Every man should have a couple of good quality long-sleeved shirts in his wardrobe. Even if you spend most of your life in t-shirts and jeans, there will be a few occasions when you need to wear something a bit smarter. Under a suit, or just to add a bit of style to your everyday jeans, a good shirt is a great investment.

For men who have to wear shirts every day for work, it’s important that they choose good quality rather than just going for the cheapest option. Wearing something made from cheap fabric for 8 hours or more every day will be uncomfortable and you’ll end up replacing them more often than you should really have to. Instead, make sure you choose 100% cotton shirts, which are soft and comfortable to wear and which don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, you can get great quality work shirts, faux fur coats and desert boots that will last for several years, giving you real value for money.

But long-sleeved shirts aren’t just for work – they are perfect for smart casual wear for any occasion. Heading off to a restaurant for a special meal out, going out with friends, off to the theatre – it’s the easiest thing in the world to pull on a good quality shirt with jeans, chinos or cords for an instantly smart, but relaxed, look. If the weather is chilly, simply pull on a sweater over the top and if you’re heading somewhere with a dress code, put a good jacket on top and a tie in your pocket just in case.

And of course, you don’t have to stick with plain white shirts. Retailers have a huge range of shirts available in pretty much any colour you can think of, and classic pin strip and check patterns are still very popular. Some shirts are designed for smart casual wear, whereas others will work just as well with a formal suit as they do with your jeans. Look for added designer details such as contrast colour thread in button holes, the cut of the collar, pocket detail and more. These will all serve to make your shirt distinctive from the rest.

And the final thing to remember is to get the sizing right. Finding the right collar size means you won’t be choking on a tight collar all day, or getting skin problems for a collar that’s too loose and rubs every time you move. Any good retailer will be able to help you find the right collar size for you, and once you know that, you can buy in-store or online, taking advantage of the wide range of bargains and deals available.