A Colombo office outfit: the Cuban collar shirt and what to wear with it

For a Colombo office day that runs into the evening, start with a short-sleeved Cuban collar shirt in a fine pattern. Add smart trousers, leather shoes and a plain watch, and you can leave the desk and go straight to dinner.

The top: our Cuban Collar Pattern Shirt

The Cuban Collar Pattern Shirt from Legacy London (formerly LCY London) has a relaxed open collar and a small-scale pattern all over. The pattern adds interest up close and stays quiet from across a meeting room. The fabric has stretch, so it moves with you at a desk, in traffic and on the walk from the car park.

It comes in Brown and White, in sizes S to XL. Brown suits the evening. White suits a day of meetings. It is designed in London and made in Colombo, and you can try it on at our shops in Havelock City Mall and One Galle Face. Online, the price shows in rupees, delivery across Sri Lanka is free, and cash on delivery is offered at checkout.

If you are between sizes, our guide to how we measure shows where to take each measurement. More styles sit in the Cuban collar shirts collection.

Trousers

Keep the trousers plain so the shirt carries the pattern. A slim chino or a flat-front formal trouser in navy, charcoal or stone works with both colours. Hameedia, the Sri Lankan fashion retailer, lists men's trousers as a category on its site, so it is a simple place to start when you need a second or third pair for the working week. We would wear the shirt with a mid-weight trouser rather than a thin one, because the shirt is light and the trouser gives the outfit some weight.

See Hameedia's men's trousers. This is our suggestion only. We have no arrangement with Hameedia.

Shoes

Choose leather. A dark brown or black lace-up, or a loafer if your office is relaxed, keeps the open collar looking intended. Bata Sri Lanka lists formal shoes for men under its Men menu and delivers island wide, so you can compare styles without a trip across town.

Look at Bata's men's formal shoes. These pair well with the shirt, but we have no link with Bata. Match the belt to the shoe, and keep both simple.

Watch or accessory

One watch is enough. A slim strap watch with a plain dial sits under a short sleeve without catching on the cuff, since a short sleeve has no cuff. ODEL lists men's fashion watches as a category on its Sri Lankan site, which makes it an easy place to browse for a first office watch.

Browse ODEL's men's watches. We would wear the shirt with a watch like this, though ODEL has no connection with us.

Putting the outfit together

Start with the shirt and choose everything else to stay out of its way. The pattern is the one detail, so the trouser, belt and shoes stay in one or two plain colours. Brown with navy trousers and dark brown shoes gives a warm, low-contrast look. White with charcoal trousers and black shoes gives a sharper one. If the day turns formal at short notice, swap the shirt for a plain one and keep the rest.

Check the fit before you buy anything to go with it. The shirt has stretch and a relaxed cut, so a trouser that is too tight will make the outfit look unbalanced. Leave a little room at the thigh and let the trouser break lightly over the shoe.

When to wear it

• A normal office day in Colombo.
• After-work drinks or dinner, when you have no time to change.
• A casual Friday, with a plain T-shirt under the open collar if you like.
• A weekend lunch at one of the malls, with the shirt worn open over a tee.

For a client meeting, choose White and a darker trouser. For the evening, choose Brown and keep the rest unchanged.

How to care for the shirt

Wash it at a gentle setting and turn it inside out, so the pattern keeps its definition. Hang it to dry on a wide hanger, with the collar open and the front panels flat. Press it lightly on a medium heat if needed. We have not recorded a full fibre content for this shirt, so follow the care label sewn into the garment before anything else.

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear a Cuban collar shirt to the office?

Yes, in most Colombo offices. Pick a fine pattern, leather shoes and a proper trouser, and the open collar reads as smart casual.

Which colour should I buy first?

White if your days are mostly meetings. Brown if your evenings matter more. Both come in sizes S to XL.

Should I tuck it in?

Untucked is the intended look for a relaxed Cuban collar shirt, and it is how we would wear it. Check the fit in store if you are unsure.

Where can I try it on?

At our shops in Havelock City Mall and One Galle Face. Online orders have free delivery across Sri Lanka, with cash on delivery at checkout.