New Custom Indy Shirt

[Pyroxene]

I took my NH shirt to a custom shirt shop the other day to see if I could commision a copy.

Here's what I got back.


The shirt fits extremely well and is almost dead on. The fabric is all cotton and from what I can tell is an Oxford weave. It's slightly darker than the NH. Then again, I already have my screen accurate shirt so that was ok with me. The attention to detail is amazing. And, he even caught the pen pocket which I failed to mention when I ordered it.


The buttons will need to be substituted for ones that closer match the fabric. Right now they are the "marble" style of buttons that are common to many shirts.


I am happy to answer any questions.

Cheers,
Pyro.

[MK]

It looks well made. What did that set you back?

[Rixter]

I took my NH shirt to a custom shirt shop the other day to see if I could commision a copy.

The shirt fits extremely well and is almost dead on. The fabric is all cotton and from what I can tell is an Oxford weave. It's slightly darker than the NH. Then again, I already have my screen accurate shirt so that was ok with me. The attention to detail is amazing. And, he even caught the pen pocket which I failed to mention when I ordered it....

I would ask why you thought to do this? I get the impression from what you said that you weren’t overly concerned about the existing NH color, fabric, or even screen accuracy. So I’m assuming maybe you were motivated to have it done because of price (!?!?), a better fit, more durable stitching than the NH, or the convenience of a more local source for the shirt,... ???

The shirt looks to be well made, but appears slightly coarser and perhaps not as smooth (luxurious) a weave as the NH, although it’s hard to tell. I am a bit surprised that they couldn’t come up with a lighter, perhaps truer color if that’s what you would have wanted since you mentioned the rest of the detail on the shirt was amazing. I should have thought that would have been the easiest request for them to fill, and the one that most folks would desire, considering all the other attention they obviously put into it.

All in all it looks to be an EXTREMELY nice shirt.

[Marc]

I like your idea here Pyroxene!

We have so many different vendors for the different pieces of gear, that try to deliver the most exact and screen accurate pieces of clothes. Sometimes these reproductions are told to be even better, than what the original vendors have to offer at the moment (i.e. we'll never get one of the original brazil Fedoras from HJ). So why not a reproduction of the NH shirt?

I tip my hat(s) for you.

Regards,

Marc

BTW: I'd like to know, how much you had to pay as well as MK does.

[Indiana Joe]

So, Pyr--

Were do I send my money?

[Indiana Texas-girl]

Did you find the Swiss type cotton like what NH uses, cotton, or a cotton blend? I'd definitely be interested in a price.

[Indiana Janice]

Are you going to offer these? You have my attention!
Indy Janice

[Bogie1943]

HOW DO I GET ONE????????????????????????

[Pyroxene]

What did that set you back?

$185. Are you still interested? <grin> It was either this or another PB hat.

I would ask why you thought to do this?

I loved the character and style of the shirt. It hurt really badly when the NH shirt didn't fit me too well. I went to see if I could get the shirt in a similar fabric but was custom fit for me. And, if he were able to pull off this challenge, I would want to come back to him for other dress shirts to wear everyday.

So I’m assuming maybe you were motivated to have it done because of price (!?!?), a better fit, more durable stitching than the NH, or the convenience of a more local source for the shirt

I had asked around and found the price was going to be about the same. $180-200. I definitely wanted a better fit and more durable stitching. I wish he were local. I live 2 1/2 hours away from him. There is a place in Austin, TX I would like to approach too.

The shirt looks to be well made, but appears slightly coarser and perhaps not as smooth (luxurious) a weave as the NH...

Did you find the Swiss type cotton like what NH uses, cotton, or a cotton blend?

You are correct. The fabric is of a different weave. The weave of the shirt is at an angle similar to an Oxford cloth. It appears the weave of the NH is straight up and down. He only had swatches in his office. Not bolts of fabric. The way it appeared to me was that he ordered shirt from somewhere else (we had to add several inches around the chest for the pleats) and then he tailors it and trims it up. This was my first custom shirt so it was a learning experience for me. I don't know if this is common practice or out of the ordinary.

I am a bit surprised that they couldn’t come up with a lighter, perhaps truer color if that’s what you would have wanted since you mentioned the rest of the detail on the shirt was amazing. I should have thought that would have been the easiest request for them to fill, and the one that most folks would desire, considering all the other attention they obviously put into it.

Well, it's probably due to the way I commissioned it. I asked him for a safari shirt with quality fabric that I could wear on the weekends. So, he was looking for those qualities in a fabric that could come close to the color. I told him that I wanted to match the color as much as possible. Maybe go a little lighter. In hindsight, I should have just said match the fabric and not told him what I was going to use the shirt for. I probably would have had a closer shirt.

Were do I send my money?

Are you going to offer these?

HOW DO I GET ONE??

I don't want to release the information just yet. 1.)He runs a one-man operation making custom clothes for people. And, I would hate to swamp him with requests. 2.) I want to see if he can make the shirt from memory. I took the "master" shirt back home with me. Next month I plan on ordering the same shirt but in a dark blue or forest green. 3.) The feedback you all provided is valuable and your interest is encouraging. I would like to see if he can find a fabric similar to NH shirts are made out of.

I thought I would do this just see if it could be done. I plan on more attempts and naturally; I will post my information as it comes up.
There are custom shirt makers in every town. This was my first stab at it and it turned out quite well. I trust others will follow with their creations in the quest to more/better gear.

Cheers,
Pyro

[Bogie1943]

Good Golly Miss Molly, well looks like the hobby continues it's expensive days for me, AGAIN. I may take a plunge and get one of these, MAYBE, if I can afford it in the near future, try to get one before Indy Summit QM HERE WE COME.

[Rixter]

Thank you for your detailed reply to one of my typically all too probative, long winded questions.

Great answer to why you had it done as well. More people should take that attitude and apply it to all areas of their life, simply to see “if it could be done.” I guess there are the real 'doers,' and those of us who simply ask questions (speaking only of myself of course.)

[Doctor_Jones]

WOW!!!

[Renderking Fisk]

Wouldn't mind a brief write-up on how you found this guy.

[Indiana Joe]

I just want to say that I really appreciate the time and energy you've put into this, Pyr!

I.J.

[Rick Blaine]

Hey Pyro,

Expect an Instant Message.

Where was this tailor when I needed her?

The collar doesn't look curved enough on the sides to me.

The stitching is nice, the epuelets could stand to go back just a little more.

Very nice, are you coming to the QM this year? Sincerest Regards. Dan

P.S. I paid $200 for the first prototype shirt a year ago, and it wasn't anything like this. If this was the guy's first stab you've got quite a gem on your hands.

[Rick Blaine]

Also, regarding the fabric. The Howard fabric was always to thin for my taste. It reminded me too much of a dress shirt.

I have never heard of Swiss Cotton. Egyptian yes, Swiss no.

[Pyroxene]

There were some questions lately about the shirt I commissioned. I thought I would bump this back up to the top so it doesn't get lost.

Pyro.