At the origins of Hast, there is an unequivocal observation. A simple, clear, undeniable observation: the formal shirt is deadly boring. At the time, in 2012, you only have to open your eyes to be convinced. In the subway, under suits, on the sidewalks, the formal shirt everywhere displays the same crestfallen look. Without flight, without allure, without panache, it is there without being there; bland, insipid and too often endured.
At the origins of Hast, there is this irrefutable observation… and the desire to change it. Definitively. In this sense, we have been working for 10 years to restore the reputation of this central piece of the male wardrobe. With a decade of work dedicated entirely to it, we now offer you the complete guide to the formal shirt.
Hast, the shirt at heart
Restoring the dress shirt to its former glory: this is the ambition that has driven us since day one. Between inaccessible luxury and fast fashion, we wanted to introduce a worthy alternative with a high-end and affordable shirt . By eliminating interries and capitalizing on sourcing, manufacturing and the level of finishing, this is what we have managed to do over time. With 100% natural materials , European manufacturing by recognized craftsmen and great attention to detail, Hast offers men what they barely dared to dream of: a high-end, accessible, responsible shirt available in all sizes. The challenge now is to find the one that suits you among our formal shirts
Wearing the formal shirt
As its name suggests, the formal shirt instantly brings a certain touch of formality to an outfit. Visually and symbolically, it elevates any style to heights of elegance and sophistication. In fact, grand occasions and other ceremonies are its natural habitat. Weddings, job interviews, important meetings, formal dinners: it will be at home everywhere. Paired with a nice suit, under a waistcoat or not, it will embody in this context a classic sartorial philosophy based on sobriety, simplicity and refinement.
Paradoxically, the comfort zone of the dress shirt extends well beyond these special occasions. In a more casual look, it will not be out of place and will instead bring a welcome touch of elegance. That is the magic of the formal shirt: its incredible ability to add chic to everyday life as well as to exceptional outfits. Mix, twist, dare: you have (almost) no chance of making a mistake. Online or in store, there is necessarily a men's shirt for you at Hast.
Which cut to choose?
When it comes to fit, we know that there are two schools of thought among men… and we wanted to satisfy everyone. All our formal shirts are therefore offered in two cuts , classic or fitted , and are obviously available in all sizes. The classic cut is the straighter and more traditional of the two. It is also, by the way, the most versatile. It will adapt to all body types without being too tight.
The fitted cut will be more fitted. It will highlight slender and slender physiques by remaining close to the bust. Tighter than its sister at the waist, it clearly advocates for a modern silhouette that will please fans of close-fitting outfits.
The pass stage
Let's not disguise it: a quality collar is to the dress shirt what the cherry is to the cake. To vary the pleasures and registers, several options are available to you; from the most classic to the most adventurous. Safe value, assertive style, note of originality? It's up to you to choose from these creations, each one more cutting-edge than the last.
The semi-cutaway collar : Hast's signature, this represents the culmination of months of work to achieve the ideal proportions and perfect balance. With or without a tie, its generous opening will be noticed at first glance. Bold, unique and self-confident, it will suit those who are just as much.
The French collar : the absolute model of structure and harmony, this one has proven itself and remains, over time, the classic collar par excellence . Under a jacket or in the open air, its graphic panels with clean lines will flourish with a very tricolor class. Cocorico.
The button-down collar : popularized across the Atlantic, the "button-down" (as our North American friends call it) is a great reference in the casual chic wardrobe. Versatile, modular, practical, it distances itself from the formal register and claims a certain relaxation . Its sportswear origins - it comes to us from polo players who could no longer stand vol-au-vent collars - are there to remind us. Lovers of preppy looks: go for it!
The officer collar : Hast had been campaigning for its return for years… and it took the intervention of the Peaky Blinders for it to come back to the forefront. Thanks to the Shelby family, therefore, for the reintroduction of this very pretty collar with its minimalist design and indisputable elegance . To be worn without a tie, of course.
The Mao collar : in the same spirit as its officer counterpart but open at the throat, the Mao collar is another way to vary the pleasures. Simple without being simplistic, you should not come across this one on every street corner.
Large collars : for fans of classic sartorial elegance, we have also designed a range of "large collars" (8 to 9 cm). Without falling into the caricature of "pie shovels", these offer more width and volume. In essence, they are more intended to evolve with a tie and under a suit jacket with wide lapels, but nothing obliges you to do so. Buttoned or not, Italian or not: the choice is yours!
The ineffable wing collar : ceremony obliges, we have also worked this collar to the height of chic. Intended to accommodate a bow tie, its short triangular flaps are a true eulogy of delicacy. Associated with a beautiful tuxedo, it will allow you to honor as it should the (very) big occasions: weddings, cocktails, gala dinners…
And more : English tailored collar, club collar or collar with hidden buttons, we offer other unusual models that will appeal to the most demanding among you.
Finding the right fabric
Let's talk little, let's talk fabric. Fabric is the material obtained following a weaving operation, which involves interweaving horizontal and vertical threads (called warp and weft). Depending on the technique used, the final result will be different and the characteristics of the fabric will not be the same. Without one being "better" than the other, each will have its own particular advantages, which is why it must be chosen carefully according to the desired use . Let us specify here that at Hast, we only work with noble natural raw materials . This is eco-responsible fiber, in every sense of the word.
When it comes to putting together a formal men's shirt, the most commonly used fabric is cotton poplin . With its tight, even weave, it offers a lightweight, strong, and silky canvas that fits perfectly into formal outfits.
Oxford, on the other hand, is slightly more casual. The warp and weft threads are doubled, which gives a textured fabric with a rougher and drier hand than poplin. Popular in the United States for the famous "casual Friday", it will appeal to lovers of Ivy League elegance.
In the family of textured fabrics, twill is not left out. Recognizable by its beautiful diagonals (the same as on denim), its serge weave is relevant on a formal shirt to bring thickness and consistency. Enough to introduce a subtle twist to your most dressy outfits. A significant advantage: it is very easy to iron.
Another chevron fabric worked in a serge weave: the herringbone . Here too, the idea is to offset the warp and weft threads to obtain a particular grain. If the twill collects diagonals, the herringbone displays magnificent saw teeth : a pattern indistinguishable from afar but sublime to admire up close.
Crowned the "queen of summer materials", linen has thermoregulating properties that make it, counterintuitively, an excellent ally 12 months a year. Pure or mixed with cotton, we have relied on it to edit fresh and original (over)shirts. Nothing better than its delicately rustic aspect to dynamite a too wise look. We have also decided to integrate linen into our materials for formal shirts (to be discovered this summer).
You get it: the fabric of a formal shirt acts as a cursor to take it sometimes towards absolute classicism and sometimes towards more singularity. Smooth or textured, silky or dry, thick or thin, you will only have to decide according to the occasion... or the mood of the moment.
Vary the pleasures with colors and patterns
In addition to a quality fabric, colors and patterns are interesting parameters to modulate on a formal shirt. Given the range at your disposal, the hardest part will probably be choosing. In terms of color, we have (obviously) declined the sacrosanct white… but not only. Alongside it, you can therefore choose from beautiful shades of blue, pink, gray, red or even green. As mentioned previously, the chosen material will give these shades unique reflections and depths.
To go even further, you can choose from a wide range of patterns, from the simplest stripes to the most assertive checks.
A word about our premium shirts
A beautiful, high-end and affordable shirt is the fundamental promise that Hast has made to men. With our premium shirts , we offer you the opportunity to take the next step and set foot in the world of high-end shirtmaking. Capital finishes, all sizes available, exceptional fabric from prestigious houses such as Thomas Mason: you are touching the best of ours. With different weaves, colors and patterns on the menu, we offer our premium models to purists who want to take the shirt experience up a notch...
Caring for your formal shirt
To ensure that it lasts as long as possible, we will conclude this comprehensive guide with some suggestions on how to care for your formal shirt. Regarding washing , you can of course machine wash it, preferably on a standard program at 30°C with a moderate spin (600 rpm maximum). Depending on the collar chosen, remember to remove the stays before doing this.
Once clean, we recommend drying your shirt (buttons closed) on a wide-shouldered hanger, preferably made of wood or plastic to avoid rust marks. We strongly advise against tumble drying, as the heat could damage the fibers. Regarding ironing, select the mode corresponding to the material being treated (more or less hot depending on whether it is wool, cotton or linen) and place a layer of fabric between the iron and your shirt to avoid any marks left by the soleplate. Otherwise, a trip to the eco-friendly dry cleaners for dry cleaning will do the trick just as well.
Up to you
Cut, collar, fabric, color, pattern, size: we have just gone through the key elements of any formal shirt worthy of the name. Now, you have all the cards in hand to choose the one that will best suit the use you want to make of it. Until then, the entire Hast team remains at your entire disposal to advise you as best as possible and answer all your questions.
