Linen dress shirts

[musicguy]

I'll be in Chile at the beach in Feb to participate in a wedding and will be wearing a cream linen/wool sport coat. The bride is okay with me wearing this. I'm planning on wearing a white shirt with a few buttons open. Since it is going to be rather warm then, I am thinking about getting a linen shirt made. Having never designed a linen dress shirt I'm interested in the thoughts of the SF hive mind. I wish I could buy Kent Wang's cotton/linen shirt, but unfortunately the measurements don't work for me. Does anyone on here have/wear pure linen dress shirts? Any thoughts about them? Since I'll most likely be going the el cheapo MT route, where should I loosen up the measurements? MT unfortunately doesn't have a pure white cotton/linen shirt. I found this from 2006, which I agree with

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

With linen, I don't want a form fit, but I don't want it to be baggy, either. There's a fine line here, and being on the wrong side of it can look terrible. Things I look for in a casual linen shirt: Quality linen Proper length Long sleeves, slightly blousy, that can be rolled up in a casual fashion A fit that is slightly looser than a dress shirt around the waist and chest, but not cut so large it looks like I'm wearing an improper size. I want the shoulders to fit. No pocket -- too often the pockets are comically oversized and throw off the balance of the shirt

 

[landshark]

While I am a customer of MT, I have heard nothing but bad stories about their linen cloth. Descriptions like rough, thick, etc.

 

[JoelF]

Never could get linen to tuck right as a dress shirt. MTM linen that I've ordered ended up hemmed as untucked casual shirts, work great for that.

 

[musicguy]

Originally Posted by landshark

While I am a customer of MT, I have heard nothing but bad stories about their linen cloth. Descriptions like rough, thick, etc.

Thanks, this helps a lot... even though it messes up my plan. Too bad Kent Wang's shoulders are too wide.

Originally Posted by JoelF

Never could get linen to tuck right as a dress shirt. MTM linen that I've ordered ended up hemmed as untucked casual shirts, work great for that.

It looks like I should be looking for cotton/linen.

 

[A Y]

Cotton-linen would be much better or just cotton like maybe a smooth broadcloth. Cotton's smooth texture would contrast nicely with the coat's rougher texture. You can also get cotton in a countryish pattern like gingham. Pink or lilac gingham and a cream linen/silk suit are pretty much my summer uniform.

--Andre

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

I'd probably just go with a light poplin cotton. I wore suits/ties all summer in the humid 90-100+ heat around here and it was fine. A linen shirt might have helped, but IMO not much.

 

[musicguy]

Originally Posted by A Y

Cotton-linen would be much better or just cotton like maybe a smooth broadcloth. Cotton's smooth texture would contrast nicely with the coat's rougher texture. You can also get cotton in a countryish pattern like gingham. Pink or lilac gingham and a cream linen/silk suit are pretty much my summer uniform.

--Andre

Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by SkinnyGoomba

I'd probably just go with a light poplin cotton. I wore suits/ties all summer in the humid 90-100+ heat around here and it was fine. A linen shirt might have helped, but IMO not much.

I think I'm going to ditch the linen. I was looking for linen because of the way it looks, more than the way it feels. I'll go for a lightweight cotton probably, unless I come across a linen blend shirt that fits me OTR.... which is incredibly unlikely.

 

[SpallaCamiccia]

I live in a warm country , Spain, so I got several linen dress shirts with wide spread collar. The ones mixed in 50% cotton and linen seems no not perspirate as good as 100 % linen and feel as bad an warm as a polyester one . So I avoid them.

Not sure why but it happens to me.

 

[NOBD]

I love linen in summer. I wear this one as a dress shirt:

 

[globetrotter]

I have a couple of 100% linen dress shirts. I see no problem with them.

 

[musicguy]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

I have a couple of 100% linen dress shirts. I see no problem with them.
Who made them? That is beautiful NOBD.

 

[thinman]

I own a white linen dress shirt, made for me by WW Chan. I doubt Chan can have a shirt for the OP in less than 2 months, though.

Edit: Brooks Brothers' could probably have a MTM linen shirt in the OP's hands within 2-3 weeks.

 

[NOBD]

Originally Posted by musicguy

That is beautiful NOBD.

Ice blue is great. I like navy too:

(Just to give you some ideas.)

 

[Trompe le Monde]

brooks makes/made very thick french linen sports shirt ... feels luxo but the thickness sorta defeats the purpose

it is however far too blousy. i have a form-fitting full-linen OTR from a milan shop (del mare 1911), love it lots. linen-cotton blends have nice 3d/slubby/crunchy texture too. for me its all about the textures - because down here in texas, summers are unbearable regardless of what youre draped under

 

[musicguy]

Originally Posted by thinman

I own a white linen dress shirt, made for me by WW Chan. I doubt Chan can have a shirt for the OP in less than 2 months, though. Edit: Brooks Brothers' could probably have a MTM linen shirt in the OP's hands within 2-3 weeks.
I know I should've thought of this earlier... These things just creep up on me. BB is a good idea. I'm planning on stopping by tomorrow anyway. I'll see what they have.

Originally Posted by NOBD

Ice blue is great. I like navy too:

(Just to give you some ideas.)
I like! Hrmm... My jacket looks similar too, although less slate and more cream. Great idea!

Originally Posted by Trompe le Monde

brooks makes/made very thick french linen sports shirt ... feels luxo but the thickness sorta defeats the purpose it is however far too blousy. i have a form-fitting full-linen OTR from a milan shop (del mare 1911), love it lots. linen-cotton blends have nice 3d/slubby/crunchy texture too. for me its all about the textures - because down here in texas, summers are unbearable regardless of what youre draped under
I'll see what BB has... chunky linen is not what I'm looking for.