In today’s tough economy, with skyrocketing gas prices and tight wallets, dress shirts may not be the first thing on a man’s mind. But clothing, especially professional gear, is a must.

Although you may be tempted to wear that slightly stained and threadbare shirt for another six months until you pay off your credit card, what message does that send to your superiors, colleagues, and clients?

Dressing in clean, stylish clothes puts you ahead of the rest, and it doesn’t even have to be expensive. There are many great designer dress shirts for men available at a discount, for men who still want to look stylish on a tight budget.

If you’re the type who hates wading through the aisles of racks and the discount clothing store down the street, now you have an easier option. The fastest and most efficient way to find some of the best deals on discount clothing is online.

Not only can you get great deals on discount men’s dress shirts, but you can also use them to compare prices and styles. Most sites even have reasonable return policies and shipping rates if something doesn’t fit or isn’t to your liking.

So how do you find good deals on your tight budget? Here are some tips to help narrow down your search.

1. Buy classic shirts. Pink may look Euro-chic and trendy, but if it sits in the back of your closet for most of the year, it’s a waste of money. Avoid strange patterns, colors and cuts that do not fit well. Choose simple, basic shirts that aren’t likely to go out of style anytime soon. All you need is black, white, earth tones, and the occasional muted blue or green. Save the spice for your tie rack.

2. Choose the correct size. Measure yourself or a shirt you have that fits you well, and measure everything! Arm length, width, neck width, etc. The more you have an idea of ​​what size it is, the less likely you are to return something.

3.Mix and match. If you have twelve pairs of brown pants, don’t buy three new black shirts that clash with them. If you can choose new clothes to match the old ones, you will save money and can create more combinations.

4. Informal business accounts too. Casual doesn’t mean a ratty old rock t-shirt. Casual means khakis and a clean polo shirt. These are usually inexpensive, comfortable, and can be easily dressed up if the need arises.

5. Look for couture bargains. High-end designers often cut prices on big items due to minor manufacturer errors and send them to the discount clothing store. One misaligned stitch can send that hundred-dollar shirt into twenty-dollar territory. Sometimes these can be more expensive than other discount clothing, but they often last longer and are of better quality. Cash in on these finds when you can in favor of slightly cheaper clothing. A few dollars can make a big difference.

Shopping for discount men’s dress shirts can be simple and painless, even on a limited budget. Remember to keep an eye out for specials, deals, and designers on sale.