is there any advantage to buying expensive shirts?

[thegreenlight]

Is there any advantage to buying expensive (>$120) shirts when you could just buy MTM for less? I'm trying to decide whether I should buy a RLBL shirt, or just get one MTM.

 

[binge]

Depending on where you are getting your MTM shirts, you might find that the quality of materials and worksmanship are higher in the higher-end shirts. However, with MTM you (hopefully) get a shirt that fits much better, and gives you the options of picking the specific details you want: collar size/shape/height, cuffs, pocket, placket, etc.

Of course one big variable is the wide range of MTM shirt experiences people here have had. For example, some have done very well with Jantzen; others wound up with train wrecks. The problems not necessarily due to any fault by Janzten, rather then inherent risk in measuring yourself for a shirt when you really don't know what you're doing. It seems to me that going to an MTM program where the shirtmaker (or through a tailor) measures you is far less risky.

That's what I've done. I use my tailors MTM program and I'm rather satisfied with the results. My main complaint is due to the paralysis of choice from all the fabric books -- it's impossible to decide sometimes. Comparing the shirts I've gotten through his MTM program to the Kiton and Borrelli hanging in my closet, it's no contest. The Kiton & Borrelli are definitely of a higher-quality material and are better made in various ways. However, the MTM shirts fit me soooooooooooooooo much better, and cost at least 1/3 less compared to the full retail price of Kiton/Borelli. This is also of my own choosing, I could go with higher-end fabrics and construction options via the MTM program, but I found fabrics I liked in my budget and am happy.

The thing is, even seeing Kiton (etc.) shirts on fire sale at Saks/Neiman for say $120-$150, I am hesitant because I know they won't fit as well.

Just my $.25. Others will have other opinions I'm sure.

 

[JeffC]

Originally Posted by thegreenlight

Is there any advantage to buying expensive (>$120) shirts when you could just buy MTM for less? I'm trying to decide whether I should buy a RLBL shirt, or just get one MTM.

Well, if it doesn't fit well, you'll be less upset when you spill red wine on it.

Jeff

 

[kngrimm]

The advantages (and I consider them large advantages) to buying more expensive shirts is fit, construction and fabric.

You are asking about RLBL and MTM... fit is really the only question at this point. If the only bad part is the bulky waist, just take them to a tailor and slim them up for $15-30. If it's shoulder length, bulky arms, bulky waist...

Maybe MTM is best... just depends on how well RTW fits you.

And with that.. I won't post much for awhile. Good Luck.

 

[suited]

It's totally dependent on fit. If you have an average build, there's not much of a benefit with MTM. If you have some sort of build where you have unusual measurements, MTM for the win.

 

[SVS]

I personally find MTM to fix and, therefore, look much better than anything off the rack. These holds true for the nicest OTR vs the cheapest MTM shirts.

I need MTM or to have the tailor nearly reconstruct an OTR shirt. If OTR fits you reasonably well, I'd go with OTR. Otherwise, MTM every time.