SPIER & MACKAY - Official Affiliate Thread

[chiggyv]

Well, I can't recommend this flannel shirt that I just took a total loss on.

I wash all my shirts and AIR dry before wearing, and upon putting this one on to wear out for the first time it was very tight and confining. It's a contemp. 16.5 and upon measuring I found it measuring on the small side of a 16 in the chest and waist. Also, the placket twists off to one side (a problem I've occasionally experienced with other thicker shirts, presumably bc shrinkage is uneven).

Overall, I'm a big fan of S$M and only want to see them do well....but this is not my first go-around with their shrinky dink shirt fabrics. I'd really like to see them re-evaluate what fabrics they're sourcing, maybe performing some basic testing before moving to production. You never see this weirdly terrible tendency to so easily shrink up with shirts from Target, the Gap, etc...so it's really baffling. I'll never forget the MTM madras shirt where after one wash in cold water, line dried it went from roughly Large Tall proportion to the size of a kids shirt. Like, how? Despite their very attractive value pricing on shirts, my price-per-shirt with the handful of S$M shirts in my closet is no longer very good when you factor in the shrunken insta-toss-outs.

This hit the nail on the head.

I've been a long time Spier shopper. I don't buy suits. I have one navy sport coat. However, at one point 100% of my shirts were from Spier and Mackay. Being local further increased the value proposition since I can try on, skip shipping fees etc.

Unfortunately, I'm slowly down to about 30% of my shirts coming from Spier. The shrinking issue really diminishes the value to the point that I've had to explore other brands - even much more expensive makers. Paying double for a shirt becomes justified when you're not anxious to wash it.

I still love the brand (I'm here hitting F5 waiting for a Oxford restock) but there's something just inherently ****** about being excited for a shirt and having to dump it after a couple wears. It makes me think twice and reach other options for every purchase.

(Before the thread comes after me yes I cold wash and air dry.)

 

[jermyzy]

Took advantage of their free full canvas/milanese buttonhole offer and ordered my first full canvas MTO suit. Will be interesting to see if it drapes any better than the regular half canvas.

Just to check for those of you encountering shrinking shirts, are you washing in cold water? I used to have the shrinking issue with all my S&M shirts too, but ever since I've switched to washing them in cold water only and hang dry, have not encountered this issue. However, I do find their buttonhold threads seem to come loose easily.

 

[jermyzy]

Well, I can't recommend this flannel shirt that I just took a total loss on.

I wash all my shirts and AIR dry before wearing, and upon putting this one on to wear out for the first time it was very tight and confining. It's a contemp. 16.5 and upon measuring I found it measuring on the small side of a 16 in the chest and waist. Also, the placket twists off to one side (a problem I've occasionally experienced with other thicker shirts, presumably bc shrinkage is uneven).

Overall, I'm a big fan of S$M and only want to see them do well....but this is not my first go-around with their shrinky dink shirt fabrics. I'd really like to see them re-evaluate what fabrics they're sourcing, maybe performing some basic testing before moving to production. You never see this weirdly terrible tendency to so easily shrink up with shirts from Target, the Gap, etc...so it's really baffling. I'll never forget the MTM madras shirt where after one wash in cold water, line dried it went from roughly Large Tall proportion to the size of a kids shirt. Like, how? Despite their very attractive value pricing on shirts, my price-per-shirt with the handful of S$M shirts in my closet is no longer very good when you factor in the shrunken insta-toss-outs.

Urgh, I just ordered this shirt yesterday. Hope mine doesn't have the same issue

 

[jermyzy]

With my arms straight down

I think it looks fine. I personally prefer my jackets on the slightly shorter side. I find the old "cover the whole butt" rule makes the jackets seem too long and old-fashioned IMHO

 

[SteveMc]

You do realize that when you’re taking your shirts to dry cleaners they are being laundered in water and detergent just like they would be at home? Or are you telling them explicitly to chemically wash your shirts and not use water and regular detergent?

Is it possible that dry cleaning will shrink clothing?

I have a feeling that a couple of dress chinos got shrink after dry cleaning. I can't be 100% sure, I didn't measure before and after, but after the dry cleaning I noticed they are almost too short to wear. Is there a way to avoid this?

 

[Jlee80]

Is it possible that dry cleaning will shrink clothing?

I have a feeling that a couple of dress chinos got shrink after dry cleaning. I can't be 100% sure, I didn't measure before and after, but after the dry cleaning I noticed they are almost too short to wear. Is there a way to avoid this?

Always possible, but I haven’t noticed any.

 

[Jlee80]

I think it looks fine. I personally prefer my jackets on the slightly shorter side. I find the old "cover the whole butt" rule makes the jackets seem too long and old-fashioned IMHO

Thanks. I’m 5’6 so I don’t think it’s too short, and I took the advice of a fellow forum member and took some photos from a more natural vantage point.

 

[AtlRock]

My first S&M purchase ... 46R Neo. Feedback on fit/sizing.

 

[AtlRock]

My first S&M purchase ... 46R Neo. Feedback on fit/sizing. View attachment 1727307 View attachment 1727308 View attachment 1727309 View attachment 1727310

I personally think it fits very well .... sleeves could be a tad long. But I do not know what I am talking about.

 

[noverbeck]

Is this shirt shrinkage occuring once only after the first wash or is it progressive shrinkage after each wash?

 

[alkydrinker]

Is this shirt shrinkage occuring once only after the first wash or is it progressive shrinkage after each wash?

For me, it's been after the first wash and very obvious. I've read it's been the same for others.

The thing that's weird to me is it's not like like Spier is a fabric manufacturer...they offer many different shirt fabrics assumingly from various different sources (just like any other brand). Why is it that their shirts have this widespread tendency to shrink so much? Are other manufacturers prewashing the fabric, while Spier's factories skip this step? Are they just sourcing from dodgy, low-cost sources without taking the time to test them out, whereas other companies do some basic tests on fabrics? - I really don't know.

I have a variety of MTM shirts from Ratio and never had this problem (I've gone back to them for MTM). And like I mentioned in my original post, you buy cheap cotton shirts from cheap places like Target, Gap, etc....those never notably shrink when line dried...many won't even shrink much when hot dried in a dryer.

EDIT: I should add that I do have some S$M shirts that are holding up OK after several washes, with either modest shrink or no noticeable shrink. Many others here are perfectly happy with several of their shirts as well. So I don't want to universally say all their shirt offerings are bad....the shrink risk is just much higher than should be, and higher than any other brand I've dealt with. Believe it or not, I also just ordered two more casual shirts from them, decided to roll the dice one more time, but if either of these two shrink I'm probably completely done with their shirts.

 

[ULCajun]

For me, it's been after the first wash and very obvious. I've read it's been the same for others.

The thing that's weird to me is it's not like like Spier is a fabric manufacturer...they offer many different shirt fabrics assumingly from various different sources (just like any other brand). Why is it that their shirts have this widespread tendency to shrink so much? Are other manufacturers prewashing the fabric, while Spier's factories skip this step? Are they just sourcing from dodgy, low-cost sources without taking the time to test them out, whereas other companies do some basic tests on fabrics? - I really don't know.

I have a variety of MTM shirts from Ratio and never had this problem (I've gone back to them for MTM). And like I mentioned in my original post, you buy cheap cotton shirts from cheap places like Target, Gap, etc....those never notably shrink when line dried...many won't even shrink much when hot dried in a dryer.

EDIT: I should add that I do have some S$M shirts that are holding up OK after several washes, with either modest shrink or no noticeable shrink. Many others here are perfectly happy with several of their shirts as well. So I don't want to universally say all their shirt offerings are bad....the shrink risk is just much higher than should be, and higher than any other brand I've dealt with. Believe it or not, I also just ordered two more casual shirts from them, decided to roll the dice one more time, but if either of these two shrink I'm probably completely done with their shirts.

They’ve always defended their shrinking shirts claiming they were within tolerance and all manufacturers experience it. I think it’s BS. Like you, I don’t notice it on every shirt but the majority of them.

 

[James1051]

For me, it's been after the first wash and very obvious. I've read it's been the same for others.

The thing that's weird to me is it's not like like Spier is a fabric manufacturer...they offer many different shirt fabrics assumingly from various different sources (just like any other brand). Why is it that their shirts have this widespread tendency to shrink so much? Are other manufacturers prewashing the fabric, while Spier's factories skip this step? Are they just sourcing from dodgy, low-cost sources without taking the time to test them out, whereas other companies do some basic tests on fabrics? - I really don't know.

I have a variety of MTM shirts from Ratio and never had this problem (I've gone back to them for MTM). And like I mentioned in my original post, you buy cheap cotton shirts from cheap places like Target, Gap, etc....those never notably shrink when line dried...many won't even shrink much when hot dried in a dryer.

EDIT: I should add that I do have some S$M shirts that are holding up OK after several washes, with either modest shrink or no noticeable shrink. Many others here are perfectly happy with several of their shirts as well. So I don't want to universally say all their shirt offerings are bad....the shrink risk is just much higher than should be, and higher than any other brand I've dealt with. Believe it or not, I also just ordered two more casual shirts from them, decided to roll the dice one more time, but if either of these two shrink I'm probably completely done with their shirts.

They’ve always defended their shrinking shirts claiming they were within tolerance and all manufacturers experience it. I think it’s BS. Like you, I don’t notice it on every shirt but the majority of them.

I don’t want to sound unsympathetic, because I’m not. I have long arms for my size and so I’m very sensitive to shrinkage, especially in the sleeves.

that said, it’s been two or three years since I’ve had an SM shirt shrink noticeably. Partly for that very reason, I have bought a ton of them. 20 - 30 this year alone, I am embarrassed to admit. including two of the flannel shirts that gave you problems most recently. Call me lucky, but it’s not a “widespread” issue—although again, I am not doubting your experience.

 

[MrFingers]

Cozy!
Forest green turtleneck
Moon caramel herringbone sportcoat
Botto charcoal flannel trousers

 

[1st Step]

View attachment 1727806
Cozy!
Forest green turtleneck
Moon caramel herringbone sportcoat
Botto charcoal flannel trousers

I Love It, It Looks Like Winter!