Coz Every Crazy About A Sharp Dressed Man ...

May 13, 2005 4:25 AM

I'm thinking of getting some dress shirts custom made.

Has anyone had this done? Was it worth it? How much should I expect to spend?

For any Metafites living in Dallas, TX - is there any place you recommend?

posted by Dallasfilm to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (6 answers total)

I've had it done, the shirts were fantastic, they cost about £100 each. No Texas recommendations, sorry.
posted by bonaldi at 4:48 AM on May 13, 2005

Well worth it. Similar price to bonaldi's. They've lasted about 3 years and still look great.
posted by blag at 5:26 AM on May 13, 2005

I get my shirts either from a guy called Emile Lafaurie, or custom-made by a cheap Hong Kong tailor--they start at about $35 each and are great. My advice would be to figure out how you can get a tailor from overseas to make the shirts for less and then DHL them to you. It's way too expensive to get shirts made by a tailor in the U.S.--or at least it's way too expensive for me.

In fact, I see on this schedule that my tailor will be in Dallas, TX at the Inter-Continental Hotel from May 25-26. They are called Nita Fashions and the hotel's number is 972.386.6000. I've been very happy with mine (plus suits and jackets) from them, and you can pick from basic or expensive fabrics and have input about the cut. Worth a try if you don't want to take the plunge on really expensive tailored shirts!
posted by josh at 5:35 AM on May 13, 2005

it is worth it, it is seldom inexpensive -- prepare to pony up a pretty penny (about 150-200 bucks each, it can be even more), the shirts obviously fit like a dream and especially they last forever if you properly wash them and iron them (you can also replace collar and cuffs once they wear out)

re: Dallas -- most Savile Row tailors / Jermyn Street shirtmakers do regularly tour American cities -- they rent hotel conference rooms etc -- check out websites for TM Lewin, Turnbull&Asser, Harvie & Hudson.

I love Charvet in Place Vendome, Paris, I hear they do tour American cities as well.

Ermenegildo Zegna and Brioni also have custom-made departments. just check out their US websites, or call their 1-800 numbers.

you can find the best custom made man's shirt evar, imo, at Finollo, in Genoa's via Roma. they cost a whopping 300 bucks each, and I don't really think the Finollo people visit America.
posted by matteo at 5:40 AM on May 13, 2005

rom overseas to make the shirts for less and then DHL them to you.

yes, but don't you have to pay custom duties to US authorities then?
posted by matteo at 5:43 AM on May 13, 2005

But even when you do it's not expensive--still like $40-$50 a shirt total. It's not a huge cost.

To be clear: these are not beautiful high-fashion shirts; they are regular shirts that fit perfectly, if that makes sense. So, instead of paying $60 for a shirt from Brooks Brothers, I can pay $45 for a shirt that's custom-made. They all fit perfectly and have lasted many years at this point.
posted by josh at 5:46 AM on May 13, 2005