Dry Cleaners' Guide: Dress Shirts That Last!

We all know that feeling, the moment you find the perfect dress shirt. From the way it looks, to the way it fits, everything is simply perfect. Now imagine the feeling when your favorite shirt doesn't look or fit the way it did when it was first purchased. It's very frustrating!

As a lifelong dry cleaner, I can tell you with certainty, that all dress shirts are NOT created equal.

We all invest our hard-earned money into clothing. Whether you spend $25 or $225 for a dress shirt, you want it to last! Over the years, I have cleaned, pressed, and starched too many shirts to count. As a result, I have been able to compile a list of shirt brands that consistently outlast the competition.

In my dry cleaning facilities, I want the clothes to look perfect. I want my customers to look and feel great. My staff and I truly love what we do. There is nothing more frustrating than when I am working with an item of clothing that cannot be restored to like-new condition. No matter what I do, some clothes just can't be fixed. This happens all too often because of how it was manufactured or the material used.

Almost all shirts look and feel great in the store. So, how can you tell if the dress shirt will be durable before you buy?

That is a difficult task, even for me. In my experience, the shirt brands I recommend look, fit, and clean great from the first time they are worn until the last. The other brands on this list would never be found in my closet. In the past, I have shared my list with family and close friends. Now, I am sharing my list with you! Please don't buy another dress shirt until you have read through my recommendations below. Life is too short for a bad dress shirt!