Is Charles Tyrwhitt Good Value? Shirts, Fit and Quality

The Heritage Question

Unlike Jermyn Street shirtmakers with much longer histories, Charles Tyrwhitt is a relatively young business: Nick Wheeler started it in 1986 while studying at Bristol University.

He named it after his own middle names, Charles Tyrwhitt, and began by mailing out 5,000 leaflets.

In 1997 the company opened its first shop on Jermyn Street, the London street long associated with British shirtmaking.

Charles Tyrwhitt still works differently from small traditional Jermyn Street makers: it sells in large volumes, online and through its shops, which is what makes its multi-buy pricing possible.

Quality Analysis

Quality varies across the range, so it pays to know which shirts to look at.

The business shirts’ collars are a strength: the reviewer behind Sam Talks Style, who owns a few Charles Tyrwhitt shirts, found in a 2019 review that the business collars were a good length and sat well under a jacket, while the casual shirt collars were a little narrow and did not sit as well under a jacket.

The same reviewer found the business poplin shirts thin and light enough that an undershirt often shows, even through a coloured shirt, while the casual poplins did not have that issue.

If you wear an undershirt and want it hidden, look at twill, Oxford or other heavier weaves, or choose a skin-tone undershirt, and check the fabric description before you buy.

Charles Tyrwhitt also sells Egyptian cotton and non-iron shirts; the non-iron finish saves ironing, so it suits frequent travellers, but try one before buying several.

The Status Question

Among City professionals, Charles Tyrwhitt is often seen as a step above high street brands, but below the traditional luxury shirtmakers in price and prestige.

For most workplaces, what people notice is whether a shirt fits, is clean and pressed, and suits the suit and tie, not the label inside the collar.

Fit and Presentation

Charles Tyrwhitt’s wide range of sizes and fits is one of its strengths.

Shirts are sold by collar size and sleeve length, and the brand offers four fits: Classic, which it calls “generous-cut”; Slim, “lightly tailored” and its most popular fit; Extra Slim, which it says “skims the body”; and Super Slim, “the slimmest of Tyrwhitt fits”.

Choose by how the shirt sits on you rather than by the name: it should button across the chest and middle without pulling, with the shoulder seam at or near the edge of your shoulder and cuffs that reach the wrist.

Sizing can differ between the business and casual ranges, so compare the brand’s size guide with a shirt you already own and try more than one fit.

Collar construction is a strength in the business range, with enough structure to keep its shape under a tie through a long day.

What to Buy from Charles Tyrwhitt

Charles Tyrwhitt’s multi-buy offers lower the price per shirt well below traditional Jermyn Street pricing; the terms change, so check them on the day you buy.

Buying during the brand’s frequent sales can lower the price further, though choosing the right cloth and fit still matters more than the discount.

On balance, the business shirts in twill and other heavier weaves offer the best mix of quality and value, while the casual shirts deserve a closer comparison with high-street alternatives before you buy.

Is Charles Tyrwhitt Good Value? Here’s the Verdict

For a man who wants good shirts for work without paying luxury prices, Charles Tyrwhitt is a sensible compromise.

At full price, compare it carefully with other shirtmakers at the same price.

Bought through multi-buy offers or in the sales, the business shirts offer good quality for daily professional wear, provided you choose a fit that suits you and a cloth heavy enough for your needs.

If you want a few shirts for special occasions, a smaller traditional maker or made-to-measure shirts are worth comparing.

Charles Tyrwhitt works well as the everyday core of a work wardrobe, with other makers for occasions where you want something different.