Ok, how about women's shirts?

May 31, 2013 9:11 AM

I am indeed starting a new thread. What are GOOD QUALITY online retailers for women's shirt? And pants, too, for bonus. (I've seen several custom-made jeans sites, but have no idea if they're any good.)

Would love to hear about all shapes and sizes, too (both for fat me and for gifts for skinny relatives). Thank you!

posted by Melismata to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

Response by poster: And to clarify: the kind of retailers where you custom order something by sending in your measurements.
posted by Melismata at 9:12 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

I don't know any great online retails for custom sized women's shirts, but most of my dress shirts (for the rare occasions when I actually wear one) are just Brooks Brothers. Their sizing is super consistent, so it's easy to order online. Otherwise- I default to Nordstrom. I would be happy to get button front collared shirts from Nordstrom as well, but they generally are lacking in this area, which is kind of sad.

Do you sew? Dress shirts are actually not too difficult to make- I've done a few for myself, and compared to something like fitting pants it's a pretty straightforward job to sew a shirt.
posted by lyra4 at 9:46 AM on May 31, 2013

LLBean makes a variety of women's shirts, they're super-reliable and have good quality, shipping is free and returns are easy. Customer service level is also true of Landsend. Bonus if you care about it; both have made some level of commitment to fair trade/ no sweatshops. I have worked a Christmas season at LLBean, and they will spend time discussing sizing with you.
posted by theora55 at 9:57 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

Bear with me here, but I have found that the blouses/slim fit work shirts from "Riders by Lee" have fit me beautifully - they are my go -to professional shirt. You can find them here.. Riders by Lee, and can usually find them locally at Walmart or Kmart. Maybe not the classiest shopping establishments, but boy, this shirt fits well! I find that the zipper front ones with 3/4 sleeves are my favourite, though they do produce many with buttons.
posted by NorthernAutumn at 10:13 AM on May 31, 2013

I had some great responses when I asked a similar question recently, you should check out some of the links there.
posted by fight or flight at 10:49 AM on May 31, 2013

Well, this doesn't answer your question about shirts and pants, but if you ever need a pair of near-custom, precisely-fitted boots, I recommend Duo Boots.
posted by moxie_milquetoast at 10:54 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]

Seconding the Riders by Lee shirts. I always get compliments when I wear mine.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 11:09 AM on May 31, 2013

Response by poster: Does anyone have experience with companies where you send in your measurements (like the boot place)?
posted by Melismata at 11:11 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

I've been meaning to order a white shirt from Campbell & Kate. They many sizes in many configurations. I haven't actually seen their clothing, but have read several positive reviews.
posted by valannc at 12:25 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]

I've gotten pants and shirts from Makeyourownjeans.com (jeans, linen pants, and one button-down.) The quality is just fine, but the big takeaway is you have to kind of know what you are doing with the measurements. I have managed to screw mine up in different ways both times I've ordered, and that was a minor bummer when I had to get the pants hemmed and a major bummer when the shirt was hilariously proportioned. I'm going to try again soon, though, because other than the goofy rear rise that's entirely my own fault, all three of these pairs of jeans fit my ass and thighs like, well, like they were made for them.
posted by restless_nomad at 12:47 PM on May 31, 2013

restless_nomad - what was wrong with your shirt? Do you think it's possible to use one's own tape measure and get a good shirt from MakeYourOwnJeans?

I got jeans from them which were OK - would consider trying to order a shirt, but if hilariously misproportioned is possible, I'd like details!
posted by amtho at 1:10 PM on May 31, 2013

The secret seems to be "don't try to tape measure your own back" which is where I went wrong. Next time, I will find a friend and get them to measure me in a relaxed position. I'm sure it is totally possible to get a good, normal result (and if you have a shirt that fits well, you can always just measure it - they have that option, too) but it's also possible to get it really wrong.
posted by restless_nomad at 1:14 PM on May 31, 2013

Ever since I gained weight :( I have had a hard time finding good office clothes (and the weight is decreasing btw so yeah!) in my size. Everything in town was like MuMu polyester city - very depressing. Out of desperation I tried Amazon and amazingly I found a great variety of well made quality material clothing in my (soon to be former) size.

I recommend this place for a start.
posted by Podkayne of Pasadena at 3:09 PM on May 31, 2013