decent shirt maker needed.

[Dupont666]

I used to buy from TM Lewin, from their 4 for £100 range and they feel good quality and have a decent range until now... I have just noticed that one of my shirts has just worn out both elbows... All in the space of less than 4 months, in fact is probably close to 3 months.

WTF... the shirt got used once a week and washed once a week so that is a total of about 10 wears or £2.50 a wear, that is just not on...

So I need shirts that are not too expensive but are good quality and not just the plain colour range but a bit more choice would be nice. Im not big into the £50 shirts so something less than that please.

Im in London so can visit most places to get something, just wished I had the time to get measured up properly in Singapore last time I was there, as they would happily fedex me some shirts that are tailor made to the measurement for not a lot of money.

[Plotloss]

www.ctshirts.co.uk

[Dupont666]

arent they the same type as TM Lewin (usually found next door to them)

[bga]

In my experience CT shirts are a fair bit better than TM Lewin.
Coles are more expensive but much better than either.

[mcflurry]

TM's have something like a 100 day no quibble refund policy, so would imagine they would replace them if you show them the receipt or credit card slip

[shakotan]

Dupont666 said:

I used to buy from TM Lewin,

Although I hear they are 'supposed' to be the same company, I've tried shirts from both Lewin and Hawes & Curtis, and found the Curtis ones to be of better quality.

All of my works shirts are Curtis and last well over 6 months (worn weekly) before looking a bit worse for wear.

[Dupont666]

mcflurry said:

TM's have something like a 100 day no quibble refund policy, so would imagine they would replace them if you show them the receipt or credit card slip

Its a 3 month refund policy, but im pretty certain I bought them just over 3 months ago so im just out of the no quibble refund policy.

[Turbo5]

I have been wearing a shirt and tie for work for the past 20 years and I think I have tried most sub £40 shirts and a few dearer ones. My current favourite is the M&S ultimate range, they feel good, look expensive, wash and iron well and last a long time without looking shabby.

[sjg]

I really like CT. The cut of the slim-fit shirts is really good and the non-iron cotton they use is great.

[V8mate]

Turbo5 said:

I have been wearing a shirt and tie for work for the past 20 years and I think I have tried most sub £40 shirts and a few dearer ones. My current favourite is the M&S ultimate range, they feel good, look expensive, wash and iron well and last a long time without looking shabby.

M&S Ultimate is a real gem of a find for day-to-day stuff.

Due to the type of work I'm doing at the moment, I wear a suit (not M&S) 2 or 3 days a week and then just trousers with shirt & tie for the rest. Got some £50 trousers from M&S (Luxury?) and they creased very easily and weren't easy to keep nicely ironed etc. Picked up a pair of Ultimate trousers (£30-40) and they are awesome. Very crease resistant and easy to keep looking good.

And, as you say, the Ultimate shirts are similarly good - nice material, very crease resistant etc.

Best 'smart clothes' range in M&S for years.

[limpsfield]

bga said:

In my experience CT shirts are a fair bit better than TM Lewin.
Coles are more expensive but much better than either.

And another vote from me - but you can't beat Thomas Pink for durability at a sensible ish price. I have got about 20 CT shirts that have worn very well but about 10 Pinks that I have had for a few years. I think it is well worth the £60 odd quid.

Edited by limpsfield on Sunday 27th December 20:26

[TooLateForAName]

Dupont666 said:

mcflurry said:

TM's have something like a 100 day no quibble refund policy, so would imagine they would replace them if you show them the receipt or credit card slip

Its a 3 month refund policy, but im pretty certain I bought them just over 3 months ago so im just out of the no quibble refund policy.

I'd still ask. You may be surprised, but standing in their shop with a bag full of worn out shirts in the midst of their sale should get you a result. If a discrete word does not have the desired effect then asking loudly for the manager as you wish to discuss the Sale of goods act with respect to 'fit for purpose' and 'reasonable quality' should work.

If that fails then small claims court - you will win.

[TooLateForAName]

limpsfield said:

bga said:

In my experience CT shirts are a fair bit better than TM Lewin.
Coles are more expensive but much better than either.

And another vote from me - but you can't beat Thomas Pink for durability at a sensible ish price. I have got about 20 CT shirts that have worn very well but about 10 Pinks that I have had for a few years. I think it is well worth the £60 odd quid.

Edited by limpsfield on Sunday 27th December 20:26

I don't need to wear shirts (not working at the moment) but I always bought Pink. As good if not better than many other quality brands party due to fit and partly the material quality. G&H had nice material but a terrible fit imo.

[Melch]

Went through a spell of buying Lewin's shirts, but the quality really dropped off and now wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy. Same goes for Austin Reed's shirts. CT's shirts are much better. Excellent mail order service too.

[markmullen]

Another vote for Pink, especially when their outlet at McArthur Glen in York were selling some off for £16 each, I've stocked up!

[Fittster]

I used to wear Pink but I didn't think their quality was any better than the cheaper alternatives.

Anyone tried M&S made to measure?

http://www.marksandspencer-madetomeasure.com/ms.as...

[carreauchompeur]

sjg said:

I really like CT. The cut of the slim-fit shirts is really good and the non-iron cotton they use is great.

+1. My favourite white shirt is one of those, sadly ripped the sleeve though! (Work-related rather than wearing out!) Superb material and cut, and genuinely non-iron too.

[LC23]

I've worn Lewin shirts for years and the quality is definitely not what it was. But when they only cost around £20 a shirt and they are just for every day wear so I've got no complaints with how long they last. I've never managed to tear a shirt and they usually end up worn out at the cuffs.

Oh and as to the 90 day no quibble guarantee, I'd be very surprised if they didn't just offer a straight swap for those that have gone after 4 months. I had one of their merino wool jumpers for quite a few years. Some of the seams went and I wrote a nicely worded e-mail and a few days later I had a nice new replacement through the post free of charge. They have excellent customer service in my experience.

Personally I have not found CT shirts any better than the Lewin shirts for quality. For better quality shirts you could try Harvie and Hudson. For even better quality you could try Ede & Ravenscroft and they have a sale on at the moment (surprise surprise ).

[RichB]

To be honest if you don't want to spend too much M&S are as good as any, I like the Italain cotton ones...

[Landlord]

It'll probably be your desk. Have a check next time you're there - is the edge square, rather than rounded? I had this when I worked at DB and so did other chaps in the office. Might not be the case, but y'know - worth checking before you ruin more expensive shirts.

For what it's worth, years ago TM Lewin did great shirts. Nowadays, it's obvious how they can do 4 for £100. They're pretty poor.