Nasty....no half bengals

Because the blue and white looks better distributed 50/50, the ratio is out, and it looks anaemic or weak, diluted. Like I said before you have a very good eye Beeston, you'd do well to learn the reason behind the intuition.

Last edited by Babbling Brooks (2017-12-02 15:12:13)

It looks a bit dull but better in the close up pictures of collar and cuff. I've never been drawn to buy this pattern of stripe but I'm sure it would look quite ok worn with a coat and tie which would break up the lack of impact. Plain blue suit and tie for instance with a large polka dot PS. Bang on for me Beeston. He who dares...

I am not sure about the 5/3 thing. "Proper" Bengal is soothing to the eye because of the 50/50 white/blue distribution. This one is somehow uneven, and it also makes me thing of a "businessman" (think Kramer when he had that fake job, trenchcoat, downing Aspirin; or someone with a whifebeater undershirt, moustache, no deodorant, visiting the 1987 Konica trade fair).

I agree with woof, I don't really see the problem... Really just a variation of the university stripe, yes?

Proper high quality bengals ARE "workhorses", and whats not to like, as they help you getting you through the perils of, well, work life. It should have a very conservative collar shape (read: T&A's "Classic" collar, not a cutaway), double cuffs, not breast pocket, no monograms etc. Not "slim fit" (to show off a middle-aged  office done's love handles and nipples) but also not "Jerry Seinfeld Pirate Shirt Fit" (which doesn't survive well under a suit jacket). Material and construction must be on a high standard, but robust enough to withdstand daily abuse and frequent laundering (so no TM Lewins and Italian hand-sewn ones). Overall impression must be that of a high-quality but inoffensive shirt (not dandyish, not beancounterish).

My Bengal Workhorses come from T&A, where I can buy them RTW and they fit nicely. H&K used to be good, too, but the cuff is somewhat tight.

What is wrong with their construction?

It is fine. A respectable stripe that will fit in anywhere.

You make that sound rather shitty, Lewis.

I have revisited my half Bengal shirt. There is too much white, which is overpowering the blue stripes, making them almost look black. This one has to go.