Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
Does anyone have any recommendations where in the UK to buy a button-down white business/formal shirt that's comfortable for someone with sensory issues to wear? I can stand most casual shirt fabrics, just not the type usually found in formal wear - e.g. thick cotton, stiff starchy collars, etc. I expect something very lightweight would do. I also have the problem of having quite a broad chest, so shirts often come up short on the arms. So, I also need a longer sleeve to reach beyond the cuff of a suit.
I've looked everywhere, but nothing fits the bill. Any advice is welcome!
Is it the stiffness itself that is bothering you, because I expect that there are styles of dress shirts that don't have the upturned collar.
The other thing to consider is mixed blend shirts, so I found some which have elastane components, which will have stretch with them. https://www.hawesandcurtis.co.uk/blue-fitted-slim-stretch-shirt-short-sleeve-cipma320-b01
What's your budget. Because my first thought when reading this was a soft but stiff fabric, and then that turned me to some of the fabrics that traditionally are used in well shaped dresses. Here me out.
Some silks and satins can be stiff in a way needed to produce shape or collars, but while being softer than cotton.
In terms of the sleeves, the part stretch fabric could help with that broad chest thing, and reduce the sleeve problem.
Or the high budget/high time option is custom, either by learning to sew yourself or paying someone else to sew for you.
There may be nothing in here you haven't thought of before. But there may be something helpful.