Best Fitted Off-the-Shelf Dress Shirt?

[Annixter]

I've had a horrible time finding inexpensive off-the-shelf long-sleeve dress shirts that are actually decently fitted. I wear a 14.5 32/33 shirt, but all the shirts I've been able to try on locally have an extremely large amount of extra material around the armhole and chest. What are some of the better fitted inexpensive off-the-shelf dress shirts out there?

From what I've tried, Arrow and Van Heusen fitted shirts have extremely low armholes and a ton of material around the chest. Stafford fitted shirts are the best fitting I've found as far as neck, chest, stomach, and cuffs go, but the armholes need to be 2" higher minimum. I don't understand the logic behind having armholes that low and bulky for a person with a 14.5" neck? I don't have small arms for my size, nor do I have a small neck for my size, so I don't get it. Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

 

[Hexenmeister]

I am a big fan of Macy's Alfani Red line of men's dress shirts (and suits). They're all fitted and and more European in their cut. I own a few and love them.

 

[Annixter]

Thanks a lot; I see in your French cuff thread that we are in the same boat when it comes to sizes. I'll stop by Macy's tomorrow to try a shirt. I'll also be testing out a Nordstrom brand shirt while I'm at it, although their shirts retail at $45, which is what I can have a custom shirt made for.

Any other suggestions out there?

 

[Edward]

Maybe not economical from where you are, but I've been extremely pleased with what I've had from this company:

http://www.savilerowco.com/?cm_mmc=...le row shirt&gclid=CJr_gpW9zKECFY4U4wodOWhOgA

 

[Richard Warren]

brooks brother slim fit, can be had on sale.

 

[Tailor Tom]

My thoughts...

I'll also be testing out a Nordstrom brand shirt while I'm at it, although their shirts retail at $45, which is what I can have a custom shirt made for.

Any other suggestions out there?

If you can get a decent custom shirt for $45....just leave all the stores behind.
The custom will give you a truly fitted body and a better neck fit, allowing for shrinkage in the wash,and the sleeve length you need...not to mention all of the cuff options available.

don't even walk in a store again....build a great relationship with the shirtmaker, and your life will be enriched for it.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

J Crew, and even their outlet brand, very tailored and nice with vintage accents here and there.

 

[Corky]

Many retailers sell more than one cut of shirt...

Many retailers sell more than one cut of shirt.

For example, Brooks Brothers number one and number three shirts (the ones at the front of the store) are generously cut, with a lot of cloth around the middle.

But if you go to the young men's department, you will find a similar-but-not-identical shirt with a narrower cut and tighter armholes.

It is priced less than the standard men's shirt and might not be made of the same top of the line cotton but it comes close.

 

[Annixter]

Thanks for the great suggestions everyone. As Hexenmeister suggested, I tried on an Alfani red yesterday, and it is the closest fit I've found for off the shelf shirts. The material and build quality appear to be stout also. The armholes are almost perfect.

Hemingway J., does J Crew sell at any other stores, or can the brand be had only through them? I cannot seem to find information about store locations on their website.

Richard, it looks like there are some Brooks Bros. stores up in San Francisco, so I'll get fitted next time I'm around there.

Corky, I never even thought about checking out the young men's department for dress shirts, but you are correct that they can be had for less there. I'll see if any fit.

 

[John in Covina]

I don't know if the industry has continued with this BUT in the past slim fit dress shirts in the US used to carry a designation along the lines of "European Fit" as mentioned above also there were different "Tapered Fit" type of designations.

Whether that is still used I don't know, but my dress shirts with a 20 inch neck are really volumous, I could almost smuggle a whole roast beef with me under them!

 

[GClark]

i have had very good luck with the slim fit Charles Tyrwhitt shirts (http://www.ctshirts.com). You can usually get them on sale for around $50. The fabric seems better than any other shorts I have tried in that price range.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Hemingway J., does J Crew sell at any other stores, or can the brand be had only through them? I cannot seem to find information about store locations on their website.

Only there, sorry to say. They run some excellent web-based sales though.

 

[WineGuy]

Try Paul Fredrick (paulfredrick.com) trim fit shirts. They have a great intro offer for new customers, you can buy up to four shirts for $19.95 each with a broad selection of colors, collars, cuffs and sleeve lengths.

Don't let "Trim fit" scare you, I'm a full framed guy(17 neck) but the trim fit shirts fit me perfectly and don't have all that extra material around the waist and armpits. And because I can order my exact sleeve length instead of the double numbered shirts (i.e. 34/35) it's as close to custom fit as you'll get for the money.

 

[Wash In Lux]

How often do you wear dress shirts? If you don't wear them often, I'm with Tailor Tom on this. It's hard to beat a custom shirt. I don't even bother with that made in Malaysia garbage anymore. It's either vintage or custom. I don't have a lot of money but, for the material, fit and style, the customs were worth every penny. Years ago, my wife got me a couple customs for a b'day present and I was hooked. She had them use a nice, long 40's style collar. Very nice!