisp white shirt and a sharp blazer or perhaps with a polo shirt for a casual look.

6.) Polo Shirt

If you’re not really a T-shirt kind of guy (oh but even if you are!), try a polo shirt. It’s still casual wear but a tad dressier and smarter than a T-shirt. If you do not own one already, go for Polo shirts in blue, navy or black colours before you feel confident enough to experiment with brighter colours, patterns, and embellishments.

7. Dress and Casual Shoes and Belts

A pair of well-made dark brown brogues pair incredibly well with almost everything in your wardrobe and almost every occasion. And no pair of brown shoes is complete without a brown belt – try a walnut brogue leather belt or a more casual and wider one for your jeans and chinos.

For smarter and/or formal events, a high quality classic black leather lace-up is the right investment. A formal black leather belt with a simple silver buckle works wonderfully with these shoes.

Give your work/dress shoes a rest and wear your sneakers all weekend long. From bbq’s to the beach, from errands to the mall, they are the perfect casual shoes.

8. Watch, Sunglasses, Cufflinks, Tie and Pocket Square.

Every stylish gentleman needs at least one pair of good cufflinks to wear with his perfectly fitted French cuff shirt, he needs a quality silk tie (preferably in a solid colour) that works well with most of his shirts and suits, and a perhaps a pocket square or two to add that extra pop of colour to his outfit. Whatever the setting, he needs a well chosen watch to complete his ensemble. Lastly, a pair of sunglasses are always cool – except indoors!

To some, ironing a shirt may be the bane of their existence but if done right, you’ll find it to be quite painless. For a clean and sharp appearance, you need to iron your shirts. No, you can’t get away with ironing only the part of the shirt that shows under your jacket.
A few things to remember when it comes to ironing:

Use a good quality iron. Steam irons are great for smoothing out shirt wrinkles.
Check the condition of the iron and the ironing board you are about to use. You wouldn’t want either to leave a mark on your shirt.
Before you begin ironing, check your shirt for stains. If it isn’t clean, ironing can set stains into the fabric.
It’s best to iron your shirt while it’s still slightly damp to easily get rid of those wrinkles.
Never iron over buttons, always around them to avoid damage. If you choose to give your laundry out to the dry cleaners, let them know to be extra careful with your mother-of-pearl button shirts.
Always remove collar stays before ironing.
Dark coloured shirts are best ironed on its reverse side.
Starch can give shirts a clean and crisp finish but too much of it can destroy the shirt fibers over time.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to iron a shirt:

1. Let’s start with the cuffs. Open and lay the first cuff flat. Start with the inside of the cuff, ironing from outer edge to edge. Repeat likewise on the outside of the cuff. Repeat this process on the other cuff. For French Cuffs, fold the cuff in half at the crease and iron along the fold. Tip: Line up the cufflink holes for an accurate fold.
2. Next, the sleeves. Spread out one sleeve flat on the ironing board using the shirtsleeve seam as a guide and smooth out any creases. Start by ironing at the top of the sleeve and down to the cuff. Carefully iron between the folds of the cuff. Turn the sleeve over and iron. Repeat this process with the other sleeve. If you don’t want your sleeve to have a sharp side fold, iron just below the edge of the sleeve for a softer edge.
3. Next, the yoke. Place one half of the yoke over the narrow part of the ironing board; pull down slightly on the sleeve for a taut yoke, straightening out the seams for a smoother iron. Repeat process on other half of the yoke.
4. The back of the shirt. Place one half of the back flat on the ironing board and iron your way from the yoke down. Repeat on other half.
5. Next, the front of the shirt. Start with the side that has buttons. Iron the seam that runs along the side of the shirt. Then, from the top of the shoulder, work your way down. Iron between the buttons, not over them. Repeat on the other side.
6. Lasty, collar. Begin by ironing the underside of the collar. Place the collar flat on the ironing board and iron from one end to the other. Continue likewise on the front of the collar. Then, without applying too much pressure, fold the collar along its crease and gently iron only the centre back of the collar to allow for a neat and soft collar curve. Immediately button the collar to maintain its shape.
7. You’re done! At this stage, quickly place the shirt on a hanger in your wardrobe or get dressed. We recommend allowing the shirt to remain on the hanger for a few minutes before wearing it.