Brooks Brothers Oxford Button Down Collar Shirts - What's the Best Alternative

[cfender]

I have bought this model shirt (in various colors) for decades.

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=663&Product_Id=500031&Parent_Id=662&default_color=BLUE&sort_by=&sectioncolor=&sectionsize=

NOT the "no-iron" version that the stores stock almost exclusively now but the standard oxford button down collar shirt.

Unfortunately, Brooks Bros. DOES NOT use the same material they used to and in addition to them looking, feeling, and behaving differently when ironed, they are FAR less durable than they used to be. (BTW - they used to be made in USA from fabric sourced in USA. Now I believe the fabric is from another country.)

Anyway, I've had the older version of the shirt last 10+ years but recently I've had 3 or 4 shirst wear out at the elbow in approximately 1 year. The first time I blamed my dry cleaner but now its happened repeatedly even with a new dry cleaner.

Its sad what's happened to this product but I need to move on. What's the best alternative for a standard all cotton oxford cloth shirt with button down collars?

[ChiefWahoo]

I enjoy the Land's End oxfords but I've never seen a BB shirt to compare. Land's End is still "Guaranteed. Period."

[BruiserWeight]

Sears owns Land's End and up here in Canada there is a large Land's End section in most Sears stores. I am not sure if they do the same thing in the U.S. Sears stores. I have Land's End shirts and Brooks Brothers shirts and they are very similar in quality.

[xraygun]

Brooks went on this back to USA made kick a while ago for marketing purposes. Unfortunately it didn't necessarily up the quality. It's nothing like 25 years ago. It's all about the cloth, and the new cloth isn't so hot. Everyone is making the wrinkle resistant stuff, which for a purist like myself, looks like crap. Nordstrom still has some real shirts in the John W Nordstom line last time i looked. Faconnable has some good cloth.
Lately I've been ordering from Charles Tyrwitt on the London site, not the US one. 4 shirts for 100 GBP, whatever cut you need and detailed however you want. They have better cloth too for more dough.

[professorchaos]

Brooks Brothers ... an old stalwart that's developed schizophrenia. It's changed hands so many times, it has lost its continuity. Have you seen the Black Fleece line?

You may want to investigate J. Press. (http://www.jpressonline.com/dress_shirts_solid.php) If I could wear them (too much weight lifting), they'd be one of my top choices.

[rearviewmirror]

have you checked out http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/250509-3-online-shirt-makers-reviewed
same price.

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

What's the best alternative for a standard all cotton oxford cloth shirt with button down collars?
cfender:
I've really have enjoyed the quality, durability and feel of Ralph Lauren Polo shirts (cotton & silk), for many, many years and possibly it could be the "alternative" you're looking for. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-merv/thinking.gif

They can be found at many stores like Nordstroms, Marcy's or even on-line too. :thumbsup:

http://www.e-compa.com/ht/Smileys/yarex2/smiley_gentleman.gif "Let them see you and not the suit. That should be secondary". Cary Grant

[johnnyxxl]

I don't have the wallet for the nice shirts like i used too. I wear the polo brand and llbean ones

[xraygun]

MOST of the Polo and ALL of the LLBean are now the wrinkle free. ugh.

[professorchaos]

I don't care for the wrinkle free either. They don't feel right.

[StylinLA]

Ralph Lauren is very nice for button down. I think Facconable makes some nice, but pricier button downs.

[xraygun]

I don't care for the wrinkle free either. They don't feel right.

They definitely AREN'T right. A real dress shirt no matter Oxford, Egyptian, Sea Island etc has a certain body to it. Presses up a certain way. In white takes bluing and starch. This newfangled crapola(my opinion) is fine for throwing in a bag to go on a cruise, but has no place in the Boardroom.
The Charles Tyrwitt stuff is an affordable real shirt.

[Pinaud]

+1 on J. Press or try the Andover Shop (more expensive but U.S. made):
http://www.theandovershop.com/web/men/shirts/142.htm

[johsa]

cfender:
I've really have enjoyed the quality, durability and feel of Ralph Lauren Polo shirts (cotton & silk), for many, many years and possibly it could be the "alternative" you're looking for.


For me the quality of these shirts does not matter. There is no way I would buy shirts with a visible logo.

[camjr]

Land's End carries a line called the Hyde Park Oxford. Heavy cloth, very durable, presses beautifully. I've had several through the years, and they are fantastic shirts. They have several styles under the Hyde Park name, but here's the traditional button down oxford: http://www.landsend.com/pp/ButtondownHydeParkOxfordDressShirt~10667_59.html?b cc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::LKB&CM_MERCH=search-_-hyde+park&origin=search

Cheers!

[CWR]

Have you tried LL Bean oxfords?

[xraygun]

Land's End carries a line called the Hyde Park Oxford. Heavy cloth, very durable, presses beautifully. I've had several through the years, and they are fantastic shirts. They have several styles under the Hyde Park name, but here's the traditional button down oxford: http://www.landsend.com/pp/ButtondownHydeParkOxfordDressShirt~10667_59.html?b cc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::LKB&CM_MERCH=search-_-hyde+park&origin=search

Cheers!

That does look like a decent traditonal shirt!

[professorchaos]

They definitely AREN'T right. A real dress shirt no matter Oxford, Egyptian, Sea Island etc has a certain body to it. Presses up a certain way. In white takes bluing and starch. This newfangled crapola(my opinion) is fine for throwing in a bag to go on a cruise, but has no place in the Boardroom.
The Charles Tyrwitt stuff is an affordable real shirt.

Crapola indeed. A shirt should have some wrinkles.



+1 on J. Press or try the Andover Shop (more expensive but U.S. made):
http://www.theandovershop.com/web/men/shirts/142.htm

The Andover Shop is an excellent suggestion.

[my19]

For a no-nonsense U.S. made button down oxford cloth shirt, try Mercer and Sons. Substantial cloth, no fusing in the collars so you get a nice, natural role, and very generous sizing. Slim and trim these ain't ... Not cheap, but very nice shirts. And I think they have a deal going for first-time buyers at http://www.mercerandsons.com ...

I have a couple of these, and they remind me of how shirts were in the '60s.

[The Knize]

I like J Press, too, except I would not get the flap on the front pocket.

I had not thought of Andover and did not know about Mercer and Sons. Both seem great!

[5 over]

Where I'm located (east central FL), there's only a Joseph A. Bank store with reasonable quality traditionally styled men's clothing. It's definitely not upper end quality, but very well done for the price, and I've been well satisfied with their shirts whether Oxford cloth or other material. They hold up well at the local clothing incinerator (otherwise known as the non-English speaking dry cleaner's). Now if they would only carry 18/33s...

[Puig]

I've also noticed the Brooks shirts wearing out quickly and I don't normally have them dry cleaned, just not as nice as they used to be, and too many are now the non-iron finish. I have a couple of LL Bean oxfords, unfortunately the non-iron finish makes them feel like cardboard, they are quite thick and it just doesn't work, I have been washing them incessantly hoping the "finish" will wear off and they will become wearable. The non-iron is decent if you need to wear a shirt and tie on short notice, etc., but I normally do not need that daily. All in all it's a nightmare out there looking for decent old-style oxfords. May have to try Lands End, the Hyde Park shirt used to be decent as I recall.

[Mark_M]

I used to buy Brooks Brothers shirts, they sure were tough! But they are too expensive. I've been buying Lands End as well, they are nice and cheaper. I've been buying pinpoints now with a pointed collar. They iron up nice too. They do have some that are not wrinkle-free, you may have to call them and ask (I think I did last time). I get emails from them all the time offering up to 25% off, plus free shipping, so when you factor that in, you get a great deal. Just buy multiples at one time, they should all wear equally. I feel your pain.

[xraygun]

I just looked in the closet and sure enough, found 2 of the 3 BB shirts I ordered custom when I was 21. Both are still in good shape. Buttons on, no fraying, still iron up crisp.
That was 25 years ago.

Boy I wish they still made those.

[djmike523]

Gitman Brothers - made in PA. JUSTICE CLOTHING (promotes fair wage goods) has their line a bit cheaper than elsewhere; even more so if you order the sleeper label 'Kenneth Gordon' which Gitman does make at their PA facility.

[xraygun]

Oh yeah I can't believe I spaced on Gitman. Good call. Their Gitman Vintage line is pretty freakin' awesome too.

[markieh]

A big "plus one" on the Mercer shirts. They are what Brooks and J Press used to be but ceased being 27 years ago. They are great. Call them and order a couple. They are a pleasure to deal with, too. Don't buy crap made in the far east a la Ralph L. :(

[tumblty]

Call the Brooks Brothers Store in Cleveland Ohio (216) 781-9800 . I purhchsed 2 originals about 2 months ago. I know they have a few on hand.

[Crawford Montizano]

I will have check those Mercer shirts. Lately, I've been buying from Charles Tyrwhitt.

[Tim_McD]

Just ran through these websites, I am partial to Brooks Bros slim fit - but I am now intrigued by the Charles Tyrwhitt shirts. The rest are too rich for my tastes - I cant justify that $100/shirt threshold. The price outlier is the LE Hyde Parks - which I have owned and not particularly cared for. I still have some LL Bean pinpoints, but the last batch was noticeably cheaper than ones I bought just last year, so they are dead to me.
* The Gitman are made in the USA, but of imported cloth. reg all cotton ($115/ea & up)
* J Press are made in the USA, but of imported cloth. reg all cotton ($98/ea)
* Mercer & Son are made in the USA, but of imported cloth. reg all cotton ($97.50/ea)
* Brooks Bros, reg all cotton, imported ($79.50/ea or $200/3 shirts = $66.67/ea)
* Charles Tyrwhitt seems like a good deal ($200/4 shirts) even with the custom sleeve length fee and shipping factored in ($66/ea) imported - Lots of styles, but no button down collars!
* Landsend Hyde Park, only 3 colors, imported ($49.50/ea)

[john parker]

Used to wear the Land's End oxford button downs for work shirts, but several years ago they changed the fabric. The earlier fabric, although not no-iron, needed no ironing to look reasonable. Then they changed, and it does not look reasonable. Found JC Penneys Stafford oxfords are now the best for low maintenance wear.

[diphy]

Another vote for Jcpenney Stafford shirts, I guess not in the same ball park as the brands in the previous posts. There is no way on earth I could afford any of those. The Stafford shirts work well for me, but again I dont know any better

[powest02]

Just ran through these websites, I am partial to Brooks Bros slim fit - but I am now intrigued by the Charles Tyrwhitt shirts. The rest are too rich for my tastes - I cant justify that $100/shirt threshold. The price outlier is the LE Hyde Parks - which I have owned and not particularly cared for. I still have some LL Bean pinpoints, but the last batch was noticeably cheaper than ones I bought just last year, so they are dead to me.
* The Gitman are made in the USA, but of imported cloth. reg all cotton ($115/ea & up)
* J Press are made in the USA, but of imported cloth. reg all cotton ($98/ea)
* Mercer & Son are made in the USA, but of imported cloth. reg all cotton ($97.50/ea)
* Brooks Bros, reg all cotton, imported ($79.50/ea or $200/3 shirts = $66.67/ea)
* Charles Tyrwhitt seems like a good deal ($200/4 shirts) even with the custom sleeve length fee and shipping factored in ($66/ea) imported - Lots of styles, but no button down collars!
* Landsend Hyde Park, only 3 colors, imported ($49.50/ea)

I just bought my first Charles Tyrwhitt shirt, wearing it now. I usually wear Brooks slim fit non-iron. I used the code www.ctshirts.com/noel and got my shirts for 39.50 from there. $39.50 is a great price for a great fitting herringbone shirt.

Compared to Brooks, the CT shirts are a bit tighter in the arms with the slim fit, but I'm not complaining, I spend all the time in the gym for a reason.

[Comet]

I miss a pocket om tje polos
cfender:
I've really have enjoyed the quality, durability and feel of Ralph Lauren Polo shirts (cotton & silk), for many, many years and possibly it could be the "alternative" you're looking for. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-merv/thinking.gif

They can be found at many stores like Nordstroms, Marcy's or even on-line too. :thumbsup:

http://www.e-compa.com/ht/Smileys/yarex2/smiley_gentleman.gif "Let them see you and not the suit. That should be secondary". Cary Grant

[thebikingengineer]

I really like the Gant Rugger OCBD I have. I recall it running around $100 but it's very high quality, the hand of the fabric is similar to vintage OCBDs I've picked up. It's very slim so if you're looking for the classic BB cut you'll not find it here.