John Crocket's world of shirts brings you the finest fabrics, in classic colours as well as in bold check or stripe. Across the range we distinguish between two models and three collar shapes. We have also put together helpful tips on fit and care.
Two-ply cotton
The majority of our shirts are woven from two-ply yarn. With this cloth you benefit from its durability and its shape retention, from clear, brilliant colours and from comfortable wear.
A two-ply thread is made from two particularly tightly twisted cotton fibres. These high-quality threads are woven into weft and warp (a vertical and a horizontal thread). The length of the threads makes the cloth lighter and more silk-like, and the high twist and the double plying of the yarns give additional stability. Our fabric carries the quality designation 100/2 x 100/2, which means that a thread of 100 count is worked two-ply in weft and warp. In contrast to the usual 115-130 g/m² qualities, our fabric is lighter, at only 105-110 g/m².
Yarns can be plied in counts from 40/2 x 40/2 up to 180/2 x 180/2. We have deliberately chosen the 100/2 x 100/2 quality, because it best meets what we ask of our shirts. That is also why, among other things, we do without half-ply cloth, in which only the weft or the warp thread is plied, and without a single-twisted 100% cotton fabric.
Poplin
Hard-wearing, breathable and exceptionally versatile: that is poplin. This cloth is one of the most common shirting fabrics, and you will find it in abundance in our shirt range. Its particular plain weave, with a denser warp thread and a broader weft thread, makes the shirts easy to wash and iron.
Yarns can be plied in counts from 40/2 x 40/2 up to 180/2 x 180/2. We have deliberately chosen the 100/2 x 100/2 quality, because it best meets what we ask of our shirts. That is also why, among other things, we do without half-ply cloth, in which only the weft or the warp thread is plied, and without a single-twisted 100% cotton fabric.
Twill-Check
Twill is a weave known for its fine, diagonal texture. As with our other shirts, only high-quality cotton fibres are used and woven into robust, hard-wearing cloth. Twill check gives single-colour shirts a slightly shimmering look. Our colourfully patterned shirts, by contrast, are marked by a soft, flannel-like appearance.
Oxford
We want our Oxford cloth firm in the hand, dense in the weave and rustic in texture. That look cannot be achieved with two-ply yarn, which, as described above, gives the cloth a silky character. For our Oxford fabrics, therefore, we make an exception and use no two-ply yarn, but the special weave of a 50/1 and a 30/2 thread. This creates the typical Oxford texture, which looks somewhat heavier, grainier and sportier. A weave with a long tradition.
Shirt models
Our shirts are cut long, so that they cannot come untucked from the trousers as you wear them. To improve the way they sit, the shoulder is made in two pieces (a split yoke), which gives a good fit.
Among our models we distinguish between the Classic and the Slimline models. While the Classic shirts have a straight, classic cut, our Slimline shirts are slightly waisted. Which line is right for you is therefore not decided by your build alone, but is also a question of personal preference.
There are, however, more precise guidelines when it comes to sleeve length. If you see an L after the collar size at John Crocket, this is a long size. Whether it suits you is decided by a rule of thumb: from a height of 185 cm you should choose the longer sleeve.
There are always exceptions, of course, but the rule holds that the shirt cuff should be clearly visible below the jacket. Unfastened, and with the arm hanging straight down, the shirt cuff should cover two thirds of the back of the hand. The jacket sleeves should reach the wrist.
Size charts
Classic shirts
| Size | UK size | Collar size | Chest width | Waist width | Back length | Sleeve length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| regular | ||||||
| 39 | 15 1/2 | 40.6 cm | 61 cm | 57.5 cm | 80 cm | 86 cm |
| 40/41 | 16 | 41.9 cm | 62 cm | 59.5 cm | 83 cm | 88 cm |
| 42 | 16 1/2 | 43.2 cm | 64 cm | 61.5 cm | 83 cm | 88 cm |
| 43 | 17 | 44.5 cm | 66 cm | 63.5 cm | 85 cm | 89 cm |
| 44 | 17 1/2 | 45.8 cm | 68 cm | 65.5 cm | 85 cm | 90 cm |
| 45 | 18 | 47.1 cm | 70 cm | 68.5 cm | 86 cm | 90 cm |
| longer sleeve | ||||||
| 39L | 15 1/2L | 40.6 cm | 61 cm | 57.5 cm | 82 cm | 91.5 cm |
| 40/41L | 16L | 41.9 cm | 62 cm | 59.5 cm | 85 cm | 93 cm |
| 42L | 16 1/2L | 43.2 cm | 64 cm | 61.5 cm | 85 cm | 93 cm |
| 43L | 17L | 44.5 cm | 66 cm | 63.5 cm | 87 cm | 94 cm |
| 44L | 17 1/2L | 45.8 cm | 68 cm | 65.5 cm | 87 cm | 95 cm |
| 45L | 18L | 47.1 cm | 70 cm | 68.5 cm | 88 cm | 95 cm |
Slimline shirts
| Size | UK size | Collar size | Chest width | Waist width | Back length | Sleeve length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| regular | ||||||
| 39 | 15 1/2 | 40.6 cm | 55 cm | 52.5 cm | 80 cm | 86.3 cm |
| 40/41 | 16 | 41.9 cm | 58 cm | 56.5 cm | 80 cm | 87.2 cm |
| 42 | 16 1/2 | 43.2 cm | 60 cm | 57.5 cm | 80 cm | 88 cm |
| 43 | 17 | 44.5 cm | 65 cm | 61 cm | 85 cm | 88.9 cm |
| 44 | 17 1/2 | 45.8 cm | 65 cm | 61 cm | 85 cm | 89.7 cm |
| longer sleeve | ||||||
| 39L | 15 1/2L | 40.6 cm | 55 cm | 52.5 cm | 82 cm | 92.1 cm |
| 40/41L | 16L | 41.9 cm | 58 cm | 56.5 cm | 82 cm | 93 cm |
| 42L | 19 1/2L | 43.2 cm | 60 cm | 57.5 cm | 82 cm | 93.8 cm |
| 43L | 17L | 44.5 cm | 65 cm | 61 cm | 87 cm | 94.5 cm |
| 44L | 17 1/2L | 45.5 cm | 65 cm | 61 cm | 87 cm | 95.5 cm |
The collar shape
Kent
This collar cut gives the tie knot its right position, exactly in the centre of the triangle formed by the collar points. Even when the top shirt button is left casually open on informal occasions. This is because the elastic (and, of course, removable) collar stays keep the collar supple. They provide the ideal curve and prevent the collar points from standing away even when the tie is loosened. If you are looking for the ideal shirt to go with a silk tie and a business suit, congratulations: you have just found it.
As the Kent collar is the classic par excellence, we offer it in both of our lines – Classic and Slimline. Our Classic Kent comes with an elegant double cuff and a breast pocket, while the Slimline model does without both. That makes it excellent to wear on casual occasions too.
Button Down
English sporting style for relaxed comfort. After all, the button-down collar is a typically British example of practical clothing. It was invented for polo players. Chasing the ball, they did not want the collar points flapping into their faces, so the points were buttoned down.
The supple character and the sportiness of the collar with its buttoned points make this shirt a true all-rounder, on relaxed days in the office as much as at leisure. Even without a tie and with the collar unbuttoned, it always gives you the feeling of being perfectly dressed. The simple cuff with its two buttons goes perfectly with this casually elegant style. A breast pocket underlines the practical side of the button-down shirt.
Cut-Away
Daring and brilliant was the idea of a men's tailor who boldly reached for the scissors and, with one skilled cut, created what is today the most modern collar shape: the cut-away.
With its points “cut away”, or in other words spread, the cut-away always looks a little more fashionable than a classic shirt collar, relaxed and style-conscious at the same time.
The look of the cut-away underlines a dynamic presence and shows relaxed elegance. Between the horizontally cut collar points, the tie knot shows to fine advantage. As befits a suit, the cut-away has no breast pocket, but comes with a double cuff instead and makes room for elegant cufflinks.
Crafted in the London tradition
At John Crocket, only two-ply cotton is used for shirting, apart from the Oxford fabrics. Quality comes first at John Crocket. Mother-of-pearl buttons are a matter of course, and every step of the making is well considered, as the points below show most clearly.
Collar
The collar is made from two pieces, which means it is not fused. A fused collar is simpler and cheaper to produce, but the result looks rigid and makes the collar seem like cardboard. With a two-piece collar, by contrast, clever cutting achieves a natural set. To ensure a perfect fit as well, our Kent and Cut-Away collars have removable collar stays.
two-piece collar
removable collar stays
Cuffs
The cuff shown here is the fashion-conscious double cuff. It is a double layer of fabric that is folded back towards the wrist and held in place by elegant cufflinks or knot cufflinks. Evening wear such as the dinner jacket is worn exclusively with a double cuff. We offer our Button-Down and the Slimline Kent shirt with the simple button cuff, which fastens with two buttons. It is the most popular type of cuff and is ideally suited to casual wear.
Care instructions
You can wash our shirts at 40 degrees. Please note that the shirts shrink a little after washing. That is why our shirts have an extra centimetre in the collar, so that even after washing 4 or 5 times it is not too small and still sits comfortably.
In Love with Shirts
There are several convincing arguments for the John Crocket shirt. There is the two-ply cotton, made from doubly twisted fibre with a lasting silk sheen. The classic cut is so generous that the shirt always sits impeccably. The Slimline shirt is cut narrow and a little shorter. And with their variety of patterns and textures, these shirts suit you to a T.