Alternative to Charles Tyrwhitt / TM Lewin

[V6Alfisti]

Who do people now use instead of CT/ TM L ?

The quality at CT has dropped significantly in my opinion on their non iron options (the fabric feels and is visibly thinner with an almost rough feel), and a recent batch of TM Lewin shirts were of a very similar quality however a slightly softer fabric but the fit didn't work for me. I like cutaway collars where possible.

Happy to up the price to £30-40 for a quality shirt, akin to when CT first started with deep luxurious shirts that were soft and not transparent!

Any tips? Guessing Hawes & Curtis are equally average?

[Frank7]

Not much help if you live out in the boonies, but I find that the shop on the south west corner of Jermyn St. and Duke St. St. James, directly opposite Dunhill does really good shirts, and not super expensive, also do a good range in off the peg trousers.
If you’re ever in Rome, try Via de Corso for shirt shops.
12 to 15 years ago, I bought 5 there in a sale for about £275 to £300, I still wear them now, they are in virtually as new condition, with pearl buttons that really look the part.

[toastybase]

All depends how long you want to keep them

[ozzuk]

I gave up on TM years ago, the fit just seemed all over the place. With Charles I've noticed the quality drop as well, real shame. My last lot started to wear (splitting behind the cuff vent) after 8 months - not great IMO for a shirt at that price point. I had another 4 delivered last week and they do seem thin.

I had a really nice white shirt from M&S so might check them out, much thicker than Charles, was £45 IIRC though.

[Rick101]

Use CT for work shirts.

Following a tip on here I thought I'd try Tailor Store for my social stuff.

Very impressed though the fly in the ointment is getting a correct measurement.

I will use them again.

[okgo]

Have a few from Pink that have done well, also some of the Reiss ones. Both maybe a bit over budget but have sales regularly enough

[55palfers]

Another who has observed drop in CT quality here.

Last few have been cut slightly meaner and quality of material not as good.

I used to like Austin Reed shirts (in their hey-day) and still have some. Almost as good as new.

They went the CT route, cut costs and quality - look what happened to them.

[shakotan]

Hawes and Curtis?

Or are they just the same guys under a different name?

[Orillion]

I've tried Hawes & Curtis, but I find it impossible to get a tie to stay comfortably in position. I've relegated the shirts to casual use only.

[krisdelta]

I've noticed the poorer quality CT shirts too, holes in arms after only a few month, material doesn't wash as well. Not good, also looking for a decent alternative.

[Al Murphy]

This is a timely thread as I was planning on ordering some new shirts from CT this week. A couple from my last order have gone thin on the collar after about 6 months, partly my own fault with irregular shaves but they have not lasted as long as I would have expected.

Al

[Ranger 6]

okgo said:

Have a few from Pink that have done well...

Pink have done me well too.

[Stella Tortoise]

M&S Sartorial twill shirts.

Do 2" longer as well if needed.

[anonymous-user]

M&

or

Tesco.

No point paying extra for a name.

[Gareth1974]

The best work shirts I've ever bought have been from Jaeger, really hard wearing and the material feels higher quality than TM Lewin etc. Normally £70 each, I've never paid that though, I wait for a sale of some kind (currently 2 for £100 by the look of it)

[OzzyR1]

Frank7 said:

...but I find that the shop on the south west corner of Jermyn St. and Duke St. St. James, directly opposite Dunhill does really good shirts, and not super expensive, also do a good range in off the peg trousers.

How long ago was this, I thought that whole block on the corner opposite had been demolished.

[stewies_minion]

+1 for Pink

[Adam B]

shakotan said:

Hawes and Curtis?

Or are they just the same guys under a different name?

nope H&C owned by dragon Touker Suleyman

CT is owned by Nicholas Charles Tyrwhitt Wheeler

I find H&C and CT to be similar - ie fine as long as you avoid the easy-iron which feel like plastic after a few washes, for H&C choose the Herringbone not the Poplin

Edited by Adam B on Wednesday 14th February 10:03

[8Ace]

I've always had good results from Harvie and Hudson. Fantastic shirts - nortmally about £50 each but often cheaper a in a sale.

[okgo]

OzzyR1 said:

How long ago was this, I thought that whole block on the corner opposite had been demolished.

You'd think a cabby would know that eh