Choosing the perfect shirt

by VISI BLOGGER Nadine Arendse

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I’m absolutely drawn to the interiors at each of the boutiques and restaurants in the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Centre. This time I find myself in Vogel & Aitken, peering at a piercing, purple pair of Converse high-top sneakers.

Nick, at the entrance, sparks a conversation on how style has evolved for men. And both Chris and Nick – the suave, entertaining owners of this polished boutique that caters for gents’ shirts – provide some answers.

Staple shirts can easily be converted into fashionable items, they say. So, invest in two classic colours: white and navy. Each should have an eye-catching detail. Feel the fabric between your fingers and establish whether it has been crafted with quality fabric.

Chris, the designer, advises to choose at least one shirt that has a stretch to it. Inspect the buttons: make sure it’s branded with the logo/name and that each has been securely cross-stitched.

Collar cuts should be classic, and not too extreme. Choose a soft collar with stable interlining that offers versatility. Chris references his own collar, informing me of the two-finger-spacing rule for comfort, and of the removable bones (plastic inserts that reinforce the collar) and the option to raise the points closer to the face through the button-down detail.

I’m directed to the superbly fitted navy-on-navy tonal shirt clothing the mannequin, produced right here in Cape Town. I stroke the top-end Italian fabric, with Vogel & Aitken’s signature diamond-cut cuff, and admire its contrasting trim detail.

Black with navy polka dots is another must-have that Nick suggests. “Prints and plains are trending as opposed to stripes and checks”.

Lines are also now blurred between day and evening wear. Sometimes it’s only a matter of a blazer and attitude. Notably, the tie is no longer a rule. I’m advised that indigo-washed jeans is the easiest to exhibit a variety of fitted shirts.

“Style is the fine blend of confidence, attitude and expressing oneself,” conclude the owners, who clearly live their brand.

About Nadine Arendse

Nadine studied fashion design and feature writing, and has spent most of her career thus far in the retail sector. She notes that she has “a classic personality, with a fair side of quirkiness”. She loves designing, styling and doing all things creative. Her aspirations are to be a fashion editor while continuing to be a driving force behind the fashion label Mi, based in the Cape Quarter. Nadine also showcases her own fashion label, called Rendition, at the You, Me and Everyone We Know market, which regularly takes place at the Labia On Orange theatre in Cape Town.

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