noob alert: trying packaged dress shirts in the store

bmn111 · Jan 3, 2009

while I've done okay developing a personal style with casual cloths, I've never had to dress like a real grown up.

I'm now confronted with buying dress shirts, and its been challenging to find ones with slim cuts (the sticky thread in this forum has been quite helpful).

My question is much more fundamental/newbish in nature. The dress shirts in most stores are packaged and pinned up six ways to Sunday. There's tons of paper and cardboard and plastic and pins. Often there are no "loose" shirts to try on.

What is the etiquette here? How am I supposed to try these things on at the store to figure out if I like it or not? Do I have to buy it shirts try them at home and return the ones I don't like? I never see any packaging in the dressing rooms, so I assume people don't undo the shirts in the stores.

Sorry again for the basic question. Love this community BTW. Lots of good advice and witty people.

fcuknu · Jan 3, 2009

well you are suppose to buy via your neck size without trying it on. In most cases the bodice will be too big, but hey, at least you can button your collar.

Reborn · Jan 3, 2009

Undo the shirts then avoid eye contact with the minimum wage 18 year old stock boy who has to refold it. It's also nice to notice the different cuts a store offers so you don't wind up having to try on every color you want when they are all the same cut and will all fit the same.

Going home to try a shirt on because of it being folded in store is an insane waste of time.

Cravate_Noire · Jan 3, 2009

If the shop assitant doesn't unpack the shirt so that you can try it on if you're not sure, I wouldn't buy it.
At least I expect that in higher end shops. Be so kind and wear an undershirt though^^.

tonylumpkin · Jan 3, 2009

Open the package and try the shirt on. If anyone objects, you now know one place NOT to buy your shirts.

Crooow · Jan 3, 2009

As has been said, you have every right to take it out of the package and try it on. If it's a nicer store, they will take the shirt out for you; if not, no big deal. Don't ask for permission to do it, just tell them you would like to try it on, please show you to a fitting room.

Once you have some experience with brands, you will no longer need to do it and can buy based solely on size; but until that time, you're the one spending the money, don't hesitate to try on whatever you feel like.

Crooow · Jan 3, 2009

And for what it's worth, I'm sure nearly everyone had the same question when they first started buying nicer shirts. I know I was certainly intimidated my first trip into Saks as a buyer with disposable income.

JayJay · Jan 3, 2009

Originally Posted by Crooow

As has been said, you have every right to take it out of the package and try it on. If it's a nicer store, they will take the shirt out for you; if not, no big deal. Don't ask for permission to do it, just tell them you would like to try it on, please show you to a fitting room.

Exactly!

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noob alert: trying packaged dress shirts in the store

bmn111

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