100% Cotton Tuxedo Shirts

Overview
The 100% cotton tuxedo shirt is the ultimate in formal shirts. This however does not mean that all tuxedo shirts with a label "100% Cotton" are alike. There are major differences to look for.

Styles
100% cotton tuxedo shirts are available in every imaginable style. Wing tipped collar, laydown collar and banded mandarin collar. With all cotton you have more options for the small details in formal shirts. For instance, you can purchase a tuxedo shirt with French cuffs or a  rolled wing collar that adds more sophistication and style to your shirt.

Quality
The first and most important aspect of any 100% cotton shirt is the quality. Since tuxedo shirts typically have pleated fronts, it is very important to know that low cost fabrics such as poly/cotton do not hold their luster as long as all cotton. High quality cotton tuxedo shirts can last you a lifetime if cared for properly. This entails cleaning by way of dry cleaning and hanging to store.

To ensure that you purchase a quality fabric tuxedo shirt, only purchase designer merchandise. Though it might sounds like a sales pitch, designer labels such as Geoffrey Beene, Perry Ellis and After Six guarantee that the garment you choose will be made of and with the highest quality materials and manufacturing processes. Lesser known names are safe to purchase when sold alongside the high end designer labels. This is because retailers which offer high end options don't typically deal with low quality goods.

Durability and Comfort
The 100% cotton tuxedo shirt is the most comfortable formal shirt you can get. It drapes very well on the body and absorbs perspiration. There is something to be said about the comfort of cotton. It is without a doubt the choice for comfort. Just like any other shirt, 100% cotton tuxedo shirts can last you a lifetime. The only two areas of an all cotton shirts that should be focused on for durability are the inside of the neck and the crease on a French cuff. If you wear the garment often and clean at home you may see sweat mark on the inside neck and dirt lines on the fold of the French cuff. This isn't typical, but it can happen. Be sure to have it professionally cleaned.

Cottons
There are several types of cottons available in the 100% cotton tuxedo shirt. Designer labels use combed cotton which is made by way of a combing process that removes the short fibers and any debris that may be in the fiber when harvested. The result is a cleaner, more uniform and lustrous cotton. Egyptian cotton tuxedo shirts are also available. Typically Egyptian cotton is more expensive because it is fine, lustrous and longer than domestic cotton. The result is a softer feeling cotton tuxedo shirt. You will usually find this cotton in tuxedo shirt names that the average consumer may not recognize however the cost of the cotton alone wards off low quality manufacturers from even attempting to make a product. Thus your almost guaranteed a very high quality shirt.

Price
Because the 100% cotton tuxedo shirt is the most comfortable of any formal shirt, you'll spend a little more. An all cotton shirt will cost between $30 and $150. Most of which are between $30 and $75. For a cheap tuxedo shirt, try out the poly/cotton blends.

The 100% cotton tuxedo shirt is available in wing tip collar, laydown collar and with pleated, flat front and pique bibs. Color choices are typically white and ivory.

*rolled wing collar; material that is roll-pressed to keep a wing form instead of a fold and crease styling