One absolute necessity to any guy's button-down collection is the military style shirt. These shirts come in a variety of materials and designs, but most have epaulets on the shoulders and front-flap pockets on the chest. They are a little more casual than a typical oxford or sport shirt, but most styles blend nicely with many different looks. I would especially recommend wearing them under a light, open jacket for a well-rounded look.
The best part about military shirts is that they often have the look and feel of a more expensive button-down shirt without the hefty price tag. Those shirts made of a more rugged cotton (at H&M and Urban Outfitters) come in many colors at easily manageable prices. Girls who pride themselves on being fashionable (read: I only wear designer clothes) will have no idea you paid 20 bucks for your stylish shirt as they're peeling it off your chest. The deception here is unintentional, unless you count the six other lies you told her at the bar beforehand.
When considering stripes versus solids, your options are a bit more limited with military shirts. The stripes, along with the pockets and epaulets, combine to make the shirt too loud and distracting. It's best to stick with solid colors, or at the very least, subtle stripes.
As it is on its way toward being a staple of a man's wardrobe, the military style shirt is available almost everywhere. The best brands I've found are: Topman (located in the UK), G Star Raw, and surprisingly, the BDG brand from Urban Outfitters. Most offerings from these brands are within the $40-$70 range, but expect to pay a little more for a G Star Raw shirt because of the more intricate detail and styling. A military shirt won't make you any tougher, but it makes for a rugged, stylish addition to your wardrobe.

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