For a business man, a trip to Alain Figaret is a real pleasure, because when you walk in, you know you will walk out as a better (dressed) man. The store specializes in men’s dress shirts on the high-end of the market and offers luxury finishing on each item, in which it distinguishes itself from the competition (Van Laak, Arrow). Clearly the market for men’s business & dress shirts is a global one, but only at Alain Figaret will you be able to personally design your business shirt à-la-carte.
Begin by chosing your fabric, the design, the width of the stripe, the colors, and most importantly the length of the threads with which the shirt is woven, because this length determines the quality and finesse and softness of the shirt fabric: The longer the original thread, the better the shirt.
Now chose the custom fit/cut (coupe in French) which measures best to your body’s shape: X Slim, Slim, Droit, and the ready-to-wear size which is indicated in both American and European measurements.
Then you are ready to select the type of collar: The traditional ‘French’ collar, which is the classic one. An ‘American’ collar in France is the one with two buttons on the collar. The ‘English’ collar has two buttonholes to close the collar and a small rope or chain link in the front of the collar. The ‘Italian’ collar (say ‘Napolitaine’ and it’s understood when you say it) has the collar stand up on both ends like a toxedo shirt. These are just the basics but frankly the variety of styles and shapes is endless.
Is your shirt selection made-to-measure (sur mésure) & ready-to-wear (pret-à-porter) now finished? No, because you have to select your cuff (poigné in French). And also the cuffs come in various shapes and forms. Will you have a cuff with buttons, or with cuff links? What is the cut & shape of the cuff? What is type and the color of the button which you will select? Alain Figaret offers a great variety of real mother-of-pearl buttons in a variety of colors.
You think you are done? Well almost, but now the fun part begins because you can now personalize your shirt in two or three different ways. The inside of the collar and the inside of your cuffs can be made ‘en-opposition’, which means another color, design or fabric on the reverse…maybe the best part of your new shirt?! And of course you can have your initials embroidered or even your own personal logo or anagram put, where you deem it convenient. Finally, last but not least, you may chose the color and the strength of the buttonhole threads.
A dress shirt is a thing of beauty, and a mark of style of men, after all!
Alain Figaret has a total of 23 stores in France and one in Tokyo, and is considered a ‘maitre chemisier’: A master shirt maker! At France’s number one shirt maker it will be possible starting October of this year to do mailorder & shipping on their website. Yet it is much better to walk into one of their stores in person when you are in Paris, at least the first time, to get yourself measured up. You will need to know the measurements of your collar, your shoulders, and your waist. A completely finished shirt will cost you around between 150 – 250 euros, depending on the extras, and that does not include shipping or handling. It is an affordable luxury!
In Paris there are several locations, one on the rue de Longchamps, one on the rue de la Paix, and the one we visited for this article, the one on the Rue de Sevres in the St Germain district. Ask Pierre-Jean or Anne-Sophie for a guided tour of the two floor store, even if you are not planning on buying a shirt, as the explanations on the arts of men’s dress shirt making are quite impressive.
A final small note of importance and perhaps the best but unseen quality that Alain Figaret has to offer: Visiting the store I asked if it was normal for well known business men and others to visit and order shirts. The natural reply was that of course well known executives and politicians were clients of Alain Figaret and that of course their names or identity would never be disclosed. And for THIS, you have to love France in this global age of indiscretion and openeness where everything we say, think or do, or communicate, is instantly known globally through mass & social media.
Thus, the best thing Alain Figaret offers global intrepid executives for shirts is the priceless and invaluable quality of DISCRETION.
Posted By: Sandro
