"Why don't you get a kilt while you're there?"

[azwildcat96]

As some of you have read in other threads, I recently purchased a PC jacket and waist coat, and asked for opinions/preferences about tuxedo shirts. I ended up choosing a lay-down collar, pique bib, collar, and double (french)-cuff shirt with the option of buttons or studs. Basically what is referred to as a Marcella style shirt.

Anyway, after deciding on the style and features, I set out to find it locally. I tried a few tuxedo rental stores, with no success. I tried a few department stores, also with similar results. My final attempt was at a local JoS A Banks store. When I described what I wanted to the two salesmen helping me, they first told me that it did not exist. When I explained that I had actually seen the style available in several on-line stores, and that a number of retail stores also advertised that they sold them as well, but that many were located in the UK or specifically Scotland, I was met with the sarcastic comment..."Why don't you get a kilt while you're there?"

I quickly bit my tongue and replied politely that I already had a rather nice one from Scotland. They both fell silent, realizing that they had perhaps offended me. Needless to say, I did not buy one of their shirts.

I guess I will have to place an order for the shirt on-line. Oh-well. At least I know one store that I will need to stop by the next time I am wearing my kilt. Not to purchase anything, mind you, just to see the look on their faces when I walk in.

[G_W]

It always amazes me how people in the retail industry are like that. A lot of them are on commission. Being polite should be key.

[Geoff Withnell]

It always amazes me how people in the retail industry are like that. A lot of them are on commission. Being polite should be key.

I shop for my suits (I have to wear them for work, I'm a consultant) at Men's Wearhouse. Of course, since when I'm shopping, I'm NOT at work, I go there in one of my kilts. The only comments I get are something like "What a lovely fabric! Wouldn't this tie show off well with that red stripe?" or something similar. Much more likely to get a sale, even beyond the suit I came in for.

Geoff Withnell

[pauljsharp]

There are a couple of places to look for a shirt you are describing. Nordstroms is one of the places. IF there is one in your area you are going to spend a pretty penny there so it may not be worth it. Two other places I would suggest would be online retailers both of which are very reputable. First off is an American company www.paulfredrick.com I have ordered several white business style shirts there along with some waistcoats and trousers and they have exactly what you are looking for. I am exceptionally pleased with them and their service! Next I would try a UK store that just barely started shipping to the US. www.next.co.uk. When I lived in the south of England I bought most of my white shirts there along with my ties, cufflinks, and trousers. Mark's and Spencer's is also a good UK retailer that I utilized frequently and they also ship internationally. I hope that this helps!!

[The Thing]

It always amazes me how people in the retail industry are like that. A lot of them are on commission. Being polite should be key.

Very true and that it is their employment. If you can't handle being nice to the public in a job that involves the public, then its time to start thinking of a new career. I can bet there are more able people in these difficult times ready, and willing to find a new job.

[MacBubba45]

I don't know if they have exactly what you're looking for, but when I bought a tux shirt I found K & G a lot cheaper than other stores.

[Lyle1]

Your problem might be that the sales people you are meeting don't know very much about clothes. The average sales person probably does not know that the term Marcella is a synonym for piqué, if they even know what piqué means. I hate to be discriminatory, but given a choice, I head for the older sales people, when I'm not shopping online.

[MacLowlife]

I have shirt similar to what you described, made (or sold) by Brooks Brothers: http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...=&sectionsize=

I will admit, I found mine on eBay or on sale somewhere. I try not to wear $150 shirts, but there you go...

[MacBubba45]

I hate to be discriminatory, but given a choice, I head for the older sales people, when I'm not shopping online.

That's because us old poots rule~!

[artificer]

I guess I will have to place an order for the shirt on-line. Oh-well. At least I know one store that I will need to stop by the next time I am wearing my kilt. Not to purchase anything, mind you, just to see the look on their faces when I walk in.

Interactions like this are exactly why I tend to shop online more and more.

We used to have Marshal Field's stores, which were replaced by Macy's. I had previously purchased exactly the formal shirt you described at M/F (probably 15yrs ago). When I needed two new ones, I went back to Macy's.

The first salesperson was new, and didn't know the dept., so she called someone over. The second salesperson didn't have the slightest idea of what I was talking about, but managed to waste five minutes before a third was waved over.

In the end, there were six salespeople completely adrift and wandering their department as if they'd just suffered some sort of head injury. FINALLY the manager was summoned, I re-re-re-re-re-re-described what it was I was looking for, and was told that Macy's carries no formal shirts at that location.

They only managed to waste 1/2 hour of my time. I found the shirt I was looking for BNIB on eBay for about 1/4 of what I would have paid retail.

As to rudeness in sales people... That is the type of thing that will literally convince me to a)write the general manager and describe my experience, and b) make sure I tell them that I'll never darken their door again- and stick to it.

Rudeness in staff is just as inexcusable as BEING rude to work staff.