How to Determine if a Shirt is Good Quality

“The difference between style and fashion is quality.” – Giorgio Armani

Have you ever spent a lot of money on a shirt just to wear it once or twice and have it tear at the most inconvenient time? Well, you are not alone. We’ve all been ripped off (get it?). While some shirts are obviously cheap, others aren’t as obvious. Thankfully, there are ways to determine if a shirt is good quality; we’ve got you covered.

Fabric is Everything

From the type of fabric to the yarn count and type of weave, the subject of fabric quality can get pretty deep. When you’re evaluating the overall quality of a shit, fabric plays a really important role. That’s because cheaper fabric will affect the overall fit and look of the shirt. When it comes to thread count, anything above 80 is generally considered excellent quality. Additionally, as a rule of thumb, opt for 100% cotton. However, be careful as even a shirt labelled 100% cotton can be poor quality. You must have both a good quality fiber and high thread count for it to be worth it.

Engage All Your Senses

The best thing to do is feel the fabric. Dress shirt fabric should not wrinkle easily (you can do a simple “scrunch test” or feel rough to the touch. Still unsure? Hold the shirt up to the light. The more see-through it is, the less dense it is. A dress shirt should not be see-through, nor should it be heavy. You’re looking for a shirt with tightly-packed yarn, yet still light.

Mother of Pearl Buttons

Generally, good quality buttons give a sense of the quality of the shirt. Mother of Pearl buttons, in particular, are durable, withstanding the wear and tear caused by cleaning. They also have a shine and depth of color to them. However, the size and thickness of a button are unreliable ways of judging quality as buttons comes in all shapes and sizes. Don't get fooled by a cheap shirt with nice buttons! 

The Pattern Matches Up

A shirt sewn together with no regard for the pattern shows how little care was put into its production. Ensure that any patterns on the shirt match up, particularly at the pocket, the center back of the split yoke and along the front of the shirt. When looking at stripes, they should have the same degree of elevation on each side. Keep in mind that it is extremely difficult to match everything perfectly, but any noticeable mismatch looks sloppy and is most likely not a good quality shirt.

It’s All in the Details

Top quality dress shirts are sewn with the utmost care. Meticulous stitching, hemming, tightly sewn buttons and all the above determine if a shirt is good quality. Engaging more than one of your senses is always a good idea as the eyes may deceive, but the feel of a good quality dress shirt is undeniable.

We recommend the Dandy & Sons Premium Weave Collection that not only features all the above, but also has a thread count of 100-120 (depending on the model), is soft and durable, machine washable and easy to iron for your convenience. Order yours today for a touch of class like no other!