Edwin vs Proper Cloth: which button-up to buy, and when
Both land in the premium tier: the Edwin Cotton Work Shirt at $135, the Proper Cloth Custom Cotton Dress Shirt at $145, $10 apart. Here is how they stack up, head to head.
| Edwin | Proper Cloth | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $135 | $145 |
| Material | Indigo chambray, cotton twill, and washed and printed cottons chosen for a clean hand and workwear durability. | Wide fabric library — crisp two-fold cottons, oxfords, linens and flannels. |
| Fit | Trim-to-regular fit with a clean shoulder and easy body; cut to layer comfortably over a tee. | Made-to-measure custom fit from your measurements; remakes refine it. |
| Quality | Tidy seams, sturdy buttons, and considered detailing reflect a careful Japanese-influenced build. The cottons are durable and age well. | Premium — good cloth, clean construction, customisable collars and cuffs; fit is the selling point. |
| Best for | Japanese-workwear and clean-casual wardrobes, worn as a versatile layering shirt with denim and chinos. | Hard-to-fit builds, custom dress and casual shirts, and fabric-and-detail choosers. |
| Care | Wash cold inside out to preserve indigo and prints; tumble dry low and expect a softer hand over time. | Follow the fabric-specific care; most cottons wash cold and press, with hang-drying for linens. |
Edwin's Cotton Work Shirt ($135) is a ready-made Japanese-workwear layering piece in chambray and washed cottons; Proper Cloth ($145) is made-to-measure from your measurements with a wide fabric library and a remake guarantee. The extra $10 buys a custom pattern and cloth choice rather than a fixed casual cut.
- The case for Edwin
- $10 cheaper, ready to wear, indigo chambray character, workwear detailing, no measuring needed
- The case for Proper Cloth
- made-to-measure fit, wide fabric library, remake guarantee, customizable collars cuffs, dress-shirt range
VerdictThe pick
For $10 more, Proper Cloth solves a different problem: fit. Buy the Edwin if you wear a standard size and want a characterful workwear shirt off the rack with no measuring fuss. Pay up for Proper Cloth if you're hard to fit or want a true dress shirt tailored to your measurements, where the remake guarantee de-risks the first order. The Edwin is about cloth and character; the Proper Cloth is about a pattern made for you.
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