In Person: Target’s New “Fitted” Light Blue Dress Shirt

Target Merona Light Blue Fitted Dress Shirt – $22.99

Much has been said on this website about Target’s White Ultimate Dress shirt by their house brand Merona.  The substantial collar, surprisingly smooth & comfortable 60/40 blend fabric, and the better than decent off the rack fit around the middle.

So it’s a bit of a surprise that their new, light blue “fitted” version has a slightly smaller collar, comes with a bit of itch off the rack, and actually measures a solid inch wider than it’s stark predecessor.

Other than that, how was the play Mrs. Lincoln?

The highly scientific “Lay the old one on top of the new one” test.  Tape measure showed a 1″ difference as well, no matter where you took the measurement.  Aprox. 19″ vs. 20″ at 6th button from top.

Other differences worth noting on this new light blue version include a lack of side pleats on the back (pleats help a shirt’s fit while aiding movement), and the fabric is less a silky poplin and more a thin oxford cloth with some texture.  And again, the collar is about a 1/4″ smaller from fold to point when compared to the old one, so it doesn’t look quite as good tieless.

All of that said (and yeah, it seems like there was a lot to say there) it’s hardly a disaster for just over twenty bucks.  It’s much more fitted than any standard fit department store shirt you’d land for $20 on sale.  There are some quirks to it, but it’ll do extremely well layered under a blazer or sweater, and the scratch seems to go away after a wash or two.

Currently not sold in stores, and to lump one more oddity on the pile, Target.com is calling it a “Mossimo & Co.” long sleeve shirt, despite the tags clearly saying “Merona” in the online pics as well as in person.

Bottom line:  It ain’t perfect, but it’s certainly a good deal at $22.  Shipping and handling is an extra $5 unless you break the $50 ships free threshold, so it’d help out a ton if they started selling these things in store.

It’s not terrible, but a little less right about here would be great…