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Shirt shopping in the UK (slim fit, everyday quality, OCBD, <£80.00): need help!

post #1 of 12
10/18/10 at 1:25pm
Thread Starter 
As the title implies, I am shirt shopping in the UK (moved here from the US) and I am finding it incredibly difficult locating decent Oxford broadcloth shirts, button down collar shirts and barrel cuff shirts, especially if you want shirts that encompass all of the above. If you also want slim fitting shirts that fit the description, these do not seem to exist. Finding good value formal shirts/dress shirts here is easy, french cuff shirts abound, but there is little love for the preppy American staple.

I am considering importing shirts from the US (Brooks Brother's Extra Slim Fit, about which I have read mixed opinions), but I want to give the UK one more chance.

So... fellow UK residents, do you know any retailer that fits the bill for what I am looking for? Do you have any general advice on good places for picking up good quality (and good value) shirts? Please share your shirt intelligence!

Many thanks!
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post #2 of 12
10/18/10 at 1:30pm
they have brooks brothers in the UK, but i just use moderntailor.com
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post #3 of 12
10/18/10 at 1:33pm
The English don't wear oxford cloth, button down collars or barrel cuffs. If you want to continue to dress a l'Americaine, you're going to have to import. Otherwise make friends with TM Lewin.
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post #4 of 12
10/18/10 at 1:33pm
I can't help, but I can certainly commiserate as an American expat in London. I'd like to know where to get these shirts as well. I was disappointed, for example, after reading so much about Harvie and Hudson to find that their slim fit shirts don't come with button cuffs, only French cuffs. I rarely need a suit where I work, so something slightly less dressy is more the order of the day for me.
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post #5 of 12
10/18/10 at 1:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fox81 View Post
they have brooks brothers in the UK, but i just use moderntailor.com

I am aware of this, but they are not very well stocked and the one that is somewhat local to where I live does not stock the extra slim fit shirts (maybe an occasional shirt now and then, but it is impossible to get hold of them, particularly in my size). I should check out moderntailor, thanks for the advice.
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post #6 of 12
10/18/10 at 1:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alliswell View Post
The English don't wear oxford cloth, button down collars or barrel cuffs. If you want to continue to dress a l'Americaine, you're going to have to import. Otherwise make friends with TM Lewin.

There is always Ralph Lauren, which is ridiculously overpriced here.

I feel very comfortable with my style and I do not intend to change it (been building my current wardrobe since prep school, so it would be a shame to stop now). Strange thing is that you see a lot of faux American prep influences around, but nobody seems to offer decent American style shirts (although, let's be honest, such shirts are not exactly offered everywhere in the US either where most men settle for multi-purpose tent shirts). Hackett offers nice sport shirts, but like RL, they are terribly overpriced, especially given the quality.
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post #7 of 12
10/18/10 at 2:31pm
Ralph Lauren at Bicester Village, £55; they have offers for multiple purchases (i.e. 2 for £90)
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post #8 of 12
10/18/10 at 2:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Macallan View Post
Ralph Lauren at Bicester Village, £55; they have offers for multiple purchases (i.e. 2 for £90)

The bus to Bicester stops 20m from my house so I've been there a number of times, but I've only ever found RL shirts with the embroidered logo at that price point. I should have added in my first post that I cannot deal with visible logos. Plus, those RL outlet shirts are not slim enough imo.
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post #9 of 12
10/6/11 at 4:00am

I know this a little old hat looking at the date on this entry but I just spoke to a nice gentleman at Harvie and Hudson who says that the buyer has conceded that there is enough of a demand to do button cuff slim fit shirts.

He say that it may not happen until next spring and it will only be in limited classic patterns at first but its on the to do list.

 

By the way for anyone out there in USA their trunk show is starting next week in Chicago

 

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post #10 of 12
10/6/11 at 6:02am

Maybe Thomas Pink or Paul Stuart?

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post #11 of 12
10/6/11 at 6:11am
Paul Stuart in London?

What about BBBF in the London shop.
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post #12 of 12
10/6/11 at 6:56am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SwedishFish View Post

decent Oxford broadcloth shirts, button down collar shirts and barrel cuff shirts, especially if you want shirts that encompass all of the above. If you also want slim fitting shirts that fit the description, these do not seem to exist. Finding good value formal shirts/dress shirts here is easy, french cuff shirts abound, but there is little love for the preppy American staple.

What about these?

http://tinyurl.com/6yr4bnf
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Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › Shirt shopping in the UK (slim fit, everyday quality, OCBD, <£80.00): need help!