TextileGlossary.com

A shirt is a sort of top, i.e. a piece of clothing for the trunk of the body. In the UK, it refers almost exclusively to what Americans call a dress shirt, i.e. a garment with a collar and a full vertical opening with buttons. In the US is tends to have a vaguer meaning, being applied to many types of (mainly men's) tops, leaving the word "top" generally for ladieswear.

Some common types or synonyms of shirts and tops: T-shirt polo shirt — a shirt with collar but only a partial vertical opening with buttons shirt or dress shirt — a shirt with collar and full vertical opening with buttons tank top — a sleeveless T-shirt wife beater — a tank top worn as an outer layer blouse — ladies shirt — the term is also used for some men's military uniform shirts. nightshirt — for sleeping sweater, sweatshirt — with or without hood rugby shirt — typically a rugged long-sleeved polo shirt Hawaiian shirt — a colourful short-sleeve dress shirt guayabera — an embroidered dress shirt with four pockets golf shirt — a polo shirt baseball shirt — usually distinguished by a three quarters sleeve first shirt — the "shirt" is a nick-name for a First Sergeant

The shirt was worn as a man's undergarment, covering the body from neck to knee. Most were made of white linen which could be very fine or very coarse. A gentleman's best shirt may have ruffles (ruffs) at the wrist and/or breast. A laborer's shirt was sometimes made of unbleached linen or small patterned checks and stripes. A plain shirt might serve as a nightshirt.