The Movie That Invented The Blue Dress Shirt

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Have you ever wondered why so many men today choose blue dress shirts, especially in professional settings? Not too long ago, white was the only acceptable option for business attire.

The white dress shirt has long been synonymous with formality, respectability, and social status. Its origins trace back to the 19th century, when laundering was labor-intensive and only the wealthy could afford the time and expense to keep a garment perfectly white. Because any dirt or stain was immediately visible, wearing a spotless white shirt broadcast one’s ability to remain clean (and thus employed) without performing manual labor. This distinction gave rise to the term “white-collar,” as opposed to “blue-collar” workers who often wore durable, darker fabrics that could mask stains.

Even U.S. Presidents stuck to white, with Harry Truman’s Hawaiian shirt being an outlier—and that was on vacation. But John F. Kennedy famously embraced a blue shirt, and the shift was on.

According to color theorist Faber Birren, James Bond played a pivotal role. JFK’s favorite movie, “Dr. No,” showcased the suave spy sporting blue shirts, giving men an exciting new style to emulate. Suddenly, sporting color to the office seemed both fashionable and sophisticated.