[prospero1b]

I write with great sadness. I have been a customer of Charles Tyrwhitt for over 25 years, but must regretfully announce that I have made my last purchase from them.

I used to buy all my business shirts from CT, usually white with double cufffs. Then around a year ago I learned they had discontinued my size. I didn’t think a 15 1/2 inch collar was too unusual, but apparently it’s very out of the way when combined with 35 inch sleeves and double cuffs. I was a little sad, but accepted. I looked elsewhere for formal shirts.

A couple of weeks ago I ordered two casual shirts from CT. Long sleeves with button down collars. I was so disappointed. The quality has gone. One white twill shirt was really poor. I haven’t unpacked the other, but it looks no better.

What’s worse, they have stuck logos on the shirt breast: a lapwing or some similar bird. (Ihate logos and should admittedly have noticed them in the catalogue picture.)

To repeat, I’m really sad. Tyrwhitt was a decent, middle of the road outfitter that supplied reasonable quality goods at fair prices. Now it’s not. I will have to look elsewhere and pay higher prices. A small but important part of my life has left me.

 

[Matt S]

I never tried them before their quality declined. About 5 years ago I bought a shirt from them. I put it on for work but I had to go home and change during lunch because the shirt was so uncomfortable. The non-iron finish felt sticky. The cut was awful, particularly in the sleeves, which were too narrow and poorly angled. They felt restricting and would ride up with any movement. I chose the fit that was best for my body, but every fit had the same sleeve problems. Thankfully they have a good return policy and I was able to return the shirt after wearing it for half a day.

As a disclaimer, I'm used to wearing high-end shirts, but this shirt was more disappointing than the very low-end Van Heusen shirt I had 15-20 years ago. After I returned the shirt, I went a block up to Kamakura, which has sadly left New York. For only $80 I got an extremely well-made and well-fitting shirt made of a beautiful cotton. While it cost twice as much as the CT shirt did on sale, I found myself puzzled as to how I had never read anything bad about CT before. Nobody complained about the poor materials and the poor fits.

 

[Watchman]

I wear CT for dress shirts almost exclusively. And, yes, I’ve noticed a sharp decline in quality particularly in the last 5 years.

But, they’ve never been amazing for me. I don’t know about anyone else but I have experienced shrinkage in significant amounts.

Last year I became so disgruntled I sent 4 shirts back due to aforementioned issue. A couple of the shirts were several years old but CT issued me store credit. I reordered shirts and again saw the fabric is much thinner than past times.

And one of the shirts suffered shrinkage one 2nd or 3rd laundry…

 

[Dhaller]

CT is on its 4th CEO since 2017... that may be a factor.

I mean, let the seat get warm, come on!

DH

 

[Watchman]

It’s worth mentioning their thick herringbone shirts are still some of the best value/quality ratio I’ve ever seen…

 

[Hayek]

The quality was never that great, even 10 years ago, but they were a very good cost effective option.

Suggest checking out Harvie and Hudson and Kamakura. More expensive but still very reasonably priced and the quality is leaps and bounds better than CT ever was.

 

[ShaneCrawford]

I write with great sadness. I have been a customer of Charles Tyrwhitt for over 25 years, but must regretfully announce that I have made my last purchase from them.

I used to buy all my business shirts from CT, usually white with double cufffs. Then around a year ago I learned they had discontinued my size. I didn’t think a 15 1/2 inch collar was too unusual, but apparently it’s very out of the way when combined with 35 inch sleeves and double cuffs. I was a little sad, but accepted. I looked elsewhere for formal shirts.

A couple of weeks ago I ordered two casual shirts from CT. Long sleeves with button down collars. I was so disappointed. The quality has gone. One white twill shirt was really poor. I haven’t unpacked the other, but it looks no better.

What’s worse, they have stuck logos on the shirt breast: a lapwing or some similar bird. (Ihate logos and should admittedly have noticed them in the catalogue picture.)

To repeat, I’m really sad. Tyrwhitt was a decent, middle of the road outfitter that supplied reasonable quality goods at fair prices. Now it’s not. I will have to look elsewhere and pay higher prices. A small but important part of my life has left me.

Have you written or been to Charles Tyrwitt about the shirts?

 

[Palo Cortado]

CT back in the 90s were made from beautiful poplin, with huge long tails. (He said helpfully.)

 

[macandal]

I was checking them out for their sweaters, I was going to order a couple from there with more to come later as I’m rebuilding my sweater collection. I’m glad I read this before I made the plunge. Which place would you recommend for sweaters (my main objective right now) but other items as well. A place with a good quality/price ratio. Thanks.

 

[Watchman]

I was checking them out for their sweaters, I was going to order a couple from there with more to come later as I’m rebuilding my sweater collection. I’m glad I read this before I made the plunge. Which place would you recommend for sweaters (my main objective right now) but other items as well. A place with a good quality/price ratio. Thanks.

JPress

 

[ShaneCrawford]

JPress

Greetings,
have you tried The Chap's Guide on Youtube? Ash the host has great videos, in the about section is his Email address, if you have questions about men's wear! Just another idea?

 

[ShaneCrawford]

Here's some places you could try:
Where to find the best knitwear in London

• John Smedley. Brook Street. This iconic boutique in the heart of Mayfair has become one of the go-to spots for shoppers in London looking to find high-quality knitwear,
• Barrie. Burlington Arcade, London,
• Harrods. Brompton Road, London,
• Liberty. Regent Street, London