Recommend me some work shirts!

[Blown2CV]

hawes and curtis have pissed me off recently. I have a number of shirts that fit me perfectly that i have bought from them over the last 2 years, say. They still fit but i wanted to get some new ones, exactly the same. I bought some new ones with exactly the same collar, sleeve length, "st james slim fit" - seemingly identical shirts. They're far too tight! Also they refused to acknowledge they'd changed anything in their sizing. Worse yet, the "classic fit" is far too big, and square. Exactly the same issue at CT, and last time I checked it was the same at TML.

So what the fk do I do now?! Too fat for slim shirts (apart from the 20 I have...) and too slim for fat shirts. I'm hardly an odd shape either, pretty average for today's world.

[Rick101]

I purchased a Costo 'Kirkland' shirt recently. Was about £16 I think. Nice fit and we'll made. Seems durable too. Will be buying more.

[maxdb]

Most of my shirts are now m&s. They last a while and look good for the money. They appear to of been made to a good quality and have a good fit.

[Neil H]

Blown2CV said:

hawes and curtis have pissed me off recently. I have a number of shirts that fit me perfectly that i have bought from them over the last 2 years, say. They still fit but i wanted to get some new ones, exactly the same. I bought some new ones with exactly the same collar, sleeve length, "st james slim fit" - seemingly identical shirts. They're far too tight! Also they refused to acknowledge they'd changed anything in their sizing. Worse yet, the "classic fit" is far too big, and square. Exactly the same issue at CT, and last time I checked it was the same at TML.

So what the fk do I do now?! Too fat for slim shirts (apart from the 20 I have...) and too slim for fat shirts. I'm hardly an odd shape either, pretty average for today's world.

What sizes are you buying? The width of the body is proportional to neck size, so it might be worth playing around with different collar sizes on the slim fit CT shirts until you find a happy medium.

I had the same problem, I have a 17" neck and a slim torso but this sizing results in a baggy shirt even on the extra slim fit, so I had to go for a smaller collar (not a problem as I never wear ties).

CT do have shirts you can try on too, just ask.

[g3org3y]

For the price range quoted by the OP, I think the best options have all been mentioned (M&S, Tyrwhitt, TM Lewin). Good selection, can buy online and easy to return if required.

[BS30]

Thanks for all the advice people. Ended up at TM Lewin as my accountancy body had a voucher for them - any shirt for £20 each so 5 for £100 - they look better quality than I'm used to and could try them on without a 100 mile round trip!

Cheers!

[thismonkeyhere]

Hard-Drive said:

Fats25 said:

BS30 said:

Will check out Charles whatshisface, trouble is I really prefer to be able to try on, though if the returns policy is ok that's not so bad!

They have stores up and down the country where you can try on.

http://www.ctshirts.co.uk/Charles-Tyrwhitt-uk-stor...

Go for the non-irom shirts. You won't look back. You will still have to iron, but are so easy! I live abroad, and still get all workshirts from here.

No no no no no. This sums up their "non-iron" shirts perfectly. You still have to bloody well iron them!

TM Lewin every time. I bought four for about £125. I have NEVER ironed any of them and they stay super crease free. And I get 5 mins of my life back, every day.

No brainer.

CT shirts for me, and I rarely have to iron them (non-iron, slim fit), but I think this depends to an extent on how soon after cycle end you get them out of the washing machine, and how you hang them to dry. They are lasting really well, too. Excellent shirts.

[BigMon]

On a side note, is it just me or is the Olymp website absolutely bloody awful?

Whoever designed the layout and navigation needs an urgent refresher in web design and HCI.

[Blown2CV]

Neil H said:

Blown2CV said:

hawes and curtis have pissed me off recently. I have a number of shirts that fit me perfectly that i have bought from them over the last 2 years, say. They still fit but i wanted to get some new ones, exactly the same. I bought some new ones with exactly the same collar, sleeve length, "st james slim fit" - seemingly identical shirts. They're far too tight! Also they refused to acknowledge they'd changed anything in their sizing. Worse yet, the "classic fit" is far too big, and square. Exactly the same issue at CT, and last time I checked it was the same at TML.

So what the fk do I do now?! Too fat for slim shirts (apart from the 20 I have...) and too slim for fat shirts. I'm hardly an odd shape either, pretty average for today's world.

What sizes are you buying? The width of the body is proportional to neck size, so it might be worth playing around with different collar sizes on the slim fit CT shirts until you find a happy medium.

I had the same problem, I have a 17" neck and a slim torso but this sizing results in a baggy shirt even on the extra slim fit, so I had to go for a smaller collar (not a problem as I never wear ties).

CT do have shirts you can try on too, just ask.

well i have a 16" neck, so that's what i've been going for. When I've been in to the shops they don't recommend playing around with it, they just put me in a 16" and then scratch their heads when it doesn't fit!

[Blown2CV]

BS30 said:

Thanks for all the advice people. Ended up at TM Lewin as my accountancy body had a voucher for them - any shirt for £20 each so 5 for £100 - they look better quality than I'm used to and could try them on without a 100 mile round trip!

Cheers!

it's 5 for £20 on the website nearly all of the time!

[Swanny87]

BigMon said:

On a side note, is it just me or is the Olymp website absolutely bloody awful?

Whoever designed the layout and navigation needs an urgent refresher in web design and HCI.

Yeah, it looks like something I would have developed back in my first year at Uni!

[LordGrover]

Heh. Great shirts though.

[Jimmy Recard]

Whenever I see white short sleeve shirts I think 'pilot' if I'm in a charitable mood.

If not, I think 'pedantic, dhead American in middle management'

[aquarianone]

toastybase said:

I have a mixture.

3 from M&S white with cufflink sleeves (99 for 3) - sleeves are too long mind which is annoying, still hurts me to this day.

2 from TK Maxx (Simon Carter @£20 each)

1 From Reiss (£90)

1 from Gieves and Hawkes (Blue with white collar and cuffs) xmas present £120

If the M&S shirts are decent, why not get the shirts sleeves altered....

[Chimune]

Timely 'thread' !

Having spent last 15 years in shirt and tie, im starting a new job in a week at a software dev co. They are all t-shirts, headphones and long hair. I need to dress down enough to fit in, but up enough to still convey some level of management professionalism (!)

So I think button down open neck casual shirts are about right.
Struggling with trousers now ! Jeans are too casual. I have loved the M&S moleskin black trousers in the past.... so warm and soft ...

Any advice ?

[LordGrover]

For me, shirts for work are a consumable/commodity so happy to buy online.
Trousers, not so much. I use Gabucci in Bath - they have a good range from casual to smart and make alterations the same day if you ask in the morning.

[Blown2CV]

Jimmy Recard said:

Whenever I see white short sleeve shirts I think 'pilot' if I'm in a charitable mood.

If not, I think 'pedantic, dhead American in middle management'

what about short sleeved, WITH A POCKET?

[thismonkeyhere]

LordGrover said:

For me, shirts for work are a consumable/commodity so happy to buy online.
Trousers, not so much. I use Gabucci in Bath - they have a good range from casual to smart and make alterations the same day if you ask in the morning.

I'm having trouble finding decent work trousers - might have to act on your recommendation! Where in Bath are Gabucci?

[LordGrover]

Milsom Street, halfway down on the left. See Ali and say Ian Groves recommended them.

PS If you're buying more than one item, it's usually worth a haggle.

[thismonkeyhere]

LordGrover said:

Milsom Street, halfway down on the left. See Ali and say Ian Groves recommended them.

PS If you're buying more than one item, it's usually worth a haggle.

Good stuff, thanks!