I want a white collared shirt that I can wear for any occasion. With a suit and tie, casual open, with a jacket. What's my best bet?
If you're going to be wearing it with a suit fly collar is a must. Brooks Brothers makes some great non-iron shirts (still 100% cotton) that are reasonably priced and look great. Gitman Bro's also does some nice shirts in a variety of price ranges. http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=204&Product_Id=785344&Parent_Id=207&default_color=White
9 Answers
If you're going to be wearing it with a suit fly collar is a must. Brooks Brothers makes some great non-iron shirts (still 100% cotton) that are reasonably priced and look great. Gitman Bro's also does some nice shirts in a variety of price ranges. http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=204&Product_Id=785344&Parent_Id=207&default_color=White
It's hard to nail down the "shirt for any occasion" thing. On the one hand, general wisdom is that you don't wear a button-down collar with a suit. Unless you do the super-trad look, most people seem to be opposed to it. On the other hand, a spread-collar shirt looks ridiculous without a tie IMO. You're best off with a relatively short point-collar, and the Brooks non-iron is pretty much the best compromise. The collar points don't look ridiculous without a tie, and it looks much better with a nice suit and tie then a button-down. If you're an average-to-slim guy (actually anything but super-obese) the slim fit will probably look a lot better. They're almost always on sale for 3 for $199, until the 11th they're an extra 30% off.
I know it isn't very original (and most uncraters are) but there's something about that little polo horse. I don't know how ol' Ralph did it, but a Polo shirt always turns the ladies' heads, and demands respect from the fellows. In your case, I would recommend the Polo Ralph Lauren® Garment Washed Oxford Sportshirt. It isn't the cheapest shirt on the market, but it's gonna last you a lifetime.
http://www.amazon.com/Polo-Ralph-Lauren-Garment-Sportshirt/dp/B00023BYQO
I really like the John W. Nordstrom Shirts. The fabric is great and the cut fits me nicely. They aren't as expensive as most other shirts at Nordstrom's and can find them on sale often. They are also available in a wide variety of sizes, which is great for me as I have odd proportions (tall + small neck size).
I have a DKNY white shirt that works great for me. It looks good with and with out a tie. It is also cut slim so it makes me looks less puffy around the waist.
I like to spoil myself sometimes: https://www.hisfavoritestore.com/e-store/prod_details.asp?pcid=0&cid=38283560745&pid=610483939557
JCrew makes a great double-ply cotton shirt, about 60 bucks and the quality's great. Irons crisp and you can open it up for more casual occasions. In my mind a must-have.
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/MensBrowse/Men_Shop_By_Category/shirts/washedfavoriteshirts/PRDOVR~79233/79233.jsp