Where do dress shirts come from?

Dress shirts are wardrobe staples for professionals and fashion enthusiasts worldwide. But have you ever wondered where these shirts are actually made? In this global guide, I’ll take you through the leading countries and regions producing dress shirts¹, how manufacturing operates, and how brands choose the right partners.

Dress shirts are produced worldwide, with China², Bangladesh³, and Vietnam⁴ dominating mass production. Meanwhile, Italy⁵, Turkey⁶, and the USA are recognized for premium and bespoke dress shirts, giving brands and consumers a wide array of sourcing options.

Understanding the origins of dress shirts can help brands and retailers make informed decisions. Let’s start by exploring which countries lead the world in dress shirt manufacturing and what sets them apart.

Top Countries and Regions for Dress Shirt Manufacturing

The dress shirt manufacturing landscape is shaped by both large-scale producers and specialized regions. Knowing the strengths of each region is essential for making smart sourcing decisions.

China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam are the top choices for mass-produced dress shirts, while Italy, Turkey, and the USA stand out for quality, tradition, and premium craftsmanship.

Artisan Tailor at Work

Why are China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam global leaders in dress shirt production?

• China: China has led the global apparel market for decades due to its vast manufacturing capacity, cost efficiency, and comprehensive supply chain. With thousands of factories and skilled workers, China produces high volumes of dress shirts at competitive prices, making it the go-to destination for fast fashion and major retail brands.
• Bangladesh: Bangladesh is renowned for its ready-made garment (RMG) sector, particularly for affordable basics like dress shirts. Its low labor costs and improving compliance with international standards have made it a preferred supplier for brands targeting cost-conscious consumers.
• Vietnam: Vietnam combines relatively low labor costs with improving manufacturing technology. The country is increasingly recognized for higher quality apparel and benefits from favorable trade agreements with major global markets, making it a fast-growing hub for dress shirt manufacturing.

How do Italy, Turkey, and the USA stand out for premium and bespoke dress shirts?

• Italy: Italy is the benchmark for luxury and bespoke dress shirts, known for its centuries-old tailoring tradition, exquisite fabrics, and artisanal techniques. Italian shirtmakers like Canali, Kiton, and Brioni are globally revered for craftsmanship and style.
• Turkey: Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and is renowned for high-quality cotton, quick lead times, and a tradition of fine shirtmaking. Many European brands source their dress shirts from Turkish factories, which can handle both premium and large-scale orders.
• USA: The United States has a legacy of premium dress shirt manufacturing, with brands like Brooks Brothers and Gitman Bros. producing shirts with high-quality standards and local craftsmanship. U.S. factories are favored for bespoke orders, small batches, and rapid domestic shipping.

How Dress Shirt Manufacturers Operate

Dress shirt manufacturing is a multi-step process involving design, sourcing, cutting, sewing, and finishing. Each step can impact the final quality and price of the shirt.

Manufacturers begin with fabric sourcing, then move through a precise production process to ensure consistency and quality in every shirt. Each country brings unique strengths to these processes.

What is the typical production process from fabric to finished shirt?

• Design & Pattern Making: The process starts with creating a shirt pattern and selecting the desired fit and style. Modern factories use CAD software to ensure precision and consistency.
• Fabric Sourcing: High-quality cotton (e.g., Egyptian, Supima, or Turkish cotton), linen, and blends are sourced based on brand and market positioning.
• Cutting & Sewing: Fabrics are cut according to the tech pack, and skilled workers or automated machines sew the components—collar, cuffs, placket—together.
• Finishing & Quality Control: Shirts are pressed, finished, and carefully inspected for defects. Premium factories will check stitching, buttonholes, and fabric consistency.
• Packaging: Shirts are folded, packaged, and prepared for shipping according to brand requirements.

How do manufacturers source cotton, blends, and specialty fabrics for dress shirts?

• Global Sourcing Networks: Leading manufacturers establish relationships with cotton growers and fabric mills worldwide—Egypt, India, USA, Turkey, and China are top sources for raw cotton.
• Quality Selection: Brands may specify thread count, weave, and finish for luxury dress shirts. High-end factories seek long-staple cotton for softness and strength.
• Sustainable Sourcing: More manufacturers are using organic cotton or recycled fibers to meet growing demand for eco-friendly dress shirts.
• Blends and Specialty Fabrics: For added performance, blends like cotton-polyester or stretch fabrics are used. Some brands also experiment with technical or moisture-wicking materials for modern dress shirts.

How Brands Choose Their Dress Shirt Manufacturing Partners

Choosing the right manufacturer is critical for dress shirt brands, affecting everything from quality to market positioning and speed to market.

Brands weigh multiple factors—cost, quality, speed, and sustainability—when selecting dress shirt manufacturing partners. Luxury and fast fashion brands often choose different factories to match their needs.

What factors influence a brand’s choice of manufacturer—cost, quality, or sustainability?

• Cost: For fast fashion and budget retailers, low-cost production in China, Bangladesh, or Vietnam is often the main priority, especially for large order volumes.
• Quality: Premium and luxury brands focus on skilled craftsmanship, high-grade materials, and strict quality control, often turning to Italy, Turkey, or the USA.
• Sustainability: Increasingly, brands are demanding certifications like GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or BCI to ensure ethical labor practices and environmental standards are met.
• Lead Time & Flexibility: Brands with frequent style changes or limited collections may prioritize countries or factories that offer shorter lead times and flexible minimum order quantities (MOQs).

Do luxury and fast fashion brands work with the same shirt factories?

• Luxury Brands: Typically work with specialized factories that offer small-batch, artisan-level production, using the best fabrics and attention to detail. These factories may be located in Italy, the USA, or Turkey, and often have long-standing reputations for excellence.
• Fast Fashion Brands: Generally choose large, high-capacity factories capable of delivering large volumes quickly at low cost. These factories are often in China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.
• Overlap: In some cases, large factories in China or Turkey have separate lines for premium and standard products, serving both luxury and fast fashion clients—but the processes, materials, and quality checks differ significantly.

Tips for Retailers and Brands Sourcing Dress Shirts

Sourcing dress shirts involves strategic decisions about where and how to produce your collection. The right choice can elevate your brand and improve your margins.

Consider your priorities—country of origin, price, quality, and production techniques. Logistics, MOQs, and compliance standards will all shape your sourcing strategy for dress shirts.

Should you prioritize country of origin, price, or specific manufacturing techniques?

• Country of Origin: For premium positioning, “Made in Italy” or “Made in USA” can be powerful branding tools. For cost leadership, countries like China or Bangladesh may be best.
• Price: Brands with tight margins or mass-market ambitions should prioritize cost-effective production.
• Manufacturing Techniques: Features like single-needle stitching, pattern matching, and hand-finished details are hallmarks of premium dress shirts. If these are important to your brand, prioritize factories with the necessary expertise and technology.

How do logistics, MOQs, and compliance standards affect your sourcing strategy?

• Logistics: Choose factories near major ports for faster shipping. Countries with strong logistics infrastructure (China, Turkey, USA) offer an advantage for global brands.
• MOQs: Startups or niche brands should look for manufacturers with low or flexible MOQs, often found in Italy or Turkey. High-volume brands will benefit from the scale of Chinese or Bangladeshi factories.
• Compliance Standards: Check for certifications like BSCI, SEDEX, or WRAP for ethical production. This protects your brand and opens doors to more markets.

Conclusion

Dress shirts come from a wide array of manufacturing hubs across the globe. While China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam remain dominant in large-scale production, countries like Italy, Turkey, and the USA are go-to choices for premium, bespoke shirts. By understanding each region’s strengths and carefully evaluating your brand’s needs, you can make the best sourcing decisions for your dress shirt collection.