CTShirts - current quality and alternatives?

[bassplayerchris]

I've bought a fairly large number of shirts from ctshirts over the years, generally for workaday stuff their sales are very good value for money - especially as their particular fit works very well for me.

The last couple of orders I've had have been different though - it appears that they have switched to thinner fabric for virtually all their shirts - including the twill! The main issue for me is that they are almost translucent, making for a shirt that varies slightly in colour when worn, with the cuffs and seams standing out.

Has anyone else seen this issue?

And for the same price point what are the alternatives? Generally - at least in the UK - TM Lewin and JosephTurner come out at much the same price, with a worse fit.

 

[heldentenor]

There's not much at the CT pricepoint, but if you can up your budget just a bit, Kamakura and Ledbury (when on sale) make shirts that are better constructed than CT, use better fabrics, and seem better value for money while still remaining well under $100 each.

 

[Pendulum]

Are you based in the UK? Hawes and Curtis are also someone to consider - after that it starts to get a lot more expensive before you differentiate on quality IMO. I'm slowly weaning my wardrobe of CT shirts replacing with mix of brands, but I picked up some Cleeve shirts from Drakes the other week and they are pretty nice, if you can get down to Haberdasher St they are 3 for 150 as a regular price now.

 

[Academic2]

The non-sale price of most CT shirts has now gone up to 110 USD, though the four-for-$199 bundle price still applies in most cases. I received a paper catalog in the mail last week and confirmed today on their website.

I have no idea what they’re thinking. At that price there’s more than one superior MTM option.

Perhaps they’ll have more frequent sales?

Cheers,

Ac

 

[Pendulum]

They're a bit of a rip off in the US! It's 35 pounds each here in the UK or 4 for 100

 

[BigBadBernard]

CT and Lewin are a pretty basic option and their near permanent sales are a good indication that they are a mass produced product with the quality set accordingly.

I don't have that many RTW business shirts these days, but if I do need one in a hurry I have used Emmett and have been quite impressed with the quality/price proposition, especially if you pick them up in the sales. Don't know if they deliver outside the UK, though.

 

[bassplayerchris]

Yes, I am in the UK - so looking for options here.

The difference between H&C/Lewin and CTshirts in the past as been that the former only size sleeves in two inch increments (odd numbers of inches, and my ideal length would be 34inches), that and the fact that the CT slim-fit form worked very well for me personally (the average RTW shirt has me looking like I'm wearing a bag).

 

[Astaroth]

Charles Tyrwhitt shirts give me the best fit at their price point but I do find their sleeve length very inconsistent, at least after a few washes. Used their shirts very frequently until last year and cannot say I have noticed any notable change in their quality. If you mean in the last 12 months then maybe but the fact fabric is translucent in itself doesnt make it "poor quality", in deed have seen some very expensive fabrics that were translucent.

 

[FitPursuit]

Recently purchased a batch of CT shirts after a 10-year hiatus. Wow, quality has dropped so much: flimsy fabrics, super-low armholes, essentially forcing me to seek out MTM.

 

[bassplayerchris]



Charles Tyrwhitt shirts give me the best fit at their price point but I do find their sleeve length very inconsistent, at least after a few washes. Used their shirts very frequently until last year and cannot say I have noticed any notable change in their quality. If you mean in the last 12 months then maybe but the fact fabric is translucent in itself doesnt make it "poor quality", in deed have seen some very expensive fabrics that were translucent.

It was not just that they were translucent - the fabric was also noticeably thinner, including the twill. I was hoping that there was something slightly better at a higher price point as I don't really need them to be all that much better for everyday wear, but I guess I'll have to investigate the MTM options Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Astaroth]

It was not just that they were translucent - the fabric was also noticeably thinner, including the twill.

I was hoping that there was something slightly better at a higher price point as I don't really need them to be all that much better for everyday wear, but I guess I'll have to investigate the MTM options

I havent found it at a slightly higher price, though that depends what you consider slightly. I did try Thomas Pink shirts and whilst I liked the fabrics themselves their sleeve lengths were all too long, their finishing was poor and fit didnt suit my less than perfect physique. Many of their shirts at Outlets (eg Bicester) also seemed more variable in quality and sizing.

Personally I jumped into the bespoke italian shirts (after discrediting the MTM from the big UK names) but that is a massive price increase but the cut and quality for me means I wont be going back. There are some more affordable MTM and bespoke places, particularly in italy, which possibly could have achieved similar but having finally found something that is overall very good I am willing to pay the premium for it.

 

[MDisciple87]

I just bought a large batch recently and instantly regretted it. They changed their sizing and the slim fit shoulders are a lot narrower yet they don't offer longer sleeves. I'm a 15/33.35 and the sleeves are about 1/4" to 1/2" inches too short on me due to the slimmer shoulder. Yet they don't offer a 34" in the 15" neck. It's awful. Go MTM over CT.

 

[Pendulum]



I just bought a large batch recently and instantly regretted it. They changed their sizing and the slim fit shoulders are a lot narrower yet they don't offer longer sleeves. I'm a 15/33.35 and the sleeves are about 1/4" to 1/2" inches too short on me due to the slimmer shoulder. Yet they don't offer a 34" in the 15" neck. It's awful. Go MTM over CT.

They do offer a 34" in 15" neck, either as a standard size or as a custom sleeve length, so not sure what you're on about here?

 

[MDisciple87]

They do offer a 34" in 15" neck, either as a standard size or as a custom sleeve length, so not sure what you're on about here?

I just checked again... you're correct. When I bought through their sale about 2 months ago they had nothing over a 33" for the slim fits in that neck size.

 

[fieldofdreams]

This sale seems to be perpetually running. It's 3 for $99 free shipping. Even thought the shirts aren't that great, if you're trying to build a wardrobe they're nice. I generally get my shirts from Kamakura now. The only problem with Kamakura is the selection isn't huge. I'm a big fan of their ocbds and spread collar shirts though. They are markedly more expensive at $79.

http://www.ctshirts.com/default.aspx?q=fbus99|||||||||||||||

For some reason you have to cut and paste the link. If you click on it, it won't work.