Personally I go the value multibuy route. They look good and I’ve found one that fits particularly well. The impression I have of more expensive shirts is the old school city gents I used to see skipping round London in their Churches shoes with shirts that were such high quality cotton that they creased all over and looked like they’d been picked up from a heap on the floor that morning rather than from a walk in closet in the Home Counties country mansion.
Should I reconsider and get myself some shirts tailored? Should I get my initials sewn into them?
I usually swing by Century 21 or Marshalls/TJ Maxx (dont worry I have already hacksawed myself) and hit their selection of discounted stuff. 8/10 times they dont have anything I like in my size but once in a while they do and I grab a shirt or two. Non-iron is the only way to go because I am way lazy
My neighbor (single mom, pretty well off) sells Cabi clothes (pyramid scheme but women generally like the clothes). She just recently got into selling mens clothing through J. Hilburn. I needed some new shirts so I figured I’d give it a try…It’s pretty awesome. She took my measurements and the shirts are custom made (you pick the fabric, cuffs, collar, buttons, etc.) and if they aren’t perfectly tailored when they arrive, the company pays to have them tailored for you. Another neighbor just got a suit from her and he really likes it. Seems like good stuff.
tl;dr - some pyramid schemes offer some nice shit.
I find I still have to iron my non-iron shirts if I wash them myself instead of taking them to the cleaners. Not sure why that is. Fortunately, I generally only need to wear a suit once or twice per month.
What do you guys normally pay for a tailored shirt compared to something off the rack? Here in Toronto there’s a company that does full custom for around $50CAN/shirt with a great selection, choice of collar, cuffs, etc. Pretty good deal IMO.
Made to measure from the big and tall store has been my go to. The quality of fabrics seem to be on par with the fabrics when I buy a Ralph Lauren or similar brand at Macy’s, but the fit is so much better. As a large man with ridiculously wide shoulders and very long arms, getting a better fit through the chest while not being super baggy around my stomach and hips is a big plus. And depending on the time of year, I can get them for under $100 a shirt. I buy 3 or 4 a year and have probably 10 now. As an added bonus, having someone hold the cloth measuring tape all over you and suggest all sorts of fabrics and stuff makes you feel like a BSD.
Yea mine still have some wrinkles that I iron out if I need to get dressed up for an event, but for general work purposes they suffice unironed for me (i dont dry clean often either I usually wash myself also)
+1 had a Joseph Abboud shirt previously and it was really nice. Think i wore a hole in the elbow though, that seems to be the demise of most of my shirts.
I have some Eton’s and a Canali that I love but they’re pricey for me. But for the most part I just wear whatever button down shirts my parents and wife buy me for Christmas from the mall. Polos three months of the year.
Might have to check out this Nordstrom Rack place.