Buying rare-size dress shirt in Japan?

[Shinjitsu]

My job in Tokyo will be customer-facing, recommending products for the customer to purchase and then setting it up for them.

What kind of clothes will I need?

I only have one white shirt, but my size is 14 1/2, 34/35 which is VERY rare in the US.

Would I be able to buy this size white shirt in Japan or should I custom order them while I am still in the US? If I buy in the US, any recommendations on fabric/pattern/pockets, etc.?

 

[thomas]

Definitely custom order as long as you are in the US. White is probably best for business purposes.

I'm sure there are shops specialised in large sizes, but they are far and between. I'm also bigger and Japanese XL shirts won't fit, with shoulders too tight and sleeves too short.

Update: 34/35... Is that XS in fact? If so, disregard my reply about larger sizes.

 

[undrentide]

Neck size 14.5inch seems to be 37cm in Japanese size, which is common.
But for the size 37cm shirt, 裄丈 (yukitake - the length between the centre of your name down to your wrist) is usually something around 80cm. If 34/36 means the length of your arm (from the shoulder to your wrist), Japanese standard size shirt may fit around your neck but the sleeves would be perhaps too short.

 

[johnnyG]

Good grief, guy!

15-34 or 15-35 (or even the bullshite 15-34/35) is easily the most common size at landsend.com so just live with one of those.

 

[Shinjitsu]

Thanks for the replies, I will custom order the shirts.
15 neck size could work, but I wear a tie every day so I want 14 1/2.

Any recommendations on color/fabric/pattern/pockets, etc.? Maybe just 2 white shirts?

 

[Shinjitsu]

Anyone?

 

[Majestic]

Anyone?

You are over-analyzing the shirt business. White is fine, pale blue is fine, pink is fine. white with stripes is fine...What color is your suit, or, if you just have a jacket and slacks, what color or those? What color are your shoes?

Only you know the answers to your questions, so pick a conservative color/pattern that goes with your wardrobe and you'll be fine. Any vivid colors and you will stand out - but even then, if the color matches the outfit, there is no reason to avoid them unless you are a lawyer or some other profession where a conservative wardrobe is the norm.

As for pockets and colors and buttons and sleeve styles...you might be surprised at how little your colleagues will care about such things, so get something you will be happy with and live with it. Sometimes a shirt is just a shirt, and not a definitive statement about your worth as a human being.

Finally, your size sounds very common. If something is getting lost in translation, no need to worry: there are plenty of tailors and shirt-makers here in Tokyo. Go into any men's store in a major department store and they will have fabrics to choose from, and they will measure you and let you choose from a selection of styles. You can get one made for less than $100, and it will last you a long time. In Shibuya there is a custome-made shirt store called Tailor Fields, and they used to have a special deal where you could get two shirts made for $80. If all of that is too difficult, head down to the Gap or to Banana Republic and pick it off the rack.

Good luck. And don't sweat the details.

 

[Shinjitsu]

Thank you Majestic! Your insight is very useful for me.

But, my size is very rare... I've spoken to people with dozens of years in the cloth industry and called different places, never to find my size anywhere except online.
I'll probably buy a custom-order white shirt here just so I have a nice fit formal shirt to start on my first day, but will keep my eyes open for tailors in Japan and maybe be less picky on formalities.

 

[Shinjitsu]

Guys, I spent a lot of time measuring myself and custom ordered two shirts online, spending like $110.
However, they came out in the wrong size!! I spent a lot of time remeasuring to find their site had an issue. Now I contacted their customer service to see if they will correct their error...

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I am taking this positively and learned lessons here:
1. If you want to look professional in Japan, buy your clothes in Japan
2. Pay the extra money to see a Japanese tailor; the amount of headache of going online for this type of thing is not worth it
3. I am not qualified to measure myself; a tailor should do it
4. Order a trial of the shirt before you spend so much money
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Where to go from here? Let's see what their customer service says. If it is going to be a big hassle, forget about it, accept your loss, and buy your shirt in Japan before you start work. If not, have them remake it for you.

Best choice from the start would have been to buy the shirt in Japan before starting work.

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Anyways, thank you again all for your help. Hope this post helps some people with my same question.