Vintage shirts...

[Jerekson]

I'm sick of all my modern dress shirts.

Need I say more?


I'd like to find some sort of repro shirts that I could wear with my suits, or just by themselves. To be honest I'm not even sure what a typical vintage shirt is like, so I have no idea where to begin.

Where do you guys get all your shirts? What are some of the differences between modern and vintage-style shirts? What should I look for?

Any help would be appreciated. I'm doing some research in the meantime but I figured I would ask the experts

-Jer

 

[Smithy]

I've seen Old Town offer vintage "style" shirts...

http://www.old-town.co.uk/products15.htm

EDIT:

Nearly forgot New and Lingwood, very nice traditional styles and you can still purchase shirts with detachable collars from them.

http://www.newandlingwood.com/

 

[nightandthecity]

well i get my shirts from the usual vintage sources....fleamarkets, jumble sales, charity shops, vintage shops, ebay......

If you are after repro rather than original, as well as Old Town/Tin House you could try...

http://www.vintageshirt.co.uk/

If i was to start explaining the difference between vintage and modern shirts I'd be here all day, and tomorow too, so I'll bow out at this point....

 

[resortes805]

Are you looking for cotton dress shirts, chambray work shirts, or rayon sport shirts?

 

[Jerekson]

Yeah, I should have been more clear.

Cotton dress shirts, that I could wear with a suit and tie.

 

[Edward]

Slightly OT, but I think within the spirit of the thread....

The shirt I have been wearing with white tie has doubled / French cuffs, but I read somewhere that these traditionall had single cuffs - Is that right? Is this an issue, or am I being overly anally retentive by even noticing?

 

[The Wolf]

fftopic: Actually I don't think there are levels of anal retention. One is either anal retentive or not. Obviously, I am not.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[Shaul-Ike Cohen]

Slightly OT, but I think within the spirit of the thread....

The shirt I have been wearing with white tie has doubled / French cuffs, but I read somewhere that these traditionall had single cuffs - Is that right? Is this an issue, or am I being overly anally retentive by even noticing?

I learned (somewhere here) that single cuffs with cufflinks are rather more formal than double cuffs, not less formal. I like them quite a bit. I suppose today the formality is felt only by those in the know, while others will even see them as half formal - in between buttoned and double cuffs.

 

[Cobden]

The my white tie shirt (which I wear with black tie aswell - my DJ is from the 1920's) has a single cuff for cufflinks. The cuffs match the shirt front (i.e. pique), but are also rather wider (in that they go further up the shirt) then even a folded French cuff shirt. Actually, it's about the length of a French cuff, unfolded...

 

[dhermann1]

Further off topic

Slightly OT, but I think within the spirit of the thread....

The shirt I have been wearing with white tie has doubled / French cuffs, but I read somewhere that these traditionall had single cuffs - Is that right? Is this an issue, or am I being overly anally retentive by even noticing?

Actually the Anal Expulsive is the neat nut, the Retentive (think of people who can't let go of clutter) are the messy ones.
Back to topic.

 

[dr greg]

pun avoidance

Look I hate to use the expression in regard to anal issues, but I think you have that back to front! (according to all the available references I can source)

 

[Shaul-Ike Cohen]

The my white tie shirt (which I wear with black tie aswell - my DJ is from the 1920's) has a single cuff for cufflinks. The cuffs match the shirt front (i.e. pique), but are also rather wider (in that they go further up the shirt) then even a folded French cuff shirt. Actually, it's about the length of a French cuff, unfolded...

Oh. And, er, do the sleeves show a somewhat uncommon length? And the moths have eaten another pair of holes at the upper end of the long cuffs?

(just joking)

 

[Tomasso]

The shirt I have been wearing with white tie has doubled / French cuffs, but I read somewhere that these traditionall had single cuffs - Is that right?

Marlene thought so.

And so did Lenny.

But, Sir George...........

 

[Anthony Jordan]

Marlene thought so.

And so did Lenny.

But, Sir George...........

It matches his turndown collar...

 

[Edward]

Intersting, thanks guys. From everything I read, it seems to me that this is one of the "rules" that modern dress has dispensed with - I suppose because so many folks simply never wear white tie in their lives. I do have one dinner shirt which has a single cuff, which I had always assumed was the "cheap" version (it has a turn down collar and, like three of my five concealed buttons rather than studded front). No good for white tie - it has a turn down collar (which I prefer for black tie, but seems to be a bit of a faux pas with white). I guess my current white tie shirt will do well enough for now, but certainly if i have the chance to replace it in future at a snesible price I'll go looking for something with single cuffs. Not a detachable collar, though - I like to get things right where I can, but I draw the line at the hassle and discomfort of a separate, stiff collar!

BTW, I just love Marlene's db waistcoat.... I'd love one just like it myself. That woman sure knew how to dress well! They have a bunch of her costumes in the Film museum in Berlin, including the full white version of the tie & tails, which is stunning - but damn was she tiny!!

 

[Benny Holiday]

I buy my shirts from Magnoli Clothiers.

www.magnoliclothiers.com

 

[Jerekson]

Good idea