Summer shirts?
June 24, 2018 9:57 AM Subscribe
Help me fill out my summer wardrobe. I'm looking for inexpensive, casual, cotton, short-sleeved, button-down men's shirts with patterns. Where can I find some? I know this is easy-mode stuff but I am just awful at anything clothing related.
So, I'm a bit short on summer shirts and I'd like to fill out my wardrobe but I haaaaaaaaaate clothes shopping. I have kind of a summer uniform that includes short-sleeved, collared, button-down shirts of the loose and casual sort, the kind that are made to be untucked. I'd like them to be 100% cotton and I favor shirts with colorful patterns, especially plaids and checks. Wouldn't mind wearing the occasional paisley, either.
Something like these in fact, but $40/shirt seems like kind of a lot? I mean I guess I could swing that and maybe I just don't know what clothes cost because I really try to avoid having to buy them, but it's about twice as much as I want to pay. Also, they need to be available online. Shopping for clothes gives me such intense heebie-jeebies that last year I went all summer wearing too-hot flannel shirts from my spring/fall rotation rather than break down and find new clothes.
Any suggestions?
So, I'm a bit short on summer shirts and I'd like to fill out my wardrobe but I haaaaaaaaaate clothes shopping. I have kind of a summer uniform that includes short-sleeved, collared, button-down shirts of the loose and casual sort, the kind that are made to be untucked. I'd like them to be 100% cotton and I favor shirts with colorful patterns, especially plaids and checks. Wouldn't mind wearing the occasional paisley, either.
Something like these in fact, but $40/shirt seems like kind of a lot? I mean I guess I could swing that and maybe I just don't know what clothes cost because I really try to avoid having to buy them, but it's about twice as much as I want to pay. Also, they need to be available online. Shopping for clothes gives me such intense heebie-jeebies that last year I went all summer wearing too-hot flannel shirts from my spring/fall rotation rather than break down and find new clothes.
Any suggestions?
Do you have a Uniqlo near you? Fast fashion but better made than eg H&M.
posted by supercres at 10:12 AM on June 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by supercres at 10:12 AM on June 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: I don't have a Uniqlo, but I'm not going to a store for this anyway. Ordering from them online would be fine but I think what I'm looking for are cotton poplin shirts specifically, and they seem to only offer oxford and broadcloth. So, I guess add "poplin" to the list of requirements, unless there's another nice-casual-looking cotton fabric that's great in the summer and comes in plaids.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 10:17 AM on June 24, 2018
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 10:17 AM on June 24, 2018
Response by poster: Oh, I guess I would do linen too if it's in my price range. I like linen.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 10:19 AM on June 24, 2018
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 10:19 AM on June 24, 2018
Oddly enough, Mr. gudrun discovered you can do pretty well with Jos. A. Bank, and they currently have a sale. Check here and be sure to scroll down, because the most dull of the shirts are the ones you first see when you click on the link. Be sure to check out the clearance section also, which is hit or miss but sometimes you luck into something.
posted by gudrun at 10:21 AM on June 24, 2018
posted by gudrun at 10:21 AM on June 24, 2018
There are a million of these at most thrift stores these days. If I’m lucky I can score expensive brands too.
Right now I live in a largish city and they cost $7 each.
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:49 AM on June 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Right now I live in a largish city and they cost $7 each.
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:49 AM on June 24, 2018 [1 favorite]
Oops I mis-read the online requirement, sorry.
You can usually find a lot of inexpensive shirts in that category at shopgoodwill.com, and they have a rather powerful collection of search tools and filters.
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:54 AM on June 24, 2018
You can usually find a lot of inexpensive shirts in that category at shopgoodwill.com, and they have a rather powerful collection of search tools and filters.
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:54 AM on June 24, 2018
Guayaberas are made for summer.guayabera shirt store, though most seem to be plain. However, they are made to wear untucked and many of these seem to be linen.
posted by MovableBookLady at 1:45 PM on June 24, 2018
posted by MovableBookLady at 1:45 PM on June 24, 2018
I've been to quite a few TJ Maxxes recently (long story), and they seem pretty well-stocked in short-sleeve shirts. (Alas, I myself am in the market for long-sleeve shirts...) Anyway, TJ Maxx apparently has an online shopping option now, although I've heard the selection isn't as good as in store. If that's the case, Sierra Trading Post is owned by the same people and usually has a pretty good online selection.
posted by kevinbelt at 3:23 PM on June 24, 2018
posted by kevinbelt at 3:23 PM on June 24, 2018
Old Navy has these which are about half the price of the one you linked above, and they do online sales all the time. They are 97% cotton and 3% spandex. Or if the spandex amount is a definite no, they have this style that is 55% linen and 45% cotton. This is an 100% cotton option.
A couple things to pay attention to when ordering:
-their shirts come in "regular" and "slim" fit so you may want to order one of each to see what works best for you
-anything with "flex" in the title probably has some spandex in it
-you can return online orders to the store if you want to instead of shipping it back
posted by Mouse Army at 5:22 PM on June 24, 2018
A couple things to pay attention to when ordering:
-their shirts come in "regular" and "slim" fit so you may want to order one of each to see what works best for you
-anything with "flex" in the title probably has some spandex in it
-you can return online orders to the store if you want to instead of shipping it back
posted by Mouse Army at 5:22 PM on June 24, 2018
Since you mentioned heat, would you consider something just a little different? Our job includes being outdoors a lot, needing to be at least business casual. My coworker turned me on to golf polos a few years back. Light, breathable, still a little bit in the milieu that you mentioned, and often come in slightly more interesting colors or patterns, as well as regular business casual colors. I got a few Nike brand via Amazon for about $25 each; Amazon carries lots of brands, but so do all sporting goods stores. Most have free shipping.
posted by vignettist at 10:12 PM on June 24, 2018
posted by vignettist at 10:12 PM on June 24, 2018
Nthing the Target recommendation. Whimsical patterns, I really like them.
posted by DandyRandy at 10:25 AM on June 25, 2018
posted by DandyRandy at 10:25 AM on June 25, 2018
Response by poster: Minor venting: I broke down and went to Target in person after finding nothing online at my desired price in a color/pattern that I liked, and of the two types of shirts they have that I would wear, none of them come in my size. The Large fits my chest but hangs to my knees, and the Medium is the right length but the buttons look like they're going to pop off. Yay, clothes shopping!
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 10:45 AM on June 26, 2018
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 10:45 AM on June 26, 2018
That's a thing. It's hard for me to buy shirts because I have a wide chest and a very short torso. Most brands are going for such a slim fit that I need a XXL (or bigger!) to fit my chest, but then I'm stuck with enough extra fabric that, if the wind blows, it'll pick me up and carry me away. The best brand I've found to balance that is Old Navy's Standard Fit, although the quality can be hit-or-miss.
posted by kevinbelt at 10:57 AM on June 26, 2018
posted by kevinbelt at 10:57 AM on June 26, 2018
Response by poster: Thrift store sorted me out. Three shirts that fit acceptably, at half the price of Target. One of them is silk with palm trees on it! Not to mention the social and environmental benefits of used clothing. God I love thrift stores.
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 11:14 AM on June 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The at 11:14 AM on June 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 10:02 AM on June 24, 2018