I wouldn't say linen is particularly delicate. I've found it to be robust.Since I send my shirts to the cleaners for laundering (not dry cleaning), I have always been afraid that delicate fabrics such as linen would be ruined by their hot water and presumably excessively hot driers.
Another vote for Proper Cloth. I just received my first shirt from them in a broad stripe linen and couldn't be more pleased with the result. I used their fit assessment system instead of providing exact measurements. They take shrinkage into account so you don't need to worry about it. The fabric selection is very good. Here is how mine came out:I recently recieved my first Proper Cloth shirt. They have an extensive array of linen to choose from. It appears well made, and with the few minor tweaks I made to their standard trim fit pattern, fits perfectly.
Best of all, is that they encourage you to launder it before deciding if the fit is proper, and if not, then that shirt can be returned for a refund or do over. I have worn it once, and after I wash and dry it twice, I will be able to determine if the pattern is fine as is, or have the luxury of making further adjustments to the pattern so that the fit will remain perfect into the future. It never occurred to me that a manufacturer would allow a return after laundering a shirt. I presumed their default response would be that I had damaged the shirt by improperly washing and drying it. Now I have the option of abusing it in the laundry without fear of undo shrinkage.
Since I send my shirts to the cleaners for laundering (not dry cleaning), I have always been afraid that delicate fabrics such as linen would be ruined by their hot water and presumably excessively hot driers. I have therefore always washed my linen shirts at home and let them air dry. I hate doing laundry, so if I can consign them to the cleaners I will be much happier. The lessened lifespan of a shirt consigned to such abusive treatment is far offset by the joy of being saved from performing such a monotonous task.
For those of you who are horrified by this dereliction of duty on my part, I can only say, good for you, to each their own. Enjoy yourselves, I'd rather eat razor blades.
Careful - the regent linen shirts are slimmer than the regent dress shirtsI did a search, but there aren't any particularly recent "linen shirt" threads, so...
... any recommendations?
(Leaning towards BB's Irish linen shirts in their "Regent" fit, but figured I'd quiz the pub first.)
DH
I have had just the opposite experierience with Tommy Bahamas. I have a couple of short sleeve linen shirts. I normally wear a medium, but in the TB's I need a small.^^
I am inclined to echo burnedandfrozen's recommendations, but must caution that on more than one occasion I have found Tommy Bahama shirts to run on the small size, with Tails that were a bit short for my tastes. JUst my perspective!![]()
I'll vote for PC as well. I haven't ordered a linen (yet) shirt from them but almost all my shirts are from them. Overall good quality, made to fit and the customer service is outstanding.Another vote for Proper Cloth. I just received my first shirt from them in a broad stripe linen and couldn't be more pleased with the result. I used their fit assessment system instead of providing exact measurements. They take shrinkage into account so you don't need to worry about it. The fabric selection is very good. Here is how mine came out:
https://propercloth.com/design-a-shirt/?shirtID=1058965