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#1 2010-09-15 17:35:48
- farrago
- Ambassador Of Ivy
- From: Now in SFO
- Posts: 1087
The New World Order
For those of you interested in the topic of manufacturing in China, I came across this article in the NY Times.
There's a great deal of nostalgia for the old Brooks shirt factory in New Jersey and its products. This, of course, no longer exists, but Brooks did bring back some shirt production to a small factory in Garland, NC. The majority of Brooks' product comes from overseas, though.
Since Brooks has been a proponent of achieving a better standard of living through chemistry, and since quite a few folks have forgotten how to use an iron, the non-iron shirt has become a modern Brooks staple.
TAL Manufacturing, out of Hong Kong, produces non iron shirts for Brooks and and a host of other major American retailers. Aside from having its production and supply techniques down pat, TAL holds the patent for the "pucker free seams" on the non-iron shirts.
I made a remark to one of Tintin's posts on the topic that modern convenience had been reduced to plastic (the resin that gives the non-iron property) and glue (the substance the keeps the seams flat and neat).
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/business/global/16factory.html?_r=1&hp
#2 2010-09-15 21:33:17
- chatsworth osborne jr.
- Member
- Posts: 738
Re: The New World Order
Has anyone seen a US-made non-iron shirt this century? I always suspected that the Environmental Protection Agency had protected us from the toxic chemicals surely used in the manufacture of the plastic fantastic shirt. Or is it because of this patent?
#3 2010-09-15 22:16:09
- shamrockmonkey
- Member
- From: chicago
- Posts: 1418
Re: The New World Order
yes. i have a US made non iron, slim fit. got it at an outlet last winter, but it was from the regular store line.
Last edited by shamrockmonkey (2010-09-15 22:18:48)
I brush my teeth with minty paste/I hate when Liquor goes to waste.
#4 2010-09-16 00:05:15
- Moose Maclennan
- Ivy Inspiration
- From: Hernando's Hideaway
- Posts: 4577
Re: The New World Order
Called 'non-iron' of course because if you try to iron them, they will melt...
Didn't know about the resin and glue thing. I can happily admit to owning one Bean non-iron, made in Malaysia. It's perfectly OK.
The old 60/40 polycotton permanent-press oxfords of yore were US made; many are still holding up fine.
Last edited by Moose Maclennan (2010-09-16 00:05:45)
#5 2010-09-16 00:09:18
- Rip Rig & Panic
- Member
- Posts: 4697
Re: The New World Order
What about all of those earlier 'non-iron', 'never-iron', synthetic examples, like my ancient Lion of Troy? My wife irons everything anyway, but this shirt is still holding up after numbers of cotton - that have demanded ironing - have gone to meet their Makers (ha-ha!) I simply now have to search far harder for any Brooks shirt I want to wear, and shamrock is an excellent source.
#7 2010-09-16 00:18:04
- Moose Maclennan
- Ivy Inspiration
- From: Hernando's Hideaway
- Posts: 4577
Re: The New World Order
Shirts with poly in them, however lovely, are almost completely ignored at auction. Even NOS. It's a rich lode...
#9 2010-09-16 07:13:28
- farrago
- Ambassador Of Ivy
- From: Now in SFO
- Posts: 1087
Re: The New World Order
Last edited by farrago (2010-09-16 13:28:59)
#10 2010-09-16 07:24:25
- Rip Rig & Panic
- Member
- Posts: 4697
Re: The New World Order
I have become extremely nervous about buying anything new whatsoever. I find there are too many questions to be asked and too many salespeople who are unable or unwilling to provide an answer.
#11 2010-09-16 07:34:44
- farrago
- Ambassador Of Ivy
- From: Now in SFO
- Posts: 1087
Re: The New World Order
There are some funny, if anecdotal, stories, about what some attempt to do to get these non-iron shirts to behave. These are three I can recall:
1) Wash the shirt a few dozen times before wearing. There might also be a mystery substance that promotes substance removal.
2) Bake the shirt at a certain temperature. Go tell the wife you need to borrow the oven or microwave for an experiment.
3) Soak the shirt in some sort of chemical and proceed to Step #1.
Last edited by farrago (2010-09-16 13:28:32)
#12 2010-09-16 07:37:05
- Rip Rig & Panic
- Member
- Posts: 4697
Re: The New World Order
I enjoy hearing my wife tell me exactly which shirts she enjoys ironing.
#17 2010-09-16 07:46:30
- farrago
- Ambassador Of Ivy
- From: Now in SFO
- Posts: 1087
Re: The New World Order
Over here, O'Connell's.
#18 2010-09-16 07:50:53
- colin
- Bright Light
- Posts: 1315
Re: The New World Order
And surely that taps in with why people want John Simon's shop to not be an online only venture, that its all part of the event going to see his shops.
Granted I barely knew the last shop (apart from a couple of near purchases, one regretted, one less so), and no doubt you all on here know all this much more than I do, but I guess it's part of why so many of the Brits on here regard John Simons and the various other faces in the several shops over the years with high regard. The knowledge AND 'The Look'.
Perhaps I'm just ramling a bit....
#20 2010-09-16 07:55:06
- colin
- Bright Light
- Posts: 1315
Re: The New World Order
Without wanting you to get sick of me saying it too much, thanks again it is much appreciated!