Work Shirts

Mong.

doesn't care for Euro Palmolive
Group Buy Associate
2015 Sabbatical
Joined
Aug 9, 2012
Location
Melbourne
I'm looking to step up my wardrobe a little bit, especially now that I'm stuck in a suit all week. My first step is to pick up four or five good shirts. Does anyone have a worthy source with reasonably nice fabric and good longevity?

So far, I'm looking at Charles Tyrwhitt, T.M Lewin, those kind of retailers. My old man has some Tyrwhitt shirts and they seem okay (especially on sale), but I worry that the cut of them even in the slim fit options is still pretty chunky. I don't want some fancy pants European cut, but I do want something reasonably fitted and not likely to 'balloon' out. I also don't want to pony up for tailored shirts, so my price range sits somewhere around the $50/shirt area.

Where do you guys buy shirts?
 
Hi Mong,

Check out Rhodes & Beckett. Very nice Egyptian cotton fabric and their slim fit shirts sizes are spot on.

They start at $169 but every couple of months there is a 70% off sale when you can pickup for $49. You need to be on their mailing list though.

Oxford shirts are really nice too. Currently 60% off sale.
 
Trywhitt is my pick, don't know how slim their slims go, I found them too fitted for me. Piss on any Van Heusens or what ever Myer sell these days for longevity, quality and price. I only buy the sale stuff.

They do have an Aus web store, but everything comes out of London. Buying off the Aus store is better, as everything is in local currency, and shipping is not much different from the UK store.
 
Never tried them but thishttps://www.marcellacustom.com/melb place was on ozbargain the other day. Not sure if you are in Melbourne though?

Another view for the Tyrwhitt shirts though, although mine were last purchased over 10 years ago.

I hate the ponciness of business where you have to wear a suit these days. I really don't see the point especially if you sent customer facing.
 
I haven't worn a suit in years, but I'm in a job where a a shirt and tie is expected. I often ditch the tie and rock a cardy.

What can I say, I live on the edge...
 
I have a referral to www.englishbespoketailors.com from someone I know. They work out of HK but travel over a few times a year to do measurement sessions. They are here currently, Canberra & Perth to go.

Prices are a package, and based on a 6-week delivery timeframe.
  • 6 custom shirts for $529
  • 1 suit, extra pants, 2 shirts $949
  • 2 suits, 2 shirts $1299
  • 3 suits, 2 shirts $1699
Here's the latest schedule:

Brisbane
May 4 - May 7 (Sun - Wed)
at Hilton Brisbane
Address: 190 Elizabeth Street

Melbourne
May 8 - May 10 (Thu - Sat)
at Adina Apartment Melbourne
Address: 189 Queen Street

Sydney
May 11 - May 14 (Sun - Wed)
at Adina Apartment Sydney
Address: 511 Kent Street

Canberra
May 15 - May 16 (Thu - Fri)
at Clifton Suites
Address: 100 Northbourne Avenue

Perth
May 18 - May 20 (Sun - Tue)
at Adina Apartment Perth
Address: 33 Mounts Bay Road

------------

Apart from the above, MJ Bale often have decent sales on and the shirts are very good. Usually 3 for $150 during a sale.
 
I've heard about those guys, RM. I think one of the blokes at work has a couple of suits from them, and they look okay to me. Fit and finish is quite good. Unfortunately, I've missed this fitting. I also thought that I might use tailored shirts as a way of assessing a tailor in the future before getting a suit made.

Thanks Rick for the heads up on the R&B mailing list, I got on there. Pricey, but I expect there'll be some sales coming up for EOFY. Thanks borked and Egg for the other suggestions, I'm just a little skeptical that the quality of fabric will be great. Not sure if the quality of the product will quite make up for the benefit of a good fit.

Drubs, thanks for chiming in about Tyrwhitt. I think I'm going to go with them first off, and then maybe have a look at M.J. Bale and Rhodes & Beckett once the sales come around. Hopefully all of these options will be a decent step up from my usual Van Heusen/Roger David style shirts.
 
Well, I did place an order with Tyrwhitt after doing a little research. Ultimately, it wasn't just the price but also the range of fabrics that made the choice easy. T.M. Lewin match Tyrwhitt for price almost exactly, but when you're up and down out of your desk all day, shirts that won't crease and thus stay looking fresh are a valuable commodity. Having seen a couple of the Tyrwhitt non-iron shirts, I was impressed at how presentable they still looked at the end of a day. So, I have a few on their way to me. I still plan on hunting around Lewin and R&B when the sales come on (as they're literally two doors down and across the road from the building I work in), so I might do a bit of a review of anything I pick up in this thread if people are interested. I doubt I'm the only one looking for decent shirts.
 
Well, I did place an order with Tyrwhitt after doing a little research.

Hi Sam. Today's AFR has a promo offer for Trywhitt shirts. Discounted from $140 or $160 to $39.50. Bargain!

www.ctshirts.com/lcx5 Use offer code LCX5

Also..forgot to mention - Free Delivery.
 
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Well, that would happen after I'd already order a bunch AND paid for delivery. Might grab a couple more anyway. From what I've seen, they're most definitely not a $160 value shirt. $40 is a good buy though. Thanks for the heads up mate!
 
A friend turned me off buying them. Said that the fabric is not the best and won't hold up for long. Wait for a R&B sale
 
Must be the season to get out of HK and away from the humidity.

Himark Martin Tailors are also visiting capital cities around the country for measurements and orders.

Specials for this trip:
1 Suit Ex Slax 1 Shirt AUD 859
2 Suits & 2 Shirts AUD 1299
3 Suits AUD 1699
6 Shirts AUD 499

Dates:
Melbourne May 26 (Mon) - May 28 (Wed) - NOW!
Sydney May 29 (Thu) - June 2 (Mon)
Brisbane June 3 (Tue) - June 6 (Fri)
Canberra June 7 (Sat) and June 8 (Sun)
Perth June 9 (Mon) - June 11 (Wed)
Adelaide June 12 (Thu) - June 14 (Sat)
Sydney June 15 (Sun) - June 18 (Wed)
Melbourne June 19 (Thu) - June 22 (Sun)

Appointments can be made via email at info.an@himarkmartintailors.com
 
A friend turned me off buying them. Said that the fabric is not the best and won't hold up for long. Wait for a R&B sale

I've been walking past their store most days, so I am keeping an eye out. I don't think Tyrwhitt is world beating, but their fabric seems okay from the few I've seen. The ones I ordered looked to be quite heavily woven, they're the Panama weave ones. Hopefully a little thicker than the twill ones that I've seen already.

Himark Martin Tailors are also visiting capital cities around the country for measurements and orders.

Thanks for the heads up! Think I might do a little due dilligence then book in for a mid-June appointment. Have you used them before Monsta?
 
Thanks for the heads up! Think I might do a little due dilligence then book in for a mid-June appointment. Have you used them before Monsta?

Not personally, but I know someone who got a batch of shirts last year. He has been quite pleased with them. I just called him to confirm and he will get another batch of shirts this year which says it all. He estimates each one has has 25-30 wears in the last 12 months and no appreciable wear or other issues. There was one or two very minor things like a button coming loose and he got his missus to reattach, but that happens with just about every shirt you buy these days.
 
I've not tried them but ATailor are now advertising $40 shirts year round ....
 
I'm looking to step up my wardrobe a little bit, especially now that I'm stuck in a suit all week. My first step is to pick up four or five good shirts. Does anyone have a worthy source with reasonably nice fabric and good longevity?

So far, I'm looking at Charles Tyrwhitt, T.M Lewin, those kind of retailers. My old man has some Tyrwhitt shirts and they seem okay (especially on sale), but I worry that the cut of them even in the slim fit options is still pretty chunky. I don't want some fancy pants European cut, but I do want something reasonably fitted and not likely to 'balloon' out. I also don't want to pony up for tailored shirts, so my price range sits somewhere around the $50/shirt area.

Where do you guys buy shirts?
Kmart Target Salvos
 
You forgot Lowes...
 
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