Good Shirts at a Glance

How can you tell if a shirt is of good quality?

What are the charatecristics of quality shirts?

These are the frequently asked questions when a man is about to make purchases to buy new shirts. More often than not, for the average joe, it's most likely they do not have the answers, as such information is an acquired knowledge to the privileged few of the population.

In no particular order, these are some basic characteristics on how to spot a good shirt;

1. Removable Collar Bones

Most collar bones are made of plastics and some are made of brass. Nonetheless, collar bones are important as they give the collar the right curve and prevent the collar tips from turning up.

2. Sleeve cloth is pleated where it meets the cuff.

Additionally, there should be a buttonhole to hold the cuff and the buttonhole (for cufflinks) should be horizontal instead of vertical.

3. Mother-of-Pearl Button

Mother-of-Pearl button are so hard that they will break the needle of a sewing machine.

4. Split Yoke


Split Yoke is to cater the shoulders of different height for men as it is used to adjust the fit of the shirt to a particular man. This is a very expensive detail.

5. Matching Stripes or Patterns.

Stripes or patterns should match exactly where the shoulder joins the sleeve.

6. Gusset

A gusset is a triangular piece of material that is usually added in the corner between the breast and the back for reinforcement. Normally it will be white but gussets from Thomas Pink are always PINK.