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Buying custom dress shirts is a touchy concept for most men. Many men don’t even consider buying custom clothing for a variety of reasons. However, in today’s day and age, expensive clothing can look very similar, making you stand out less and look less presentable. What’s the point of luxury clothing at that point? 

Even a well-dressed man may not understand the true importance of a good dress shirt. Most don’t realize the dramatic improvement a custom dress shirt will make when it comes to how they look. Lack of knowledge aside, customizing your dress shirts is the way to go if you want to look your absolute best and stand out from the crowd. 

Most men don’t opt for custom dress shirts because of the process and price. That said, the process can be relatively simple, and the price may be less than you think! So, today we’re going to break down the process of adding some custom dress shirts to your closet.

Choosing Your Tailor

When you begin the process of having custom dress shirts created, the most critical first step is finding a tailor. Your tailor should be somebody you like to work with since you’ll be working closely with them to get the style and fit you want. While there are plenty of tailors out there that can do the work for you, that doesn’t mean you will be a perfect fit with anybody you find in the phone book. 

So, what do you look for? First, you want to find a tailor who understands your style and will take the time to talk with you about it. For example, you might prefer slim-cut shirts that pair well with your slimmer suits and can easily be untucked and worn with jeans on the weekend. On the other hand, if you are in a more traditional corporate environment, you might be looking for a more traditional cut. 

Whatever it is you want, finding a tailor that will listen to you and help you achieve it is essential to having high-quality custom dress shirts made for you.

custom dress shirts

Get Your Measurements

Once you find the right tailor to make your custom dress shirts, you will need your measurements taken. The mind behind the shirt is one aspect, but the actual creation is something far more critical. After all, the most significant benefit of getting custom dress shirts is having the right fit every single time. 

For the most part, the measurement process is similar to having a sports jacket or a suit made specifically for you, or even having one that you got off-the-rack tailored to fit. 

Most shirt fittings will be done in one meeting if you’re working with a skilled tailor. You may need to come back to check the shirts, but once your measurement is perfected, the tailor will save that for you so you can always order more in the future. Even if you lose or gain weight, your tailor will be able to effortlessly repeat the process and get that perfect fit for you once again.

custom dress shirts

What’s Your Style?

After your measurements have been taken, you’ll be able to discuss the style of shirt you want to tailor. While the basics might already have been covered — like if you want a slim-fit shirt or a traditional cut with a little more breathing room — you’re still going to want to talk about specifics.

The specifics of dress shirt style are more nuanced than you might think. You’ll need to talk about a lot, including the kind of collar you like, whether you’d like a pocket on your shirt, and if you prefer French cuffs or button cuffs. These are just a few of the things your tailor will talk with you about. 

Let’s say you already have a dress shirt that you love. You can bring that in to show the tailor! A good one will be able to pick up on the shirt’s details and make any alterations you want or match the style. Buying custom dress shirts is all about getting what you want.

custom dress shirts

Pick a Color, Any Color

You’ve found your tailor, had your measurements taken and picked out the style of shirt that you like. One of the last things you need to do to create your custom dress shirt is to pick out material. This process will greatly depend on what your tailor has to show you, but most will be able to offer you a handful of different fabrics in the color of your choice.

If you’re unsure of what color you want, you can never go wrong with white or soft blue, but a good tailor will have plenty of samples for you to look through. Remember, the point of a custom dress shirt is for it to be one-of-a-kind, so don’t be afraid to add some pops of color to make it unique. 

When it comes to materials, discuss pricing with your tailor, as the prices will vary for each fabric. Your tailor will be able to help you find material in your color choice that suits your budget.

custom dress shirts

Don’t Forget the Details

Perhaps the best part of having a custom dress shirt made for you is that you get to pick out every detail of your shirt. It is all about the details for some guys, especially when buying a custom dress shirt. Let’s start with the buttons. A good tailor in NJ will have many different options to choose from. 

The sky is the limit on buttons, from plastic to mother of pearl or even more unique materials like onyx. You can even mix and match buttons on your shirt – like basic closures with metal cufflinks. Another detail to go over is the stitching. If you’re adding a pocket, using a different color stitching around the pocket can really accentuate the shirt.

Where to go for Custom Dress Shirts in NJ

When it comes to getting a custom dress shirt made in NJ, there are a lot of factors. Tailor skill, price, and details, just to name a few. But, if the question is, “is it worth it to spend the money?” the answer is yes. The ability to separate yourself from other guys in the room is worth the money, and you’ll have a relationship with a tailor that can help you whenever you need it.

If you’re in the market for custom dress shirts and only want the best, call us or send us a message to get started!

Custom Dress Shirts

Ralph Lauretta

Ralph is a co-owner of Sal Lauretta for Men. His areas of expertise include custom clothing as well as being the primary clothing buyer for the store. When not at work you can find him hanging out with his family, reorganizing his garage or watching a Denver Broncos game.