Orlebar Brown T-Shirt Review (Other Brand Notes as well)
Sterling Archer
Posts: 197MI6 Agent
Well, as promised here is my review. Spoiler Alert: Best T-Shirt ever made.
Little background, I've bought just about every recommended T-shirt on the market to try to find the perfect T. That includes, Hanes, Calvin Klein, J-Crew, Ralph Lauren, Sunspel (their standard models and riviera), Macy's brand, old Orlebar Brown, among others as well. Nothing ever fit me perfectly.
My Stats:
5'11 1/2 (Barefoot, longer torso relative to my legs so shirts wear on me as if I'm a taller guy)
42 Chest
30 Waist
170lb
Body Type: Atheltic, Lean, Muscular
I ordered a size Medium OB-T (Tailored Fit)
Issues with other brands:
Hanes: Worst, cheap T-Shirts with boxy, ugly fit but at the price hard to argue
Calvin Klein: Tried their stretch models. I wear them to the gym and under business attire but out in Public way too tight and thin. Flatters my physique too much...
J-Crew (Slim Fit): My favorite yet. Some sizing inconsistencies among colors hold it back but the fit still isn't perfect. Chest and Arms are pretty spot on (chest/arms a bit too tight in relation to the rest of the cut) but the taper through the body could use more work. Material is good but not great. If you're on a budget and just want something that is decent quality and a good fit this is the option.
Ralph Lauren (Custom Fit): Insane sizing and quality inconsistencies among the shirts. I also had to size up in these as the Medium was way too small. I ordered a Large custom fit in red and the fit was pretty darn spot on and then I ordered a Navy and it felt a size+ too small.
Sunspel: The beloved James Bond brand. Awesome quality T-Shirts, feel amazing but the fit isn't right for ME. If you have a normal taper from chest to waist or you're a bigger guy then I recommend these over Orlebar Brown. This is the perfect fitting "classic" T for the normal shaped man. The Riviera shirt is a bit tighter all around but don't be fooled into thinking there is a world of difference. Even if you are slimmer or more muscular than the average guy, I'd recommend Sunspel over Orlebar Brown if you're conservative. Not everyone wants to show off their physique and Sunspel is far from unflattering to begin with.
Macys: Quality matches the price, so don't expect anything great. Material is very thin. Fit is good but could be slimmer, especially in the stomach and waist. I have a slim fit shirt and it's not that slim but certainly not boxy either.
Old Orlebar Brown: Now that I've seen David's reviews, among other people on this forum and outside, I'm convinced Orlebar sizing has changed to true to size. Back when I ordered their old shirt, you had to size up for your proper size (I learned the hard way). I'm wearing the medium in the same shirt I owned in medium and this ones fits like a medium and the old Orlebar Brown (white label with red cross tag) fit like a small.
Now onto the review of the shirt.
Quality: The material is phenomenal. You will NOT get this material on $30 T-Shirts. It's not a marketing gimmick. The shirt feels amazing on the body, in fact it's the type of clothing you wear and feel better with it on rather than off. The shirt properly stretches and gives no signs of tearing or not being to handle use. 10/10
Fit: The best fit of a T-shirt I've ever owned. It's off the rack and feels like it was tailored for me. The stretch plays a part in this as it conforms to your physique. Again, this is all subjective as I'm quite a slim, muscular guy. If you're out of shape, then I do not recommend this brand. Go with Sunspel if that's the case. These are cut for lean guys and flatters that sort of physique. My only complaint are the arms. They are too tight. I have decent sized arms but they aren't massive by any means and it's obvious this shirt is designed with European slim physiques in mind. Big American arms weren't the target audience and someone with smaller arms could easily fill out this shirts arms. The taper on this is insane. It'll stick to the body of most guys (size up if you want a looser fit or go with the classic fit model but if that's the case again I'd recommend Sunspel as I have experience with that brand and will vouch for it). I can raise my arms in a full extension and 0 stomach shows at my height. For a shirt that fits this way, that's not common at all. 9.5/10
Value (Is it worth it?): I'm out in a warm weather state. A T-Shirt is much more than a layering piece. It's something that is going to get use every week on its own. For me, I've tried to find the perfect fitting T-Shirt and this is the only brand that has really nailed it for me. If you're just going to layer T-Shirts, then it might be hard to justify this price. You'll still feel great with the T-Shirt as a base layer but you'll miss out on the body flattering properties. At $90, I simply can't give it a perfect rating. You could buy a good quality T-Shirt and have it tailored for the price of this (less to be honest) but that doesn't take away from the fact that the material quality of this T-Shirt is simply a cut above. 8/10
Here are some pics of the fit on my body. Even a vanity flexing shot thrown in to demonstrate the stretch of the shirt and the fact that the shirt easily conforms with the body.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I'd like to thank David for introducing me to this brand. I'll be slowly but surely collecting as many items as I can from this brand. It's all about fitting it into my budget but I think they are officially my favorite brand on the market. Their button down shirts are phenomenal as well!
Little background, I've bought just about every recommended T-shirt on the market to try to find the perfect T. That includes, Hanes, Calvin Klein, J-Crew, Ralph Lauren, Sunspel (their standard models and riviera), Macy's brand, old Orlebar Brown, among others as well. Nothing ever fit me perfectly.
My Stats:
5'11 1/2 (Barefoot, longer torso relative to my legs so shirts wear on me as if I'm a taller guy)
42 Chest
30 Waist
170lb
Body Type: Atheltic, Lean, Muscular
I ordered a size Medium OB-T (Tailored Fit)
Issues with other brands:
Hanes: Worst, cheap T-Shirts with boxy, ugly fit but at the price hard to argue
Calvin Klein: Tried their stretch models. I wear them to the gym and under business attire but out in Public way too tight and thin. Flatters my physique too much...
J-Crew (Slim Fit): My favorite yet. Some sizing inconsistencies among colors hold it back but the fit still isn't perfect. Chest and Arms are pretty spot on (chest/arms a bit too tight in relation to the rest of the cut) but the taper through the body could use more work. Material is good but not great. If you're on a budget and just want something that is decent quality and a good fit this is the option.
Ralph Lauren (Custom Fit): Insane sizing and quality inconsistencies among the shirts. I also had to size up in these as the Medium was way too small. I ordered a Large custom fit in red and the fit was pretty darn spot on and then I ordered a Navy and it felt a size+ too small.
Sunspel: The beloved James Bond brand. Awesome quality T-Shirts, feel amazing but the fit isn't right for ME. If you have a normal taper from chest to waist or you're a bigger guy then I recommend these over Orlebar Brown. This is the perfect fitting "classic" T for the normal shaped man. The Riviera shirt is a bit tighter all around but don't be fooled into thinking there is a world of difference. Even if you are slimmer or more muscular than the average guy, I'd recommend Sunspel over Orlebar Brown if you're conservative. Not everyone wants to show off their physique and Sunspel is far from unflattering to begin with.
Macys: Quality matches the price, so don't expect anything great. Material is very thin. Fit is good but could be slimmer, especially in the stomach and waist. I have a slim fit shirt and it's not that slim but certainly not boxy either.
Old Orlebar Brown: Now that I've seen David's reviews, among other people on this forum and outside, I'm convinced Orlebar sizing has changed to true to size. Back when I ordered their old shirt, you had to size up for your proper size (I learned the hard way). I'm wearing the medium in the same shirt I owned in medium and this ones fits like a medium and the old Orlebar Brown (white label with red cross tag) fit like a small.
Now onto the review of the shirt.
Quality: The material is phenomenal. You will NOT get this material on $30 T-Shirts. It's not a marketing gimmick. The shirt feels amazing on the body, in fact it's the type of clothing you wear and feel better with it on rather than off. The shirt properly stretches and gives no signs of tearing or not being to handle use. 10/10
Fit: The best fit of a T-shirt I've ever owned. It's off the rack and feels like it was tailored for me. The stretch plays a part in this as it conforms to your physique. Again, this is all subjective as I'm quite a slim, muscular guy. If you're out of shape, then I do not recommend this brand. Go with Sunspel if that's the case. These are cut for lean guys and flatters that sort of physique. My only complaint are the arms. They are too tight. I have decent sized arms but they aren't massive by any means and it's obvious this shirt is designed with European slim physiques in mind. Big American arms weren't the target audience and someone with smaller arms could easily fill out this shirts arms. The taper on this is insane. It'll stick to the body of most guys (size up if you want a looser fit or go with the classic fit model but if that's the case again I'd recommend Sunspel as I have experience with that brand and will vouch for it). I can raise my arms in a full extension and 0 stomach shows at my height. For a shirt that fits this way, that's not common at all. 9.5/10
Value (Is it worth it?): I'm out in a warm weather state. A T-Shirt is much more than a layering piece. It's something that is going to get use every week on its own. For me, I've tried to find the perfect fitting T-Shirt and this is the only brand that has really nailed it for me. If you're just going to layer T-Shirts, then it might be hard to justify this price. You'll still feel great with the T-Shirt as a base layer but you'll miss out on the body flattering properties. At $90, I simply can't give it a perfect rating. You could buy a good quality T-Shirt and have it tailored for the price of this (less to be honest) but that doesn't take away from the fact that the material quality of this T-Shirt is simply a cut above. 8/10
Here are some pics of the fit on my body. Even a vanity flexing shot thrown in to demonstrate the stretch of the shirt and the fact that the shirt easily conforms with the body.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I'd like to thank David for introducing me to this brand. I'll be slowly but surely collecting as many items as I can from this brand. It's all about fitting it into my budget but I think they are officially my favorite brand on the market. Their button down shirts are phenomenal as well!
Comments
Well, I have 3 T-Shirts now, swim trunks, and the shirt from Skyfall so I think I have a bit of catching up to do
You're welcome and I don't think you'll be disappointed! Wait until their winter sale as there are usually some great discounts.
I still pine for 1980s Calvin Klein tee shirts. Those fit as if they were made for me, and the quality was shockingly good. Well, not shocking back then because I think we were used to things (even from less expensive brands) being better quality, now it seems many brands will cheap out on anything if it will save the a fraction of a penny on a hundred dollars.
At least we have brands like OB and Sunspel...
I have many Sunspel and OB-Ts
Orlebars very soft and feel more luxurious. Early days but imagine Sunspel more durable but could be wrong. Did manage to put a hole in one OB but they are def more comfortable.
I did not like the fit of the Sammy Tee compared to the OB-T (Sammy very relaxed fit)
Ive also had the stitching of the bottom hem on a few Sunspel Tees and Polos come undone. I have a 50/50 success rate with Sunspel regarding stitching and defects hence only buy in person when in London. Though I believe they have upped standards since my mail order / complaint days.
CR/QoS, TLD, DN, GE, TSWLM, LTK, TND, TWiNE, TMWTGG, TB
http://www.iconicalternatives.com/author/james-brosnan/
https://www.instagram.com/shawn.michael.bongiorno/
I think Lindy Hemming was the big Sunspel fan since I believe as well as DC in Casino she also fitted Bale with black tees in Batman.
DC was supposed to wear Sunspel underwear though in SPECTRE
What size do you wear in the OB-T vs Sammy?? I was planing to order the Sammy’s since I already have some OB-Ts
Thanks! I do as well as it would've been a big help to me but that's why we have this community. We help each other out so I thought it was time for me to contribute. If I get hold of another popular item, I'll be happy to write up another review if people want me to.
There are indie/smaller brands coming up that are pushing quality over branding. They aren't cheap but at least you're not paying for a brand name. I just ordered a Pistol Lake Henley, haven't had a chance to try it on, and could not believe how it felt in hand after I opened the package. They make stuff in LA, might want to check out their website just in case something catches your eye. Being younger, I do envy the idea of getting quality without having to break the bank.
Thanks! Yes, OB is a warm weather state savior.
Judging by the way he likes his clothes to fit, he probably wouldn't go with Sunspel. Maybe he wears their socks and underwear though
Thank you nonetheless for the review!
I wear 29" pants typically, but I take size 28 in OB swim trunks to ensure a sung fit. The side tab adjusters only do so much and a 30 is just too big in me. But, this could be an aspect of them not making a size 29, as I've heard others say go with your regular size. I like mine a little tighter though, so it's about comfort preference as well. -{
CR/QoS, TLD, DN, GE, TSWLM, LTK, TND, TWiNE, TMWTGG, TB
http://www.iconicalternatives.com/author/james-brosnan/
https://www.instagram.com/shawn.michael.bongiorno/
I've thought about doing the exact same thing. I just got a vest from them, and it feels like I'm wearing a cloud! So, now I'm inclined to find out if the rest of their underwear is that amazing sooner rather than later
CR/QoS, TLD, DN, GE, TSWLM, LTK, TND, TWiNE, TMWTGG, TB
http://www.iconicalternatives.com/author/james-brosnan/
https://www.instagram.com/shawn.michael.bongiorno/
Agree with this. Could do with mine being a fraction tighter then the side tabs allow
They don't put their staple color t-shirts on sale, so no black, white, navy, or their standard grey. They always come out with some seasonal colors and those are put on sale. Their more flamboyant colors usually get heavily discounted during their sales and you can get them as low as $30.
Wait until their Winter/after Christmas sale and there should be some pretty big discounts. Don't be afraid to check out Ebay and other sources as well.
I, also, agree that I find them to be a bit loose fitting---the tabs don't quite do the trick. I'm in the same waist-range as both you and James Brosnan--29-30 and have trouble with the OB's staying on tightly. As for sales, there used to be a one time 10% discount if you signed up for the OB Club. Not sure if they still offer that.
Not to take anything away from OB, but the fact that you are in great shape certainly help with how any T-shirt will fit on you. One of the major bonus getting into shape (besides the obvious health benefit) is that you can get away with wearing clothing from cheaper brands, as you are making the clothes look good, and not necessary the other way around.
Flattered but being in shape, at least the type of shape I'm in, I can look significantly better or worse depending on what I wear. Honestly, I can wear certain clothes and people will ask me if I still workout and when I wear something like my Sunspel polos I get comments about the shape I'm in.
I think what you say applies better to very big dudes who can fill out pretty much any shirt they wear. I have the waist of a girl and the chest/shoulders of a bodybuilder, with above average sized arms. It's very difficult for me to just pick up a piece of clothing at the store and have it fit well.
Put me in an off the rack dress shirt and trust me I'm not going to look that impressive. Properly tailored shirt? I look like a different person.
Being in shape makes everything look better. That is no question. Luckily, for most people they can achieve a good body. I started as a skinny fat guy and it took years to transform myself into what I have today. It's been years now that I've been in shape so everyone new in my life just sees me the way I am but I know that it was a journey. Still to this day, I haven't had a single person not make a comment when they see my driver's license (picture was when I got my permit around 15-16 years old).
OB is just a piece in the puzzle, though clothes can really make a difference. You're right though that OB is not going to take an overweight bloke and turn him into Daniel Craig. Taking the time to have a nice shave, spending a few minutes with some hair product, learning to look people in the eye and be confident, a couple of hours at the gym, turning myself into a well-dressed man (hopefully :007) ), and just taking steps to improve myself overall add up. It's all part of this "Bond Experience" we are part of.
It would've been nice to wakeup with a great physique and social skills, being good with the ladies, and overall filled with confidence. Still, I'm glad I've been given the opportunity to work up to all those things and with a great community like this we can all help each other. -{
Wow man. Just wow! So well put. I can relate to a lot of what you said and completely agree with all of it. Except for that bit about the ladies, as they have always been uncontroably attracted to me, they just haven't realized it yet
CR/QoS, TLD, DN, GE, TSWLM, LTK, TND, TWiNE, TMWTGG, TB
http://www.iconicalternatives.com/author/james-brosnan/
https://www.instagram.com/shawn.michael.bongiorno/
Exactly. Unless you're a collector, what's the point of a Sunspel riviera polo if you have a protruding belly when it's cut in a way to flatter a lean muscular physique? Still, there are cues to take regardless of our physique. The color combinations, styles, and type of clothing all matter.
Good news is that Craig's physique is absolutely achievable for most people. He's not massive by any means it just takes consistency and care into what you put in your body. Anyhow, men in general didn't even have these sort of physiques we see today until fairly recently. I honestly think you can still look great with proper clothing as long as you're in shape. That doesn't mean you need to be covered in muscle, it just means you need to keep the belly in check. Bond was never meant to be Mr. Olympia and do hope they don't go overboard with the next Bond and give him a Captain America or Superman body because that's simply not Bond. He's not a superhero; he's an agent that has to maintain a certain standard of fitness for appearance and more importantly duty.
Myself though? I prefer to look like this