A well-crafted gown shirt is the spine of any traditional wardrobe. Turnbull & Asser, based in 1885, combines British sartorial heritage with trendy ready-to-wear comfort.
Right here’s what you’ll want to know when deciding if a Turnbull & Asser shirt is de facto definitely worth the funding.
Turnbull & Asser Historical past
Understanding the model’s historical past helps contextualize its popularity and enduring attraction. This illustrious pedigree demonstrates why Turnbull & Asser stays synonymous with high quality and sophistication.
fast details
Who Are Turnbull & Asser?
Based 1885 by John Arthur Turnbull; renamed Turnbull & Asser in 1895 when Ernest Asser joined.
Flagship retailer at 71–72 Jermyn Road, London, open since 1903.
Dressed Sir Winston Churchill (his inexperienced velvet “siren go well with” stays on show).
Equipped Robert Redford’s membership shirts in The Nice Gatsby (now within the Icons Assortment).
Created Heath Ledger’s Joker necktie for The Darkish Knight.
Outfitted James Bond actors, from Sean Connery’s cocktail cuffs to Daniel Craig’s On line casino Royale night shirt and the Kingsman movie items.
Royal Warrant Holders, serving the British royal household for generations.
Bond-Impressed Model with Turnbull & Asser Costume Shirt
As an enormous Bond fan myself, it’ll come as no shock that I’ve integrated my Turnbull & Asser shirt into an outfit impressed by James Bond’s iconic nation ensemble in Goldfinger. The shirt itself is in a white Sea Island–high quality cotton; whereas it’s not truly Sea Island cotton, the feel and appear are effective and clean, and it encompasses a traditional unfold collar and double cuffs.
I’ve added a Fort Belvedere tobacco-brown silk-knit tie to match Bond’s look. The jacket is a very ’60s minimize in a beautiful Reid & Taylor cloth—it appears to be like brown from a distance however holds many alternative colours within the weave, together with reds and greens, making it very simple to pair with completely different components of an ensemble. My wool cavalry-twill trousers, once more impressed by 007, are a heavyweight country-style traditional.
On my toes are a pair of unlined suede chukka boots in an identical tobacco tone to the tie, and a pair of shadow-striped socks from Fort Belvedere retains the brown tones coherent all through. I’m topping the ensemble off with a pair of silver-tone predator-and-prey cufflinks—this explicit mannequin is the Lion and Gazelle—which harmonize properly with the silver tones of my classic Lincoln watch, becoming properly with the Nineteen Sixties components.
Lastly, I’ve added a spritz of cologne that I’m certain Mr Bond would have chosen because the traditional gentlemanly scent: the Roberto Ugolini Oxford, a timelessly masculine perfume. So as to add a bottle to your assortment—or the tie, cufflinks, and socks seen in my outfit, alongside a wealth of different beautiful equipment—head over to the Fort Belvedere web site.
Fort Belvedere
Tobacco Brown Silk Knit Tie
Fort Belvedere
Darkish Brown & Beige Shadow Stripe Cotton Socks
Fort Belvedere
Lion & Gazelle Blackened Sterling Silver Cufflinks
Roberto Ugolini
Oxford Cologne
What Makes a Turnbull & Asser Shirt?
The ready-to-wear line distills Turnbull & Asser’s craftsmanship into accessible off-the-rack choices. Every pillar addresses a core component of blouse high quality and wearability.
Match Choices
Selecting the best match ensures the shirt enhances your physique sort and dressing wants. Turnbull & Asser provides three distinct silhouettes to go well with any event.
Common Match
Basic, balanced proportions—hottest.
Tailor-made Match
Sleeker physique and sleeves (previously “Slim”).
Weekend Match
Straight sides & hem—tuck in or pass over.
Material Choice
The selection of cloth defines the shirt’s drape, breathability, and longevity. Turnbull & Asser’s transparency about sourcing empowers knowledgeable choice.
Core: Cotton poplin, twill, linen.
Luxurious: Sea Island cotton, silk, cashmere, and different blends.
Sourcing:
Thomas Mason (cotton) & Albini Group (linen)
West Indian Sea Island cotton by way of ECCI farmers in Barbados—famend for its clean hand and sturdiness
Eco-credentials: Mom-of-pearl buttons (zero waste); shells repurposed as fertilizer.
Development Particulars
Meticulous building underpins shirt sturdiness and luxury. Each sew and reinforcement contributes to a garment that lasts.
Made in Gloucester, England with ~19 stitches/inch for energy.
5-sided gusset hand-sewn at aspect seams for reinforcement.
Floating collar linings (bias-cut interlinings) for pure form.
Detachable plastic stays, simply swapped for metallic ones.
Shirt Stays & Collar Stays Information
Signature Styling
Stylistic particulars like collars and cuffs form the shirt’s formality and flexibility. Turnbull & Asser provides signature components that turn into immediately recognizable.
Kent Collar (medium unfold)—the home staple.
TNA Collar (narrower unfold) & button-downs additionally accessible.
Barrel Cuffs: Three vertical buttons, straight edge.
Double Cuffs: Cufflink-ready, buttonhole set near the wrist.
Turnback (Cocktail) Cuff: Made well-known by Sean Connery’s James Bond.
Upkeep & Sustainability Companies
Ongoing care and restore lengthen the lifetime of a high quality shirt. Turnbull & Asser’s service choices replicate their dedication to sustainable stewardship.
Collar & cuff alternative refreshes worn shirts:
White “Winchester” model possibility if authentic fabric is unavailable.
Turnaround ~4 weeks; ≈ $150 per collar or cuff set.
Diminished packaging and clear sourcing align with eco-friendly values.
Is it Price It?
Turnbull & Asser ready-to-wear shirts ship unmistakable heritage and a traditional enterprise aesthetic—however they aren’t with out sensible compromises. Right here’s my expertise:
Timeless, formal attraction
The Kent collar and crisp double cuffs look impeccable with a tie, making these shirts good for conservative workplace environments or formal occasions. Their constant high quality and restore companies (recollars, recuffs) imply they’ll keep in rotation for years.
Restricted Versatility
That very same formality can really feel restrictive off-duty. The medium-spread Kent collar doesn’t sit as properly open, and the tailor-made styling reads “enterprise” greater than “informal.”
Excessive-Upkeep Development
With ~19 stitches per inch and high-tension seams, these shirts present effective craftsmanship, however ironing takes longer. The tight seams can pucker when damp, so plan additional time for a flawless press. Some wearers additionally observe that their collar factors can curl over time.
How To Iron A Costume Shirt
Value vs. Options
At $365–$825 retail, Turnbull & Asser shirts carry a premium for model heritage and British-made building. If you happen to’re open to secondhand finds, eBay listings usually halve that funding.
For the same hand-finished really feel at $200–$300 new, take into account Neapolitan makers like Camiceria Sannino or Luca Avitabile, which boast hand-sewn collars and collars in comparable luxurious materials.
Backside Line
If you happen to prize a storied identify, in-house repairs, and a pointy, business-first look, Turnbull & Asser is tough to beat. If you happen to want extra informal versatility or search a stronger value-for-handwork ratio, exploring different artisans—or looking for Turnbull & Asser bargains on the secondary market—could higher fit your wardrobe.
Which heritage shirting label earns a everlasting spot in your wardrobe? Drop your ideas!
Often Requested Questions
Are Turnbull & Asser shirts definitely worth the worth?
It is determined by your priorities. If you happen to worth British heritage, conventional craftsmanship, and a conservative enterprise aesthetic, Turnbull & Asser shirts justify their $365–$825 price ticket. Nevertheless, when you’re searching for extra informal versatility or a better diploma of handwork for the cash, Neapolitan shirtmakers would possibly provide higher worth.
The place are Turnbull & Asser shirts made?
All ready-to-wear shirts are handcrafted in Gloucester, England, utilizing materials from prestigious mills akin to Thomas Mason, Albini, and Alumo.
What makes their shirts particular in comparison with different manufacturers?
T&A shirts characteristic a excessive sew density (~19 stitches/inch), hand-sewn gussets, floating collar linings, and a signature Kent collar. The model can also be identified for historic clientele, together with James Bond actors and Sir Winston Churchill.
Can I restore or refresh an previous Turnbull & Asser shirt?
Sure. The model provides a re-collaring and re-cuffing service (~$150 per component) to increase the lifetime of your favourite shirts—particularly useful if the unique cloth is now not accessible.
Do Turnbull & Asser shirts work for informal put on?
Not notably. Their design leans formal—particularly with the Kent collar, which is finest worn with a tie. For informal shirting, manufacturers specializing in relaxed tailoring could also be a greater match.
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