OCBD roundup (with pictures)

[wmmk]

OK, so by now, most of you have read my ramblings re: my neverending quest for the perfect slim OCBD (still haven't found it). I know a few other posters who are in a similar situation, so I thought it might be helpful to compile all this stuff in one place. Feel free to post your own experiences with other brands.

H&M:

$20~$50
Usually not actual oxford cloth, but buttondown collars tend to be available. Fits slim and reasonably long, but often have weird details like black/bright colored buttons, and seemingly random contrast stitching. Decently tapered, despite lack of darts/sewn down back pleat. Collars are small and, in the words of Teger, "eat dick."

RL Rugby:

$70
Oxford cloth is soft & lightweight, solid shirts are cut slimmer than striped ones. Collars are decently-sized, but are too flimsy to have a really nice roll. Fit is nothing to write home about; armholes are low. The collars have a third button in the back, which I personally like.

American Apparel:

$55
Pinpoint oxford, has a little sheen and is very flimsy. Drapes badly. The colors are markedly different than your traditional Brooks Brothers variety, but not different enough to make it obvious that the shirts aren't supposed to be classic (e.g., instead of light pink, they have this weird coral color that I'm wearing in the photo). On the plus side, these go down to XXS, which most mall stores don't. FWIW, I'm wearing an XS AA oxford, while I'm wearing smalls in the other brands

Kent Wang x Thick as Thieves:

$105
Thin & lightweight, but high quality, royal oxford cloth. Thicker MoP buttons than I've ever seen before. Fits decently slim, and Kent plans to introduce a size 14.5 version soon (his current smallest is a 15), but seems to work best tucked. Details (no back pleat, mitered cuffs, slight sheen to fabric, no front placket) also make it dressier.

Brooks Brothers Black Fleece
(No picture, since Brooks Brothers' mirrors skew things to make you look taller & slimmer)
$150
Very heavy oxford cloth, nice MoP buttons, awesome collar roll. 3/4 length placket makes it awkward to wear untucked. Fit is decently slim, but not especially tapered. Armholes are very high, but sleeves are comically short.

Band of Outsiders
~$250 retail, easily had for less on sale/Gilt/B&S

Also great fabric, buttons, & collar roll. Perfect for a lot of folks, but a bit too short for a gawky kid like me.

Possibly coming soon: Shipley & Halmos, Thick as Thieves (if/when Jason decides to make some OCBD's), Jump the Gun UK (not oxford cloth, but nice buttondowns nevertheless), Made-to-Measure

 

[whodini]

You should look into Agnes B.

And Krell.

 

[adamha21]

What about Gitman?

 

[Dashaansafin]

Krell is too big for him isnt it? It seems BoO is boxy on him in XS...Krell is not as fitted.

Honestly WWMK, I would just go to a tailor and get a custom shirt. It costs less than most of the shirts you listed and youll be perfectly happy while leaving BoO size Smalls for me.

 

[mulansauce]

Never give up. If worse comes to worse, you could always just invest more money in food and less in oxfords.

 

[nakedundermyclothes]

Win.

 

[jet]

Originally Posted by adamha21

What about Gitman?

I was going to say this, I've heard good things.

Wmmk just find a shirt that fits well in the chest and shoulders, take it to a tailor and have him put a couple darts and shorten it for you that's what I did with a pos shirt I had. Be careful with the length, it may appear fine when you point out what you want but may end up too short as mine did.

 

[Smahatma]

That BoO looks straight up clownish on you.

 

[djs488]

Originally Posted by jet

Be careful with the length, it may appear fine when you point out what you want but may end up too short as mine did.
+1, I routinely get my shirts tailored too short; easy mistake to make.

 

[why]

Originally Posted by nakedundermyclothes

Win.

I like how his teeth match his shirt.

 

[Mazda]

Originally Posted by Smahatma

That BoO looks straight up clownish on you.

sssssssh don't tell them. I'm patiently waiting for the hipster uniform fit to creep into the bizarre fits it has been bordering on for the past few years. a cropped jacket/shirt fit is one thing but I can't help but laugh at the clowns wearing Boo fit where the hem is a quarter inch above their waist when they move.

gangsters in xxxl long shirts and dickies belted below their ass have a better excuse for such abortion fits.

I've got my fingers crossed for cinched arm holes and shirts cut at cropped vest length. Slap a Boo label on it and we are all good.

 

[WhoKnewI]

The BoO would be perfect if it was a little longer.

In regards to shortening a shirt, I think it shouldn't be any shorter than your wrists when you have your hands at your side.

 

[why]

Why do people spend so much on shirts trying to find a good cut? Just take them to a tailor and have them fit perfectly for $15.

 

[Mazda]

Originally Posted by why

I like how his teeth match his shirt.

While I commend the monochrome tie, shirt, pocket square, teeth, hair look, the shirt clearly clashes with his rosacea.

 

[PinkPantser]

As i've said elsewhere, I think the fit on the Rugby shirt looks great. The KW shirt looks pretty good too.

Did you ever end up getting a rugby shirt altered to bring in the arms and body? IIRC, you were balking at this for some reason that I didn't understand.