SHIRTS - THE CHAP'S GUIDE TO QUALITY SHIRTS AT MODEST PRICES

I would dearly love to be able to afford and wear an elite quality shirt from one of the world's finest tailoring houses in London. Sadly my financial circumstances mean that this option is outside my realistic reach (and always will be). However, join me, your channel curator as I explain my approach to the importance of shirts in a chap's wardrobe and how I manage to wear exquisite examples of the finest shirts on offer for a mere fraction of the normal retail prices.
Here are my top 5 tips to get remarkable value for money from your shirt collection:
1. Consider buying pre-owned. There are fantastic bargains to be found on auction sites like e-bay and even in local thrift shops, as long as you can put aside any hang-ups that you may harbour over wearing a shirt that has been owned by another person - if you can, well, you too can be wearing shirts made by the world's elite manufacturers for a fraction of the original prices.
2. Go bold - I love contrasting (white) collar shirts and these are slightly out of fashion at the present time, hence I have stolen some great bargains when picking up a wide collection of these garments from auction sites and other places. The same goes for shirts with bold patterns. If you can find a place in your wardrobe for such items, you could be quids-in!
3. Find a style or manufacturer of shirt that suits you well and build a collection of shirts that will cover you for any form of event, either casual or formal. Remember, a shirt is such an important component of your wardrobe, it deserves your fullest attention when selecting it and pairing it with the other elements of your sartorial ensemble.
4. Wash your garment sparingly - remember, your shirt will deteriorate each time you wear it and especially each time it goes through a wash and ironing cycle. Accordingly, to prolong the life of your shirt, wash it only when it needs to be washed. If you have only worn your shirt for a few hours, or if it has only been lightly exposed to any stresses (perspiration, soiling, etc.) you can wear it more than once before laundering it.
5. Learn how to maintain your valued investments - sew on any loose or lost buttons and stay on top of any damage or issues that arise, such as stains or fraying.
Learn more about your host (Ash) here: www.chapsguide.uk/about-ash/45...
Equipment used in this filming of this video (Amazon links):
Camera - Canon Eos 250D: amzn.to/3bFaY7F
Lens - Cannon EFS 24mm f/2.8 STM: amzn.to/3aFT0kd
Tripod - K & F Incept Tripod: amzn.to/3eR5BEy
GorillaPod - Joby: amzn.to/35cJW5d
Shotgun microphone - Rode Video Mic Pro: amzn.to/3aKoSEw
Lavalier microphone: amzn.to/3cOEuYM
Studio lights - Neewer dimmable 2-pack LED studio lights: amzn.to/2Y6BsLB

[@ramonecarrasco9613]

Turnbull & Asser are great shirts. Buying used is not an option for me. I have a size 20 collar, Turnabull and Asser goes up to size 19. But I do admire the quality and have purchased numerous neckties and pocket squares. It turns out that Charles Tyrwhitt does carry my size. I admire your videos and have learned an immense amount of men's fashion. Thank You!

[@stevenplayford5803]

During the last recession, I used to get my shirts from charity shops. I would regularly find Ralph Lauren, Gieves and Hawkes etc. The tip is often to find the local charity shop in a well to do area.

[@TheChapsGuide]

That has always been my plan too.

[@AthamAldecua]

@@TheChapsGuide we miss you, Ash! I hope everything is going well (or at least better!) with you.

[@MuhammadUmerToor]

Please also do vid on stripe shirts and matching it with suit color, tie, socks

[@stefanotattifrongia3612]

Charles Tyrwitt is my way to go, on multybuy is possible to buy a very good quality cotton shirt on £35, and very important for me with different sleeves length. All the off the rack shirt for me wear very long and i need to spend 315 to 20 on alteration to shorten.

[@Militaria-pr9rj]

Excellent advice. I'm a firm believer in wearing undershirts as a means to protect one's dress shirts from sweat, wear, etc. The undershirt will soak up the sweat so your dress shirt doesn't have to, thus cutting down on the number of washes it has to endure.

[@kaykunz4730]

It is interesting to see how cultures can influence a persons perception. In the UK and in the US, contrast collars are something that can be seen quite often. They are not seen as something bad. In Switzerland, the wearer of a shirt with contrast collar is seen a wannabe or someone who thinks he is somehow better than the rest of us. Despite the fact that I live in the US for nearly 9 years, I still carry this bias with me and would never wear that kind of shirt.

[@georgejames4206]

Absolutely correct about pre-owned ! Thanks to you I have made several purchases lately from eBay, including an olive-green trench coat which I may wear as an overcoat weather permitting. Salute!

[@borealmat1889]

I just have found your channel, terrific information. This video is gold, thanks.

[@russelljenkins7428]

Very good points as usual, I see absolutely no problem with buying pre-owned shirts like pre-owned shoes or suits.. many have hardly, sometimes never been worn, and even if they have one wash or visit to the dry cleaners and they're as good as new. One point i would make, and its a trap I've fallen into myself, when you buy a quality shirt "ready to wear" T&A or Charles Tyrwhytt for example, you buy by collar size. You look like you're lucky to be a nice standard size and if your collar fits the chest/arms etc will also fit. If I buy a shirt that fits around the collar 18", the rest of the shirt looks like it was custom made for Magilla the Gorilla. i.e. I've never been comfortable in even expensive shirts.....until..In my 50s I have discovered Made to measure (MTM) and made to order (MTO) what an absolute game changer. These companies for example Proper Cloth (New York) Hockerty and itailor, tak online orders (you measure yourself accurately at home) then they ask for every detail you want from the quality of the cotton to the colour and material of the buttons even down to an extra quarter inch of cuff on your watch wrist to accomodate that nice new Rolex you want to be able to see easily, handy for you, ;) ok, you wont get them for ebay prices but in my experience the fit and feel of these garments are like nothing I ever experienced before, I actually think I look good in shirts now and ties aren't uncomfortable because my collars fit ! who knew?

[@TheChapsGuide]

Indeed - once you find a formula that fits, it can be an awakening of comfortable shirt wearing. I have been fortunate with many purchases due to my average size, but my experience of T & A shirting has been very positive - especially for £20!!

[@alanmooney]

Great Video Ash, I don't use ebay but I do look for good quality clothing in vintage clothing and opportunity shops (Australia) and often see great shirts, I picked up an as-new hand made Budd shirtmakers of Picadilly white shirt for $40 australian thats £20, an absolute bargain. The one drawback is it takes a little time, but so does having a shirt made to measure.

[@kenneth7826]

Bravo!!!!!! Ash Bravo!!!!! I am a huge fan of winchester shirts.....i had one on when my wife and i were in church...we both know that its a classy look. Come on guys ......join us.....peace

[@florasdad1]

Really enjoying your shows. I have had similar great succeed over the years with pre owned ,including a coat similar to yours.For me nearly new second hand beats cheap new any day. Keep up the good work.

[@TheChapsGuide]

I could not agree more - some great bargains to be had out there!

[@nikolausmarggraf5507]

In Germany, Walbusch offers good quality for a good price. Pay attention to their Special Walbusch Kragen or collar, very comfortable to be worn with a tie.

[@stephenloy3535]

great show.I prefer the larger,old fashioned (70's-80's) long spearpoint collars with Lapudis cuffs for casual,and double cuff or French cuff for more formal settings

[@adamlittlewood1453]

I have found TM Lewin shirts as u can pick the fit and sleeve length they average £40 but they have lots of sales which is when I purchase.

[@TheChapsGuide]

They did make a good selection, although they went into administration in 2020, so I think we've seen the last of them.

[@brentbrevard4387]

Thanks. I enjoy your channel.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Thanks for watching!

[@rogerr.8507]

Do a video on; dutch boy hat/fiddle hat!

[@davidclark3603]

Its amazing how some people waste money on a very expensive carrier bag, it only ends up in the bin anyway! The charity shops, ebay and all the other online places. The amount of Stone Island gear I have is phenomenal and I've got it all through buying carefully. Go on. Work hard. Blow it all on retail therapy! I'll spend my money Wisley and have something to show for it!

[@blakemcnamara9105]

That pink shirt is gorgeous.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Its my favourite

[@adamlittlewood1453]

Watched your video and looked on ebay and found a gieves and hawkes shirt for £14. Thank you for the valued information.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Glad I could help!

[@canadafree2087]

The important thing is that the shirt stands up well to repeated washing and ironing. I do find Kirkland shirts to be decent for the price but you notice the collars of the Kirklands shown needs some care on the lapel while the T&A shirts collars look close to prefect except the close up on the multi-color shirt that has just a little raise in the fabric. If you lose a button but can't find the perfect match (and you wear it with a coat but without a tie), take a button from the bottom and put that at the top, use the odd button down below where it will be covered by the coat. If you wear a tie, no one will see the slightly odd button.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Great suggestion

[@Bjartone]

Nice Rolex Cufflinks

[@JonathanBrowneMenzies]

Hello Ash, thank you Sir for making such a timely and also timeless video. I've also been building a high-quality wardrobe from eBay, all the more relevant during these times of economic insecurity. No issues with pre-owned or preloved items - oftentimes monogrammed shirts can be purchased for a particularly inexpensive price, for obvious reasons. One question - do you have any tips for keeping the white collars of your collar contrast shirts clean? Thanks for this video and keep up the great work!

[@TheChapsGuide]

Mine go in the washing machine and I’ve never had an issue.

[@user-qy8pl5rw4j]

Отличный канал. Спасибо вам!

[@wherethecrowflies1965]

Brilliant video... I'm mostly a Thomas Pink man myself with French Cuffs. But most of the time i have to wear a set uniform at work as I work as a public face for the local goverment authority. So when I get a chance to not wear a uniform to the office it dress up time and dress better than my boss.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Its always a joy to put on a freshly ironed, crisp shirt - one of life's understated pleasures in my view. I've a few Pink shirts, they are good, steadfast shirts. Great value too. Best regards, Ash

[@oldguy8078]

As always, excellent. More on cufflinks, a toff friend of mine advised me to always wear cufflinks, made a big difference! Also some advise on adjusting shirts at the tailors. A piece of advise I got was to wear a tea shirt (not vest) under my shirt, makes the shirt stay cleaner for longer ( with a V neck).

[@TheChapsGuide]

Thanks - I doo love cufflinks myself and usually wear them most days. Can make a huge impact on one's look too. I may well do a vid on cufflinks very soon. I do often opt for a vest in winter, it does definitely extend the life of your shirt - with the fringe benefit of keeping you warm too!

[@frederickbootland1781]

I have many cufflinks in my collection.I prefer the chain linked cufflinks. My general tip is not to go for novelty cufflinks if you want to be taken seriously.

[@oldguy8078]

@@frederickbootland1781 absolutely. Classic and stylish, not crass and in the time.

[@guitarplayer5611]

Nice video! I have been wearing mostly Made in the USA Brooks Brothers traditional fit and country club shirts for years. I have purchased 95% of these shirts from eBay and have saved considerable funds and most have been in excellent condition, sometimes new. Personally, I much prefer a button collar as to me it always consistently sits well with and without a tie. What are your thoughts on button collars vs non button collars?

[@TheChapsGuide]

I do own a few button-down (BD) shirts, but for me, they are are limited to casual wear. I would personally avoid BD shirts with a suit or more formal situations - they are ideal for non-tie situations, but even then I prefer a standard collar. I still get 90% of my shirts from ebay - great quality at remarkable prices!

[@guitarplayer5611]

@@TheChapsGuide Thanks for the reply. I will try to acquire a couple white and blue non button collar shirts for more formal occasions based on your suggestion. It sounds like we both source most of our quality shirts from eBay. I am going to search for some Turnbull and Asser based on your suggestions. I have found that Brooks Brothers Made in the USA traditional fit and Brioni shirts both fit me well. I recently picked up a blue shirt/white collar Brooks Brothers Gatsby collection shirt off eBay after watching your video and learning about the contrasting benefits of the collar and shirt being different colors. I have been able to pick up both Brooks Brothers and Brioni brands in excellent condition on eBay for tremendous savings.

[@KRW628]

Great minds think alike. I've purchased more than a dozen Brooks OCBDs thru Ebay; excellent condition or new (some still in the bag). I'm paying half to a third of store price. I've worn blue button-downs since I was 12 years old. I wear them with suits. The shirt mafia will say button-downs are not dress shirts. OK. But they are BUSINESS shirts,

[@tonymusic3896]

Ash, what are your views on Charles Tyrwhitt shirts in respect to quality, after sales and affordable.

[@TheChapsGuide]

I've owned a few and found them to be good quality. They are well constructed and last well. Never pay full price, they are always on sale or discounted somewear these days, but I would buy them again. Good luck.

[@richallan001]

I am pretty exclusively wearing Charles Tyrwhitt shirts, great quality, not too costly. And I have got a few from eBay. After a little bit of care, some presoaking and washing, the white shirts look great. Like you, I can't commit a fortune to shirts, the wife won't stand for it.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Thanks for sharing!

[@frederickbootland1781]

One tip to make a shirt last longer is not to iron verticle creases in your cuffs as it breaks them down and caused the cuff to bubble..I always iron mine horizontally.

[@richallan001]

@@frederickbootland1781 same, in my younger days I used to iron the creases in my cuffs, ruined some nice shirts that way 😟 Now I'm a proponent of nicely starched cuffs and collars

[@markbrailsford2849]

Hi Ash, another great shirt maker used to be Thomas pink but I didnt have any idea that the company had gone out of business untill recently, then I saw something on line that said they were back in business. Well, turns out that a company just bought the name and the shirts arnt even made in this country and apparently the quality is absolutely abysmal and customer service is none existent. Its a shame that a lot of famous names have gone down the same path in recent years?

[@canadafree2087]

There are actually companies on Savile Row that have had multiple owners over time. More commonly with things I can afford, I tend not to buy from companies that were a well known brand from the ground up but then brought out by a company that had no part in their success. Schrade, Cold Steel, and Camillus come to mind from the knife world. Today it is hard to find good 2nd owner companies, unlike in the past where quality was part and parcel of any company.

[@blakemcnamara9105]

Paul Fredrick also makes good quality dress shirts for a low price.

[@TheChapsGuide]

Thanks for the tip - I'll check them out.

[@jeffreylamont8111]

I like to wear olymp shirts! What’s your view on those shirts Ash?

[@TheChapsGuide]

Not come across that brand.

[@frankfarrell]

Hi, Ash. I love these videos. But one thing puzzles me. How can you afford two Rolex watches but not an elite shirt?

[@TheChapsGuide]

A sound question - I guess it’s a matter of priorities. Mine are somewhat skewed.

[@frankfarrell]

@@TheChapsGuide 😂I hope that question didn't sound impertinent.Well, based on your advice regarding ebay, I bought a pair of used loake monk strap shoes, which arrived yesterday and I gave them a trial run today. They are absolutely superb and I am so delighted with them. I have now become a born again convert to buying clothes on ebay! So, I am looking at shirts. Unfortunately, my collar is 14.5 and some of the big names don't make them that size. So, next task: researching names of other elite shirtmakers. Also, TK Max is a great source of bargain clothing. By the way, on another note, after watching another of your videos, I have just ordered a safety razor. Thanks for all the fantastic advice.

[@FAS1948]

In my vocabulary, a dress shirt is one to wear with black tie, white tie, or morning dress, otherwise, it is a work shirt: has that changed in the last 30 or 40 years without my knowledge?

[@TheChapsGuide]

So it seems.

[@Fush1234]

What are your views Boss brand shirts

[@TheChapsGuide]

Expensive but good. Always endeavour to buy a large discount if possible.

[@florasdad1]

Pink was a male colour in the victorian era

[@TheChapsGuide]

You are absolutely correct - I even made a video on the topic a few months ago: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGWplHt3o9aVobs

[@MuhammadUmerToor]

Life hack

[@johnstratos9336]

I dont care if a dude died in my shirt so i buy second hand stuff to bruv

[@KlausKokholmPetersen]

When I have bought second hand clothes I have always washed them before I've worn them.