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brooks brothers
Express clothing is nice until you actually buy it. Then you realize how shitty the quality is. I'm not even one of those $300 on a shirt or bust people; I look for deals. Express clothing is tempting because it looks good and is cheap, however, you really do have to refrain from buying it.
Brooks brothers is a good recommendation for something that you won't have to question the quality about, it's just hard to find good looking clothes at BB sometimes. However, if it's for a job environment, BB usually fits the bill.
Personally, I just shop around the larger stores like Macys and Bloomingdales. You can find name brand, high quality, good looking clothes for the same or cheaper than Brooks Brothers.
express clothing is "ish dont think so"...are you going clubbing? stick to the basics...brooks, charles tyrwhitt, thomas pink..
Just go down to century 21, you can pick up a bunch of hugo boss, hickey freeman and a few other good quality brands for about $50 a pop. No reason to really spend more than that.
I like TM Lewin for moderately priced shirts.
I wear Boss. $160, but looks great and lasts a while.
Brooks Brothers slim fit non-iron. I swear by this shirt and it comes out brand new every time you take it out of the dryer. non-iron really means non-iron!
I find it a continual struggle to find handsome dress shirts that dont wear like a parachute for a young chap who is trim in the waist yet broad in the chest/sholders -but I digress.
The best being I have found includes the slim fit brooks (mentioned), most names from Century 21 or Fileen's Basement, and Zara (dont laugh) -Boss is nice too, but I have a hard time justifying the cost when my damn drycleaners keeps losing my $100+ shirts.
Any other recommendations on good trim fitting shirts?
I am in the same boat.. Boss is supposed to be reasonably trim but it still floats around me. 17.5" neck, 34" waist, means that even with slim fits I am screwed. I am toying with just taking all my shirts to a tailor and seeing what they can do.
I get my shirts custom made from a great tailor in Thailand (he's done President Bush, John Kerry, John Travolta, etc.) - he's well known among the expat community.
If you get 5 or 10 sent over, they run about $30-35 (with shipping to the US included) - they are just amazing. Just get a tailor to fill in your sizes (will run you $10-$20 bucks) and email him to get some shirt swatches. Go for the spread collar (Thomas Pink-esq).
his website is http://www.dress-for-success.com/
Try Cafe Coton.
If you're a fan of shirts with very thin material (which I am, since I get warm easily) there isn't really any way around the eventual elbow rip from worn-down material - I've put up with it for years and accepted that I simply have to buy more shirts (or thicker ones, of course).
Smuguy, I suggest elbow patches.
www.tmlewin.com. Flat rate shipping to US from the UK 17 pounds. Also, they remove the VAT so your price is cheaper than what's shown on the website.
I swear by Charles Tyrwhitt slim fit shirts. You can get a good deal online.. check out the "clearance" section. Guaranteed something there at least 50% that you can get for less than $100.. I must have 10 of these guys. The only issue is sometimes the buttons fall like to fall off due to lackluster stiching (has happened with two buttons on shirts about a year old).
that's interesting stuff anonymouse
I 2nd brooks brothers slim fit non-iron
Latransplant --
Dead on. I also need slim fits -- Boss is great for your really nice shirts for important days. And funny enough, the rest of my shirts are either Zara (which is a guilty pleasure, but they fit so good), given they don't have much of a life span before falling apart, or CK from century 21. What brands at Century or Filine's do you buy??
Thomas Pink or Turnbull & Asser are my favorites.
Can I ask what you guys to do rip your shirts? I have shirts from express and they have not ripped at all. My black shirt has faded, yes, out of normal wear...but no rips. Am I missing something? Is this because I am wearing the girl version of the man-tailored shirt, where the only primary difference is the breast thingies?
********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********
It's all about wearing down the elbows, which I think comes from the way some folks sit at their desk. I've never heard of a girl wearing down a shirt like this, but it is more common with guys, and I've personally ruined well more than 10 shirts this way...
I pick up random Italian makers from Fileens and C21... I am not big on labels, so I have never really heard of most of them -though some labels I have seen at Saks.
I am the cheapest wealthy fu** I know, so you'll probably not want my advice.
I have had two shirt burn out so far, both were Brooks non-iron slim fit. However, one burned out in about 3 months, the other after 3 years. Its all in how you wear them, elbow tension kills shirts, whereas rolling the sleeves is key.
At my last shop one guy had 5 shirts burn out in one week (he wasn't too happy), every one was from Barney's and cost a shit ton. None were older than a few months, so you can only go with what you like as far as looks in a shirt.
Personally, I roll my sleeves, wear brooks non-iron slim-fits and Thomas Pink. On occasion I wear Elbow pads too.
Ah, I see...my sleeves are always rolled up. hahaha.
********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********
Rolling your sleeves is key. It shows your superior that you're hard at work.
Rolling your sleeves is key. It shows your superior that you're hard at work.
what if u have eczema?
i bodybuild so my back is large. i think this put tension on the elbows. i asked the other analysts and they said its probably the desk. so they put a mousepad where their elbows are....
Rotfl, I'd pay money to see you guys have mouse pads under your elbows. HAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh you guys are too much.
I roll my sleeves up, I don't think it means much either way.
********"Babies don't cost money, they MAKE money." - Jerri Blank********
try some glycolic acid cream on your elbows. it might soften the elephant skin there and will be less abrasive on your shirts and will help them last longer. try it, even if it doesnt work its cheaper to try then buying a whole slew of Turnbull shirts.
bmwhype, I have the same problem, pretty limited range of motion before the stitching starts to give... for a few shirts, I buy them a little long in sleeve length and just roll them up, that usually solves it. Additionally a friend of mine who is hardcore into bodybuilding has a ton of custom made. At some point you're going to have to do that, the V doesn't go well with mass-made shirts.
Also I'm pretty sure that glycolic acid cream wouldn't react too well with expensive shirts, just a thought.
What kind of decent shirts can I buy for $100 – 200 range? (Originally Posted: 09/14/2011)
I never cared for clothes that much. However, last year as I started my job, I bought Brooks Brothers shirts while on sale for $30-$50. Recently I started a new job with another major Private Equity firm. I have some upcoming few conferences where I will be representing the company. My mentor at the company hinted me that I need to upgrade my wardrobe and buy some nice dress shirts and suits. Any advice appreciated, as I need to do it quickly as possible. Thanks in advance.
Thomas Pink shirts.
Ask around your office about a good tailor. Go there for a MTM or bespoke suit.
If you would feel comfortable asking your mentor for recommendations than do so.
Why do all of you guys recommend Thomas Pink? Honest question.
I don't own any and haven't tried them, but their production line has been outsourced to China and Malaysia since LVMH grabbed majority ownership. Is the quality of the fabric and the cut still worth the price?
Timely article for you: http://www.slate.com/id/2303744/
There are some very good online/remote MTM vendors, as referenced in the above link. I've dealt with Astor and Black before for suits and they were very good, not sure about shirts though. If you are lucky enough to have a body type that is flattered by off-the-rack suits you can save a bundle, but everyone looks better in custom clothing.
Two additional resources you should check out: (1) the forums at Styleforum.net (2) the forums at askandyaboutclothes.com
Finally, if you live in a big city (NYC is best), you can find some really great local tailors who will build a suit for you. I've heard really good things about Mr. Ned (mrnednyc.com) for entry-level custom suiting, but have not been myself.
With reference to the above poster, I think that Thomas Pink shirts are overpriced and overrated. In many cases you can get a fully-custom shirt for the same price or less.
Eton, I think European companies make the best shirts in general. Even though American companies have "slim" or "European", they don't seem to be the same.
Make sure you get a wrinkle-free. There is nothing more annoying than having to iron shirts. (OK, maybe trying to iron a suit) A couple years ago, above the $50 price point, they were hard to find. I think Abboud finally came out with non-iron shirts last year- might be one way to go.
Went through this a few years back, tested all the 100 GBP RTW makers. The best by far in the 50 GBP range is Harvie and Hudson, they are also the only ones with mother of pearl buttons (in fact the only ones to get all the "details" right at that level). Thomas Pink, TM Lewin, Charles Tyrwhitt, etc. all have their faults (at least at the basic level). E.g. all my TM Lewin shirts were made of crap, short-fiber cotton which started getting furry after 10 or so washes; the buttons were plastic, the collar stiffening bad quality wrinkling the collar, etc.
The H&H 3 shirts for 100 offer is amazing. Formal shirts wise I have yet to see better in RTW 100. I had some shipped to NYC (20 bucks at the time) because I could not find better value for money in the US.
http://www.harvieandhudson.com/c/Turn_Back_Cuff_Shirts.htm
I am not a fan of the pattern used by CT but their super 180s shirts are quite good if you get them for 50 GBP (I would never pay full retail though): http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/men's-shirts/men's-formal-shirts/White--twill…,||||||||
If you have more, check out Turnbull and Asser in RTW, and consider getting bespoke shirts at the same price point.
http://www.englishcut.com/2006/02/15/bespoke-shirts/ http://www.customshirt1.com/ if you want to buy American.
Remember the rules: double cuffs (chain links if you can be arsed, sterling silver if you really care), stiffened collar (if you want to be formal, you can starch it; really formal, get detachable collars), leave some space for your tie to breathe (so not http://danbizet94.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/how-tie.jpg but http://www.marketobservation.com/blogs/media/blogs/b/CharlieRoseintervi… ), choose white or light blue shirts only if you will wear a tie.
Thomas Pink. Facconable.
Cruise Saks or something for the sale rack/go online... Armani shirts can be had for ~$200.
I love J.Press too, on Madison Ave... super Ivy old school though, so may not be with it enough for PE.
Hugo Boss
Honestly, while I find spending $100 on a shirt understandable, I have no idea why anyone would spend a whole lot more on it.
Shirts tear all the time. And the biggest thing people notice is how wrinkled it is. At least a few years ago, you could not get wrinkle free shirts over about a $50 price point so you would have to iron them yourself.
Do you really want to do that every single week? Or worse- keep making trips to the dry cleaner's.
Do yourself a favor, go to the Men's Wearhouse and ask them for the nicest wrinkle-free they have. It's at least a Joseph Abboud these days- maybe Armani has them now. Get something that can keep the managers happy but remember that most shirts- even quality ones- only last a year or two, and that if you don't get a wrinkle free, YOU'LL HAVE TO IRON IT EVERY SINGLE TIME IT COMES OUT OF THE DRYER.
For about 100 bucks, you can get tailor-made shirts, which are probably matching what you are looking for. Non-iron and perfectly fitting, so no need to worry about anything but the fabric quality, since the size will be just perfect, and the details will match you specifications, such as wide collar or straight collar, French or regular cuffs, pocket or no pocket ...
For 150-200 per shirt; you will be able to have some of the best fabrics on the market. Imparali on 5th avenue are recommended by all the people in my office.
If you are in New York City, go to CEGO for good MTM. If you will be traveling to Hong Kong in the near future, go to Jantzen for good and inexpensive MTM. I have had great experience with both of them. I only got a few shirts from Jantzen when I went, but honestly if I go back to Hong Kong then I will likely pick up about 10 shirts from them. Great value for the price/quality.
Also if you are in New York City, Joe Hemrajani from MyTailor.com will be in town in the next few weeks, so you could always schedule something with him. I think his MTM shirts are around $100 (can be more or less depending on fabrics etc.). He gets good reviews on SF and ASW.
I understand that people like Thomas Pink, but IMO those shirts are overpriced and always seem to disappoint when I buy them. Only worth it on major sale. For those prices, you can get good MTM.
J. Press is a good look but quite traditional, so if that's not your thing you will probably not like what they sell - I actually really like (and frequently wear) what they sell except their shirts (they fit like tents). Don't waste money on Armani, and Facconable can be good but only bother with it heavily discounted.
Feel free to PM me if you want help with those MTM places.
IP - I really am shocked that you don't buy stuff from SF or eBay, given your penchant for buying on the cheap.
My goal is to minimize operating expenses, not capital outlays. Historically, the American-made Joseph Abboud lasts about twice as long as the stuff I can get at JCP while only costing about 50-70% more.
http://www.styleforum.net/t/264706/new-brooks-brothers-shirt-blowout
http://www.styleforum.net/t/260360/megathread-new-brooks-brothers-shirt…
There you go. Shirts for between $26 - $45. Threads like these pop up all the time.
I'm surprised he had a problem with BB. Good enough for Kennedy, and both Bushes, and Mad Men, and the pimping Great Gatsby cast. I dress ultra conservatively though. Their Golden Fleece Sea Island cotton shirts are like wearing an orgasm ($300, or $150 during biannual sale).
Aside from them, I like Thomas Pink shirts, but I agree you pay out the ass for them.
Thomas Pink or Hickey Freeman on sale. They're fucking awesome.
The cheaper alternative is Charles Tyrwhitt, who has a sick sale right now
Does Thomas Pink ever have sales besides Christmas? CT has some crazy sales. Think I've seen shirts there for $30 before.
$200 can get you a fully bespoke shirt in a 200-threadcount fabric from Luxire ($100 can get you 140-threadcount fabric). You have to take your own measurements, though, which is a pain in the ass...If you can, it's better to go to one of their locations and get measured by their associates.
2nd CTShirts. They currently have a $29.50 sale on the vast majority of their dress shirts. There are some exclusions, but it's for the stuff you'd expect (Sea Island cotton, black label, 180s.)
Op, what is wrong with your BB shirts? The no-iron ones that I bought have been fantastic and can be pretty cheap when on sale.
Don't know the price level in the US, but Zegna and Borrelli shirts are awesome. I've few MTM items and with each one there are a couple of things which annoy me. Maybe I'm picky, but if you want 100 % go bespoke, otherwise I'd rather buy a good RTW than a so-so MTM (unless you have a really freaky build).
I've bought one Zegna shirt (in fairness, it was at Century 21- there is always a reason expensive stuff winds up marked 60% off at C21). It will probably be the only Zegna shirt I'll ever buy.
Zegna makes nice ties (that are a little more expensive than I normally wear) and the shirts may be different in Europe but I didn't like the material in the US-sold shirts and they weren't wrinklefree. I didn't see much difference between it and a $25-$30 Eagle Shirt at Macy's, and the $30 shirt cost me $20 less.
Charles Tyrwhitt, Tasso Elba, Joseph Abboud, and Nordstrom's House Brand all make very comfortable shirts that look great too. And they run about $30-50 if there's a sale or you buy at Mens Wearhouse.
Fair enough, but most guys who value quality menswear will look down on wrinkle free/non iron stuff. They're usually chemically treated, and I've yet to find one which I don't have to iron without feeling shabby in the "almost-ironed" shirt look.
BB extra slim fit are pretty good. The issue their style is kind of bland. Their Egyptian cotton shirts are really nice.I think Thomas Pink is pretty solid. Banana has a few ok non irons.
I'll check out the Harvey Hudson. I really like English shirt makers as I think the style is there. You start dropping $150 or more on a shirt and you should look into custom shirts.
As for Style forum, I love the site and enjoy checking it out, but I wouldn't really take their advice. Those guys are beyond finance fashion. Way too hipster. Frankly, I think most of the guys on that forum are dudes working at Starbucks trying to dress like they are titans of industry.
Today was the last day for 25% off at BB.
Picked up 2 BB ESF shirts today for ~$50; CT shirts fit like a balloon to me.
I don’t have to suggest these things. My suggestion to go for custom designed dresses.
The main impression is not what your shirt makes but what your personality makes. So get yourself some tailor-made stuff for the formals. And don't be worried for informals. Just go for some Bella Canvas long sleeves and you will rock at the meetings' after parties.
Proper Cloth.
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