"The Button Up Shirt"

[beardown]

Thanks everyone for the comprehensive responses. Definitely have a few to check into.
Faust, oddly enough as a 48, I have some Ann XS that fit me well, even in the arms. It's very hit and miss depending on the fabric and season...but some of my favorites are from Ann.

I have a space oddity type of body (space boddity). My arms are pretty thin and long and my upper chest is probably normal for my height/weight. I kind of look like a tall version of ET with a bit longer set of legs.

Definitely looking into Gitman Bros., Black Fleece and a few others mentioned here.

[Fade to Black]

My body is Space Boddity as well; I have tried Black Fleece when it first launched and it was not quite the Thom Browne line fit...the latter is definitely more modern and trim, whereas the BF felt more like a boxier/more staid Brooks Brothers shirt except with the BF logo, really. I don't know if the line has adapted itself since then, this was several years ago.

If you like a straight fit shirt with some subtle and interesting detailing to break up the monotony, not too tapered, Yohji Yamamoto is also good. I am slim, but never found them baggy and shapeless, possibly because I'm also tall, actually sounds like what you describe. These are also nice worn off-duty open with a t-shirt as a shirt jacket.

[neonrider]

i recently bought a uniqlo +j shirt, and i was pleasantly surprised.

b-store in london has some fairly ok ones, sometimes.

i think the middle ground is hard to find for slimmer shirts is hard to find (and way underserved). i'd probably just have them mtm, all said and done.

[michael_kard]

Cloak/Versace made excellent shirts, with perfect proportions for tall guys.

[cowsareforeating]

gee thanks michael. 2 years later. XD


I think m2m is the way to go on these shirts. Guaranteed good fit and probably cheaper than any brands you'll come across. That being said, its becoming increasingly difficult to find a substantial and good handfeel oxford cloth

[surver]

funny no one has mentioned good ol' POLO... haven't worn any for years but remember they had the best oxford button ups (the classic ones with the small color horse/polo player logo)... i remember years ago that they were slim fit, with smaller collars and cuffs and got better with each wash... don't know if it's all changed now hence no mention?

[zamb]

funny no one has mentioned good ol' POLO... haven't worn any for years but remember they had the best oxford button ups (the classic ones with the small color horse/polo player logo)... i remember years ago that they were slim fit, with smaller collars and cuffs and got better with each wash... don't know if it's all changed now hence no mention?

I typed a post earlier about this but didn't click the "submit reply" button so it went away

Ralph Lauren dress shirts fit really big but in terms of collar shape and fabric quality they are some of the best around........I have some from about five or six years ago that I re-cut and made slimmer and I still wear them to Church on the weekends.

I pretty much make most of my own now, and we have some button ups in the collection each season, but I guess they are not the "traditional" button up shorts either.........

[cowsareforeating]

oh i forgot. stephan schneider is awesome.

[beardown]

I think what I've ultimately found since I posted this is that it's specific to each body as to how well an off the rack shirt will fit. I wanted shirts I could wear while I'm painting and slumming.

For nice occasions, Ann and Raf remain my go-to button up shirts. But I did get some J+ shirts that fit like a charm (and I was so impressed, I picked up a suit because it basically fit right off the rack) and some H&M shirts because they fit and when they do get crudded in the line of duty, I'm OK with that.

TJ Maxx and Marshall's are decent places for cheap button up shirts if you need beaters. I don't wear 'nice' clothes enough to justify too many of the really well made ones but I keep enough on hand should a situation arise.

[KingJulien]

I think I've mentioned this elsewhere here but if what you need is a really basic dress shirt Yoox has Calvin Klein Collection for $30 in a couple colors, I didn't own any in the right size so I grabbed two. Great fabric, you may want to get them tailored a bit but at that price it's a seriously good deal.

As far as casual shirts, my favorite at the moment is from Yigal Azroel, it looks almost like a normal blue oxford but the fabric's all shimmery and the seams are crooked. Runs huge though.

Edit: Yeah, I've found that as well Beardown. It actually took me a little bit to realize that taking internet advice on shirting was a terrible idea, since I'm taller/bigger in the arms than your average poster.

[christianef]

margiela - narrow collar, good cut, some funky patterns/ prints

[rudo]

NICOLAS ANDREAS TARALIS makes great buttoned shirts or at least did couple seasons ago they fit similar to what DH used to be. I always loved Lanvin ones with grosgrain details as well these two are not cheap though. I get my cheap ones to work from +J, they are good for what they are.

[syed]

For a cheap and cheerful option I really like Muji shirts. Either the normal organic cotton or the slim fit, which have a touch of stretch. Nice length and a clean fit. Obviously depends on body type, but I'm stick thin and tall and they fit well, and my brother is standard sample small and they fit well.

[ACM]

Express shirts are cheap, well made, taper in the waist and are the right length for tucking. Ime, they fit like jil sander button ups.

Yeah I agree the fits are surprisingly nice, but I can't deal with the spandex mixed in.

[KingJulien]

Yeah I agree the fits are surprisingly nice, but I can't deal with the spandex mixed in.

Can't believe I'm discussing Express on SZ, but only the cheap ugly basic shirts have spandex. Most of the less basic ones are 100% cotton. I actually rather like the two I have , though I'm too big for one now. Quality sucks so don't expect it to last too long, of course.