Buying Shirts.

[Romig1]

Went shopping today for some smart shirts. As usual, most were presented (in almost all shops) folded in the usual way and in cellophane wrapping. I asked in several shops to try on before buying but was told (in M&S, Debenhams and Lewins) that I couldn't try on the shirt I wished to buy, but could try a stock shirt to test the fit.

Now, knowing how clothes vary these days I wasn't prepared to try another random shirt, which may or may not have been the same actual size as the one I wished to buy...in Debenhams they didn't even have a shirt of the same brand to offer me!

I understand that they don't want to have to repackage the shirts, but that isn't my problem IMO....I would happily buy the shirts on hangers...it it the retailers that choose to utilise such packaging. The really daft thing is that I could have simply bought all the shirts, tried them at home and then returned any I chose not to keep...with the exact same outcome for the shop!

To be fair to Lewins, after I explained that I really wasn't prepared to buy without trying the exact shirt, they did let me...and they got a sale from it. I have also bought a couple from M&S, but if they don't suit then they will go back.

Do I sound like a grumpy old man, or am I right in expecting to be able to try before I buy?

[Kendhni]

Coincidentally i had exactly the same problem today as well ... Fortunately lke you they opened a pack for me and i bought half-a-dozen shirts.

[Manoverboard]

I will only buy brand new and properly wrapped .... if it doesn't fit then it goes back.

Guess I prefer to avoid getting some sort of skin infection from the leper who tried it on before I did

[Romig1]

I will only buy brand new and properly wrapped .... if it doesn't fit then it goes back.

Guess I prefer to avoid getting some sort of skin infection from the leper who tried it on before I did

Moby, behave...don't be sore, just cos Barnsley won today.

[Manoverboard]

I will only buy brand new and properly wrapped .... if it doesn't fit then it goes back.

Guess I prefer to avoid getting some sort of skin infection from the leper who tried it on before I did

Moby, behave...don't be sore, just cos Barnsley won today.

I wasn't going to mention that

[Dancing Queen]

Do I sound like a grumpy old man, or am I right in expecting to be able to try before I buy?

Not at all ...for a change

Crazy that you can buy, take home to try and return if they are not right I would have just bought and then gone in a fitting room and tried them on to save myself the hassle.

[Romig1]

Great idea DQ...why didn't I think of that????

[Boris+]

I have to agree with Romig - the problem is that firstly there could be an error and an item gets the wrong size label stitched in it, and then it is labelled on the package to reflect the label stitched into the item. Then there is the situation where dozens of layers of fabric are vacuumed down and cut with a fast moving blade, and so some items purporting to be a particular size may well be a slightly different size to the others from the same cut. Add to all this the machining - with those overlocking machines which cut away the excess fabric slight errors can happen ...... and then it's the wrong size and the wrong fit.

In something simple like a blouse or shirt with one back and a left and right front you only need a small error on each seam and suddenly it's between 0.5" and 1" too small. In a baggy or loose garment it's bad enough, but in a close fitting garment it's not good enough.

So yes, I think that if people wish to try items on before taking them out of the shop then they should be allowed to. It's all very well for people to take stuff home and return it if it is wrong, but then that takes up the time and travelling and parking costs for the customer - that's all wrong ....... the customer shouldn't be inconvenienced or be out of pocket (in a perfect world).

Em

[Dark Knight]

R
I have a rather nice gentlemen's shirt store near us, who take your measurements in store and advise which shirt is correct for you
perhaps you should go to a proper tailors or gentleman's outfitters and get your measurements, prior to shopping at Primark and Matalan

[Romig1]

Em you're right. My main issue is that two supposedly identical items in the chain stores can and do vary hugely. I once measured found two pairs of the same trousers which varied well over an inch on the waist. Often if you try an item on and find it is a little bit too large/small then trying another of the same can be the answer.

[Dancing Queen]

Great idea DQ...why didn't I think of that????

Because you're a man

[Admiral of the Humber]

I tend to buy my work and dress shirts from M&S or Debenhams (their Osborne brand), I always buy a 16 and half inch collar in both stores and have seldom if ever had fit problems. Other stores are a different matter and in Next, for example, I would rather try on first or if not possible buy a slightly larger size as I do not have as much confidence in the accuracy of their sizings.

[karenandbob]

Mu husband has the same problems - but John Lewis in Cribbs Causeway, Bristol - will let you take a shirt out of the cellophane to try it on and if it is not right they dont expect you to fold and wrap it again, very good I thought.

[Boris+]

I ordered something from JL in Cribbs Causeway, and selected the 'collect in store' option. It worked well - went down, minimal queue to collect the two items (different sizes), then went and tried them on and had an immediate refund for the item I didn't want.

Talking of which, time to start getting some cruise stuff!

Em

[Dark Knight]

my last dozen shirts have come form a rather spiffy emporium, headquartered in Jermyn Street in London
the shirts are of excellent quality, the staff superb and the prices are unbelievable.
they measure you up properly including your back and the length of ou arms etc
everyshirt I have bouht from them has been a perfect fit and very comfortable
I find that "fitted" or tailored shirts are too small and too tight

[HK phooey]

my last dozen shirts have come form a rather spiffy emporium, headquartered in Jermyn Street in London
the shirts are of excellent quality, the staff superb and the prices are unbelievable.
they measure you up properly including your back and the length of ou arms etc
everyshirt I have bouht from them has been a perfect fit and very comfortable
I find that "fitted" or tailored shirts are too small and too tight

Degsy, you're back! What I can't understand is why shirts are sold by collar size. You could have 2 blokes with a 16 inch neck but but one could have arms like a chimpanzee or a big beer gut and the other one could be weedy but with a chunky neck.

[Dark Knight]

HK
I have reported your abuse to Admin

and they have told me to sod off and grow a pair

[HK phooey]

Quite right too. I had you down as a Primarni man myself

[Romig1]

I've just had the try-on session....

Unsurprisingly, the 2 M&S shirts which were both 16" collar, Regular Fit were COMPLETELY DIFFERENT!!!!!!

There was about 1" variation on the collar and the body size was different too. I would have kept one (which fitted perfectly), but for the fact I'd picked up a 2" longer arm and body shirt!!!!
So, both are going back, but Wina insisted on folding them both back neatly...I'd have just stuffed them back into the bags with all the associated plastic crap and let them sort them out. I have therefore only kept one shirt from the shopping trip....THE ONE I TRIED ON IN THE SHOP!!!!

So much for their insistence that they all fit the same. I feel a letter of complaint coming on (if I could be bothered).

[Dark Knight]

R
I know it is a bit of a trek but come down to J28 outlet village, there is Gieves and Hawkes shirt outlet, they prices are amazing, £100 shirts for £20
they measure you properly and you can try on everything before you buy

AOTH got a shirt or two there the other week and said he ould have spent a fortune in there, they are really good
give em a google and see if there is one near you

[Romig1]

R
I know it is a bit of a trek but come down to J28 outlet village, there is Gieves and Hawkes shirt outlet, they prices are amazing, £100 shirts for £20
they measure you properly and you can try on everything before you buy

AOTH got a shirt or two there the other week and said he ould have spent a fortune in there, they are really good
give em a google and see if there is one near you

Will do DN...but I won't be letting a bloke with a tape measure anywhere near my belly!

[HK phooey]

Don't you mean two tape measures?

[Romig1]

That's really not very nice.

[Dancing Queen]

R it's the same outlet as the one in York which might be closer for you ( York is bigger though ) I don't know about the shop DK is referring to but the last time I went to York they had the same shops and more as the one at J28.

[Dark Knight]

they have a few outlets, so use Mr Google