Best shirt at TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Filene's Basement?

[PittDoc]

I know none of you actually shop at these stores but I have been known to purchase socks and occasionally an everyday OCBD. I see a lot of Polo, Tommy Hilfiger, Eagle, Saddles, etc. and wonder if they are worth the price.

My question is, of the commonly available ones there, which of these is best?

I'll start with my limited experience:
Polo OCBD non-iron -- not good, doesn't hold starch, too soft, poor construction
Tommy Hilfiger OC straight collar -- I have an old one that's held up well and looks better than other shirts of the same vintage

I don't care about the once-in-a-lifetime Charvet or Kiton you found at TJ Maxx for $15. And I'm sure some will respond that only a bespoke made by little old men in Italy is worth considering but if you HAD to buy a shirt at a discount store which would you choose?

[Badrabbit]

Originally Posted by PittDoc

I know none of you actually shop at these stores but I have been known to purchase socks and occasionally an everyday OCBD. I see a lot of Polo, Tommy Hilfiger, Eagle, Saddles, etc. and wonder if they are worth the price.

My question is, of the commonly available ones there, which of these is best?

I'll start with my limited experience:
Polo OCBD non-iron -- not good, doesn't hold starch, too soft, poor construction
Tommy Hilfiger OC straight collar -- I have an old one that's held up well and looks better than other shirts of the same vintage

I don't care about the once-in-a-lifetime Charvet or Kiton you found at TJ Maxx for $15. And I'm sure some will respond that only a bespoke made by little old men in Italy is worth considering but if you HAD to buy a shirt at a discount store which would you choose?

I've never bought Polo Non-iron but I have never had a quality problem with
polo ocbd. I have had a couple of mine for 15 years.

Polo at discount store prices is a decent value. TH is typically crap.

Eagle I have only seen at the discounts stores and have never tried but they do not appear to be great quality. Saddle looks to be made at the exact same factory as Eagle.

Stein Mart carries Alan Flusser and despite the name the shirts are not of high quality. I believe they are made in the same factory and to the same standards as Hilfiger. I once found two identical shirts one tagged TH and one tagged AF. The AF shirt had the little ribbon around the middle and it read Tommy Hilfiger.

Ike Behar is nice at discount prices.

Filene's carries Robert Talbott for around $60. RT is a great shirt but is cut generously so if you are thin you might want to look for something else.

[Northeastern]

eagle are poor quality shirts. I bought one for $20 and it was among the worst $20 I've ever spent. Most of the RL are good and at an average cost of $30, they're a decent value.

Please note that T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are not discount stores, they are off price stores. Discount stores sell inferior products at low prices. Off-price stores sell merchandise sold in typical department stores at below department store list prices. When you spend five years in the TJX home office these kinds of things get ingrained in your head.

[PittDoc]

Originally Posted by Northeastern

Please note that T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are not discount stores, they are off price stores. Discount stores sell inferior products at low prices. Off-price stores sell merchandise sold in typical department stores at below department store list prices. When you spend five years in the TJX home office these kinds of things get ingrained in your head.

I learn something here every day! I'll try to use the phrase "off-price store" in a sentence tomorrow.

[StevenRocks]

Originally Posted by PittDoc

I know none of you actually shop at these stores...

We shop there, we just don't look like it

[satorstyle]

Originally Posted by StevenRocks

We shop there, we just don't look like it

touché

[arnach]

I have bought the following in the last two months:

TJ Maxx:

Ike Behar, Joseph Abboud, and Polo (all clearance)
At least 3 long sleeve Bobby Jones polos for $7/ea.

Marshalls:

Robert Talbott, several shirts & belts.

Filenes Basement:

Borrelli (one even from the Royal Collection).

I have found that none of these stores, in my experience, stocks these good brands in their regular line ups. For example, the regular TJ Maxx inventory is Hilfiger and such. However, the red-sticker discounted material contains very, very good stuff.


You are missing Saks Off 5th and NMLC from your list.
Great bargains can be had at these stores, for example the Oxxford Crest and Massimo Bizzocchi ties I picked up there for $40 for both of them.

[PittDoc]

Originally Posted by arnach

You are missing Saks Off 5th and NMLC from your list.

Unfortunately these are not in the vicinity.

You have done well at the Marshall-Maxx stores, an inspiration to bypass the standard fare and go for the 'red tags.' Thanks.

[AlanC]

Of the shirts I see regularly/semi-regularly at my local TJ Maxx & Marshall's I would buy Ike Behar, Abboud and RL Polo.

[Spence]

Are the Harry & Sons shirts any good? I see them all the time but they never seem to have my size.

-spence

[AlanC]

They're okay. I got one marked down dirt cheap on clearance back around Xmastime. It's an okay workhorse shirt. Buy on clearance, don't pay the full TJ Maxx price.

[chorse123]

I really like the colors and patterns of the Hickey Freeman shirts which turn up regularly at Filene's Basement. I have never tried them (get shirts elsewhere), but understand they are cut for the zaftig gentleman. A tailor could fix that at little cost.

[pt4u67]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Buy on clearance, don't pay the full TJ Maxx price.

LMAO! I am going to found a new organization called the Extreme Discount Shoppers Guild and this will be our motto.

[Northeastern]

Change that to "Extreme Off-Price Shoppers" and I'll sign up today!

[AlanC]

Living by the above motto, I visited TJ Maxx and came across some US made Aquascutum dress shirts in eggshell/off white on clearance for $15. I picked one up and was so impressed (nice fabric, single-needle stitching) when I got home that the next day I went back to buy another. They didn't have very many of them, but if you run across one in your size at that price I think you'll have a hard time beating it.

[The Gabba Goul]

I was buying socks at Marshall's the other day, and I had some time to kill so I thought I'd see if I couldnt find a few knock-around shirts for work...I was quite surprized to find Hickey Freeman shirts for like $50 each and Ike Behar shirts for like $30 each...unfortunately, they didnt have any in my size...but I guess if one wants to take the time to really scour the racks at these places, they might find some really good deals...

[cgc]

TJ Maxx/Marshall's disclosed that 47.5 Million credit and debit card numbers were stolen over an 18 month period. At least $1 Million in bogus gift cards were purchased with the data. Maybe doublecheck your accounts if you used a card there in the past few years.

[pt4u67]

Originally Posted by cgc

TJ Maxx/Marshall's disclosed that 47.5 Million credit and debit card numbers were stolen over an 18 month period. At least $1 Million in bogus gift cards were purchased with the data. Maybe doublecheck your accounts if you used a card there in the past few years.

All of a sudden paying for everything in cash like Tony Soprano doesn't seem so silly!

[josepidal]

Probably Borrelli at the main Filene's Basement branch, with a 20% off coupon.

The Polo shirts are great, but not still value at $40.

[arnach]

Bought an Aquascutum white point collar shirt (made in USA) for $15. Cut is nice, somewhere between somewhat-slim and regular.

If anybody can't find one at their local Maxx, send me a PM if you are a 15-32, 17-35, or 16-34.

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by arnach

Bought an Aquascutum white point collar shirt (made in USA) for $15. Cut is nice, somewhere between somewhat-slim and regular.

If anybody can't find one at their local Maxx, send me a PM if you are a 15-32, 17-35, or 16-34.

I really like mine. It's what I'm wearing in the 'What Are You Wearing' thread today.

[PittDoc]

Originally Posted by AlanC

I really like mine. It's what I'm wearing in the 'What Are You Wearing' thread today.

Your Aquascutum shirt looks good Alan. The collar appears just right in the photo. I haven't seen any at my TJ Maxx but did pick up a couple Ike Behar - ivory forward point and deep blue OCBD from Canada and Peru respectively ($39). I'll give them a try - I'm still in search of the best shirt, perhaps I'll find an Aquascutum.

[DocHolliday]

I still haven't seen an Aquascutum at my local TJ Maxx. I almost never find decent shirts there or at Marshalls. Ties, shoes, socks I can find, but not shirts or trousers.

I do, however, like some of the Polo shirts. Unfortunately, the interesting ones never make it to my local discount stores. I've had much better luck at department store sales. Recently I snagged a Polo tattersall and a quirky buttonup -- fine navy pinstripes on white with a tall white contrast collar -- for $22 each, down from $80-$100.

[gnatty8]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Living by the above motto, I visited TJ Maxx and came across some US made Aquascutum dress shirts in eggshell/off white on clearance for $15. I picked one up and was so impressed (nice fabric, single-needle stitching) when I got home that the next day I went back to buy another. They didn't have very many of them, but if you run across one in your size at that price I think you'll have a hard time beating it.

No offense, but I found one of these in Atlanta about a month ago, I think it was TJ Maxx also. I bought one a half size smaller than I normally wear, and the damn thing still fit like a sail or a white cotton monk's robe!

Nothing wrong with a $15 shoe buffing rag I suppose.

[AlanC]

Well, I can't imagine how one would take offense at referring to a recommended shirt as a shoe buffing rag. It's wonderful for you that TJ Maxx takes returns, oh gnatty one.