[.30896]

Hey all,

I was wondering why people like broadcloth. IMO, it wrinkles far too easily, and I'm unaware of any positives. I am curious why one would choose broadcloth over another cloth, like twill, etc.

 

[Simon Myerson]

I can only assume you are using cloth which isn't double fold, or which is massively high thread count. Otherwise poplin/broadcloth is fantastic because it is lighter and wears cooler than twill, has a finish which shows off a tie and doesn't wrinkle. It is also available in a vast variety of colours and patterns.

 

[Cruiser]

I don't dislike broadcloth, but I prefer pinpoint oxford cloth because of the slight texture that it provides. Almost all of my dress shirts are pinpoints.

Cruiser

 

[Preu Pummel]

I don't own more than 3 broadcloths, and they are nice and thick for colder weather. Do they make thin broadcloth?

At this time of year it is better to wear pinpoint or end on end, etc.

 

[PJC in NoVa]

While I own and wear pinpoint, etc. shirts, I often find myself reaching for shirts made of 2-ply 100s or 120s broadcloth (or poplin) because it has a smoother hand, is slightly less bulky under a jacket, is marginally cooler, tends to resist being frayed or pilled by my scratchy beard stubble a bit better, takes colors and patterns very well (pinpoint stripes and checks often don't look quite right to me), and tends to shrink less under the duress of commercial laundering (which is how I deal w/ all my dress shirts, and no, ironing them myself is not an option, thanks).

The variations are subtle--I have nothing against pinpoint shirts and enjoy wearing them from time to time, often with tweeds or blazers--but I own more poplin shirts than anything else and the above reasons help to explain why.

PS: FTR, I don't find IME that poplin wrinkles all that much more than pinpoint, and at any rate I think a certain amount of wrinkling is part of the look of a classic cotton dress shirt. Obviously I don't want to look as if I slept in it, but some wrinkling inside the elbow bends or around the waist where the shirt's tucked in simply counts as normal and okay in my book.

 

[.30896]

I've both checked out and worn broadcloth shirts from BB (luxury line) and Hickey Freeman along with some genuine sea island broadcloth from a no-name. In each case, the shirts wrinkled far more than my twill shirts. Maybe I'm just looking at the wrong stuff?

 

[PedanticTurkey]

It depends on the weight of the cloth. Broadcloth comes in all weights and of course the heavier stuff resists wrinkles better.

 

[PJC in NoVa]

I've both checked out and worn broadcloth shirts from BB (luxury line) and Hickey Freeman along with some genuine sea island broadcloth from a no-name. In each case, the shirts wrinkled far more than my twill shirts. Maybe I'm just looking at the wrong stuff?

Try H&K or H&H shirts for what you can be sure is good-quality poplin.

I'm not a huge fan of H-F shirts myself. I've got a few; their poplin doesn't have as supple a hand as I think it should.

 

[Flanderian]

I've both checked out and worn broadcloth shirts from BB (luxury line) and Hickey Freeman along with some genuine sea island broadcloth from a no-name. In each case, the shirts wrinkled far more than my twill shirts. Maybe I'm just looking at the wrong stuff?

A twill fabric tends to wrinkle much less than most other fabrics, but it's a different look. I like both. As SM pointed out, high quality heavier broadcloth of very fine quality fabric doesn't wrinkle that badly. Sea Island usually does. As to BB and HF, they're good, just not that good.

 

[brokencycle]

Twill is probably one of the most wrinkle-resistant weaves. Try comparing broadcloth to pinpoint, and you'll likely find they wrinkle about the same. =/

 

[.30896]

I guess twill has spoiled me.

 

[Blueboy1938]

Because . . .

. . . that's what most of my dress shirts are made of. BB's non-wrinkle broadcloth is heavier than most and still light and comfortable with no chance of "see-through."

 

[Felix Krull]

Broadcloth is a wonderful weave which, when done properly, is lighter, cooler and crisper than twills or oxfords. I am a big fan of high quality broadcloth. It is subject to wrinkling, but all cotton weaves are. That's just the nature of the fabric.

 

[Matt S]

I like braodcloth because it is smooth and wears cooler than twill, pinpoint, and oxford. It always looks more elegant than pinpoint and oxford, and I'd say it's more versatile.

 

[Liquidus]

Do you guys that like broadcloth use it exclusively for all your shirts? Does any specific colors or patterns pair better with oxford pinpoint/twill or is broadcloth a good option for any shirt?

 

[Matt S]

Any pattern pretty much works with broadcloth, unless you want a diagonal stripe that only works in twill. Patterns can be made much more detailed and sharp in broadcloth than in oxford/pinpoint. Broadcloth works well with both hard-finished worsted and tweed suits and sports coats. For casual wear, broadcloth works well in warm weather because it wears cool.

 

[brokencycle]

I have pinpoints, broadcloths, and twills. Herringbone is one of my favorite weaves, so I do like twill quite a bit. I just find more patterns I like in broadcloth.

 

[ilikeyourstyle]

I've moved away from broadcloth altogether. I just find it easier to iron and wear more textured cotton shirts. Yes, broadcloth looks most formal to me, but most people just notice if your shirt looks wrinkled or fits poorly.

 

[CuffDaddy]

??? It's the "neutral" for shirt fabrics. Anything else is a "special" of some sort. It wears the coolest, shows patterns sharply, has the least bulk, is the most formal and most appropriate for serious occassions....

 

[Jovan]

Broadcloth wrinkles easier, but it's definitely cooler to wear in summer -- just like a linen suit.