Once you've settled on pure cotton as your go-to fabric, the next decision is pattern: checks, stripes, or a clean solid. Beyond looks, the pattern you choose actually affects how versatile the shirt is across different settings.

Solids: The Safest, Most Versatile Pick

A solid cotton shirt in white, light blue or beige goes with almost anything — formal trousers, casual chinos, even layered under a jacket. If you're building a small, high-quality wardrobe, solids should be your foundation.

Stripes: Smart-Casual Made Easy

Striped cotton shirts sit comfortably between formal and casual. Thin, subtle stripes lean more formal and work well in office settings; bolder stripes are better suited to weekends and casual outings.

Our White & Blue Striped Pure Cotton Shirt is a good example of an easy, smart-casual stripe.

Checks: Casual, Relaxed, Full of Character

Checked cotton shirts read as clearly casual, which makes them great for weekends, travel, or laid-back outings. Larger checks feel bolder and more relaxed, while smaller checks look a bit more refined.

Fabric Quality Still Matters Most

Whichever pattern you pick, the underlying fabric quality is what determines how the shirt actually performs — does it stay soft, does the color hold up, does it keep its shape wash after wash. A well-made 100% cotton shirt, whether checked, striped or solid, will always outlast a lower-quality version of the same pattern.

Quick Styling Rule

Own more solids than patterns if you want maximum mix-and-match flexibility, and let stripes and checks be the pieces that add personality to your rotation.