Previously laid back DH, smart new job...where do we get the nicest shirts.

[YukonHo]

Cutting edge company, big role, needs to be sophisticated and right now he has a wardrobe of polo shirts, Tshirts and jumpers. He has 2 v smart suit so ok for that, and dress code is smart casual so thinking shirts, chino type trousers and smart v necks or non suit jackets. He has to have enough for a 5 day week and we only have a budget of £500. (I say only because they are all uber smart, this is more than he usually spends in two years on clothes so doesn't feel much like only to us)

So names of some gorgeous shirts makers if you know any would be great....used to live in London 10 years ago and are now hicks and have no clue! :)

Are TM Lewin still the best place? There's also a discounted Paul smith near us...

I got some nice shirts for DH out of TX Maxx. John Lewis and (ahem!) Asda also not bad.

I think shirts can be quite cheap and look good or expensive and look awful. Instead of looking at specific brands you need to just find what looks good on your husband.

My DH gets his at Austin Reed. V good quality. Iron nicely so look smart!

Might have to check out tk Max's online, I get confused in there, :) but thanks for the tip! Will check out JL and asda too...do the asda ones last well?

DHS nicest shirt is from jaeger, but he gets most from Charles Tyrwhitt online, the measurements are very exact and he hates going into shops, and they are very good. My dad's are all tm lewin, Charles Tyrwhitt or the savile row co, he has to look 'sharp' for his role and if you saw him at weekends you'd think his shirts were magical!

It's getting him INTO the shops that will be the challenge, so I need to have about 4 on my list and wham bam it! :)

I laid, your DH sounds similar to mine, never heard of CT so will check them out, thanks!

I laid?? Umlauf!

Pink and TM Lewin get my vote here

DH wears Austin Reed, Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss.

Austin Reed often have sale shirts online, they wash and iron well.

I was going to say Pink (get ones that are unique/bold from here that he won't wear all the time) and TM Lewin (get the work horse ones from here, so that you can afford to replace them when they start to go at the collar - IME even the expensive ones do). Maybe look at Hawes & Curtis and also Charles Tyrwhit.

Lovely, loads to look at, knew MN s&b wouldn't let me down. Thanks!

If you're near to Bicester village at all they are great for a wham bam thank you ma'am style shop! DH is very proud he can get a years worth of stuff in 1 hour in and out!!

TM Lewin are good, they're forever doing deals.

With men's shirts I think it's all about the fabric and cut. A good thicker fabric is very flattering on all silhouettes, and makes a cheaper cut shirt look more expensive. It also copes with sweat and creases better.

A more fitted cut can also make a cheaper shirt look smarter. My DH is a little cuddly around the middle, and he looks so much smarter in a fitted shirt rather than a looser cut. It sounds contradictory but it really works.

My DH gets his smartest shirts bespoke made, but for everyday office wear he buys from Charles Tyrwhitt.

Are you coming into London to do the shopping? Jermyn St (off regents st behind Fortnum and Mason) is basically wall to wall shirt shops all competing for business. TM Lewin and Thomas Pink are the two most well known brands with TMLewins doing special offers all the time.
Bunnymother's advice is good but also look at the fabrics and get good quality cotton poplin or twill. The herringbone or woven style fabrics are great for ironing too (see link below).
Don't wash at 60 degrees on every wash, and if you can avoid tumbledrying if at all possible you will get a longer life out of the shirts as it shrinks the stitching and the collars and cuffs tighten up. They then wear away because you have to apply the iron so hard to flatten them out. If you service wash his shirts at a drycleaners they will last 6 months tops.
White shirts will need to be replaced annually or he will need at least one or two almost pristine special occasion shirts in reserve for the occasions when it is not smart casual.
For smart casual, look for a small houndstooth check, narrow stripes and a pale pink with single cuffs, unless it is hedge fund / law firm type place.
www.thomaspink.com/Ivory-Abson-Herringbone-Shirt---Button-Cuff/Men's-Classic-Shirts/thomas-pink/fcp-product/99920557
This is the fabric I recommend for plain shirts - as they are woven they are a little heavier than a plain cotton twill so won't be see through

Agree with all the excellent advice. Just one thing, I wouldn't buy too much straight away - let your DH get in there and really observe the dress code before making all his purchases.

My DH never wears suits but still looks smart in dark jeans, churchs shoes, good shirts and a jacket if necessary. But then he's in IT which is you know, a bit different [offends all IT workers] [sorry]

We're not, but my SIL is...hmmmm could be time for a visit! :)

Sorry, my ipad just updated all the replies...some fab advice there thank you everyone. Thinking capsule wardrobe to start with. He has a couple of lovely shirts already so am thinking three shirts, two pairs of trousers, a couple of v neck jumpers, new shoes and a smart winter coat to start with.

He's just exiting the IT world MrsCB, it was all grunge Tshirts and jeans there so he used to feel positively smart in his polls and trousers! :o

Oh and he's got a great figure, broad shoulders, and not an ounce of fat on him (git) so slim fit will be the order of the day!

DP mostly gets his from Ted Baker, he finds the traditional shirt company cuts a bit billowy and shapeless on a slim frame which can end up look a bit "dad", but it depends on your DH's build. I would also second buying gradually rather than blowing the whole lot at once.

Another vote for Tm Lewin - they do special offers if you buy a few shirts from there.

Thomas Pink, fantastic quality and hood prints.

How about Crew?