If you‘re a fan of classic, high-quality dress shirts at affordable prices, you‘ve likely come across Kirkland Signature, Costco‘s private label brand. Kirkland offers a range of well-made wardrobe essentials, including men‘s dress shirts in various styles, colors and sizes. But have you ever wondered where these shirts come from and who actually makes them?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take a closer look at the origins and manufacturing of Kirkland Signature dress shirts, the styles and options available, quality and construction, pricing, and more. By the end, you‘ll have a much better understanding of this popular Costco clothing item and whether Kirkland shirts are the right choice for your professional wardrobe.
Who Manufactures Kirkland Signature Dress Shirts?
First, it‘s important to understand that Costco is a retailer, not a clothing manufacturer. The company doesn‘t own and operate its own apparel factories. Instead, for its private label Kirkland Signature line, Costco partners with many different suppliers, vendors and manufacturers around the world to source products, including men‘s dress shirts.
Costco then sells these shirts under the Kirkland brand name exclusively at its warehouse clubs and online. Using this global sourcing model allows the company to find the best combination of quality and value from experienced apparel makers.
So while Kirkland Signature is Costco‘s own brand, the dress shirts are made by contracted third parties. The specific manufacturers and factories used can vary over time based on Costco‘s needs and standards.
According to the tags and labels, Kirkland dress shirts are currently made in several countries, most commonly Indonesia and Egypt. These countries have significant garment industries and produce shirts and other apparel for many major global brands and retailers.
However, the exact factory names and locations used are kept confidential by Costco as proprietary information. Clothing manufacturers consider their supplier relationships and supply chains to be a competitive advantage, so it‘s very difficult to find public data on which specific companies are making Kirkland shirts at any given time.
What we do know is that Costco has a reputation for carefully vetting its Kirkland suppliers and holding them to high standards in terms of labor practices, environmental impact, quality control, and other criteria. Only established manufacturers that can meet Costco‘s specifications and volume needs are selected.
Kirkland Men‘s Dress Shirt Styles & Options
In terms of product offerings, Kirkland Signature focuses on timeless, versatile dress shirt styles that meet the needs of most men. You won‘t find trendy or fashion-forward designs, but rather well-executed basics that can be worn in a variety of situations.
The Kirkland dress shirt collection typically includes the following:
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Traditional fit shirts with a fuller cut through the body and sleeves. This classic fit works well for most body types.
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Tailored or trim fit shirts with a slimmer, more modern cut through the chest and waist. A good option for slimmer men or those who prefer a closer fit.
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Point collar and spread collar options. The more common point collar has collar points that angle downward, while the spread collar has collar points angled outward for a wider collar spread. Both are classic dress shirt collar styles that are always in fashion.
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Solid white and light blue colors. These neutral hues are the most popular and versatile for professional settings. Kirkland also usually offers some subtle patterns like thin stripes or checks.
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Exact and variable sleeve lengths. Shirts come in either numbered sizes like 15, 15.5, 16, etc. (exact sleeve lengths proportional to neck size) or S/M/L/XL sizing. The exact sleeve lengths provide a more custom fit off the rack.
So while you may not find a huge assortment of prints, trendy cuts or designer details, Kirkland delivers perfectly on the dress shirt essentials most men want and need. The brand sticks to the classics and does them very well.
Kirkland Dress Shirt Quality & Construction
Costco has built a loyal following for Kirkland clothing in large part because of the consistent high quality and construction, especially for the price point. And Kirkland dress shirts are no exception. Here‘s a closer look at their construction and materials:
Fabric: Kirkland dress shirts are made from 100% cotton, with most styles using a thicker, heftier cotton than many other dress shirts on the market. The fabric has a noticeably substantial, durable feel.
This heavier weight cotton has several benefits. It‘s less prone to wrinkling, so the shirts can look crisp all day with less ironing needed. It also tends to drape nicely on the body and resist pulling or losing its shape over time.
Some Kirkland shirts use special non-iron or wrinkle-resistant cotton fabrics for added convenience. But even the non-treated all-cotton styles are quite wrinkle-resistant thanks to the denser weave.
Stitching: Kirkland shirts feature durable stitching and seams that hold up well to repeated wears and washes. You‘ll find quality details like firmly attached buttons, buttonholes with clean edges and reinforcement, and flat-felled seams with no loose threads.
Fit: Kirkland shirts come in two main fits (traditional and tailored) and a wide range of sizes, which makes it easier for men of different builds to find the right proportions off the rack. They are cut generously through the shoulders and chest, which is ideal for most male body types.
That said, the most common fit complaint from customers is that Kirkland shirts can be a bit too roomy or boxy in the torso, especially if you have a slim or lean build. So you may need to have the shirt taken in by a tailor for a more custom fit. Alternatively, opt for the trimmer tailored fit.
Overall, when it comes to quality, Kirkland Signature dress shirts can easily go toe-to-toe with other major national brands. In fact, many men find them comparable to shirts costing twice as much or more. It‘s clear that Kirkland doesn‘t cut corners on materials or craftsmanship.
Are Kirkland Signature Dress Shirts a Good Value?
Pricing is one of the biggest selling points for Kirkland dress shirts. At around $20 to $25 per shirt (prices can vary slightly by style and over time), they deliver exceptional value for the quality.
Costco is able to keep prices so low because of its unique members-only, buy-in-bulk business model and strong supplier relationships. The company is known for capping the markup on its Kirkland products at just 15% over costs (compared to industry averages of 40-50% or more). So more of your shirt dollar goes to quality, not profit margins.
Kirkland shirts are an especially great deal compared to other premium cotton dress shirts from upscale brands or specialty menswear retailers, which can easily cost $75-$100+. In fact, even some other popular budget-friendly dress shirt options, like Charles Tyrwhitt or TM Lewin, come in around double the price of Kirkland after discounts.
Of course, as with any product, you can always find cheaper options if price is your only consideration. There‘s no shortage of sub-$20 polyester/cotton dress shirts out there. But for classic 100% cotton shirts with quality stitching, durable buttons, and substantial fabrics, Kirkland offers unbeatable bang for your buck.
Costco also has one of the most generous return policies in retail. If you aren‘t fully satisfied with a Kirkland shirt (or any product), you can return it anytime for a full refund. There‘s no better value guarantee than that.
So in terms of quality to price ratio, expert reviews and real-world customer feedback consistently rank Kirkland dress shirts as a top value pick. You‘d be hard-pressed to find a better shirt for under $30, and in many cases under $50.
Where to Buy Kirkland Signature Dress Shirts
Since Kirkland Signature is Costco‘s exclusive store brand, Costco warehouse clubs are the best place to buy their dress shirts in person. Most Costco locations have a dedicated clothing section where you‘ll find Kirkland men‘s shirts in a range of colors, sizes and fits.
If you don‘t live near a Costco or prefer to shop online, you can also buy Kirkland dress shirts at Costco.com. They offer the same great prices and frequently have a wider selection of styles and sizes available.
One big advantage of shopping in-store is that you can see and feel the shirts in person before purchasing. It‘s always recommended to try on clothing, if possible, to ensure the best fit. Some Costco locations may have fitting rooms available.
If you don‘t have a Costco membership, it‘s still possible to buy Kirkland shirts online from third-party retailers and resellers, like Amazon and eBay. However, the prices may be higher, selection more limited, and you won‘t get Costco‘s generous return policy.
Speaking of returns, one of the best perks of buying Kirkland shirts at Costco is the ability to return them at any time if you‘re unsatisfied for any reason. So even final sale items are never truly final.
As a Costco member, you can return a shirt (or any product) to your local store or by mail for a full refund. It‘s the ultimate low-risk purchase, and a great way to try out Kirkland shirts if you‘re on the fence.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy Kirkland Signature Dress Shirts?
Kirkland Signature has earned its reputation as the go-to for affordable, high-quality men‘s dress shirts. If you‘re looking for classic styles that look great, feel great and hold up wash after wash, Kirkland shirts are an excellent choice.
To sum up, here are the key reasons to consider Kirkland dress shirts:
- Quality 100% cotton fabrics with a substantial weight and feel
- Durable stitching, buttons and construction that rival higher-end brands
- Classic, versatile styles like solids, stripes, point collars and exact sleeve lengths
- Unbeatable value at around $20-$25 per shirt (even cheaper than many blended/polyester options)
- Risk-free purchasing with Costco‘s generous return policy
The main downsides are the lack of slim fit options (only traditional and tailored fits are available), and no women‘s dress shirts currently offered. The fit can also be a bit roomier than some men prefer.
But on the whole, Kirkland Signature offers some of the very best bang for your buck in men‘s dress shirts. Their consistent quality, reliable sizing and accessible prices make them a smart wardrobe staple for most guys. As long as the fit works for you, Kirkland shirts are a solid bet.
