Recommend affordable non-iron shirts

I need to pick up a bunch of new shirts (~10+) soon. I've noticed that even slim fit shirts don't fit me quite well, so I currently have two options:
1) Buying a custom made shirt (online or in-store), or
2) Buying any shirt and getting it tailored

I've browsed around and it seems like option 1 is very costly, so I've decided to with option 2. Can you guys recommend non-iron shirts with decent quality that won't break the bank? I looked into buying CT/BB shirts, but I could probably spend a lot less than that.

Perhaps some stores around the mall? When is the best time of the year to shop?

 

Are you sure you need 10? If your office is on the formal side then a couple of white and a light blue will do you just fine. Have a few shirts that fit you well rather than 10+ that don't.

The cost of tailoring is highly dependent on where you are. If you're in a big expensive city the cost of tailoring a shirt to the perfect fit is usually more than the premium you'd pay for a custom made shirt. Tucking in the waist and slimming and shortening the sleeves easily add up to 30-50. And in most cases, you're still not fully satisfied with the result.

I'd say either: a) custom made shirts online b) try more European brands. Their fits are generally slimmer.

 

If its business formal you don't need 10 shirts. If it isn't than go to JC Penny or Macy's and they usually have some sort of sale that you can take advantage of, at the very least, buy a couple now and a couple next month to spread out your spending since apparently money is an issue.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 
happypantsmcgee:
If its business formal you don't need 10 shirts. If it isn't than go to JC Penny or Macy's and they usually have some sort of sale that you can take advantage of, at the very least, buy a couple now and a couple next month to spread out your spending since apparently money is an issue.

Not that money is an issue...I'd rather not spend $70 on a shirt. But I guess that's not even that much if I want to buy a decent shirt.

Also, why does it matter if it's business formal or not? Whether I wear a suit or not, I'll still need the same number of shirts, no?

 
VelCro:
Also, why does it matter if it's business formal or not? Whether I wear a suit or not, I'll still need the same number of shirts, no?
If you have 2 suits, 3 easy to match shirts, and 5 easy to match ties: 2 * 3 * 5 = 30 distinct outfits. If it's business casual however, assuming you have 3 pants, you'd need 10 shirts to have 30 distinct outfits. That's why.
 

I am having a hard time as well. Express extra slims fit me, however their shirt colors are funky. I was able to use some express giftcards to pick up a couple reasonable shirts from there that fit great though. Macys and Pennys do not have much in the way of fitted shirts, other than Van Heusen and Alfani. I tried on an Alfani it was a piece of crap so that is a no go. And I do not like the thought of paying $75 for one dress shirt when I need to amass a business casual wardrobe all at once, just like you are doing. Let me know what you find!

 

In my experience 100% cotton shirts are definitely the most comfortable and have the best feel on the skin. The main issue with them: they wrinkle like you wouldn't believe. Even my highest quality cotton shirts have full wrinkle marks on the elbows and the back by the end of the day.

So the solution is "non-iron" shirts which just include some array of synthetic materials that make the shirt wrinkle-resistant, annoyingly scratchy, and a lot less breathable. So the trade off is that you lose comfort and feel of the shirt and you gain practicality.

 
HumPiranha88:

A little off topic, but are non-iron shirts any good? I've never tried one, are they comfortable and do they work?

They are horrible. Man up. Buy an iron or go to the dry cleaner, and get a good looking shirt instead.

 

I like the Jos. A Bank "Traveler's" shirts. They don't wrinkle easily, and you can usually get a few for a great price during one of their many sales.

 
Kadillac:
HumPiranha88:

A little off topic, but are non-iron shirts any good? I've never tried one, are they comfortable and do they work?

They are horrible. Man up. Buy an iron or go to the dry cleaner, and get a good looking shirt instead.

You may or may not be stupid, not sure yet.

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 
bfin:
Kadillac:
HumPiranha88:

A little off topic, but are non-iron shirts any good? I've never tried one, are they comfortable and do they work?

They are horrible. Man up. Buy an iron or go to the dry cleaner, and get a good looking shirt instead.

You may or may not be stupid, not sure yet.

Name your high-end brand that the Partner's are wearing...no "non-iron" shirts.

 
Kadillac:
bfin:
Kadillac:
HumPiranha88:

A little off topic, but are non-iron shirts any good? I've never tried one, are they comfortable and do they work?

They are horrible. Man up. Buy an iron or go to the dry cleaner, and get a good looking shirt instead.

You may or may not be stupid, not sure yet.

Name your high-end brand that the Partner's are wearing...no "non-iron" shirts.

Didn't know we were trying to look like something we are not. I think stupid it is.

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 
bfin:
Kadillac:
bfin:
Kadillac:
HumPiranha88:

A little off topic, but are non-iron shirts any good? I've never tried one, are they comfortable and do they work?

They are horrible. Man up. Buy an iron or go to the dry cleaner, and get a good looking shirt instead.

You may or may not be stupid, not sure yet.

Name your high-end brand that the Partner's are wearing...no "non-iron" shirts.

Didn't know we were trying to look like something we are not. I think stupid it is.

I believe Boiler Room said it best...ACT AS IF...

This is a fashion forum, and I am saying that non of the best designers are making Non-Iron shirts...nobody in fashion will tell you to get a non Iron shirt...but then again...I'm the idiot.

 
Kadillac:
bfin:
Kadillac:
bfin:
Kadillac:
HumPiranha88:

A little off topic, but are non-iron shirts any good? I've never tried one, are they comfortable and do they work?

They are horrible. Man up. Buy an iron or go to the dry cleaner, and get a good looking shirt instead.

You may or may not be stupid, not sure yet.

Name your high-end brand that the Partner's are wearing...no "non-iron" shirts.

Didn't know we were trying to look like something we are not. I think stupid it is.

I believe Boiler Room said it best...ACT AS IF...

This is a fashion forum, and I am saying that non of the best designers are making Non-Iron shirts...nobody in fashion will tell you to get a non Iron shirt...but then again...I'm the idiot.

Didn't realize I'm taking advice from the Boiler Room? Secondly, didn't realize I work in the fashion industry, anything else you'd like to add? Also since when do first years wear the "best" designers?

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 
Best Response

got CT shirts 3 for $100, great deal, can't beat bang for buck. just remember they still shrink a bit like regular cotton shirts so get the sleeves a bit longer. brooks brothers brookscool are ok, definitely a good starter shirt, but unless you're getting 3 or 4 for $200 (a special they ran when I was in college), I'd go custom. you'll spend around $120 per shirt, and the fit will be so much better, you'll wonder why you ever did anything else.

another alternative, if you're one of the lucky SOBs whose neck & sleeve fits great in an off the rack shirt, get them off the rack but have the sides taken in. I did this with one of my BB shirts, fits great. still a POS compared to custom, but better for sure. aside: if you have shmegma that stains the inside of your collar, fels-naptha will do the trick.

heard good things about thomas pink, but I'm probably all CT or custom from here on out, so no need to shop around.

non iron slacks? what're you wearing the dockers with stainshield? take care of your pants, if they're 100% wool and you have several pairs, the wrinkles will fall out, you shouldn't have to dry clean more than 2x per quarter (well this is me, but I never take public transit or shart) and they will still look nice. the keys here are maintenance & rotation (meaning don't wait the same pair more than 2x per week if that).

 

The ones that have fit me the best and actually live up to their non-iron billing are from Calvin Klein, scooped 3 from Macy's during a sale (hint: there's always a sale at Macy's) and it was just a shade over $100. Just for going out on the weekends my gf bought me a button-up from H&M that also fits me great and is one of my go-tos -- I can't imagine that was more than $30 bones.

For reference my build is skinny-fat/6'

This to all my hatin' folks seeing me getting guac right now..
 

CT and TM Lewin are pretty good especially when you get them for around $30-$40/shirt. CT I still have a tailor take in the sides but they fit pretty close to the custom shirts I have.

A steamer is a must, I use it on my suits after each wear (try to dry clean twice a year) and to freshen shirts up a bit. It doesn't replace ironing but is a great in between tool.

 

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