Let’s be honest—there’s nothing more frustrating than slipping on your favourite shirt and spotting those worn-out elbows. If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this always happen to me?”—trust me, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, (myself included until I discovered this solution) the guy who keeps throwing away money and shirt due to busted elbows.
Here’s the thing, your elbows get way more action than you might think. Every time you lean on your desk, rest your arms at a café, or even just bend your arms throughout the day, you’re putting extra pressure and friction on that part of your shirt. Over time, all that movement weakens the fibres, especially if the fabric isn’t top-notch to begin with. Add in the natural oils from your skin, and it’s no wonder the elbows are usually the first to wave the white flag.
It’s not your fault, and it’s not just you—it’s just what happens when you actually wear and enjoy your shirts.
That’s exactly why I’m so passionate about the shirts we make at Riley & Sons Atelier. I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating it is to lose a great shirt to worn-out elbows, so we put extra care into sourcing quality fabrics and tailoring that stands up to real life.
Here’s the good news: there are a few simple things you can do to help your shirts go the distance (elbows included):
- Build up to a healthy rotation of shirts: Try not to wear the same shirt on back-to-back days. Giving your shirts a rest helps the fabric recover.
- Be mindful of surfaces: Rough tables and desk edges are sneaky shirt destroyers. A little awareness goes a long way.
- Gentle care: Wash on a gentle cycle, use a garment bag if you can, and skip the dryer—air drying is much kinder on your shirts.
- Quality matters: Investing in shirts made with premium fabrics and solid tailoring (like the ones we make at Riley & Sons Atelier 😎) really does make a difference.Higher quality = longer and stronger fibres = better longevity.
- Fit is King: It's not all fabric, it comes down to the fit. You need enough length to cushion the elbow, but not too much that it looks like a child. It's a fine line.
If you’re tired of saying goodbye to shirts you actually love, we get it. That’s why we pour so much care into every shirt we make—so you can look sharp and feel confident, without worrying about those elbows giving out on you.
Let’s find you something that lasts. Book a personal fitting or check out our latest arrivals. And if you just want to swap stories about your most battle-worn shirts, I’m here for that too.
Warm regards,
Fernando
Principal, Riley & Sons Atelier