When searching for the classic American shirt, the surest places to start would be Chicago's Michigan Avenue or New York's Madison or Fifth Avenues. Whether moderate spread or button-down collared, these shirts say, "traditional, understated and refined". Classic American shirts are normally detailed with rounded barrel cuffs, a front placket and a box pleated back. Patterns are usually clean, simple and straightforward; colors run the gamut from soft "preppie" pastels to stronger primary colors. A monogram on the cuff is a great option for customizing the classic shirt (we recommend the right cuff so your initials are discretely displayed when you extend your hand to shake).

Classic American neckwear has a straight shape with a firm lining for a clean and well pressed look.

If your taste leans toward the runways of Milan or the smaller shops in Florence, you will appreciate the artistic qualities of Italian shirtings. The distinctive details of Italian shirts, the global benchmark of design, are high, edge-stitched spread collars, shoulder pleats and cuffs with mitered corners. Italian shirts typically sport a "French" front (no placket) and no pocket. Patterns are highly detailed with subtle, subdued colorations. Put it all together, and you have a shirt of contemporary style, cosmopolitan sophistication and artistic elegance.

Italian neckwear has a bottle-neck shape and typically uses a very light natural fabric lining for a softer expression and smaller knot.

Browsing on London's famed Jermyn, Oxford or Bond streets, you will find the quintessential British shirt. British shirts are sophisticated, elegant and distinguished. The collars tend to be high cutaway collars with double-fold cuffs ("French" cuffs in the US). Colors and patterns are typically more spirited to offset the subdued (even plain) suitings favored by the Brits. British shirts have a placket in the front, shoulder pleats in the back, no pocket - but never a monogram.

British neckwear has a straight shape like American neckwear, but is notable for the use of very substantial silk along with a light lining. This allows for a much fuller knot.