Critique the Fit (Land's End Custom & Nordstrom)

stephen · Aug 6, 2007

In the never-ending quest to find something that actually fits a tall, slim guy -- I had a custom shirt made by Land's End a while ago. It's been through the wash 5 times by now. I'm *not* impressed with the fabric (already looks kind of worn), but I did choose the cheapest one (100% cotton oxford). I've also posted a photo of an off-the-rack shirt I got at Nordstrom's Rack the other day. It's a 16x36 "Tailored Fit" Nordstrom label shirt. I've "reverse military tucked" the back so it's not completely parachute like. You can kind of tell in the back picture, but there are two 3" tucked pleats or so on each side of the back. Anyway -- what are your thoughts on the fit of each shirt? I may try for another Land's End one and wanted to know what people thought I should change. I have a few thoughts, but wanted to hear other opinions! Thanks! Land's End Custom:

Nordstrom:

Renty · Aug 6, 2007

I like the fit on the Nordstrom shirt better. My Lands End custom (same cloth) wrinkles at the sleeves which yours appears to be doing as well. This annoys me to no end and I'd consider shortening the sleeve length though it may be the fabric.

NorCal_1 · Aug 6, 2007

for $15, Nordstrom's tailors will take any extra material off the back of the shirt and make it fit like a glove - it's a service they've been offering for a while now

(or,,,, you could just hit the gym

)

Gong Tao · Aug 6, 2007

The Nordstrom shirt looks like a tent. The Land's End shirt is much better. The sleeves do look a bit long and if the cuffs were a tiny bit narrower the sleeves would not come so far down your hand.

oldseed · Aug 6, 2007

Originally Posted by Gong Tao

The Nordstrom shirt looks like a tent. The Land's End shirt is much better. The sleeves do look a bit long and if the cuffs were a tiny bit narrower the sleeves would not come so far down your hand.

ditto that. the land's end shirt could be 0.5 inches shorter or so. but it's the better shirt.

Tarmac · Aug 6, 2007

I vote for Land's End. Not a huge difference but clearly a little better.

ahbeijai · Aug 6, 2007

The LE shirt looks to fit a bit better, sleeves are a bit long. I'm now interested in the LE custom shirt program, can you provide the measurements/stats that you submitted for the LE shirt? It might be interesting to compare to your actual measurements.

Jared · Aug 6, 2007

Neither one is slim. LE sucks.

sho'nuff · Aug 6, 2007

isnt that slim enough? how slim do you guys like to wear your dress shirts, i mean, for me that is too slim. i like a more blousy fit.

mrphrog · Aug 6, 2007

I also think the Nordstorm one fits better in overall terms. The LE sleeves are too long and tend to wrinkle at the elbows. I also find my Jantzen shirts wrinkle quite a bit at the elbows compared to my OTR shirts, but maybe most OTR shirt fabrics are chemically treated somehow to resist wrinkles better.

stephen · Aug 6, 2007

I actually placed an order with Jantzen sometime last Fall, but never heard anything back from them.

The good thing about Land's End is they're fast and reliable... I've also heard their return policy is quite good. I might test it out soon and see if they'll still let me return this shirt. To add to the mix, I think I might change a few things: 1. Shorten the sleeves (1") -- reduce bunching and wrinkling? 2. Widen the cuffs (0.5") -- I can't pull my hand through without unbuttoning. What should a well-fitted shirt be like? 3. Take in the waist slightly -- Not sure if LE can do this anymore. 4. Button-down. My new collar preference. Much cleaner and easier if you're not wearing a jacket. 5. One-button on the cuff. Two-buttons look awkward without a jacket. 6. Different buttons. These are thick MOP. I think I prefer a less-yellowish thinner button. 7. Different fabric. Maybe a step up to 80s would result in a less "worn" look? Any more thoughts? I actually quite like the make of the Nordstrom one, but when I wear it for more than 5 minutes, my pleats get loose and it "pooches out" like I have a beer gut instead of a six pack.

overdog · Aug 6, 2007

Originally Posted by NorCal_1

for $15, Nordstrom's tailors will take any extra material off the back of the shirt and make it fit like a glove - it's a service they've been offering for a while now

(or,,,, you could just hit the gym

)

Can you take shirts from Nordstrom Rack into a retail Nordstrom and have them do this?

NorCal_1 · Aug 6, 2007

why not

just remove the tags and they'd have no idea where it came from

I'm pretty sure they will do that service for any shirt you bring in, their brand or not

philosophe · Aug 6, 2007

The Nordstrom shirt fits like a tent. The shoulders are too wide, and the back is huge.

The LE shirt looks better. I'd shorten the sleeves and see about taking out a little across the back (the front looks OK) and around the waist if you like a trimmer fit.

oldseed · Aug 6, 2007

Originally Posted by stephen

I actually placed an order with Jantzen sometime last Fall, but never heard anything back from them.

The good thing about Land's End is they're fast and reliable... I've also heard their return policy is quite good. I might test it out soon and see if they'll still let me return this shirt.

To add to the mix, I think I might change a few things:

1. Shorten the sleeves (1") -- reduce bunching and wrinkling?
2. Widen the cuffs (0.5") -- I can't pull my hand through without unbuttoning. What should a well-fitted shirt be like?
3. Take in the waist slightly -- Not sure if LE can do this anymore.
4. Button-down. My new collar preference. Much cleaner and easier if you're not wearing a jacket.
5. One-button on the cuff. Two-buttons look awkward without a jacket.
6. Different buttons. These are thick MOP. I think I prefer a less-yellowish thinner button.
7. Different fabric. Maybe a step up to 80s would result in a less "worn" look?

land's end, in my experience, has a great return policy. you don't need to widen the cuffs. you should not be able to slip your hand through while it's buttoned up. you should have to unbutton the cuffs each time you take off/put on the shirt. shortening the sleeves will do the trick... 1" might be too much; be sure how much it ought to be.

you may want to get your 80s shirt pressed at a dry cleaner's to see how it would look if done professionally... in the pix it doesn't look worn. if the look really bothers you than ya, go a step up. broadcloth.

seed

Critique the Fit (Land's End Custom & Nordstrom)

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