This year’s catwalk shows for men suggest that fashion is investing heavily in the shirt again. Women’s haute couture has already come down in favour of the shirt under a jacket for autumn wear – and ruffles and slightly puffed shoulders are popular, while white shirts were in evidence with puffball skirts too.

But for men the important thing in shirts this year is not cut but colour. Strong colours were seen on almost all the catwalks, with red, deep blue and a mustardy yellow being top fashion shades. If you want to look fashionable without buying new shirts, look out for a golden, mustard or tawny tie to team with your current shirt.

Tailored shirts are not so popular this year as semi-casual ones, with poplin being a top fabric choice. Poplin is a fabric with a warp of one material and the weft of another. Because the weft is ‘stouter’ than the warp, the fabric has a ridged appearance which gives it both depth and softness.  Poplin shirts are easy to iron and do not wrinkle easily. They have a soft feeling and drape well on the body so that they both feel comfortable and are easy on the eye.