Looking for a recommendation for a dress shirt in the under $50 range. Looking for traditional cut just a normal classic button down. I used to get all dress shirts from lands end, but it seems their quality has gone off the deep end the past couple of years.
Dress shirt recommendation
- Thread starter RUSHd
- Start date
In that price range you might like the offerings from LLBean.com. Their guarantee can't be beat.
I know that I may be branded a heretic for saying this, but if you want a good quality shirt at a ridiculously low price, check out the Kirkland shirts at Costco. They only offer a few designs each season, but they're a very good everyday shirt that has one of the best wrinkle free finishes I've seen. The retail is always under $20. Since I started buying them I only buy elsewhere when I really want something nice or a specific colour. It's pretty simple, Costco only takes about 10% margin on them, so their markup is a couple of bucks. The same shirt at a clothing store goes for anywhere between $50 and $70. And it's better than a lot of the shirts you would find in that price range at the department stores. The most comparable shirt in the market is probably the Brooks Brothers that they sell 3 for $150.
I spoke with a manager of a Men's Wearhouse about 20 years ago and he told me then that the markup on men's clothes was about 300%.
Steve
If you check the Clearance section at Brooks Brother's website you'll frequently find $44 shirts.
In my experience, Brooks Bros. shirts last forever and they are really comfortable.
In my experience, Brooks Bros. shirts last forever and they are really comfortable.
For many years I only purchased Lands end Hyde Park shirts. I like the heavy oxford cloth and they traveled well and wore well. But, my experience is the same as yours Ray, I think that the quality has slipped as has their color offerings and availability. I have been purchasing L. L. Bean shirts lately and have been very pleased. I do miss those great heavy oxford cloth Hyde Park shirts and I am still looking for a replacement.
Regards,
Doug
Regards,
Doug
You should check out Charles Tyrwhitt. It is a high-end British tailor that has been pushing into the U.S. market for a few years now. They have excellent periodic sales, and the shirts can be in the $35 range for french cuffs. Very fancy, very high quality. With one eye on careful washing and the other on the periodic sales, you can build up a nice rotation of very fancy shirts for not very much money.
Yours,
Jonathan
Yours,
Jonathan
Well, CT isn't what I'd call "high end" ... that's another level altogether. But they do make a decent shirt for the money, if you get them on sale.
(And by "on sale" ... I mean the real sales they have two or three times a year, not the perpetual "discount" that you will see the rest of the year on their website. For what it's worth, the "real sale" is going on now.)
I have found Lands end quality has deteriorated noticeably in the last couple years. its to the point that I'm also looking elsewhere.
Buy American. Brooks Brothers oxford cloth button down shirts (the no non-iron type) are classic, durable, and can be had for about $50 if you time it right. They have sales periodically, with 25-40% discounts available.
That's no longer true. Most of their shirts are made in Malaysia.
Brooks Bothers shirts are great, but I would not pay full price for them. L.L. Bean oxfords are excellent - the fabric is substantial, the colors are classic, and they are quite wrinkle resistant. However, I would still iron them for a formal occasion. One word of caution: the wrinkle resistant finish creates a bit of stiffness that is fine in a long-sleeve, but in short-sleeve it makes the sleeves stick straight out with tight creases, and it looks awkward.
Correct. However, if you look carefully on their website, the 'classic all-cotton oxford dress shirt button-down' is one of the few still made in USA. It can be confusing, because they also have the 'classic all-cotton Polo button-down' which looks the same as the former, but is made in Malaysia. It's truly sad what have become of the American garment manufacturing industry.
And yes, I would not pay full price for most brand-name shirts, Brooks included. I have read that most shirts that are sold retail, cost $5-15 to make, especially if they have been outsourced.
I am not as familiar with Lands-End or LL Bean, although their retail prices are lower to begin with. I'm fairly certain all of their shirts are non-USA made.
You are right. The black fleece line is still made in the U.S. I have not bought this shirt. I have a couple of their Black Fleece suits and they are superior to their regular suits.
You are more fashion forward then me by virtue of Black Fleece ownership! I have heard good things about the line, but once again their 'regular' prices can be somewhat artificially inflated.
I have bought them on sale. I picked up a navy and olive suite for 60% off. I usually don't buy retail. Even Hart Schaffner Marx run sales.
