Proper Cloth - Official Affiliate Thread

[never_behind]

That sounds strange. Was it bigger or smaller? Have you contacted customer service about that?

Bigger. The last shirt was bigger in the waist, too. I sent an email to CS this morning.

 

[K. Nights]

Can anyone advise how much the Baird linens shrink with a cold wash? Kind of nervous to order since the shrinkage seems to vary so much between fabrics

 

[grenache]

Can anyone advise how much the Baird linens shrink with a cold wash? Kind of nervous to order since the shrinkage seems to vary so much between fabrics

I have two shirts in the Baird linen and did not notice any extreme shrinkage after cold wash, hang dry. I’d note that I did make these a bit looser than my normal size as I had them made up as casual shirts to be worn untucked so I could’ve missed it. Sleeve length arrived a bit long as PC intended, but was right on after the first wash.

 

[grenache]

Is anyone else having issues where shirts are coming in at measurements way off the saved size? I just ordered a madras and the waist is 0.75” off on the half measure after washing. I get tolerance but 1.5” of excess fabric just seems, well, excessive. I had the same issue with a previous order they had to remake.

No, I have ~50 shirts now in a wide variety of fabrics and never experienced this. There’s definitely a shirt here or there that fit slightly different/off in a way I can’t really identify, but 90+% of the time the shirts are on spec and fit as expected.

One time I did get a shirt that shrunk more than expected and PC was very responsive in offering a refund after I made them aware of the issue.

 

[Aloysius16]

Is anyone else having issues where shirts are coming in at measurements way off the saved size? I just ordered a madras and the waist is 0.75” off on the half measure after washing. I get tolerance but 1.5” of excess fabric just seems, well, excessive. I had the same issue with a previous order they had to remake.

I had exactly the same issue. All measures were in line with spec plus tolerance but the waist/midsection was also about 0.75" too big on the half measure after washing.

 

[LVEsq]

New poster - but have been lurking for many years now. Just ordered my very first shirt from PC - and I am very excited about it. I still have to wear shirts and ties to work (my field is a dinosaur and it is unlikely to change in the future), so I am always on a hunt for dress shirts. I have had a few custom shirts, but mostly get Turnbull, Hawes and CT stuff for daily wear. I have come across a Norwegian brand - Dandy & Sons - and they have some interesting wide-open cut away stuff.

The PC shirt I ordered has the Milano color - which I am excited about because I can fit a bigger tie knot.

 

[Seph]

I had exactly the same issue. All measures were in line with spec plus tolerance but the waist/midsection was also about 0.75" too big on the half measure after washing.

We actually add 0.5" to the half-width measurement of chest/midsection/bottom widths by default. If you're seeing this consistently then that's likely what that is.

 

[never_behind]

No, I have ~50 shirts now in a wide variety of fabrics and never experienced this. There’s definitely a shirt here or there that fit slightly different/off in a way I can’t really identify, but 90+% of the time the shirts are on spec and fit as expected.

One time I did get a shirt that shrunk more than expected and PC was very responsive in offering a refund after I made them aware of the issue.

I am probably only around 20 shirts or so. Never had this issue until the last couple of orders. They responded they have a flat 0.5” shrinkage allowance in the waist but I’ve already washed the shirt twice and everything is fine but the waist. I’m stumped.

 

[never_behind]

We actually add 0.5" to the half-width measurement of chest/midsection/bottom widths by default. If you're seeing this consistently then that's likely what that is.

Wouldn’t it be consistent across all those measurements? What I am finding is the chest is on target but the waist is too big after multiple washes. Seems like they’d be consistently on target or both too big.

 

[Aloysius16]

We actually add 0.5" to the half-width measurement of chest/midsection/bottom widths by default. If you're seeing this consistently then that's likely what that is.

sure, I took that into account.When the shirt arrived the midsection was about 1" bigger on the half measure, whereas the chest and bottom were 0.5" bigger in line with the tolerance. Seems like the same issue that Never_Behind reports.

 

[Seph]

Wouldn’t it be consistent across all those measurements? What I am finding is the chest is on target but the waist is too big after multiple washes. Seems like they’d be consistently on target or both too big.

Yeah - I agree that would make sense... Fabrics can be tricky though - many variables. And these Indian madras ones are definitely on the artisanal side of the spectrum where things can become more unpredictable.

One other thing we've seen related to this midsection width issue is that, as some fabrics stretch more than others, depending how they are laundered/pressed, if the shirt is aggressively spread out while wet, and then ironed with tension on the shirt, it can cause the fabric to stay wider after it dries.

Are you having those madras shirts washed/pressed by a cleaner? Or are you washing at home and letting them air-dry on a hanger? Are they being ironed at all?

 

[never_behind]

Yeah - I agree that would make sense... Fabrics can be tricky though - many variables. And these Indian madras ones are definitely on the artisanal side of the spectrum where things can become more unpredictable.

One other thing we've seen related to this midsection width issue is that, as some fabrics stretch more than others, depending how they are laundered/pressed, if the shirt is aggressively spread out while wet, and then ironed with tension on the shirt, it can cause the fabric to stay wider after it dries.

Are you having those madras shirts washed/pressed by a cleaner? Or are you washing at home and letting them air-dry on a hanger? Are they being ironed at all?

Cold wash at home with air dry. I did give it a light press. I have two other madras that I’ve treated the same and the waist is perfect. I did have the same issue with too big a waist on an OCBD and cotton/linen blend.

 

[dieworkwear]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a collar style that will work with the polo fabrics and will result in a soft roll like this? Not looking for something with a button-down construction, but something that will stand up and have a tiny bit of roll when worn with a tailored jacket:

 

[grenache]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a collar style that will work with the polo fabrics and will result in a soft roll like this? Not looking for something with a button-down construction, but something that will stand up and have a tiny bit of roll when worn with a tailored jacket:

View attachment 1652453

Maybe the Soft Roma Spread, pretty tall collar though.

 

[LVEsq]

I am new to the thread - but I wanted to say that I love Proper Cloth. I placed an initial Order a month ago, playing with the options for the color and fabrics - and I did a "smart size" estimate, thinking that I will need to change a few things and tweak sizes. Well, to my astonishment, the size was perfect in every possible way. The fabric, the cut, the details - all amazing. I ordered a Milano two-button tall collar - which I have never worn, but I love it and I think it looks great with the way I tie my knot.

So I just ordered 5 more shirts. I use dress shirts for work, and am very particular in what I like. I always get white collar/white cuffs. So my order is going to be fairly standard - White Milano Collar · White French Cuff · Standard Front Placket · Split Yoke · Rounded Hem · Roma Buttons · The only difference will be the fabric used on the body of the shirt.

Very happy to get away from ordering Hawes & Curtis or TM Lewin/CH, etc. and always hunt for my size.