As usual, the cottage red plaid short sleeved shirt I received for Father's Day more than lived up to my expectations. [It's a rare occasion that my purchases from LL Bean are anything other than totally satisfactory.] I beg to differ with all the 1 and 2 star reviews--folks who complained about the "not real Chambray." Maybe it isn't, but really I don't care. It looks great and the sort of silky smooth feeling makes almost like wearing no shirt at all.
Had purchased several chambray shirts previously and they were great! these new shirts are not the same quality and I have been most disapointed with my last purchases
Over the years, I've owned more than half dozen chambray shirts from LLB, which gradually fade and soften with repeated washings. My last order was different. That order was filled with what is essentially an oxford-cloth easy care shirt that does not soften with washing. I don't know if someone at Bean bought a bad batch or whether this is a permanent change, but in either case, it is not a good one. Chambray's appeal is in the softening effect and an oxford shirt that does not soften has no appeal for me. Caveat emptor...
I bought three of these shirts about eighteen months ago and they were very satisfactory. The fourth one that I ordered recently is not the same. The material is thinner and the shirt shrank at the first wash/dry. The sleeves are now too short. I have had similar problems with some of the LL Bean dress shirts (not the shrinkage, but thinner material). I have bought most of my clothes from LL Bean for many years and I am still satisfied with jeans, jackets, sweatshirts and other items, but the shirts have become a problem. Please, LL Bean, don't force me to switch to that other on-line retailer.
