My Charvet Experience

I am sitting in my hotel in Paris having just returned from Charvet. This has been on my agenda for quite some time, and I was looking forward to the experience of a custom Charvet shirt. First an apology Charvet does not allow photos if their shop so you'll have to rely on my descriptions (poor as they are).

Charvet is located at 28 Rue Vendome near Metro Opera, the shop is located on an expensive shopping district that embarasses Rodeo Drive. My sole reason to go there was to buy what is called a demi-measure shirt. Demi-measure is something more than MTM but less than bespoke. Once I entered the store I was quickly assisted by an employee who I told what I wanted. She directed me first to a price guide which clearly showed the prices of the shirts. She then explained the difference between demi-measure, custom and bespoke. The difference is really in the amount of details you want, and the number of fittings you need.

I had decided due to cost and time to get a demi-measure shirt made. Once that was decided I was escorted to an elevator to the 2nd floor where the material samples were. Once there I was shown to a room and given various Charvet shirts were hung and asked to try many of them one to see which ones fit me, once a general fit was decided I spoke to the cutter who not only measured me bug helped decide what small adjustments would be made. This is where the difference between bespoke, MTM, and demi-measure become apparent. For example having different sleeve lengths, custom shirt cut, and drape of the shirt all led to a shirt that had enough custom attributes to count as demi-measure.

After being measured I was taken out to the room to pick out my choice of fabric. This was the hardest part for me, I spent quite some time on this to find what worked best for me, the salesperson helped out in the process and after a few minutes settled on a subtle striped blue.

It will take four weeks for the shirt to be delivered and I will be sure to post pics when it arrives.

Looking forward to seeing the results. If it's not appropriate to post, please PM me regarding the price range of the shirts and materials you considered.

Thanks in advance.

Twotone

[email protected]

Id like some intel to ... PM is great.

Do they for example have different choices in the MOP buttons?

Thanks

Speed

There is a great difference in price depending on fabric, and amount of work desired for the custom fit, the least expensive simple shirts with minor alterations were in the 200 Euro range, demi-measure was closer to 390 Euro for my choice.

great! looking forward to photos, I really enjoyed the last member's photos of his new demi measure shirts.

What else is located on Rue Vendome? Sounds like a wonderful street of shops, wondered if you recall what's located in that area.

for 390 euros, can't you just go bespoke elsewhere? Please take some photos when you receive the product.

Originally Posted by petitnoblesse

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There is a great difference in price depending on fabric, and amount of work desired for the custom fit, the least expensive simple shirts with minor alterations were in the 200 Euro range, demi-measure was closer to 390 Euro for my choice.

I enjoyed your post. I am traveling to Paris this month, and I intend to visit Charvet. I live in Houston, and I buy bespoke shirts at Hamilton. It's hard to not be satisfied with Hamilton being in one's home town; but I am curious to kick the tires at Charvet while in Paris. I'll be sure and post a "compare and contrast" comment when I return.

Originally Posted by Coho

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for 390 euros, can't you just go bespoke elsewhere? Please take some photos when you receive the product.

I imagine it counts for a lot that it's Charvet, though. If they're really good fitters, I imagine some people might get as good a fit through their demi-measure program as through other bespoke services.

I've written and posted pictures of my two experiences with Charvet Justin, feel free to look them up.

Originally Posted by Coho

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for 390 euros, can't you just go bespoke elsewhere? Please take some photos when you receive the product.
I am imagining that it is not a cheap fabric for a 390 mtm shirt. Anyway, quality generally costs money. There are not, in the end, good ways around that fact.

Even the most expensive fabrics (I am thinking of the pricier ones from Alumo) don't cost more than 200 Euros for the 2m double width required for an average sized shirt. So however you look at it that is quite expensive in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Sator

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Even the most expensive fabrics (I am thinking of the pricier ones from Alumo) don't cost more than 200 Euros for the 2m double width required for an average sized shirt. So however you look at it that is quite expensive in my opinion.

So they shouldn't get paid for the work involved in making a shirt, making a profit and building a brand?

I like the Charvet I have off the rack and have always been interested in going to Charvet, if I ever go to Paris, for thier custom shirt service, however, for 200-400 EU per shirt it seems like your paying more for a name. With these prices your looking at 300-600 american dollars per shirt. Seems like I could get local bespoke that will probably fit just as well, if not better considering its bespoke.

Originally Posted by edmorel

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So they shouldn't get paid for the work involved in making a shirt, making a profit and building a brand?

Yes, as long as they make the profit from someone else. Still, Charvet are meant to be very good.

Thankfully, I get my bespoke shirts made locally for much, much less than that.

I absolutely paid a premium because its Charvet. This was a one off thing for me and the cost reflects that. It won't be a habit but bottom line is that I enjoyed the entire experience, I have had MTM shirts made for far less but the experience was far less as well.