A solid collection of shirts is the cornerstone of any decent wardrobe. And not only as the foundation of any formal dress code, but also as a reliable staple that’s easy to wear in any number of contexts across the smart-casual spectrum. Layered under a sweater or worn with a suit or jeans, there’s perhaps no item you’ll get more mileage out of. Of course, they come in all stripes – including striped. Here, the definitive list of the six shirt types that every man should own.

In the days of more rigid dress codes, the demarcation between striped and checked shirts was a line you wouldn’t cross. Stripes were one of the few embellishments permitted in a business setting and, even then, only in certain shades. Checks meanwhile belonged in the countryside, usually worn during outdoor pursuits. But the world has moved on, and the old edicts about what to wear where no longer apply. So, which should you wear where? MR PORTER Fashion Editor Kit Swann and designer Aaron Levine duke it out.

Mixing and matching – or stacking – stripes is “an approach to pattern that’s preppy, colourful and adds some personality to a work or dressier weekend wardrobe,” Finlay Renwick writes. “A host of designers, such as CELINE and Charvet, are creating shirts and ties that, with a bit of imagination, pair together in a way that’s much more complementary than clashing.” Find out how to press the right buttons.

What do Tyler Durden in Fight Club, Rick Hatchett in The White Lotus and Romeo Montague in Romeo + Juliet have in common? A wardrobe treasure, dating back to 1920s Hawaii, otherwise known as the aloha shirt. “A printed shirt can elevate not only your outfit but also impact your overall mood,” Pierre A M’Pelé writes. Here are five ways to pull off a printed shirt this summer.

“I think part of the appeal is that oversized shirts are easy to style,” says Rachel O-Williams, Assistant Personal Shopper at MR PORTER. “You can dress them up or down without much fuss. Most importantly, they’re comfortable, which has become non-negotiable for a lot of people.”

“When temperatures rise to scorching levels in the summer, your first line of defence is, of course, an effective SPF,” writes M’Pelé . But next to that, there’s the linen shirt. “Just remember that fit, colour and pattern are the key to sartorial success. Oh, and don’t spend too much time ironing your linen shirts, they will never look crisp and pristine – and that’s kind of the point.”