Best Formal, Business Shirt Retailers? - TM Lewin vs Charles Tyrwitt vs Van Heusen

[Deactivated] on 10/01/2017 - 04:49
Last edited 10/01/2017 - 04:50

Hi Ozbargainers!
So i have a mates wedding coming up and am currently in the hunt for some great formal/business shirts?

I generally prefer slim fit shirts that have a clean finish (simplistic but sleek design preferably) and definitely would like it to be durable and of decent quality

Relative to the criteria's of sizing fit, quality vs competitors and more importantly, value for money - what have been your personal experiences with these companies so far? Pros, cons of each?

I have seen issues that fellow ozbargainers have raised with regards to shirts becoming too tight/baggy (e.g. TM Lewin - Super Fit, Fitted),
so as a general 'rule of thumb', would it be appropriate to buy one size up or down based on my current Australian size?

(My current dimensions are 175cm, 65kg and mostly fit 'S' business shirts from Aus.)

Fashion & Apparel

Comments

  • Shiny Mew on 10/01/2017 - 07:05
    +1

    TM Lewin makes great quality, well-fitting shirts for superb value, but all their dress shirts sport quite a wide collar spread (cutaway) which is ideal only for those blessed with square, fairly elongated faces contra round faces (where point collars, button downs and other narrow spreads are favourable but hard to find).

    Your two go-to brands in Aus for good quality, good value business shirts are TM Lewin and MJ Bale, often situated right next to each other in major shopping centres like Chadstone. Both stock a variety of fits. The best thing I did was get measured up in a TM Lewin store and kept trying on different combinations of collar and sleeve sizes and fits until I found my ideal (15.5" collar, 34.5" sleeve, super fitted). Every shirt I've tried on from other brands since then doesn't come close in terms of matching my silhouette, though I've not tried MJ Bale's close-fitting equivalents. Beware though, TM Lewin physical stores in AU only stock that which sells. Therefore, it only has a handful of super-fitted shirts and zero non-iron super fitted. This is unlike the UK where it originates so you may well have to order online as soon as you confirm your ideal measurements.

    • chriise on 10/01/2017 - 11:52

      I have the same fit as you, but recently found out this only applies to the Non-Iron fits. I have no idea why that makes a difference, but it does.

  • cjmoore on 10/01/2017 - 07:23
    +2

    I wear CT business shirts daily for work. I find them great value and very durable. I wear roughly the same size as I do in other shirts like Van Heusen, but my advice is to order the size you think you would need, as well as one above or below. They offer free returns and exchanges (the returns sticker is included in the package and you can re-use the box they sent to you). I wear the slim, but I am an XL. You would probably need the extra slim.

    Myer in capital cities should have TM Lewin shirts for you to try on and work out your size. I have worked out my size this way and will buy some TM Lewin's when I am next due for an order - I have just about all the designs that CT offers! Once you know what size you wear in TM Lewin, use this site http://www.shirtdetective.com/charles-tyrwhitt-vs-tm-lewin/ to find the equivalent CT size.

    I don't like the fit of VH shirts as much as CT shirts. CT shirts are made longer, which makes them easier to tuck in to pants. I find CT shirts to be better made as well.

  • CyberMurning on 10/01/2017 - 07:58

    To add the confusion, there is another one

    Hawes and Curtis

  • Sex on 10/01/2017 - 08:49

    CT has the greatest fit for me. Great quality and they last longer than TM Lewin shirts I've owned (I find TM Lewin shirts have slightly thinner material).

  • Skramit on 10/01/2017 - 09:04
    +1

    CT for me.

    Much longer in the body than other brands meaning they don't come un-tucked as easily. Also quality is superb - I only throw out CT shirts because the armpits get…. yeah :P

  • Xyzzy on 10/01/2017 - 09:16

    I'm almost exactly the same size as you and have tried all three brands.
    TM Lewin and CT seem to be higher quality than the VH shirts. I'd happily by both again.

    I've tried the "Extra slim fit" CT shirts and they are quite snug - so I prefer my"Slim Fit" TM Lewin shirts - I find them a bit more comfortable as they're a touch looser (but still fairly slim)- but I think the CT "Extra Slim Fit" actually look a bit better on me.

    Not much difference in quality between TM Lewin and CT. Probably CT slightly better. Price was about the same but I only but when there is a decent sale as seen on ozbargain.

    One negative about the CT shirts I've found, and seen comments from others on ozbargain confirming it - the shirts pull if you try and lift your arms above shoulder height. Some have suggested the arm holes are cut too low. Not a huge problem as I don't need to raise my arms that often during the work day - but it is occasionally annoying.

  • ms_caz on 10/01/2017 - 09:20
    +1

    Just an observation - Van Heusen Business shirts were at Costco (Ringwood) last week for $24.95.

  • railspider on 10/01/2017 - 09:39

    CT & TM are in a totally different league from VH - they're far superior (if not a little more expensive, even when on sale). I personally prefer CT's fabric and non-iron finish.

    I found a few old Van Huesen shirts at an op shop recently, and was amazed at the quality of the fit and fabric. Somewhere along the line the VH brand has lost its way and become more about the name than actual quality.

  • onetwothreefour on 10/01/2017 - 15:02
    +1

    I bought twice from CT to try different sizes then bought from tm and they were all too big for me. I took the tm shirts back to the shop and they measured me up and I ended up buying a completely different size to what I have been wearing in other brands for the past 18 years. I've always bought 16.5 collar shirts but the tm one I bought is 15.5 and it fits well.

    So my advice is to get measured for whatever brand you choose.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/01/2017 - 14:29

    Thanks for the insightful feedback everyone!
    I will try both CT and TM as they seem to be relatively on-par with each other.

  • Brad002 on 25/02/2017 - 12:48

    I wear VH European Fit shirts. What would be the CT equivalent?

  • TightAssDude on 22/09/2018 - 10:27

    Thanks OP.

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