They will break the bank if you collect a bunch of them, but over several years I picked up five Mercers. They are perfection in an OCBD.
any good button down collar shirts left out there?
After putting the vast majority of my clothing on hiatus over the last few years, I find myself wearing dress shirts far more frequently these days (traveling to DC will do that...). As I'm still not quite at the "NECKTIE. Every Day" stage, I'm looking for some new button down collar dress shirts that won't break the bank. My old standard at Brooks Bros now includes 3% Spandex, which I hate and I'm unimpressed by the longevity of Tyrwhitt. Hoping this august group may have suggestions for other places to look.
Much thanks in advance.
Much thanks in advance.
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I agree with VV that Mercer is about the best out there. Pricey but great shirts and David and Serena Mercer are great folks to deal with.
Tom
Tom
I would point you to Gitman but a standard off the rack Gitman is now $235.- (I was buying them about 18 months ago for $180.-)
For that kind of money just go for Mercer and Sons. You will have to wait while they are made but Mercer is first class. (When you order be sure to ask about a few options like two buttons on the sleeve cuffs to allow a better fit if you are interested.)
For that kind of money just go for Mercer and Sons. You will have to wait while they are made but Mercer is first class. (When you order be sure to ask about a few options like two buttons on the sleeve cuffs to allow a better fit if you are interested.)
Agree with the comments and suggestion of Mercer, but now, sadly, they are out of my price comfort range. In looking for a suitable alternative, I've been pleased with O'Connell's - good fabric and construction, and a pretty good fit. Good luck!
Any opinions of J Press shirts? The 3/$389 isn’t terrible…
They are well made, a good bit more fitted than Mercer or O'Connell's unfused (made by Gitman) and have pretty good collars. Many have the pocket flap. It looks cool, signals you shop at Press, and can be a PITA if, like me, you use your shirt pocket a lot for readers and a fountain pen.Any opinions of J Press shirts? The 3/$389 isn’t terrible…
Everyone has given you excellent advice.After putting the vast majority of my clothing on hiatus over the last few years, I find myself wearing dress shirts far more frequently these days (traveling to DC will do that...). As I'm still not quite at the "NECKTIE. Every Day" stage, I'm looking for some new button down collar dress shirts that won't break the bank. My old standard at Brooks Bros now includes 3% Spandex, which I hate and I'm unimpressed by the longevity of Tyrwhitt. Hoping this august group may have suggestions for other places to look.
Much thanks in advance.
Depends on what you want, Oxford Cloth Button Downs, Pinpoint Oxford Cloth Button Downs, Broadcloath Button Downs?
These Three are the holy trinity of US-made Ivy Style Shirt-making
- Top of line, but very expensive: Mercer
- Excellent, but less expensive: O'Connell's
- Very good, slightly less expensive: J. Press
- Good to fair quality: LL Bean (no spandex, but they are no-iron shirts). They have Oxford Cloth Button Downs, and Pinpoint OCBD's.
- Good to fair quality: Lands End (I haven't bought shirts from them in a long time but they seem to have a servicable variety in Oxford Cloth and Broadcloth)
Check out Ben Silver’s line of “Basic” OCBDs. Good quality, good collar roll—and, at $205.00 each, they are $20.00 less expensive than the OCBDs from Mercer & Sons.
Two more good lower cost options are Nordstrom house brand and Ralph Lauren, with Nordy's holding an edge in my assessment.Everyone has given you excellent advice.
Depends on what you want, Oxford Cloth Button Downs, Pinpoint Oxford Cloth Button Downs, Broadcloath Button Downs?
These Three are the holy trinity of US-made Ivy Style Shirt-making
Therse shirts are servicable, made abroad, but more affordable.
- Top of line, but very expensive: Mercer
- Excellent, but less expensive: O'Connell's
- Very good, slightly less expensive: J. Press
- Good to fair quality: LL Bean (no spandex, but they are no-iron shirts). They have Oxford Cloth Button Downs, and Pinpoint OCBD's.
- Good to fair quality: Lands End (I haven't bought shirts from them in a long time but they seem to have a servicable variety in Oxford Cloth and Broadcloth)
I am currently wearing a LE oxford cloth ocbd in French Blue. I have it in white. And I do have their pinpoints as well. I will comment on my French Blue and white Oxford cloth. The size is generous in length and width. The sleeve lengths are exact. I like all of that. They are rather stiff to the feel in a way that I cannot understand except to say they are not like the old school cotton shirts that I grew up with. The no iron process is not entirely true but it does add to that stiffness feel to these shirts. Affordable. Yes.Everyone has given you excellent advice.
Depends on what you want, Oxford Cloth Button Downs, Pinpoint Oxford Cloth Button Downs, Broadcloath Button Downs?
These Three are the holy trinity of US-made Ivy Style Shirt-making
Therse shirts are servicable, made abroad, but more affordable.
- Top of line, but very expensive: Mercer
- Excellent, but less expensive: O'Connell's
- Very good, slightly less expensive: J. Press
- Good to fair quality: LL Bean (no spandex, but they are no-iron shirts). They have Oxford Cloth Button Downs, and Pinpoint OCBD's.
- Good to fair quality: Lands End (I haven't bought shirts from them in a long time but they seem to have a servicable variety in Oxford Cloth and Broadcloth)
Jos. A. Bank does not make a true oxford, but their pinpoint BDs are nice.
There are at least hundreds of choices available on Ebay and Poshmark. Price points are a fraction of MSRP. We all want to support the remaining vendors of new OCBD (and other items). However purchasing some shirts 2nd hand lowers your average cost per item, and affords a greater variety of choice.
Hello All-
Just last month, during a talk with my coworkers, I learned about the Stannt company's (Stantt | Custom Men's Dress Shirts & Pants) dress and casual shirts. I've embedded the link for your convenience if you choose to indulge. I'm not against BB, J. Crew, Hamilton, Mercer, nor Michael Spencer (when M. Spencer was in production), but I do consider myself a student of AAAC articles and findings i did not know of and benefit nicely.
Cheers
Just last month, during a talk with my coworkers, I learned about the Stannt company's (Stantt | Custom Men's Dress Shirts & Pants) dress and casual shirts. I've embedded the link for your convenience if you choose to indulge. I'm not against BB, J. Crew, Hamilton, Mercer, nor Michael Spencer (when M. Spencer was in production), but I do consider myself a student of AAAC articles and findings i did not know of and benefit nicely.
Cheers
I've come to only wear LL Bean OCBDs. They're great quality, classically styled, and won't break the bank.
I've come to only wear LL Bean OCBDs. They're great quality, classically styled, and won't break the bank.
I like them, too. They are, however, non-iron, and I find that the buttonholes tend to fray early on. The shirt is solid, however.I've come to only wear LL Bean OCBDs. They're great quality, classically styled, and won't break the bank.
I have a friend who is a clothier in Spain and I have been filling my closet with his shirts over the year, he has a great eye for material, however it's kinda niche with large collars and slimfit syle, so maybe not everyones cup of tea.
Do you have examples of what you are looking for in a shirt? Or dealbreakers (guessing no spandex)
Do you have examples of what you are looking for in a shirt? Or dealbreakers (guessing no spandex)
Yeah, I've got a couple and they're pretty good, especially for the price.I've come to only wear LL Bean OCBDs. They're great quality, classically styled, and won't break the bank.
Has anyone bought shirts from Kamakura in the last few years? They used to have some decent OCBD shirts. Their prices have gone up somewhat but if their quality is unchanged then they're still pretty good value.
1 - 19 of 19 Posts
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