Given that the GE 28 degrees card provides one of the best exchange rates, it would probably be best to purchase in GBP using the 28 degrees card.
Hawes & Curtis - Men's Formal Shirts = 5 for £100
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Givemethemoney on 09/02/2014 - 11:05 hawesandcurtis.co.uk (410 clicks)
Last edited 09/02/2014 - 21:04 by 1 other user
Last edited 09/02/2014 - 21:04 by 1 other user
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In my mind they are a little over priced for what they are. I would put them at about a Van Huesen level in terms of quality, with a little better cut, range of colours/styles, and better collars and cuffs. They are a fair way behind TML and CT. But that's just my opinion; others swear by H&C.
I have had approximately 10-20 each of HC and CT. I didn't realize I had so many until I wrote that :(
IMO, the VH are the worst by far - they suffer from bad pilling and durability and are cut poorly. The half dozen VH I've owned didn't come with removable collar stays - so the collars were a bit limp and floppy. The CT and VH shirts I have are well cut and durable and show no signs of pilling. I would put the CT and HC shirts I as the best everyday business wear shirts I have. I have a couple of TM lewin shirts but not enough to substantively comment - they seem just as good.
The CT shirts I have are mostly pure cotton and so can a little harder to iron although I've gotten used to it and it takes me less than 5 minutes per shirt. Some of the shirts develop wrinkles throughout the day when I wear them though, I am not sure if it's my ironing or the material. CT shirts come a variety of materials, which affects this. It's nice that they they can be customized (eg additional pockets). I have only had 1 CT shirt die (a holey death) and even though it was out of warranty, I got some store credit back for that. They do spam emails and mail catalogs, but they'll give you vouchers to spend as well as part of those campaigns, which may or may not be worth it. FWIW, CT sell their shirts with removable brass collar stays.
The HC shirts I have are the 'silk touch' type. They are durable, well cut and easy to iron. They don't tend to wrinkle throughout the day. I couldn't customise mine when I bought them. I do like them a lot. They come with removable plastic collar stays.
The fit is something that will be quite personal to you - I was lucky enough to travel to London several times over the past few years so I was able to try them on in store. They all offer different cuts from traditional sack cut to much slimmer. If you're not able to try in-store, then I think CT have an Australian office that you can return shirts to for refund. Their customer service is good. I haven't had any experience with HC customer service except in-store which is good. VH I'm sorry to say didn't care when I said my shirt pilled…
In terms of price, 5 shirts for 100 gbp is a pretty 'standard' price for these retailers - you can 'always' get this price online or in store so it's not a deep discount.
I own Pierre Cardin, Van Heusen, Industrie, TM Lewin, and two residual ones from Man2Man [or wherever, from when I was a student] (so unfortunately) I can't comment on TM Lewin versus Charles Tyrwhitt and Hawes & Curtis.
However the TM Lewin's are the best shirts by and far that I own (got them for about $36 or so, just over a year ago).
However, regarding sizes:
http://www.tmlewin.com.au/Size-Chart-Tabs/Size-Chart-Tabs,en…
http://www.ctshirts.com.au/Formal-shirts-sizing-guide?cnt=si…
I have tmlewin, vh, ct, hc, and Marks & Spencer all in non-irons, slim fit.
The tml are a heavier fabric good for winter. They retain their non-iron abilities very well, wash after wash. Truly a non-iron.
Next is HC, lighter fabric but still nice, great for cooler weather. Like the tml I think they use 2 ply cotton and is a non-iron.
The vh and ct are at the bottom (exluding vh performa range), its really hit and miss on fabric quality and non-iron ability. Some are thin, some thick, some wrinkle like normal shirts and some stand up well against wrinkling.
VH Performa shirts are an exception, they are nice quality short and wrinkle free.The M&S are amazingly wrinkle free. A true non-iron short. Fabric is great. The only problem for me is I can't get the sleeve length right, always a bit too long. I order 15.5/39 with 33 sleeve.
These days I only buy tml or hc.
Really, I have read that the CT are better than TM Lewin. Which ones did you buy?
Also, are Marks & Spencer in the same price bracket?
So how much one shirt including shipping? Is this one of the lowest price for h&c ?
I love my H&C shirts and the general 5 for GBP100 is a good deal I think.
could you comment on the quality of these shirts…. what can I compare them to?
van heusen? / TM lewin / Charles Tyrwhitt ?
I am referring to comparison both re fit as well as quality