An Introduction

A great custom shirt is more than just a perfect fit—it’s a showcase of thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship. At Black Lapel, we sweat the small stuff so you don’t have to. From reinforced seams to genuine mother of pearl buttons, every detail of our custom men’s shirts is built to last, feel great, and look sharp. Here’s what sets our shirts apart.

See for Yourself

French Double-Needle Seams

We prefer the french double needle side seam for added structure and durability on your shirts. The stitch adds a little extra reinforcement and can handle the daily grind with ease.

Structured Collar

Our standard collars are the perfect balance between structure and elegance, keeping their shape with just the right amount of interlining while remaining durable and sturdy. If you prefer your collars stiffer or softer, we offer an array of options to ensure your style is perfectly matched.

Brass Collar Stays

We couldn’t imagine building out a custom shirt and stuffing plastic stays into the collar. We always use brass stays–not just for their structure, but also their weight to help shirt collars lay perfectly.

Perfect Button Stance

You may not recall considering the button, but we sure do. Our algorithm makes sure your second button isn’t floating in no-man’s-land, ensuring the perfect stance for wearing your collars opened or closed. If you haven’t picked up on the Seinfeld bit yet, we’ll make it even more clear: the second button makes the shirt!

mother of pearl buttons

Mother of Pearl Buttons

You’re likely familiar with mother of pearl buttons, as they’re the finest choice for high-end shirting. With just enough pearlescence to reflect a bit of color, you’ll appreciate their longevity and classy look.

What Quality Means to Us

At Black Lapel, we believe that a great custom shirt should do more than fit—it should elevate your entire wardrobe. That’s why we’ve refined every part of the process to ensure our custom men’s shirts deliver exceptional quality, comfort, and longevity. From the fabric selection to the final stitch, each shirt is crafted with care, precision, and purpose.

We begin with world-class materials sourced from some of the most respected shirting mills around the globe, including Thomas Mason, Canclini, and Albini. These heritage mills produce premium cottons, linens, and stretch blends that offer not just durability, but real character. Whether you're after a crisp white poplin for the office, a soft flannel for cooler weather, or a breathable linen for summer ease, our curated fabric library is designed to meet every need in style.

What truly sets our shirts apart, though, is the fit. Each Black Lapel shirt is made-to-order based on your unique body measurements, posture, and personal preferences. Our smart fit system combines advanced data modeling with the experienced eye of a tailor, resulting in a custom shirt that flatters in all the right places—no billowing, bunching, or settling for “good enough.” Whether you like a modern slim fit or something with more room to move, we build every shirt to match your specifications.

Our commitment to craftsmanship is evident in every detail. Single-needle stitching for cleaner, stronger seams, reinforced side gussets, tight stitch density, and removable collar stays are just a few of the quality touches we include standard—because the best dress shirts are the ones where nothing is overlooked. And with customizable options like collar and cuff styles, placket finishes, and monogramming, you have the freedom to personalize each shirt down to the final detail.

Of course, quality doesn’t stop at aesthetics. A great tailored shirt needs to last—and ours are built with that in mind. Our shirts are made to endure frequent wear and washing without losing their shape, structure, or color. We choose construction methods and materials that promote longevity, so your Black Lapel shirt becomes a wardrobe staple you can rely on season after season.

In a world full of mass-produced dress shirts and generic sizing, Black Lapel offers a different kind of experience—one grounded in premium materials, precision tailoring, and an obsession with detail. This is what custom shirt quality truly means, and it's what we deliver with every shirt we make.