Recommendations for best formal/work shirts?

FrankFalcon

Hi all 

I have recently been told by work that I’ve been promoted. Part of this promotion will involve more office work. Off come the dark, company issue, polo shirts. On come the nice clean, crisp work shirts. I’m a bloke that likes to wear a clean shirt every single morning. I typed in google for the best quality shirts but it came up with high end designer names, which is not viable financially. So, my question to you guys is… please can you give me your ‘opinion’ and recommendation for a good value/ brand shirt that won’t break the bank? I have quite a big neck, so would prefer button down collar to avoid the ‘Harry Hill’ sticky out collar look. I know that this is a loaded question and that people will have different opinions. That is fine. That’s what I’m after. So, to summarise, I’m after your opinions on your choice of Cotton shirts for the office, that will also still look smart in the pub at lunchtime or on Friday after work.  Button down collar preferable. If I’m not being too selective I’d say £25 - £30 price range. 

Thanks all 

Cairnpapple

Spouse used to buy his shirts from Slaters Menswear when he worked in office, mostly Guthrie & Valentine brand which held up well but don't meet your button down requirement. Farah was good for button down but had less office-smart options. 

What I would say is, once you find a brand you like and know your size in that brand, get yourself on Vinted to look for some bargains.  Even if you don't want to wear second hand, there are usually listings that are brand new with/without tags. If you find someone that is selling several shirts so you don't have to pay separate posting for each one, it can work out really well.  Spouse's last order was 2 beautiful condition M&S shirts and a Next polo for £17.34 in total (including Vinted fee and postage).

HouseMartin567

My recommendation would be Charles Tyrwhitt. They often have a selection of £30 ‘sale’ shirts, or they do 4 for £150 which I accept is just above your price range - however they do button-down and don’t need ironing (unless perhaps you are in a super-formal job which requires it).

J63320

HouseMartin567 said:

My recommendation would be Charles Tyrwhitt. They often have a selection of £30 ‘sale’ shirts, or they do 4 for £150 which I accept is just above your price range - however they do button-down and don’t need ironing (unless perhaps you are in a super-formal job which requires it).

Another vote for Charles Tyrwhitt. My late husband started wearing them when he found the quality of M&S was going down - and he used to work in textiles so he knew what he was talking about. The fabric is good and they are well made so they fit well and last for ages

Labtebricolist

I’d avoid all the pseudo-Jermyn Street brands like Lewin, Tyrwhitt, and similar.  Their shirts are cheaply made, wash terribly, and contain bad fusing on the collars and cuffs.  The fact that they are permanently on sale should be a warning.

With your budget and preference for button down I’d strongly suggest trying the shirts at Uniqlo.  For the price they are excellent - simple classic design and reasonable fabric & construction.  I buy custom shirts for dress occasions / formal meetings, but I still have quite a few Uniqlos in my collection.

This is a good example - nice plain white and blue options, large range of sizes, and have slim and regular fit.  https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E475940-000/00?colorDisplayCode=00&sizeDisplayCode=004

DullGreyGuy

Labtebricolist said:

I’d avoid all the pseudo-Jermyn Street brands like Lewin, Tyrwhitt, and similar.  Their shirts are cheaply made, wash terribly, and contain bad fusing on the collars and cuffs.  The fact that they are permanently on sale should be a warning.

It just says the sale price is the real price and the claim they are really £70 is just fantasy. Irrespective of their claimed sales I find their quality is ok, not great but it's only £35 per shirt so you shouldn't be expecting hand stitching etc and the durability is good. 

Uniqlo dont offer different sleeve lengths so are a non-starter for me as adding the cost of getting the sleeves shortened is disproportional on a £35 shirt. 

FrankFalcon said:

I typed in google for the best quality shirts but it came up with high end designer names, which is not viable financially.

Realistically your budget is at the lower end of high street names prices so hoping to get the best quality possible at that price is ultimately unrealistic. The best of the best is probably someone like 100 Hands, rather than a designer brand, but adding a 0 to your price only buys you their most basic model. 

FrankFalcon said:

On come the nice clean, crisp work shirts. I’m a bloke that likes to wear a clean shirt every single morning.

Button down collars are technically a more casual configuration, though some Americans insist on trying to wear a tie with them. As such the majority of makers only offer it on Oxford or Twill weaves which have more texture and are heavier than Poplin so also seen as more casual. 

Plenty of guys where them to work, most oxfords are not the very heavy/slubby fabric of old these days and they look ok. They however are unlikely to be described as "crisp" which is much more Poplin's territory. Uniqlo dont work for me but they are unusual in offering button down in lighter fabrics. 

Ectophile

Supermarket own-brand shirts are cheap.  They look OK, but feel cheap and crinkly when you put them on.  Probably too much added polyester.

I find Marks and Spencer shirts are significantly better quality, without paying the silly prices for brand name ones.  I tend to save my M&S shirts for occasions such as business meetings.

Ectophile

Supermarket own-brand shirts are cheap.  They look OK, but feel cheap and crinkly when you put them on.  Probably too much added polyester.

I find Marks and Spencer shirts are significantly better quality, without paying the silly prices for brand name ones.  I tend to save my M&S shirts for occasions such as business meetings.

Admiral_Barbarossa

M&S End of! Sorted!

Grumpy_chap

FrankFalcon said:

Hi all 

I have recently been told by work that I’ve been promoted. Part of this promotion will involve more office work. Off come the dark, company issue, polo shirts. On come the nice clean, crisp work shirts. I’m a bloke that likes to wear a clean shirt every single morning. I typed in google for the best quality shirts but it came up with high end designer names, which is not viable financially. So, my question to you guys is… please can you give me your ‘opinion’ and recommendation for a good value/ brand shirt that won’t break the bank? I have quite a big neck, so would prefer button down collar to avoid the ‘Harry Hill’ sticky out collar look. I know that this is a loaded question and that people will have different opinions. That is fine. That’s what I’m after. So, to summarise, I’m after your opinions on your choice of Cotton shirts for the office, that will also still look smart in the pub at lunchtime or on Friday after work.  Button down collar preferable. If I’m not being too selective I’d say £25 - £30 price range. 

Thanks all 

To meet that brief, I would say it has to be Charles Tyrwhitt.  The standard price is a bit higher than the indicated price range, but there are often offers such as 3 for £99 which would seem to be spot on.

Make the effort to actually visit one of their stores and get a measure then you can have the correct shirt collar, shoulder, fit (classic, slim, extra slim, etc) and sleeve length to suit your figure.  A well-fitting shirt of any price will present far better than a poorly fitting yet expensive designer brand shirt.

I also like the fact that the Charles Tyrwhitt shirts have no logo or branding so no-one can really tell whether you are wearing a budget or premium shirt.

If you prefer off-the peg, my current "go to" would be Next.  Far better currently than M&S.

DullGreyGuy

Grumpy_chap said:

FrankFalcon said:

Hi all 

I have recently been told by work that I’ve been promoted. Part of this promotion will involve more office work. Off come the dark, company issue, polo shirts. On come the nice clean, crisp work shirts. I’m a bloke that likes to wear a clean shirt every single morning. I typed in google for the best quality shirts but it came up with high end designer names, which is not viable financially. So, my question to you guys is… please can you give me your ‘opinion’ and recommendation for a good value/ brand shirt that won’t break the bank? I have quite a big neck, so would prefer button down collar to avoid the ‘Harry Hill’ sticky out collar look. I know that this is a loaded question and that people will have different opinions. That is fine. That’s what I’m after. So, to summarise, I’m after your opinions on your choice of Cotton shirts for the office, that will also still look smart in the pub at lunchtime or on Friday after work.  Button down collar preferable. If I’m not being too selective I’d say £25 - £30 price range. 

Thanks all 

To meet that brief, I would say it has to be Charles Tyrwhitt.  The standard price is a bit higher than the indicated price range, but there are often offers such as 3 for £99 which would seem to be spot on.

Make the effort to actually visit one of their stores and get a measure then you can have the correct shirt collar, shoulder, fit (classic, slim, extra slim, etc) and sleeve length to suit your figure.  A well-fitting shirt of any price will present far better than a poorly fitting yet expensive designer brand shirt.

I also like the fact that the Charles Tyrwhitt shirts have no logo or branding so no-one can really tell whether you are wearing a budget or premium shirt.

If you prefer off-the peg, my current "go to" would be Next.  Far better currently than M&S.

Charles Tyrwhitt is off the peg?

The do do a made to order service where you can choose any fabric, collar type, what buttons etc but they are £79-£140 and dont get included in sales or multi-buy discounts.