Real Shopping: Is it worth it... White shirts

Anna Melville-James
Sunday 07 March 1999 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A white shirt is a classic, but the Sea Island Quality shirt from Pink is a debatably classic price at pounds 75. Is it worth it?

"There are whites, and whites. The finer and denser the weave, the whiter the cloth; a main price determinant," says Michael Booth, chairman of Milditch and Key. Made from 100 per cent Egyptian cotton, the Pink shirt has a very fine weave. The result - a brilliantly white cloth that's silky against the skin.

Purpose determines worth in terms of cut. For close-tailored jacket shirts, bespoke is unbeatable. For looser, "shirt-sleeve"-style, a straight-cut, off-the-peg is adequate. Pink's box-cut benefits from generous sizing. Back panel darts offer comfort to broad-shouldered men which cheaper shirts with less material may lack. Shirt tails - the obvious place to cut costs - are long. The semi-cutaway collar is deep, yet classically unobtrusive; with stays that ensure perky shape-retention. Double cuffs are single- stitched three times for durability, and offer two optional cuff lengths plus two sleeve lengths.

The truth is that M&S's pounds 20 Essential White Cotton Shirt compares favourably, with a range of collars, cuffs and sleeve lengths. Only shirt-snobs would invest so heavily in the halfway-house to bespoke. For them, the Sea Island Quality Shirt offers a shade more tailoring quality, at a price just the right side of painful.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in