Current opinions on Dege/Whittaker bespoke shirts

Alright: I've finally decided to start with someone on getting shirts that fit. I plan to see Robert Whittaker when he comes into town later next month.

Some of you have used him in the past, but then changed shirtmakers. For those of you do use him now, what is your opinion of the product coming out currently from Dege?

Thanks.


- B

Nope. There's BoLine in Norwell, but despite the kind words about them from Carl at CEGO, general local consensus is that they suck.

- B

If there must be travel, I prefer to have the makers travel to me rather than me to them. If I didn't have this preference, then yes, NYC for Geneva, Paris, CEGO would make sense. I almost went with Kabbaz last year but the whole framework of getting shirts from him had a flavor that did not appeal to me in the end.

While I'm not sure that we can talk about the classic Jermyn Street shirt anymore, I still think there is a distinctive English look and conventions of construction. I suppose a stylistically flexible American shirtmaker could replicate that, but why bother when the originals travel to Boston?

As for quality: well, that might be an issue which is why I post this thread.

If I travelled to Paris reliably enough, I would do Charvet grand-mésure. I still don't rule that out at some point.

Anyway, Whittaker is a skilled shirtmaker. I've corresponded with two members here who used to use him, but then changed because there was a drop in quality, reliability and overall service.

I'm wondering from current clients if this is no longer a concern since I would like to think that must have been some sort of temporary issue.

I probably should ask this over at the Lounge since it's like crickets here on this topic.


Well put.


- B

Lower cost I understand, although Dege shirts start around $270 for their basic fabrics.

Can you explain more what you mean by "better fit?" Do you mean (a) that after an English shirtmaker like Whittaker makes up your pattern and adjusts it after the first few shirts, that subsequent shirts will not adhere reliably to this pattern or do you mean that (b) English shirtmakers will simply not make you a shirt that conforms their style to your body?

As for "higher quality," the fabrics are their own thing. But I do wonder about the quality of make not being reliably good. I am not sure, though, if I can think of a shirtmaker accessible to Americans against whom some degree of Internet complaint has not been registered.

I guess I will find out directly myself shortly.

But, getting back to my main question: is anyone using Whittaker now, and if so, would you be willing to share your thoughts on what the Dege shop is putting out today?


- B

Interesting. Thank you.


- B

What's Matuozzo up to these days? And by that, I mean the price.


- B