As anyone that has ever ordered a custom shirt knows, there're a wide assortment of features that you can have in a custom shirt. I'm interested in what the group feels are the best features to order, what features to avoid, and how that translates regionally (i.e., does someone in TX get the same features are someone in IL)? For instance:
Fabric: Blend (Yes/No), Fabric (broadcloth, twill, herringbone, etc), Stripes OK?, etc.
Collar/Cuff: Same material and stitch as shirt or different?
Collar: Straight, Spread, Classic, Button Down, Tab, etc
Stitch: Edge or 1/4"
Plackett: None, Center, Covered (should certain uses have different plackett designs)
Fit: Normal, Slim, measured over a T-Shirt, or different shirts for different seasons
Back: Plain, Side, Center, Center Box
Cuff: Buttoned, French, One or Two Buttons, Round, Angled, etc
Pocket: Yes/No, One or Two, Shape (Square, Angled, V, etc)
Monogram: Yes/No, Style (Plain, Bold, Italic, etc), Placement (Cuff, Pocket, Chest, etc)
I'll start:
I live in Metro NYC (I work in Manhattan). I enjoy a variety of fabrics (including stripes) but generally like a 100% Egyptian Cotton (no blends) in a quality twill or broadcloth. If the material is 100% cotton, I also like a tone on tone. My collars and cuffs are the same fabric as the shirt (I think white is OK, but dated). I generally get spread collars for custom shirts but sometimes button-down. I think edge stitching is more refined than 1/4" but you give up some longevity as edge stitching is not as strong, IMO. I think a "no plackett," plain back, and "no pocket" are subtle indications of a custom shirt as store-bought shirts with those combined features are rare. I wear french cuffs occasionally but the vast majority of my shirts are 1 or 2 button (I prefer the latter as it holds the cuff better). Monograms, if I get them, are as plain as possible, relatively small (no higher than 1/4"), and generally on my chest (either "European" on my left side or near where my pocket would be).
