Traditional Civilian Highland SHIRTS

[creagdhubh]

I am picky too, and I do not mind spending the money on quality shirts that, if well taken care of, will last a very long time. Shirts MUST be 100% cotton, or cotton flannel for the fall and winter months. Broadcloth material is best too. No blends!

Cheers,

[Zardoz]

Well if nothing else, this thread makes me feel better! My wife says I sound a little nuts when I go on about my 'shirt issues'. I've had the same issues some have mentioned about the button down collar thing, Don't care for them, but I have them on a few of my 'more casual' (ie;likely not worn with tie) ready to wear shirts because I couldn't find ones in colors/styles/cloth I liked any other way.

My biggest issue with of the rack dress/business shirts has always been fit, once I find a shirt with a 17 1/2 inch neck from most makers, (and it seems one vendor's 17 1/2 is another's 17!) the thing is gonna be tight in the neck, and come with sleeves an inch or two too long and fit like a tent unless they came in a tapered fit etc...

For the last several years I've been getting my dress/business shirts from Paul Fredrick, they offer nice quality stuff in a good variety of sizes as well as material, fit, collar,and cuff choices at pretty resonable pricing, and their sizes run true. (Imperial 100's cotton, Straight Collar, and French Cuffs for me please) They also do full custom shirt orders.


http://www.paulfredrick.com/Catalog/...etext=sasallds

[Nick the DSM]

This thread makes me wanna say we should just throw out all our shirts and next time go shirtless at a formal even.

[creagdhubh]

This thread makes me wanna say we should just throw out all our shirts and next time go shirtless at a formal even.

I am not so sure that would be very appropriate. Maybe it would, if we lived in the 13th-century.

[creagdhubh]

Well if nothing else, this thread makes me feel better! My wife says I sound a little nuts when I go on about my 'shirt issues'. I've had the same issues some have mentioned about the button down collar thing, Don't care for them, but I have them on a few of my 'more casual' (ie;likely not worn with tie) ready to wear shirts because I couldn't find ones in colors/styles/cloth I liked any other way.

My biggest issue with of the rack dress/business shirts has always been fit, once I find a shirt with a 17 1/2 inch neck from most makers, (and it seems one vendor's 17 1/2 is another's 17!) the thing is gonna be tight in the neck, and come with sleeves an inch or two too long and fit like a tent unless they came in a tapered fit etc...

For the last several years I've been getting my dress/business shirts from Paul Fredrick, they offer nice quality stuff in a good variety of sizes as well as material, fit, collar,and cuff choices at pretty resonable pricing, and their sizes run true. (Imperial 100's cotton, Straight Collar, and French Cuffs for me please) They also do full custom shirt orders.


http://www.paulfredrick.com/Catalog/...etext=sasallds

Cheers mate, thanks for the link.

[Nick the DSM]

I am not so sure that would be very appropriate. Maybe it would, if we lived in the 13th-century.

We could paint shirts on our chests...

[A Hay]

Very interesting discussion on shirts here. Thanks for all the different opinions and suggestions.

In 73 days (30 Sept) I am retiring and returning to the USA from Germany. One of my first acts will be to order several sets of wash and wear work clothes (shirts and pants) by Big Mac or Dickey. I will discard all but about 3 ties and not replace my usual button-down cotton blend shirts I usually wear to work as they wear out.

My biggest problem has been finding shirts with the proper sleeve length (37 inches). I will need a couple for less casual events, but I like what Paul Frederick has to offer.

I think I'll see if I can find a couple of tattersal shirts also.

Personally I like the button-down and tie look and I wear that to most daywear kilted events and to some evening events with black argyll jacket.

Most of the time the people I'm with look at the kilt or jacket and could care less about the shirt collar and tie.

For summer casual daywear, a colored polo shirt is fine also.

I go with what I'm comfortable with at age 66 and don't worry too much about what others think.

I may have to be a little more mindful as I get back to the USA and come to some of the Highland Games events with other X Markers however!

Looking forward to seeing the USA soon!!

Tom

[creagdhubh]

We could paint shirts on our chests...

Hahaha! Quite right!

[creagdhubh]

Very interesting discussion on shirts here. Thanks for all the different opinions and suggestions.

In 73 days (30 Sept) I am retiring and returning to the USA from Germany. One of my first acts will be to order several sets of wash and wear work clothes (shirts and pants) by Big Mac or Dickey. I will discard all but about 3 ties and not replace my usual button-down cotton blend shirts I usually wear to work as they wear out.

My biggest problem has been finding shirts with the proper sleeve length (37 inches). I will need a couple for less casual events, but I like what Paul Frederick has to offer.

I think I'll see if I can find a couple of tattersal shirts also.

Personally I like the button-down and tie look and I wear that to most daywear kilted events and to some evening events with black argyll jacket.

Most of the time the people I'm with look at the kilt or jacket and could care less about the shirt collar and tie.

For summer casual daywear, a colored polo shirt is fine also.

I go with what I'm comfortable with at age 66 and don't worry too much about what others think.

I may have to be a little more mindful as I get back to the USA and come to some of the Highland Games events with other X Markers however!

Looking forward to seeing the USA soon!!

Tom

Guten Tag Tom!

Very interesting comments indeed, thanks for sharing. You currently reside in one of favourite wee Bavarian towns! I have been to Garmisch-Partenkirchen many times...great place for hiking, sport, nature, bier, etc, etc! I miss Garmisch very much, had many good times there!

Prost!

[MacLowlife]

At one point, men's shirts were made with removable collars. You would probably wear the shirt more days than the collar. Some collars were even made to be worn, reversed, and pitched out.

And that brings me to my next point. An attached collar that is the same on both sides can be "turned" to put the frayed side underneath and a fresh (relatively) surface against the wearer's neck. It takes a sure hand with the seam ripper and about 20 minutes using a sewing machine. Note Well: a collar with pockets for stays can not be turned because the back is not like the front. I do not know how long shirts were made with attached collars before stays and stay pockets emerged. They may still exist somewhere. Of course, there ARE shirts with permanent stays, but I do not think these can be readily turned, either.

On the other hand, a button down collar usually can be readily turned, because it is the same on both sides. And, coincidentally, it requires less construction in the first place, as it does not require stitching for the stay pockets or any other means of getting the stays in. That is a long way of saying button down collars are simpler and cheaper to make. I do not know how much time is added by the buttons or button holes, but I expect less than is saved by eliminating the stays and their little dens.

Before you jump on the bandwagon and turn all of your collars, I would warn you that the laundry can do it for you. Usually one wash cycle before they tear the sleeve of your shirts.