I've had my eye on a very appealing JAB tropical shirt for at least three years now - just could never quite rationalize purchasing it (even at the very lowest $39 for the $99.50 shirt). It's silk and the one with the bluish-green background and tall tree motif. I've been told these shirts are manufactured by the same place as - and are very similar to - the Tommy Bahama silk camp shirts, which do cost well over $100 when full price.
At one point I decided I wanted a "real" Tommy Bahama shirt - thinking they are the real thing," and I got a very nice one for half price from a very good shop. But I've always had in mind the JAB shirt - which seem to be around almost year round, each year, and are often available at some reduction. The other day I was offered one - in my uncommon "M" size, for the $39 and just about plunked out the credit card for it, 'til I noticed and remembered the tag says "dry clean only." That's basically a turn-off for me - so much so I probably had rationalized not getting the shirt in the past mainly for just that reason. I really, really, try to avoid such shirts - I don't want to think about taking it to the dry cleaners, and having to pay for it, every day I decide to wear it.
Then I noticed my Tommy Bahama shirt gives washing directions, with the reference to "dry cleaning" only as a "for best results" comment (unusual!). I never, every dry clean my Tommy B. shirt - at least not yet - I'm wondering if I could get away with ignoring the tag on the JAB shirt and handle it the same way. I do have pretty high standards regarding wrinkles but some are okay with a casual shirt of this nature. I've had other silk shirts and even some thicker-type all-cotton shirts cleaned at home with satisfactory results - possibly dry cleaning every once in a while.
Has anyone else purchased one of these Jos. A. Bank VIP silk shirts and done their own cleaning? Could the stitching be the main reason they promote dry cleaning? I did notice the stitching on the brand new shirt in the store not perfect; 'wonder if Tommy Bahama shirts are more meticulously stitched. I know some of you use dry cleaners all the time, and of course I use them for all the usuals - e.g. coats, sportscoats, ties - but I try to keep it at a minimum due to cost and inconvenience, obviously.
At one point I decided I wanted a "real" Tommy Bahama shirt - thinking they are the real thing," and I got a very nice one for half price from a very good shop. But I've always had in mind the JAB shirt - which seem to be around almost year round, each year, and are often available at some reduction. The other day I was offered one - in my uncommon "M" size, for the $39 and just about plunked out the credit card for it, 'til I noticed and remembered the tag says "dry clean only." That's basically a turn-off for me - so much so I probably had rationalized not getting the shirt in the past mainly for just that reason. I really, really, try to avoid such shirts - I don't want to think about taking it to the dry cleaners, and having to pay for it, every day I decide to wear it.
Then I noticed my Tommy Bahama shirt gives washing directions, with the reference to "dry cleaning" only as a "for best results" comment (unusual!). I never, every dry clean my Tommy B. shirt - at least not yet - I'm wondering if I could get away with ignoring the tag on the JAB shirt and handle it the same way. I do have pretty high standards regarding wrinkles but some are okay with a casual shirt of this nature. I've had other silk shirts and even some thicker-type all-cotton shirts cleaned at home with satisfactory results - possibly dry cleaning every once in a while.
Has anyone else purchased one of these Jos. A. Bank VIP silk shirts and done their own cleaning? Could the stitching be the main reason they promote dry cleaning? I did notice the stitching on the brand new shirt in the store not perfect; 'wonder if Tommy Bahama shirts are more meticulously stitched. I know some of you use dry cleaners all the time, and of course I use them for all the usuals - e.g. coats, sportscoats, ties - but I try to keep it at a minimum due to cost and inconvenience, obviously.
