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There are a number of factors to take into consideration when purchasing a mens shirt. Although times seem to be changing, there are still a lot of men out there who spend a lot of time selecting a shirt - and then select the wrong one!

So, when selecting a shirt, take into consideration the following tips:

1. Understand the role of the shirt. Before selecting the right shirt for you, you first need to understand the role that the shirt will play. For example, what sort of situations are you going to be wearing the shirt in? Don't purchase a shirt to be used for both business and casual wear - try to keep them separate. Either select a shirt for work, or select a shirt for casual wear.

2. Know your size. Surprisingly, this is the area that most men overlook. If there is one thing that I can get across to you in this article, it's get measured for size. And get measured every 6 months or so - your body will change size over time. Also, if possible, try on the shirt before you buy it. Although this is not possible when making a purchase online, if you know your size it should not be a problem.

3. Understand the different properties of the different materials that your shirt may be made of? Material is a personal choice - I tend to like shirts that are 100% cotton, however I know a lot of men who favour cotton blends, which may be more hard wearing and also easier to iron. The best way to understand what material will suit you and your lifestyle is to grab your current favourite shirt out of the closet, and look at the tag to understand what fabric it's made of. Use this to find shirts made of the same materials.

4. Pockets, buttons and cuffs. In general, unless you have a specific need for a pocket on the front of a shirt, don't buy a shirt with a pocket. You should always buy a shirt that requires cufflinks for a formal situation, as this will give you the opportunity to personalise your outfit with a pair of cufflinks. As far as the buttons go, inspect them to ensure that there is no fraying of the stitching that secures them to the shirt. Also take this opportunity to check the rest of the stitching on the garment if possible.

5. Pattern and Colouring. In general, you will get more value out of conservative, flat colour shirts. These will match with the majority of things in your wardrobe. If you decide on a patterned shirt, stay away from clashing colours - these won't be as wearable as a shirt that is more understated. When choosing a shirt to match with a tie, go to the store with a few of your ties and make sure that the colour combination works. Complimentary colours of shirt and tie will look best.

Armed with the above tips, choosing the right shirt for you should be a little easier. Just remember: Know where you are going to wear the shirt, know your size, know what material you want, know how you want your cuffs, buttons and pockets to look and understand what pattern and colour will match with the majority of your wardrobe, and specific items in it.

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Dean Richards is a leading fashion writer for Men's Fashion Online - he has been working in the fashion industry for 15 years and is well recognised as an industry expert.

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