UK guys...help me out please...dress shirts

[MJ5150]

In my neverending quest for good quality dress shirts, a co-worker told me about the dress shirt makers on Jermyn Street in London. You know how some of you always be buying bass gear for that perfect tone? I go through dress shirts like that...always looking for that perfect fit/look.

I've done some looking around on line, and they do look like nice shirts. I checked out Tyrwhitt, Lewin, and Thomas Pink. I noticed the Tyrwhitt and Lewin websites looked basically exactly the same, is that the same parent company? Any other brands I should check out? Any brands I should stay away from? I won't spend $150 on a dress shirt, but I also do not buy department store dress shirts.

I am a big dude in my upper body, so none of the slim fit or Euro style fit shirts will work for me. I see some websites say that big men should not buy any shirts from Jermyn Street makers, while others say they fit fine. What's the scoop on that for sure?

Thanks for all your suggestions. I hope to buy a shirt this week and if it ends up being nice, I'll buy a few more.

-Mike

[Mark Latimour]

Firstly those three shirt makers are basically the "department stores of shirts" here in London. I wear Tyrwhitt (sp?) shirts and they are nice and good value for money when you can get them at £25 each, but the retail price can often be twice that. I think if you want better quality dress shirts you would need to look elsewhere, but it depends, I really don't see a huge difference between the brands you have mentioned and other more high quality brands unless you are talking about tailored shirts (which there are a lot of in London). I would also agree that big men are not catered for in the Jerrym street makers, most of the shirts are either Euro cut or slim fit (I prefer slim even though I have a bit of a gut). If you are a big dude the cut may not be all that flattering. Many are also double cuffed if you are into that kind thing, if not, be prepared to buy cufflinks too!

Also, when you say dress shirt, do you just mean a business shirt or a proper dress shirt (ie a shirt for wearing with a tux)? In the UK if you say dress shirt you are talking about a shirt for wearing with a dinner suit or tux.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Also, when you say dress shirt, do you just mean a business shirt or a proper dress shirt (ie a shirt for wearing with a tux)?

Business shirt.

Thanks for all that info Mark. As I am reading online, I am finding out that those three brands are exactly as you described. Just in my looking around so far, they do have a lot more to pick from than what I normally see in these parts. Plus, it is something new and different from the usual places I shop now.

I think I'll buy one for now and see how they fit. My biggest issue in the USA is finding shirts broad enough across the shoulders and chest. Any other spots I should check besides these three? Maybe one that tailors more to bigger men?

I have plenty of cuff links, so that is no big deal.

-Mike

[Ericman197]

Also consider the difference in purchase parity. If you're talking about hand tailored, specialty items from England, then it's harder to make a comparison. But if you're talking about upmarket brands, the dollar buys a lot more here than there. Just a random example, but in the market I'm most interested in (funny t shirts), there's a big difference in cost between the two countries. In America, most funny T shirts are in the range of $12 to $20. The shirts I've seen/bought from the UK (ignoring shipping/VAT) were roughly the same price, but in pounds.

Of course, this is very debatable. But I think if you spent $100 on two dress shirts from England (as in the above banner ad!) you'd probably be getting something that's as high (or low) quality as anything you could buy/order locally, for a similar or lesser price. I buy things from other countries from time to time, but usually not things like shirts that are so easy to get locally for less money (t shirts being an exception, because sometimes there's a really funny/unique shirt that is only sold in England/wherever).

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Ericman197

Also consider the difference in purchase parity.

I see your points, but the prices I have seen so far are mostly the same as the USA. The thing I am finding so far is the materials look to be of better quality, and there is definitely more to pick from in the size I wear.

I can hit up joints like Nordstroms, Saks, Brooks Brothers, and Jos A Banks over here, but they don't have nearly this amount of choices in my size.

-Mike

[MJ5150]

Plus, all the sites I went to so far use brass collar stiffeners. I don't know of anyone in the USA doing that.

I would like to know where all these shirts are made. Probably the same factory in Vietnam or China the $17 Van Heusens come from.

-Mike

[marksmith85]

Hi Mike,

You mentioned buying shirts from Jermyn street, but if you're interested in learning more about Savile Row, here's a link to a blog from a tailor who makes trips to the U.S., his last visit was March/April so it may be some time before he returns. There is also a wealth of information and history about Savile Row and its traditions, quite an interesting read!

http://www.englishcut.com/

Or alternatively, here's a quick link to his section on bespoke shirts. As a warning, they ain't cheap!

http://www.englishcut.com/archives/cat_shirts.html

[Philbiker]

You might hate me for this.....

Regularly check out the ever-changing selection at www.sierratradingpost.com . There. I did it.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Philbiker

You might hate me for this.....

Regularly check out the ever-changing selection at www.sierratradingpost.com . There. I did it.

Cool website for shirts, thanks!

But as usual with USA sites, nothing big enough for me. I am a 19.5" or 20" neck. For the shirts I wear ties wth all the time, 20".

But anyway, I am interested in these UK tailors. I been around the block a half million times with all the joints in the USA.

-Mike

[richnota]

can you even get a 19.5 or 20 from the UK shirtmakers? Seems that fashionable UK men are size-restricted (the huge English football fans I ran into in Holland didn't seem too fashion oriented).

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by richnota

can you even get a 19.5 or 20 from the UK shirtmakers? Seems that fashionable UK men are size-restricted (the huge English football fans I ran into in Holland didn't seem too fashion oriented).

Oh yeah, Tyrwhitt and Lewin had a whole page of choices. More than I could decide on. I read another article that these tailors, especially Tyrwhitt, are really starting to cater to the USA men now. I'll have my shirts in seven days from order, which is a huge bonus. I was expecting to wait two weeks or more.

-Mike

[rr5025]

Could try Ted Baker, there's another store in the city center that had a good bit of suits/shirts but the name escapes me. When my gangbang of exams are over I'll be down there so I'll get the name for you.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by rr5025

Could try Ted Baker, there's another store in the city center that had a good bit of suits/shirts but the name escapes me. When my gangbang of exams are over I'll be down there so I'll get the name for you.

Ted Baker caters for skinny guys only, its a very "London" fashion shop. I would recommend Trwhytt out of the three brands, they seem to make the best quality. Lewin being the lowest IME.

[MJ5150]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Ted Baker caters for skinny guys only, its a very "London" fashion shop. I would recommend Trwhytt out of the three brands, they seem to make the best quality. Lewin being the lowest IME.

Perfect, thanks Mark. I am going to order two shirts from Tyrwhitt and see how they are. The return policy is excellent, so that is a good sign in my mind.

-Mike