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Since I started wearing dress shirts in high school, I’ve always struggled to find one that felt comfortable and looked good. As an athlete throughout high school and college, I’ve always had a broader chest and a narrower waist — and I absolutely hate the boxy look you get when tucking in traditional dress shirts.

So recently, I set out on a mission to find the best athletic fit dress shirts. I’ve tested dozens over the past few years and decided to put together a ranking chart of my 6 favorite athletic fit dress shirts to share with you.

Hope you find this useful — and feel free to hit up The Guy’s List on social media if you have any specific questions!

What are the best athletic fit dress shirts?

Best Overall: State & Liberty

Of all the dress shirts I’ve tried, State & Liberty easily came out on top. They offer the best fit and style for the price, hands down. If you’re after a true athletic fit, this is it—snug without being uncomfortable or see-through. The cuffs and collar are thick and structured, while the rest of the shirt is lightweight, breathable, and made with next-level performance fabric. These are the most comfortable dress shirts I’ve ever worn. They wick moisture, resist wrinkles (perfect for travel), and they’re machine washable—so no more wasting money on dry cleaning. With over 50 colors and patterns to choose from, the options are endless. Add in our exclusive State & Liberty discount, and it’s a no-brainer—this is the dress shirt you need.

Mizzen & Main Leeward Dress Shirt

Mizzen+Main is a close second to State & Liberty, offering a very similar experience in terms of lightweight, breathable, and comfortable performance fabric. It shares many of the same strengths but differs in a few key areas. The biggest difference is the fit—while State & Liberty has a more tapered, athletic cut that eliminates the boxy look I can’t stand, Mizzen+Main leans more toward a straight fit, even in their trim option. The collar on State & Liberty is also more structured, with built-in collar stays and a hidden button-down feature that gives it a sharper look. Mizzen+Main is also a bit more expensive and comes in fewer colorways. So while this is still a great shirt with no major complaints, when you stack it up, State & Liberty takes the win. That said, if you’ve got an athletic build but carry a bit more size—more of a husky athlete—Mizzen+Main might actually be the better fit for you.

Proper Cloth Non-Iron Stretch Supima White Twill Dress Shirt

Proper Cloth is definitely one of my favorite men’s clothing brands. They’re the epitome of classic, high-end menswear, offering nearly unlimited customization options when it comes to sizing, fabrics, patterns, and more. It can almost feel overwhelming—but the customer service and overall experience are exceptional. From the way the products are packaged with thoughtful details to the support team helping you dial in your sizing (and saving it to your profile), it truly feels like working with a custom tailor. It’s no surprise they’re among the best when it comes to athletic-fit dress shirts. If you’re looking for a top-tier experience with traditional menswear fabrics, Proper Cloth is the place to go. The only reason they’re not at the very top of my list is that, for athletic-fitting dress shirts specifically, they don’t quite hit the mark in the same way as others. If you’re after performance fabrics and a sharply tapered fit, Proper Cloth leans more classic than modern. Nothing wrong with that—it’s just a different style.

SuitShop Men’s Classic White Dress Shirt

Just need a low-cost, standard slim-fit dress shirt? SuitShop is the spot. For $49, you can get a solid cotton dress shirt that gets the job done. It’s definitely the lowest quality of the bunch here, but for the price, it’s a respectable option. You’re not getting performance fabrics or premium details, but if you’re on a budget and just need a simple, affordable shirt, it’s a good choice.

Tapered Menswear Tapered Fit Shirt

If you’re looking for a more traditional cotton dress shirt but still want something that’s form-fitting, you might like Tapered Menswear. This shirt is definitely a different experience compared to State & Liberty or Mizzen+Main, as it doesn’t use performance stretch fabric—it feels more like a classic dress shirt. That said, it’s still fairly comfortable despite its snug fit, and it does an excellent job of hugging the body, especially around the waist. I was a bit skeptical at first, but after wearing it to a few weddings, I’ve definitely come to appreciate it. It also comes in at a solid price point and we have a very nice 20% off Tapered Menswear discount code, which is another win.

Twillory Tailor Fit Performance Shirt

Last but not least is the Advancer Performance Dress Shirt from Twillory in the Blue Houndstooth color. I got this in the Tailored Fit, size 16 M-L | 34–35. While I don’t have any major complaints with the shirt, it just doesn’t quite stack up to the athletic fit and some of the features I get from other shirts on this list. For a shirt advertised as performance fabric, it doesn’t have the same level of stretch and breathability that others offer. That said, it’s a nice shirt and will get the job done—but for the price, I think there are better options out there. As I mentioned in my Twillory review, it’s certainly better than your standard department store dress shirts.

Athletic Fit Dress Shirt FAQs

What does athletic fit dress shirt mean?

An athletic-fitting dress shirt should be designed for someone with an athletic build. It should offer extra room in the chest and shoulders for guys with muscle up top, while tapering at the waist to avoid a “boxy” look. These shirts are often made with performance fabrics that are stretchy, breathable, and moisture-wicking—providing added comfort and allowing for a more form-fitting design without sacrificing mobility or ease of wear.

What is a performance dress shirt?

A performance dress shirt is crafted from stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric designed to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable throughout the day. It’s ideal for active commutes—especially in the city—offering the polished look of a traditional dress shirt with the comfort and functionality of athletic wear.

What is the difference between slim fit and athletic fit dress shirts?

The primary difference is that slim-fit shirts tend to be tighter through the shoulders, chest, arms, and torso. Athletic fit shirts tend to be only slim through the torso since larger more muscular builds need room in their arms, shoulders, and chest.

How do I wash athletic fit dress shirts?

Any athletic fit shirt can be dry cleaned but some are also able to be machine washed. In this case always wash on cold and let hang dry or tumble dry depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation.

How to iron an athletic fit dress shirt?

Ironing an athletic-fit dress shirt is just like ironing any other dress shirt—though you’ll likely need to do it far less often. Thanks to wrinkle-resistant performance fabrics, these shirts typically stay smooth throughout the day.

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