Dress Shirt Decisions

[DrewMill]

Hello, all. I'm in the market for a few dress shirts, and I have my choices narrowed down to a few brands. I'm trying to make that final decision. I'm looking at Harvie & Hudson (whose shirts I already own and quite like), Proper Cloth (who I have never tried), and Hilditch & Key (who I have also never tried, but the sale which ends today is attractive). I have listed these in order of price for 3 dress shirts, and I would love to get any opinions on how these 3 brands currently stack up. Thanks in advance!

 

[DaAlSh]

Hilditch & Key definitely superior to Harvie & Hudson (had both): never heard of Proper Cloth.

 

[Panama]

Smyth and Gibson - made in Ulster with Albini fabric. H&H casual shirts are made in Europe - Portugal or Poland. I am not impressed with H&H. They are far overpriced for Ringhart fabric.

 

[DrewMill]

Smyth and Gibson - made in Ulster with Albini fabric. H&H casual shirts are made in Europe - Portugal or Poland. I am not impressed with H&H. They are far overpriced for Ringhart fabric.

I always thought H&H used Acorn fabrics.

 

[dieworkwear]

I think it just comes down to fit. Hard to say which you should go with without seeing how you look in each shirt.

 

[DrewMill]

I think it just comes down to fit. Hard to say which you should go with without seeing how you look in each shirt.

Fit (according to measurements, at least), are all pretty similar. I'm mostly curious about construction quality and fabrics.

 

[ronscuba]

Are your looking for made to measure or off the rack shirts ?

 

[DrewMill]

Are your looking for made to measure or off the rack shirts ?

OTR for H&H and H&K. I would submit my measurements that I know work to Proper Cloth.

 

[Nobilis Animus]

OTR for H&H and H&K. I would submit my measurements that I know work to Proper Cloth.

If you're going off the rack, may I suggest Turnbull and Asser? I sing their praises all the time on here, because their fit and style is my favourite of the London shirtmakers by far.

Of the three you listed, I'd go for Harvie and Hudson - but only because I don't know anything about Proper Cloth. H&H and T&A are also both English, and make their shirts in England, if that's important to you.

 

[ronscuba]

OTR for H&H and H&K. I would submit my measurements that I know work to Proper Cloth.

Not sure if submitting measurements is a good substitute to being measured in person. I've read positive and negative experiences.

If you foresee needing more shirts in your future, maybe buy 1 from each and then future shirts from the company that fit you best.

Proper Cloth forte is made to measure dress AND casual. They invest $ on their look books and website to be a convenient online 1 stop place for dress and casual shirts. Long sleeve dress, short sleeve, casual, untucked. I got measured at their boutique 2 years ago. Their shirt quality and pricing might not be the best, but the shopping and buying experience is so easy if you want 1 place for dress and casual online.

 

[comrade]

I own all three of the English makers, some of which are over a decade old so
not necessarily representative of current offerings. Of the three, H&H are the most
inexpensive by far. Still very decent. You might also consider Drakes. Again, mine
are quite old. For the price at the time- at Barneys, superb quality.

 

[DrewMill]

I own all three of the English makers, some of which are over a decade old so
not necessarily representative of current offerings. Of the three, H&H are the most
inexpensive by far. Still very decent. You might also consider Drakes. Again, mine
are quite old. For the price at the time- at Barneys, superb quality.

Thanks. Unfortunately Drake's are a little too snug around the middle for me. Just buy a small amount. I'f I ever get around to losing a little weight, they will be my go to.

 

[Panama]

I always thought H&H used Acorn fabrics.

The above post was meant to say H&K use Ringhart...

H&H formal shirts are made in India. There are many Indian mills to choose from. Some of their casual shirts are made in Portugal, you would imagine they would use Portuguese fabric especially for Oxfords.

 

[Panama]

If you're going off the rack, may I suggest Turnbull and Asser? I sing their praises all the time on here, because their fit and style is my favourite of the London shirtmakers by far.

Of the three you listed, I'd go for Harvie and Hudson - but only because I don't know anything about Proper Cloth. H&H and T&A are also both English, and make their shirts in England, if that's important to you.

Only T&A are made in England. They are in a different price bracket to H&H. H&H are made in India, with casual shirts made in Portugal and Poland. There are a few made in UK shirt manufacturers, T&A, Emma Willis, Budd/Webster, Drake/Cleave, Margaret Howell, a company in East Anglia and a company in East London. And Smyth and Gibson in Northern Ireland.

 

[Nobilis Animus]

Only T&A are made in England. They are in a different price bracket to H&H. H&H are made in India, with casual shirts made in Portugal and Poland. There are a few made in UK shirt manufacturers, T&A, Emma Willis, Budd/Webster, Drake/Cleave, Margaret Howell, a company in East Anglia and a company in East London. And Smyth and Gibson in Northern Ireland.

My mistake, you are correct. H&H ready-to-wear is made overseas - it's their bespoke service that's still English.

I've heard good things about Emma Willis too, although I think the OP was concentrating on ready-to-wear solely. Any info on those?