Starched Shirt Question.

[TCMfan25]

Is it acceptable to wear a starched bib shirt for everyday dress? I do not like the translucency of normal white shirts, I was watching "Secret Agent" (1936) and Robert Young was wearing one with a tie and spear collar.

 

[Qirrel]

If you are thinking from a historical perspective then yes, it was the norm until around the turn of the century. Getting thicker shirts would also solve your problems. From a contemporary perspective I guess it wouldn't make a huge difference to the way people perceive you if you were already a wearer of vintage.

 

[Tomasso]

Getting thicker shirts would also solve your problems.

Royal oxford is a good choice for the more modest among us.....or you can have your shirts made with a double-front; that's what I do with my voile shirts. Of course the simplest solution would be to wear an undershirt which will have a mitigating effect on that dreaded translucency.

 

[Fidena]

Wearing undershirts can also help solve this problem.

 

[TCMfan25]

I will go with a bib, or oxford shirt, I do not like that you can see the neckline and sleeve end of undershirts.

 

[Hap Hapablap]

I can't picture the scene in the movie. I have seen it a million times, but can't envision it. Where about is this?
The wardrobe of that movie is oddly anachronistic. It is supposed to take place during WWI, but you wouldn't know it by the suits. John Gielgud's DB looks like it came out of his closet in 1936. I guess they didn't try too hard back then, unless it was a costume period piece.

 

[TCMfan25]

I can't picture the scene in the movie. I have seen it a million times, but can't envision it. Where about is this?
The wardrobe of that movie is oddly anachronistic. It is supposed to take place during WWI, but you wouldn't know it by the suits. John Gielgud's DB looks like it came out of his closet in 1936. I guess they didn't try too hard back then, unless it was a costume period piece.

Young is laying on his Hotel Room Bed speaking to Madeleine Carroll, he had no jacket on, but a starched bib shirt, spear collar, and regular necktie.

I have tried to find a photo of the scene, but it has proved impossible.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Young is laying on his Hotel Room Bed speaking to Madeleine Carroll, he had no jacket on, but a starched bib shirt, spear collar, and regular necktie.

I have tried to find a photo of the scene, but it has proved impossible.

This scene?

 

[TCMfan25]

This scene?

Perhaps... Most likely.
There is a certain moment in the scene where Young lay on his side, his front facing the camera and you can see it perfectly.

 

[sproily]

Your shirts are of too thin fabric. Get some nice vintage ones made of thick bed sheet strength cotton.

 

[TCMfan25]

Unfortunately, I am not in Finland .

The Vintage Shops I have visited all have Vintage Shirts, yet seemingly never in my size.

To the deep abyss of The Bay I must venture, in seek of thick Vintage shirting!

 

[sproily]

Yes!

I have found all of my tunic shirts (sans formal marcella front ones) on eBay. Even this 20's one with fleurs des lis!

 

[TCMfan25]

Yes!

I have found all of my tunic shirts (sans formal marcella front ones) on eBay. Even this 20's one with fleurs des lis!

Any specific nation's Ebay? Finnish?

 

[TCMfan25]

I just realized that ther is no Finnish Ebay :eusa_doh:...

 

[sproily]

I buy from the US and British eBay.

 

[drummer4hire]

you can also help the problem by wearing grey undershirts, as the reflect the right amount of light. that, and they tend to add a richness to your shirts' color, or make whites seem whiter.

 

[Rathdown]

you can also help the problem by wearing grey undershirts, as the reflect the right amount of light. that, and they tend to add a richness to your shirts' color, or make whites seem whiter.

Or you can have your shirts made to order and specify a heavier weight cotton, and period collars and cuffs. Starching also helps cut down on transparency.

You might also consider avoiding undershirts with brightly coloured logos emblazoned across the chest...