Help a long-sleeved business traveller?
Jul 7, 2011, 7:51 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AA EXP, AAirpass, & CK 2MM, MR Plat Premier, DL Plat, US Plat, UA RECOVERING GS
Posts: 2,620
Try Brooks Brothers. I live out of their no-iron white broadcloth french cuff shirts when traveling without a wrinkle. I don't know how their sizing runs, although they do actual collar/sleeve lengths (not "X, XXL", etc). If they don't have your size on their web site, try calling their catalogue sales or a store (I think they have stores in at least Toronto since 2009).
Jul 7, 2011, 9:20 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 305
Jos. A. Bank shirts in the Traveler line. Wash any way whatsoever and hang up to dry - always perfect. They have 17.5/37 in the Tall selection and they ship anywhere. Right now shirts are on sale at 50%, so about $47 CAD. www.josbank.com
Jul 7, 2011, 2:52 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: PHL/BUE
Posts: 45
Depending what you are willing to spend, you could have some great made to measure shirts done. A friend of mine does this for his living, you send him your measurements and he has a shirt maker in Hong Kong. Shirts range from 79-99 - To me, that is cheap. If you are looking at Brooks Brothers, you'll easily spend that, why not get a custom shirt? You can have the left arm a hair longer for watch, etc. It is great.
Jul 7, 2011, 5:41 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Kitchener, ON, Canada
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,266
Depending what you are willing to spend, you could have some great made to measure shirts done. A friend of mine does this for his living, you send him your measurements and he has a shirt maker in Hong Kong. Shirts range from 79-99 - To me, that is cheap. If you are looking at Brooks Brothers, you'll easily spend that, why not get a custom shirt? You can have the left arm a hair longer for watch, etc. It is great.
Jul 7, 2011, 7:57 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: PHL/BUE
Posts: 45
See the link in my earlier post to Maxwells. If you're paying $79 for custom, Egyptian cotton, monogrammed fully customized shirts, you're being robbed. Maxwells averages about $25 lower than that... Like I said earlier, I have a closet full of them. (Unfortunately, 'custom' is not the same as "fantastic traveling shirt.")
Yes, many people get burned by purchasing "custom" Egyptian cotton shirts, but it sounds like you know better. A good tailor is worth his weight in gold. I happen to like my custom shirts for their durability, fabric, and customization ability.
Jul 8, 2011, 3:31 am
#21
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
The recommendations on Brooks brothers sound fantastic - and I can handle ironing once every 2-3 times. I'll check that out. Are all their "no iron" shirts like that? I saw the recommendation for Broadloom white, but I'm personally more a navy/light blue guy.
Now I just need to find an easy way to not forget to bring cufflinks.
Now I just need to find an easy way to not forget to bring cufflinks.
BB has shirts in light blue always. I know because I have bought several of them over the years. Now a dark navy blue, I have never seen. But that doesn't really jive with most business suits anyway.
As for the cuff links, you can attach them to the cuffs already when packing.
Or throw them in the toiletry hardware pouch.
Till
Jul 8, 2011, 6:05 am
#22
Flyertalk Evangelist and Moderator: Coupon Connection and Travel Products
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Milton, GA USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Radisson Elite
Posts: 19,062
This was what I was going to post.... get on their email list... they run some great sales.... just had their Traveler line on sale two weeks ago for $19.95 each... I stocked up....
They travel very well... thus the name I guess.
They travel very well... thus the name I guess.
Jos. A. Bank shirts in the Traveler line. Wash any way whatsoever and hang up to dry - always perfect. They have 17.5/37 in the Tall selection and they ship anywhere. Right now shirts are on sale at 50%, so about $47 CAD. www.josbank.com
Jul 8, 2011, 8:45 am
#23
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New York/Moscow
Programs: Aeroflot Gold, DL Silver, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, NEXUS
Posts: 243
No Iron
...Attention: They will still need a little TLC. That means about every three washes you should iron them. The non-iron effect is only good for so long. I mean after washing them three times they will need a little freshen-up. After that they are good to go for another three times. Also, don't use starch on non-iron shirts. It will destroy the effect because with starch the fiber cannot quell and that's what it needs to do for wrinkles to disappear....Till
Jul 8, 2011, 4:21 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LA area
Programs: SPG Plat, Priority Pass
Posts: 319
I second the Brooks Brother shirts. A Wall St. friend of mine told me that they were very popular in his firm and its the only shirt he wears. I am now hooked on them.
They last long. And compared to other brands wrinkle free shirts, don't look synthetic. They look like crisp pressed cotton shirts every time.
I find that as long as you fold them flat they always unpack well. Short of balling them up with a rubbed band, they will always look good out of luggage.
Be aware that the classic fit is cut huge around the waist. Even the slim fits I find too baggy and I'm no stick.
They last long. And compared to other brands wrinkle free shirts, don't look synthetic. They look like crisp pressed cotton shirts every time.
I find that as long as you fold them flat they always unpack well. Short of balling them up with a rubbed band, they will always look good out of luggage.
Be aware that the classic fit is cut huge around the waist. Even the slim fits I find too baggy and I'm no stick.
Jul 8, 2011, 8:54 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Berlin and Buggenhagen, Germany
Posts: 3,509
Five years without ironing is impressive. Five years alone is impressive for a shirt that gets worn regularly.
What you say about the slightly crumply texture falling out within minutes is true. It's the humidity from your body that does that. Helps if you DON'T wear an undershirt. But I like to give them a good ironing every 2-3 washings anyway. This way the collar and cuffs fall nicely and the button placket is smooth. Even pressed creases in sleeves will stay in for the washings.
Also +1 on the very "American" barrel-waisted fit. I'm a slimmer guy and this is my only contention. The slim fit is quite alright for me though still not really slim. Unfortunately, in the outlet where I usually buy them, the slim fit is rare. This is Texas, after all.
Till
What you say about the slightly crumply texture falling out within minutes is true. It's the humidity from your body that does that. Helps if you DON'T wear an undershirt. But I like to give them a good ironing every 2-3 washings anyway. This way the collar and cuffs fall nicely and the button placket is smooth. Even pressed creases in sleeves will stay in for the washings.
Also +1 on the very "American" barrel-waisted fit. I'm a slimmer guy and this is my only contention. The slim fit is quite alright for me though still not really slim. Unfortunately, in the outlet where I usually buy them, the slim fit is rare. This is Texas, after all.
Till
Jul 8, 2011, 9:10 pm
#26
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: New York/Moscow
Programs: Aeroflot Gold, DL Silver, Marriott Gold, Global Entry, NEXUS
Posts: 243
Shirt creases are STILL there