We associate quality with price.
This is especially true in clothing and dress shirts.
The assumption is that the more expensive a shirt is, the higher quality shirt you are buying.
But is this really the case?
Is price the only way to determine a dress shirt’s quality?
Are there other factors that a savvy gentleman should learn to look out for?
This is what we’ll be talking about in today's video.
A RealMenRealStyle Youtube subscriber wanted to know…
Determine Dress Shirt Quality
Here’s my two cents on the matter:
There are 5 steps that anyone can take to identify a quality dress shirt. They are:
1. Create a Frame of Reference – What Is A Quality Dress Shirt
The first thing you need to do is get your hands on a high-end shirt (or whatever the garment in question is).
Doesn't matter if you buy it or not – your goal is to create a frame of reference as to what quality menswear looks and feels like.
The easiest way to do this is to visit the top menswear store in your area and look at their finest line of dress shirts.
Spend time examining the details of this shirt buttons, stitching, fabric feel, the build of the collar and cuffs.
Try the dress shirt on and get a feel for the fit – does it fit in the chest, waist, and sleeves appropriately?
Remember this – take notes & pictures. This is what you want to be looking for in EVERY dress shirt you buy!
2. Understand Dress Shirt Details
You need to understand what goes into the details of a high quality garment.
For example you'll notice that high quality shirts have more stitches per inch, that they use single stitch threading, that they are well finished when turned inside out.
You also want to examine the buttons; high quality shirts usually come with mother-of-pearl buttons vs cheap plastic buttons. Look at the threading that holds the buttons in place – is it tight and did they create a shank?
It’s details like this that you pay extra for.
If the shirt company has paid attention to these small details then you can bet that there are other details – invisible to your eyes – that they’ve painstakingly focused on.
3. Pay Attention to Dress Shirt Finish
Turn the shirt inside out.
Are there loose threads.
Are all the gussets tightly sewn on and finished.
Is the placket sewn on cleanly?
What about the button holes? Tight and smooth or loosely stitched and falling apart?
Shirts that are finished beautifully look impeccable and end up to be quite sturdy.
The finish is telling of the shirt’s quality.
4. Customer Support – How Good Is It?
How does the company treat you after they have your money?
Do they have a return policy and if so how much time do you have?
Do they have a website with a phone number or email and physical address?
Can you call and speak with a company representative if you have questions answered?
If you can positively respond to all of these questions then that is a good indication of a reliable company.
5. Company History
Check how long the company has been around.
If a company has been in business for five decades, that tells you that this company has made it through recessions and wars.
All this gives the consumer assurance that they will continue to be around for a long time and are a safe bet to start building a relationship with.
It is important to build a relationship with a brand or a company because then you’ll always have someone to turn to when you need that particular piece of garment.
Finally – knowing a companies history can hep you connect with their story, message and even what they stand for.
Want all of this in a video summary? – Click here to watch – How To Buy A High Quality Shirt Video
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