Buttondown shirts in the UK

[PaulSLH]

I've been looking for a while, with no real success for decent quality, fairly slim fitting OCBD shirts in the UK, available in a range of sizes more than S,M,L. I take a 16/36 dress shirt, but with 40 inch chest and 32 inch waist, really need slim or tailored fits.

Most places here only seem to sell buttondowns as casual shirts, and therefore only in larger cuts and in a smaller range of sizes. Normally I need an XL for the sleeve length and an S/M for the body, depending on the cut, so I end up with neither. I know BB in the US sells buttondowns in a range of sleeve lengths, and in slim fits, but is there anyone in the UK who does the same?

 

[Kentishman]

Whereabouts in the UK are you Paul?

 

[PaulSLH]

At the moment, generally between Canterbury and Cambridge, although I do occasionally get into London.

 

[Kentishman]

I'm sure you've already considered this and ruled it out for good reason, but how about Brooks Brothers' Regent Street store? Personally, the lack of decent (and I've become quite picky since finding SF) slim BDs has led me to try Tailor Store's online MTM service — only had one done so far but have been really pleased with the results. Just as long as you're in no hurry!

On the High Street, I've found Zara's shirts to be a good, slim fit, but it's hard to avoid overtly 'fashion-y' shirts at times.

 

[PaulSLH]

Originally Posted by Kentishman

I'm sure you've already considered this and ruled it out for good reason, but how about Brooks Brothers' Regent Street store?

Last time I went in there (which was, admittedly, some time ago), they didn't seem to have all that much in stock, and certainly nothing slim fit. I also have something of a moral objection to all the American brands opening a few shops in London and trying to position themselves much higher up the market by simply charging the dollar price (or more) in pounds, for exactly the same product. Maybe I should give them another try though.

 

[EnglishLapel]

Boggi Milano shirts are preety good, they have a nice collar roll and are reasonably slim fitting (though not excessively so). Also, Hackett shirts have a wonderful roll and are available online if there aren't any near you.

 

[Cary Grant]

You should note that many think the "proper" fit for a button down is to be not "too slim".

But like you, I don't want it to fit like a tent either. I finally picked up an old-stock Brooks Brothers and while not trim per se, it is trimmer than critics led me to believe it would be. The higher armholes certainly help.

I've not tried their BD's lately but you might give it another look.

Certainly you have the option of having whatever you buy tailored. It's a simple alteration and if you want them VERY slim you could have them darted as well.

 

[MaxH]

Thomas Pink have buttondowns that have sized collars (inches and half inches) and can take a tie. Pink is more expensive than Charles Tywhitt and T.M. Lewin, but I was happy with a couple of small check buttondowns I picked up from their Bicester Village outlet shop for at £34 each, and they are quite slim fitting.

-- Max.

 

[Modernist]

http://www.adamoflondon.com/ Worth a look, I believe.

 

[PaulSLH]

Originally Posted by EnglishLapel

Boggi Milano shirts are preety good, they have a nice collar roll and are reasonably slim fitting (though not excessively so). Also, Hackett shirts have a wonderful roll and are available online if there aren't any near you.

Unfortunately both only seem sell button downs in the S/M/L/XL sizes, so I'd still have the problem of needing to buy an XL to get a 36 inch sleeve.

Its not really so much the slim fit that I have a problem finding. Medium or 16" collar sizes in most brands generally fit me ok, at least well enough to be tailored, but the sleeves will be 2 or 3 inches shorter than I need. Going up to an XL for the right sleeve length would mean needing to take a huge amount of width out of the body and sleeves, as well as taking in the collar, which I'm not sure is even possible.

Seems like I will have to try Brooks again and see if they have some the button downs that they do sell in a variety of sleeve lengths.

 

[EnglishLapel]

You could try TM Lewin, check the website I'm not sure about sizing etc but worth a go.

 

[PaulSLH]

Originally Posted by MaxH

Thomas Pink have buttondowns that have sized collars (inches and half inches) and can take a tie. Pink is more expensive than Charles Tywhitt and T.M. Lewin, but I was happy with a couple of small check buttondowns I picked up from their Bicester Village outlet shop for at £34 each, and they are quite slim fitting.

-- Max.

And they have a couple in 'long' fittings. Thanks, will have to nip into London soon and check them out, along with Brooks Brothers.


Unfortunately TM Lewin are one of the many that I had already looked at, no sleeve lengths on the buttondowns, thanks for all the help though.

 

[MaxH]

I wasn't looking for long sizes, so I don't know sorry. The one's I bought there were 15" collar and 33.5" sleeve (my chest is 39" and waist 31"). Have a look at their website, you can filter on button downs. Obviously the outlet shop doesn't hold everything they have in their main shops, but take a look at their website and in their Jermyn Street shop next time you're in London.

-- Max

 

[PaulSLH]

Sorry, I meant that there are a couple listed on the website that do come in 'long' sizes. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Kent Wang]

I have slim fit oxford button down shirts that might fit you well. More like regular business wear shirt than a casual one. Shipping to the UK is $10 and of course you can return if it doesn't work out.