TopGun Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 Having binned three shirts today because they have got ragged about the collar and look a bit discoloured I'm interested to learn from other posters who have to wear formal work attire what shirt brands you prefer for smartness and longevity. I've tended to mix it about based on sales and opportunistic purchases but most of my shirts in recent years have come from M&S, simply because I hate shopping for clothes so don't go elsewhere much for such items. M&S shirts seem ok to me but not that great. The quality seems to differ quite a lot too. I have bought two shirts recently online from Charles Tyrwhitt which seem better quality but yet to discover how they last. For ease I normally wear single cuffs, but sometimes prefer double cuffs for an outbound client trip. Any tips for decent quality and formal style shirts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 Having binned three shirts today because they have got ragged about the collar and look a bit discoloured I'm interested to learn from other posters who have to wear formal work attire what shirt brands you prefer for smartness and longevity. I've tended to mix it about based on sales and opportunistic purchases but most of my shirts in recent years have come from M&S, simply because I hate shopping for clothes so don't go elsewhere much for such items. M&S shirts seem ok to me but not that great. The quality seems to differ quite a lot too. I have bought two shirts recently online from Charles Tyrwhitt which seem better quality but yet to discover how they last. For ease I normally wear single cuffs, but sometimes prefer double cuffs for an outbound client trip. Any tips for decent quality and formal style shirts? Perhaps you need to change your anti perspirant. I don't sweat, but i've noticed this is an issue for larger people, with the resultant discolouration of which you speak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 Osbourne, Nautica HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopGun Posted 19 May, 2012 Author Share Posted 19 May, 2012 Perhaps you need to change your anti perspirant. I don't sweat, but i've noticed this is an issue for larger people, with the resultant discolouration of which you speak. Perhaps I should have used the word "jaded". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 Perhaps I should have used the word "jaded". It's a common problem. You don't need to be embarrassed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durleyfos Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 Most of my work shirts are also from M&S, I like the quality of them. For wedding type shirts, I like Savoy Tailors Guild (used to be Moss Bros) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 The best I find are Hilditch & Key but I tend to buy in the sales as I am too mean to spend £85-90 a shirt. If you want a well made shirt that is better priced, then a less expensive one from Pinks might be OK. The last lot of shirts that I bought were from a small tailor http://www.stephanshirts.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquidshokk Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 I get mine from M&S as they do the much needed 2 inches longer in the arms and length range... If anyone knows anywhere that also does longer sleeved shirts id be interested to hear too.. Trying to get away from M&S shirts as they can be a bit dad like (the limited selection for range I need can be anyway) and at 30 quid+ a shirt id welcome cheaper shirts. I do go for short sleeved shirts sometimes to get around this issue but it's just not as smart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1576 Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 TM Lewin, never had any issues. 4 for £90 special at the mo, but they usually have offers on. http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-tmlgbp-Site/en_GB/Default-Start?cm_mmc=google-_-TML_UK-Brand+Other-_-Misspellings-_-+tm++lein&gclid=CL-_ra2XjbACFQ8htAodIHXfpQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dvaughanwilliams Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 There are a few places on the internet that do made to measure shirts for about the price of an M&S shirt. I've just put an order in with http://www.everythingbespoke.com Of course, this does have the hassle of having to get the measurements, but seems worthwhile to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettuce Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 Sainsbury's... little and often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 Can't beat a Ben Sherman - get all mine from Shirt King in six dials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 I thought everyone knew that m&s are now just a posh primark. Look in charity shops. If it looks good in a charity shop it'll have passed the test of time. Antique white cotton shirts feel like gossamer. You will not wear a better quality shirt as they did not even know about man made fabrics. Maybe rubber but not polyvinyls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fowllyd Posted 19 May, 2012 Share Posted 19 May, 2012 Can't beat a Ben Sherman - get all mine from Shirt King in six dials. Excellent shop - as is Henry's Records, come to that. I used to buy Stevens Brothers shirts whenever I could, but they became very hard to find a few years ago. I'd go for TM Lewin - good shirts with sleeve length measured as well as collar size. And they always seem to have offers on too; five shirts for £100 in both West Quay and Gun Wharf at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 (edited) Always wear double cuff cut away collar. A Decent set of cuff links is vitally important for it to work. I Wear boss, armani and mont blanc.the shirt can be worn up with a tie and suit or down with a pair of well fitting trousers. And shoes are important. Wests are good. Or from the high street, Jones. The cuff should always show an inch below your suit jacket sleeve. Price wise if you have cash Paul Costello, Thomas pink or Boss cannot be bettered. Pink is my personal choice. Mid range budget the M&S sartorial range are good at £40 a shirt or buy one get one half price. TM Lewin worth a look as they do different length sleeves making sure your cuffs aren't longer than they need to be. Next city collection are decent at £30 a pop but generally will be seen on all the wannabes. Less than that you're a clown and I'm wasting my time. Remember you buy cheap you buy twice. Enough said, no? That'd all you need to know. Hope that helps. Edited 20 May, 2012 by Turkish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red and White Army Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 All custom made for me. You can always tell the difference between bespoke tailoring and the kind of off the peg rubbish Turkish favours. I generally pick up my shirts from Jantzen in Hong Kong, but I know there are a bunch of traveling Indian taliors who come to London every few months and you'll get a proper tailored shirt for about 40 quid in top notch fabric and with the design of your choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red and White Army Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 This is a good example http://www.raja-fashions.com/appointment/tour.php?tr=2512 Well worth the investment in my view. I am still wearing shirts I had made in 2003 and they still look at good now as they did then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 /\ interesting. "[TABLE=class: TourDetails, width: 960] [TR] [TD=class: TourDetailsNAA, bgcolor: transparent, align: center] [/TD] [TD=class: TourDetailsNBB, bgcolor: transparent, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TourDetailsNCC, bgcolor: transparent, align: center]Hilton Southampton Bracken Place, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 3RB Tel: 0238-070-2700[/TD] [TD=class: TourDetailsNDD, bgcolor: transparent, align: center]Southampton England Get directions[/TD] [TD=class: TourDetailsNEE, bgcolor: transparent, align: center]15-Jun-16-Jun Please ask for Raja Fashions Conf. Room[/TD] [TD=class: TourDetailsNFF, bgcolor: transparent, align: center] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [/TABLE] " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baj Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 All my shirts are from either TM Lewin or Charles Tyrwhitt. Both quality names and produce very comfortable and smart shirts. They both always have bargains online so when bought in multiples they should never cost more than around £25 a shirt. I have about 20 shirts now either place and love all of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu0x Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 All my shirts are from either TM Lewin or Charles Tyrwhitt. Both quality names and produce very comfortable and smart shirts. They both always have bargains online so when bought in multiples they should never cost more than around £25 a shirt. I have about 20 shirts now either place and love all of them. +1. I just alternate between the two depending on who has the better offer on, at any one time one of them will always have a 'sale' on for 4 or 5 shirts for a ton. At 20-25 quid each, they're miles better than the equivalent spend from a high street multiple. I tend to find the Lewin classic fit is a better winter shirt, and the CT is a better summer shirt. They also often throw in very good deals on ties (which again I've found excellent quality). Places like Hugo Boss are not what they once were. You are paying for the name and nothing more, the vast majority of their euro market clothing is now made in Turkey or Eastern Europe and a pale shadow of what it used to be. I had a 15 year old Boss suit coat that was beautiful, hand made and still looked fantastic, it got nicked recently and I went to get a replacement - the equivalent they're flogging now is just embarrassing, no better than a 50 quid Debenhams job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baj Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 4 for £100 http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/Men's-shirts/Men's-shirts-multi-buy-offer?q=ukgob|||||||||||||||&cm_sp=Default-_-HP-_-LS1-_-Shirts4for100-_-Textlink 4 for £90 http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/Shirts/Mens-Shirts,en_GB,sc.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 All my shirts are from either TM Lewin or Charles Tyrwhitt. Both quality names and produce very comfortable and smart shirts. They both always have bargains online so when bought in multiples they should never cost more than around £25 a shirt. I have about 20 shirts now either place and love all of them. Do you ask yourself when looking what Serge from Kasabian would wear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 All custom made for me. You can always tell the difference between bespoke tailoring and the kind of off the peg rubbish Turkish favours. I generally pick up my shirts from Jantzen in Hong Kong, but I know there are a bunch of traveling Indian taliors who come to London every few months and you'll get a proper tailored shirt for about 40 quid in top notch fabric and with the design of your choice. Yeah Thomas Pink is off the peg rubbish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorpe-le-Saint Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 To cries of "They're paying you public sector ****s too much", I don't wear anything unless it is 'Eton' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brussels Saint Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 I used to wear Thomas Pink pretty exclusively, but now just Charles Tyrwhitt. The quality/cut is excellent and as they sell most of their stuff online rather than from stores the company has low overheads and keeps the price down. Ah yes, double cuff always, unless its a slim fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Charles Tyrwhitt or Pink. As I haven't got myself a valet yet, Pink shirts are more of a pain to iron (more tailored). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Thomas Pink Slim fit traveller - get them at airports for about £50 - great for minimal iron after flights.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red and White Army Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Yeah Thomas Pink is off the peg rubbish. If you want to look good, get bespoke If you want to look like everyone else, get Thomas Pink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Can't beat a Ben Sherman - get all mine from Shirt King in six dials. I read this post, and i thought Bloody hell! Are they STILL there!?........And then I read the post below and about fell off my chair. Excellent shop - as is Henry's Records, come to that. Are they both really still there, or is someone yanking my thingy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fowllyd Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 I read this post, and i thought Bloody hell! Are they STILL there!?........And then I read the post below and about fell off my chair. Are they both really still there, or is someone yanking my thingy? I'm not sure how to break this to you, but they're both long gone. The Bay Tree isn't a pub any more either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Zara for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Mainly Paul Smith shirts for me - fit great, always good styles and look good. I have some Thomas Pink shirts too and some Boss shirts. I tend not to deviate away from these three, but Paul Smith is my shirt of choice; http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/shop/paul-smith-shirts-380/category.html?BshowAll=true&filter=true&gclid=CI-W1OryjrACFYt-fAodn2Ojqg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Charles Tyrwhitt. Double cuffed and cut away collar only. Paul Smith also make top quality shirts. My "loud", non tie, shirts are PS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 M&S quality is very poor. If you buy from them at least go for something from their Sartorial range or a classic Oxford, which is at least slightly better than their general range. Lewins are OK for everyday wear. As mentioned before, Tyrwhitt is alright. Harvie and Hudson are worth checking out. I agree with Bateman that Paul Smith shirts are terrific, but for the same price (or less) you can get tailoured, which is always a better option if you have the time. Always wear double cuff with links, except with an Oxford (which i have a soft spot for). Tried various shoes / boots, but cannot find better than Loakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Oh and never wear short sleeve shirts, especially not with a tie, you'll look like a bus driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 One of the perks of my job is that I only have to wear suits for meeting with exam boards, Skills Funding Agency and the occasional Minister or MP. Rest of the time, thankfully, it's polo shirts, combats and Adidas OG as ironing decent shirts, even for us ex-forces types, is a pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liquidshokk Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Oh and never wear short sleeve shirts, especially not with a tie, you'll look like a bus driver. Never with a tie, no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmel Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Went to (Sorry) gun wharf yesterday. Some of the Paul Smith stuff is top draw, but ended up (This makes me feel ancient) buying 3 shirts from Austin Reed. It will take a couple of trips to the dry cleaners to see if the quality is as good as it seems but 3 shirts for 90 quid. Feels like a bargain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 One of the perks of my job is that I only have to wear suits for meeting with exam boards, Skills Funding Agency and the occasional Minister or MP. Rest of the time, thankfully, it's polo shirts, combats and Adidas OG as ironing decent shirts, even for us ex-forces types, is a pain. How 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 How 2005 It is The Black Country Rich, they are barely into this millennium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Have a mix of M&S, Lewins and Ralph Lauren formal shirts, that said by far the best in terms of look, wear and fit are my Aquascutum ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corky morris Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Double cuff Hackett is the way to go? Bicester Village always have them in stock if you want a bargain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 20 May, 2012 Share Posted 20 May, 2012 Double cuff Hackett is the way to go? Bicester Village always have them in stock if you want a bargain! Actually, forgot I like Hackett shirts too, have a few of them too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericofarabia Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 I'm not sure how to break this to you, but they're both long gone. The Bay Tree isn't a pub any more either. RIP. Don't think many people wore formal shirts in there though ..... maybe that's why it had to shut down!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 You can't beat good old Woolies for everyday work wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 Only wear Lacoste polo shirts for work, have done for 24 years, you can't beat them, infact I had a nasty motorbike accident wearing one, ripped the skin off half my shoulder and the shirt was in tip top condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redondo Saint Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 Having binned three shirts today because they have got ragged about the collar and look a bit discoloured I'm interested to learn from other posters who have to wear formal work attire what shirt brands you prefer for smartness and longevity. I've tended to mix it about based on sales and opportunistic purchases but most of my shirts in recent years have come from M&S, simply because I hate shopping for clothes so don't go elsewhere much for such items. M&S shirts seem ok to me but not that great. The quality seems to differ quite a lot too. I have bought two shirts recently online from Charles Tyrwhitt which seem better quality but yet to discover how they last. For ease I normally wear single cuffs, but sometimes prefer double cuffs for an outbound client trip. Any tips for decent quality and formal style shirts? Tyrells used to be pretty good but if you want consistant quality you should try shirts made in USA. Nordstroms is my choice and they usually last 2 years before I think about giving them a red card. Maybe tricky to iron but over here everyone sends to the cleaners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redondo Saint Posted 21 May, 2012 Share Posted 21 May, 2012 Oh and never wear short sleeve shirts, especially not with a tie, you'll look like a bus driver. Sound advice. It justn't look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopGun Posted 25 June, 2012 Author Share Posted 25 June, 2012 Having considered all advice, I bought two additional shirts that appeared similar in spec and price - one from Charles Tyrwhitt and one from TM Lewin. The result: * Charles Tyrwhitt is better quality cotton fabric * TM Lewin is easier to iron as thinner So take your choices. I'll struggle with the iron and pick Charles Tyrwhitt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robsk II Posted 25 June, 2012 Share Posted 25 June, 2012 I'm genuinely surprised that this topic has generated so much. Then again I don't generally need to go too formal at work, though I have some custom made stuff for interview, weddings etc. My reasoning being that if you don't need too many, you might as well have something that looks good when you need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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