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Softening a thin, scratchy shirt?

Cayne-Abel

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About 2 weeks ago, I picked up my fifth custom shirt from a tailor by Wall Street. The fit is great, just like the other shirts. Unlike the other shirts, however, the fabric feels horrible. First of all, it's very thin - much thinner than the other shirts. Secondly (and most importantly), it's very scratchy. For example, when I have my collar unbuttoned, and the collar point brushes up against the shirt's fabric below my collar bone, the scratchiness makes me cringe.

In hindsight, I screwed up by not paying more attention to the feel of the material when I selected it - I simply saw the color (solid darkish blue), and essentially picked the fabric based on that.

Two questions:

1) Based on the description, does anything know what type of material this is?

2) Is there any way to remove the scratchiness? What about fabric softener? If so, what's the best kind and best way to use it? I heard that softener will reduce the life of the shirt, but I don't mind much, if it'll feel better.
 

Ataturk

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Liquid fabric softener might help. It's all the same as far as I know.

To make shirts softer when I wash them myself, I dampen them a little with a spray bottle and toss them in the dryer on the "no heat" setting for 20-30 minutes. Then iron.

It may soften up after being washed a few times, also.
 

Cayne-Abel

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Originally Posted by kylelovesyou
Why not just have them replace it?

I don't know, I never considered it, to be honest. Would I be a total douche if I asked? Or, if not for a free replacement, a discounted one?
 

ter1413

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if you don't mind...how much per shirt and what is the name of the tailor???
 

Cayne-Abel

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Originally Posted by ter1413
if you don't mind...how much per shirt and what is the name of the tailor???

King's Tailor, by Pearl and Water streets. $140 for one, $350 for three. His work is usually very good for the price (at least so far as I can tell), and it's usually ready in 6-9 days.
 

Shirtmaven

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the same shirtmaker who told you your first shirt was Sea island cotton.

if the fabric was on the shelf, then you really don't have much of a say, though he might be selling you some junk to even out the cost of higher priced "Sea Island cotton"

if it was from a swatch book, then he might not have know either.

wash it a few times. it might improve as fibers break down
 

Cayne-Abel

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Originally Posted by Shirtmaven
the same shirtmaker who told you your first shirt was Sea island cotton.

if the fabric was on the shelf, then you really don't have much of a say, though he might be selling you some junk to even out the cost of higher priced "Sea Island cotton"

if it was from a swatch book, then he might not have know either.

wash it a few times. it might improve as fibers break down


Yes, same shirtmaker. And thanks for the tip Carl.
 

MyOtherLife

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If you are not opposed to the idea, wear a V-neck undershirt under the shirt.
 

Srynerson

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Originally Posted by Man Of Lint
If you are not opposed to the idea, wear a V-neck undershirt under the shirt.

Agreed. That's the solution I've always used for scratchy shirts.
 

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