Similar in pattern to Thomas Pink, but better value?

[TheEngineer]

I don't own any Thomas Pink shirts. They seem to have some really imaginative patterns, which I would very much like to wear. But the consensus on this forum and elsewhere seems to be that their prices ($185 for a slim fit shirt) are not justified considering the level of quality.

I'd like to find another company that does similar patterns but offers a better value. I don't care so much about the price range, so long as I get what I pay for. A shirt of moderate quality priced moderately would be fine, as would a high-quality shirt at a high price.

I've looked at Harvie and Hudson, Lewin, and Tyrwhitt. (Indeed I own some Tyrwhitt.) I've found some wonderful stuff, but nothing similar to the bold, unusual patterns of Pink. Does anyone know of a company that might have what I'm looking for?

I live in the US, but I'm happy to purchase from England or elsewhere provided the company will ship to me.

 

[add911_11]

Budd Shirts

Turnbull Shirts

Hiditch & Key Shirts

you are on your way and why not consider CEGO shirts, MTM and well priced items, located in US (I believed)

 

[TheEngineer]

Thanks! I just looked at Budd and H&K. They both seem to offer pretty standard patterns, like what I've found through Tyrwhitt. I'm really looking for something a little more imaginative, which is what drew me to Pink.

Does Turnbull have an RTW line?

I am indeed looking at MTM, but so far, none of the makers I've looked at has anything other than standard patterns.

Here's a question I've been pondering. Everyone who's analyzed the workmanship in recent Pink shirts has found it to be inconsistent at best. However, it's possible, I suppose, that there are other factors that make the shirts expensive to produce. For example, does it cost more to manufacture the unusual patterns they offer? E.g. is it particularly expensive to make a pattern like this:

http://www.us.thomaspink.com/Gate-S...m-Fit-Shirts/thomas-pink/fcp-product/99920758

I don't know anything about how shirting is made, so perhaps the answer is a resounding "no." But if anyone is familiar with this, please do share your insight.

 

[antikantian]



Does Turnbull have an RTW line?

I am indeed looking at MTM, but so far, none of the makers I've looked at has anything other than standard patterns.

Yes, T&A has a RTW line. Mr. Porter has a small selection (e.g. http://www.mrporter.com/product/168195). If you go bespoke, there are a ton of interesting limited fabrics, and more are added frequently. I'm a bespoke customer, and I definitely get choice paralysis when ordering new shirts - almost too many fabrics, some of which sell out quite quickly. Their permanents are a bit more subdued, but also quite extensive.

Also, you might want to look at Ralph Lauren Purple Label (I think these are made by Lorenzini??) - I have a RLPL that looks very similar to the Pink one that you link to.

That said, I also have a few shirts from Thomas Pink, and I'm pretty happy with them. They have held up well over the years.

 

[TheEngineer]

Thanks!

You're right--RLPL does indeed have some very interesting patterns of exactly the sort I was looking for. I'm surprised I'd never come across those before. I guess the RL line is so huge, I've only really seen a fraction of it.

At prices greater than double those of Thomas Pink, would you say that the RLPL quality makes it worthwhile? Is there that much of a difference? Because my main goal here is to get good value. Pink charges 4 times what I pay for Tyrwhitt on sale, and my main concern is that I'd still be getting Tyrwhitt quality or worse. RLPL would be 8 times what I normally pay. I can't imagine bespoke or MTM would be much pricier than RLPL. Is it really as good as the sticker would have you believe?

 

[lee_44106]

You are obvious enamored with Pink's pattern and color, so just get it and be done with.

The price you pay for a Pink shirt is a bit high for the quality you'd get, but the shirt are not THAT bad.

It cost a lot of money to run all those fancy looking stores and advertise themselves.

I have Pink shirts from about 15 years ago, all made in England and pretty good quality.

The only thing I like about Pink now is the great smell and fragrance they circulate throughout the store.

 

[antikantian]



Thanks!

You're right--RLPL does indeed have some very interesting patterns of exactly the sort I was looking for. I'm surprised I'd never come across those before. I guess the RL line is so huge, I've only really seen a fraction of it.

At prices greater than double those of Thomas Pink, would you say that the RLPL quality makes it worthwhile? Is there that much of a difference? Because my main goal here is to get good value. Pink charges 4 times what I pay for Tyrwhitt on sale, and my main concern is that I'd still be getting Tyrwhitt quality or worse. RLPL would be 8 times what I normally pay. I can't imagine bespoke or MTM would be much pricier than RLPL. Is it really as good as the sticker would have you believe?

I've never really compared relative quality - until you asked the question just now. I'm not a tailor, and I usually just buy based on aesthetics/fit/convenience, so everything I say is suspect - I have no idea how to assess quality other than how it looks to my untrained eye. Looking at five different shirts (Pink, Mel Gambert bespoke, T&A RTW, T&A bespoke, and RLPL), I notice a difference in the stitching, seams, and overall construction in the Pink versus the rest (Pink is a bit sloppier; bear in mind, however, that this is the oldest shirt in the lot, and it's been through the ringer in terms of washes). I don't see much of a difference in quality between the T&A, Gambert, and RLPL. Is the RLPL worth hundreds more than the Pink? My custom shirts are obviously of more value to me, but that's a function of the fit, not the construction.

Gambert (http://www.gambertshirts.com/) also has a wide fabric selection, and their prices are in the range of Pink to RLPL (cheapest one I have was $180, most expensive maybe $370).

 

[Fred G. Unn]

A couple of others to consider if you want RTW with some bolder fabrics:

Paul Stuart
http://www.paulstuart.com/category_...14&subProdCatId=0&MainCatId=14&headermenuid=1
Also click on the Phineas Cole link at the top for that line.

Eton
http://www.etonshirts.com/en/#collection
Click on Collections, then pick something.

 

[Fred G. Unn]

Actually Paul Stuart's "sport shirts" might be closer to what you're looking for:
http://www.paulstuart.com/category_...&ProdCatId=1006&subProdCatId=0&headermenuid=1

If you're anywhere near NYC or Chicago I would definitely recommend a trip to a Paul Stuart store. The NYC store is huge and has several times the amount of items that the website has.
Fred

 

[add911_11]

If you really want imaginative pattern shirt. check this out:

http://www.blaqua.net/

My favorite causal shirt for the go, not sure about the USA culture on these