Dress Shirts

DarrelSPowers

Senior member
Jul 9, 2008
781
1
0
So yeah, I need to get a white button down for a wedding this weekend, and out my office window I can see a men's store called "Thomas Pink" so I figured I'd check out what they got there... Turns out it was some famous London designer... with a regular slim fit white button down going for $180+... little bit outta my price range.

Anyway, for those who have to wear dress clothes on a regular basis, what do you feel is the best quality for the $$$? I mean, Mr. Pink's shirts did feel quite nice, but not $150 nicer than a similar shirt from H&M... but yeah, since my line of work (engineer) doesn't always require the nicest clothes on a daily basis (sneaks, jeans and a polo), I was hoping the folks here with a taste for finer clothing could help me out...
 

LuckyTaxi

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2000
6,044
23
81
van huesen is nice or i hit up the local marshall and find some for under $20. i like the nauticas.
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
Bah... I just go to TJMaxx or something and pick up some nice designer label closeout shirts for about $15 to $20 each. Anything more than that is usually a waste of money.

Oh... and I predict this thread going South quickly if CasioTech decides to post in it. :)
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
brooks brother semi annual sale, non iron dress shirts or DIE

best $50 dress shirt EVER. Hell even at normal price it's not a bad deal.
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
For my money, Brooks Brothers is the best you can get unless you want to get your shirts custom made.
 

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
Originally posted by: Ns1
brooks brother semi annual sale, non iron dress shirts or DIE

best $50 dress shirt EVER. Hell even at normal price it's not a bad deal.

Agreed. I really only wear BB shirts, I have a few Pink shirts, as well as Charles Tyrwhitt. I just like the non-hassle of BB non-iron, although some complain about the texture.

Always hit up the semi-annual sale (Christmas and EOM June). Their 1818 suits at that time are $595, which is a great deal for them.
 

Lamont Burns

Platinum Member
Dec 13, 2002
2,836
0
0
Hit up a Brooks Brothers outlet store if there is one nearby at all. Worth the trip if you are in need of several shirts.
 

RKS

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,824
3
81
Originally posted by: Ns1
brooks brother semi annual sale, non iron dress shirts or DIE

best $50 dress shirt EVER. Hell even at normal price it's not a bad deal.

The BB outlet here had 3 for $139 or so. I bought 6 but I also hit a local TJ Maxx for about 5 more shirts priced no more that $40 each (most were $30). I think that might be the best bet for the OP.

Now I'm trying to find some nice conservative lace-up black shoes and keep going back to AEs that are over $200. Are Johnston and Murphy good enough?

 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
Originally posted by: LegendKiller
Originally posted by: Ns1
brooks brother semi annual sale, non iron dress shirts or DIE

best $50 dress shirt EVER. Hell even at normal price it's not a bad deal.

Agreed. I really only wear BB shirts, I have a few Pink shirts, as well as Charles Tyrwhitt. I just like the non-hassle of BB non-iron, although some complain about the texture.

Always hit up the semi-annual sale (Christmas and EOM June). Their 1818 suits at that time are $595, which is a great deal for them.

june sale is 3 for 150, christmas sale (12/26 until 1pm or so) is 3 for 150 + an additional 15% off.



 

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
Originally posted by: Lamont Burns
Hit up a Brooks Brothers outlet store if there is one nearby at all. Worth the trip if you are in need of several shirts.

I learned that the outlet shirts just aren't as nice as the regular store shirts. The outlet line (346) have thinner fabric, fit tighter in all areas (which may be good for some people), have less nice buttons, and sometimes still have more defects.

I used to almost always get 346's, now I don't think they are worth the money. I'd rather wait for a sale.

Check out your company's discounts, I get 15% off through mine.
 

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
Originally posted by: RKS
Originally posted by: Ns1
brooks brother semi annual sale, non iron dress shirts or DIE

best $50 dress shirt EVER. Hell even at normal price it's not a bad deal.

The BB outlet here had 3 for $139 or so. I bought 6 but I also hit a local TJ Maxx for about 5 more shirts priced no more that $40 each (most were $30). I think that might be the best bet for the OP.

Now I'm trying to find some nice conservative lace-up black shoes and keep going back to AEs that are over $200. Are Johnston and Murphy good enough?

I'd only get AEs. JM's aren't made as well these days. A Park Avenue AE will last you 20 years if taken care of, of course, with a couple resolings.
 

Lamont Burns

Platinum Member
Dec 13, 2002
2,836
0
0
Originally posted by: LegendKiller
Originally posted by: Lamont Burns
Hit up a Brooks Brothers outlet store if there is one nearby at all. Worth the trip if you are in need of several shirts.

I learned that the outlet shirts just aren't as nice as the regular store shirts. The outlet line (346) have thinner fabric, fit tighter in all areas (which may be good for some people), have less nice buttons, and sometimes still have more defects.

I used to almost always get 346's, now I don't think they are worth the money. I'd rather wait for a sale.

Check out your company's discounts, I get 15% off through mine.

Interesting, never noticed... but should take another look I suppose.
 

LegendKiller

Lifer
Mar 5, 2001
18,256
68
86
Originally posted by: Lamont Burns
Originally posted by: LegendKiller
Originally posted by: Lamont Burns
Hit up a Brooks Brothers outlet store if there is one nearby at all. Worth the trip if you are in need of several shirts.

I learned that the outlet shirts just aren't as nice as the regular store shirts. The outlet line (346) have thinner fabric, fit tighter in all areas (which may be good for some people), have less nice buttons, and sometimes still have more defects.

I used to almost always get 346's, now I don't think they are worth the money. I'd rather wait for a sale.

Check out your company's discounts, I get 15% off through mine.

Interesting, never noticed... but should take another look I suppose.

Yeah, I started noticing it on the white shirts I have. It can be a big difference, depending on the shirt.

My wife usually searches their clearance stuff for me, she's found some great deals.

I have an 1818 on order right now, I walked into the store 3 weeks after the sale and asked the manager to give it to me at the sales price. He did.

Also, if you have any defects with the clothes, they are usually really good about fixing/replacing. I had a tie lose stitching (my favorite one). I took it into the Madison Ave. flagship store, 30min later they had restitched it (I didn't press for a new one).
 

darkxshade

Lifer
Mar 31, 2001
13,749
6
81
Originally posted by: Ns1
brooks brother semi annual sale, non iron dress shirts or DIE

best $50 dress shirt EVER. Hell even at normal price it's not a bad deal.

Unlike other non iron shirts I've bought and tried, Brooks Brothers really is the only one that lives up to it.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
Originally posted by: darkxshade
Originally posted by: Ns1
brooks brother semi annual sale, non iron dress shirts or DIE

best $50 dress shirt EVER. Hell even at normal price it's not a bad deal.

Unlike other non iron shirts I've bought and tried, Brooks Brothers really is the only one that lives up to it.

Yes. I used to travel alot for work. I just crammed all my dress shirts in my luggage, when I got to the hotel, air it out a bit and hang. In the morning they looked fine :)
 

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
15,995
1
81
Do you want Oxford Cloth, Pinpoint, or BroadCloth?
Button Down Collar or not?
Oxford Cloth button down is de rigueur in many places, but a faux pas in others.
 

freeway

Senior member
Sep 11, 2000
384
0
71
Since I have to wear a suit every workday, I have quite a few dress shirts. I like Van Heusen best, however Stafford and the Kohls brand, Croft and Barrow are good also. I just got a couple shirts at Kohls last weekend for $13 each and they fit fine.
 

DarrelSPowers

Senior member
Jul 9, 2008
781
1
0
I'm currently in downtown boston, and I'm trying to get this taken care of on my lunch break in ten minutes... Only brooks brothers is the like premier nice store on Newbury street... I think I'm just gonna go the other direction to filene's basement, literally and figuratively speaking haha.
 

DarrelSPowers

Senior member
Jul 9, 2008
781
1
0
Originally posted by: glen
Do you want Oxford Cloth, Pinpoint, or BroadCloth?
Button Down Collar or not?
Oxford Cloth button down is de rigueur in many places, but a faux pas in others.

I have no idea as far as cloth, but def not a button down collar, one of the nice pointy ones with the plastic thingys in it, and I prefer to go for slim fit shirts, since I'm a fairly skinny dude.
 

Svnla

Lifer
Nov 10, 2003
17,986
1,388
126
I have to wear shirt and tie daily for my work.

I agree with the posters about TJMaxx or Kohl. Go there and pick the shirt you like. I don't think you will pay more than $50.

I also like BB if you like to pay a bit more <when they are on sale>.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
BB has good shirts, I'll typically get a few when they're on sale. Wish they didn't dick me around when I tried to get a 1818 suit during their last sale though.

Land's End has a pretty good dress shirt as well for the price.
 

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
I have about 45 dress shirts.
I buy them all over, usually pay $40-$80.
Depends what you are looking for.
 

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
Originally posted by: darkxshade
Originally posted by: Ns1
brooks brother semi annual sale, non iron dress shirts or DIE

best $50 dress shirt EVER. Hell even at normal price it's not a bad deal.

Unlike other non iron shirts I've bought and tried, Brooks Brothers really is the only one that lives up to it.

I have BB, but there are several brands I like better.
Burberry Dress shirts are made from the best stuff on earth IMO.
They are not cheap though.
Hickey Freeman is probably the only shirt I like better than Burberry, but they are so freaking expensive, I wait for the sales or go to the outlet stores.
Ike Behar shirts are also nice.
A lot of the Italian designers make nice shirts, but some of them you're just paying for the brand. Boss shirts are overrated IMO. Canali, Zegna, etc are great shirts, but you will pay for them.