Bespoke/Custom Shirts....
 

After getting my first custom shirt last year, I can no longer purchase from the rack. Nothing fits like a shirt made just for your measurements, along with what seems an almost infinite selection of fabric swatches to choose from. I got a blue french cuff Borelli, despite the $500.00 price tag for a single shirt, it fits like a glove and the quality is beyond that of any of my other shirts. I just ordered 5 more this weekend that should be done soon. Anyone else get their shirts custom made?

Jay

Hey Jay, nothing fits quite like a bespoke shirt. I typically have mine done with no pocket, french cuff and monogram on the left cuff. :)

I had to go to a meeting with an Asian client a few years back, and what was supposed to be one day turned into 3 days. I only brought one dress shirt with me - in a color everyone would notice if worn repeatedly.
I didn't have time for an extensive shopping venture (18-inch necks are not something you find off the rack in most Asian shopping centers), so I went to the hotel tailor shop and had 3 shirts custom made overnight. Fantastic!

I vastly overpaid, but had no choice. I think it was around $190 for the three.

$190 for three is great. I have a few colleagues who travel to Asia often on business and they always have shirts and suits made while there. I'm envious when I hear the prices.

If I had time, I could have found a custom tailor to do it for less than half that, but I was at the mercy of a tailor located in the lobby of a 5-star hotel.

You're right. In a hotel where they cater to tourists the prices will be significantly higher than local rates. Applies to just about any place on Earth. Still a bargain by American standards. :)

Brooks Brothers charges $150 per shirt with french cuffs and monogram. I buy my shirts there and have done so for for long time. Great selection and the quality is a great fit. No, I do not work for them but was stuck in need of an extra shirt for out of town meeting and they were closest option at the time. Asian tailor used to come to town each year in Boston and take fitments. Shirts were delivered in three weeks and quality was excellent. Price was better too.

In my opinion, paying full price for "Luxury" clothing is an absolute ripoff. You want A shirt that fits you like a glove? One can be had for 50-60 dollars with excellent cloth and all the requirements you want.
Take a look at mytailor and Jantzen.

I get mine at The Shirt Store in NYC. They have a wide array of fabrics that start at around $140.

For dress I do french cuff(they make my left cuff bigger to comfortably fit my watch :)), no pocket, spread collar with the mono on my left elbow (an asian thing) with what I call the superman fit.

For casual I do a button collar with double button cuffs with a more relaxed fit I call it Clark Kent.

I actually donated all my shirts that are not custom because I just didn't want to wear them. Its like watching standard def now I'm just not going to do it.

They make an excellent gift also, you can pick out the fabric, and they put it in a nice box. The can exchange the fabric if they don't like it, but you ensure that they will get a custom shirt.

In the 90's I worked on Wall St. and got a few at the Shirt Store down on Broadway and Trinity as well. :)

got an email today from the shirt store $95 if you order 3 or more custom shirts. :eek:

How do you give a custom shirt as a gift? I think it would be quite awkward to walk up to my Uncle and wrap a measuring tape around his chest. Sort of hard to explain away.

no you just pick out the fabric and they give you that in a gift box. They then have to go to the store for measurements.

you know, I have actually been meaning to ask this question... I have been buying shirts and just recently finally got annoyed that they dont fit me... All my shirts are always "puffy" and I realized because they arent for me...

I have a 20-20.5" neck... I am no small man... but I am not a fat ass either so I am forced to have my shirts tailored... so when you add in the cost of a shirt plus tailoring... its at the very least $100 if I buy sale items...

Going to have to have suits made soon too... I wear a size 54R jacket but again... I dont have even half the girth to fill them out... Last summer I purchased 3 new suits... and the tailors were having a NIGHTMARE of a time getting them cut to look half way right... one of the suits the tailor told me he took apart completely, as if it was a brand new suit...

More info on that 3 custom shirts for $300 please

I hear you, I am a 48L and have a 35 inch waist. Most of the pants that come with a suit are 44, so they have to completely recut the pants and build them correctly. Sucks, but life is tough when you are outside of the norm. I also know what you mean about the shirts. I have to get XXL for my height, but the body is just huge. Best bet for off the rack for me is Faconable XLL. I refuse to shop at the big and tall store. I am possibly going to get some stuff from Tom James, I have a cousin who works there and he would hook me up. They make some quality stuff and all custom size.

Clothing manufacturers seem to think that an 18" neck means you weigh 400 lbs. Last time I had a suit pant tailored, the guy said to me "You lose a lot of weight recently?"

18 inch neck? your head must be HUGE!

So big it flops over onto my shoulder without a brace.

You should try giving custom boxer shorts instead. Tell us how that works out for you.

I have a 15 1/2" - 16", depending on time of year, and weigh in at a whopping 165lbs - all fat.

Just an observation Im going to make here... but Clay your neck is about an inch or two bigger then my forearm and about 2 or 3" smaller then my bicep, lol

you would have to come to NYC to have it done.
I'm a 44L jkt 17" neck and 32" waist. my shirts would be all baggy at the waist to I hate it thats why I have my shirts made.

Which one is Philip?

Hi everyone,
I would like to buy a tailored shirt from some e-tailor shop, but I feel a little bit sceptical about the quality. I come across some e-shops that offer shirts made to measure
with a low price (from 30 to 50 $), apparently and according to the description the workmanship and fabrics are excellent.

Can anyone suggest me a good e-tailor shop?

Thanks

I've been buying nothing but tailored shirts, pants and suits for years - thanks to my Dad. I grew up in SE Asia and he had a tailor in Bangkok, 25 years later we are still both going to the same guy. When I was back in Canada we would send measurments and he would send the clothes, now that I am living in Dubai (past 4 years)I get out to SE Asia 4 or more times a year and get them when I'm there.

As long as I can, I will never wear anything but tailored - the fit is perfect and the quality is second to none.