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Can I find out what shirts I ordered previously?
If you have ordered within the last 5 years, your order history can be viewed online.  Just click on the 'Order Status/History' link under YOUR ACCOUNT on the left side menu.  If your e-mail address has changed since your last order, e-mail us to request that we update your account with your new e-mail so you can access your account information online.   

Do sizes vary among different shirt brands?
Absolutely.  Each manufacturer specifies the various dimensions of their shirts, including the shape and construction of the collar, as well as the shoulder, armhole, chest and waist dimensions and sleeve length.  So each brand of shirt will feel and fit differently, even if the size is the same.  Also, be aware that many dress shirts are made oversized, so you might wear a size 161/2 dress shirt but need a size 17 in a pilot shirt.   

Can I assume my new shirts will fit correctly?
It's best not to assume.  If you follow our guidelines, take measurements and refer to our fit charts, you will likely get the proper fit on the first try.  But do the sensible thing and try on the shirts immediately upon receipt, BEFORE laundering or packing for a trip, and be sure to allow for some collar shrinkage.  If for any reason the shirts don't fit properly, they are easily returnable for exchange or refund within 30 days as long as they have not been laundered or worn.  However, once you wash or wear a shirt, it is not returnable.  

How much will new shirts shrink?
Heat from hot water or the dryer or from commercial pressing will shrink cotton fibers.  High cotton shirts (60% cotton Oxford or Pinpoint) will typically shrink up to 1/2" in the collar and 1/2" on a long sleeve. Overall tail length might shrink as much as 3/4" over time.  Low cotton (35% cotton Poplin) or tightly woven broadcloth shirts will shrink up to 1/3" in collar and sleeve, and 1/2" in tail length.  The shrinkage generally occurs incrementally during the first 6 to 8 launderings, not all at once.  High heat and over-drying will induce the most shrinkage.  You can lessen the amount of shrinkage somewhat by laundering in cool water and by air-drying shirts.  It is important to allow for some collar shrinkage when trying on new shirts for fit.  If the collar fits just right when new, it may be too tight after shrinkage. Because of the weave orientation, the body of a shirt will typically NOT shrink much in width, so chest and waist fit will not change appreciably due to shrinkage.   

Will my new shirts look, feel or fit exactly like my old shirts?
No, and here's the primary reason: Your old shirts have changed from when they were new!  After repeated washing, drying and wearing, your old shirts have shrunk and stretched over time and the fabric is worn; they are no longer identical in look, feel or dimensions to when they were new, especially if the shirts are 2 or 3 years old.  Consider how a new pair of jean looks, feels and fits compared to an old, broken-in pair of jeans - the old jeans are softer, more flexible and have almost a "personalized" fit, whereas the new jeans look different, feel stiffer and just don't fit quite the same.  Likewise, a new shirt will look and feel and fit noticeably different than an old shirt.

Additionally, actual design changes to the pattern or fabric of a shirt may have occurred since your last purchase, especially if it has been a few years or longer.  We occasionally revise the specifications of our Pilot House shirts based on customer feedback we receive, so while newer versions of our shirts are similar to previous versions, they may not be identical.  Our "brand name" manufacturers occasionally make changes, and their shirts may even vary depending on the factory where the shirts were produced.  Furthermore, fabric mills occasionally change the thread count or finish of the fabrics they produce, or update the equipment used to weave the fabric.  In recent years several U.S. fabric mills have gone out of business, requiring us to re-source our Pilot House shirt fabrics numerous times.

Therefore, new shirts will never look or feel or be identical to your old ones.  So rather than make impractical comparisons, we ask that you simply evaluate your new shirts for appearance, fit and function.  Look them over and try them on, even if you have purchased the "same" shirt before.  If for any reason the shirts are not acceptable to you, we offer a 30 Day Return Policy. 

Why does the fabric seem different?
Fabric mills occasionally change the yarn size, thread count or finish of the fabrics they weave, or update the equipment used to produce the fabric.  Furthermore, in recent years several U.S. fabric mills have gone out of business, and the remaining ones have reduced their offerings, requiring us to re-source our fabrics numerous times.  Therefore, the fabric used in any of the shirts we sell may have changed a bit since a previous purchase.

Additionally, fabric undergoes considerable change in actual use, so it is not uncommon to notice a significant difference between new shirts and 2 or 3 year old shirts.  The old shirt fabric has endured countless washing/drying/wearing cycles that have stripped it of it's original (when new) characteristics.  First, the factory finish applied at the mill has washed out.  Then, the fabric has actually lost density.  If you've ever cleaned the lint trap on a clothes dryer, you've seen the remnants of fibers lost from the fabric during the drying cycle.  The washing cycle also depletes fibers, but they go unseen as they get flushed down the drain with the rinse water.  Add to that the pulling and stretching and microscopic abrasion that occurs while the shirt is being worn.  The result after a few years: a fabric that has so changed in appearance and feel that it barely resembles it's former self.  But the change has occurred slowly enough as to go unnoticed until it is held up next to a brand new shirt.  So, just like that faded old T-shirt, comfy broken in pair of jeans, socks with thin soles, and sweatshirt that has lost much of it's fleecy interior, your old shirts no longer resemble new ones.

Rather than make impractical comparisons, we ask that you simply evaluate your new shirts for appearance, fit and function.  Look them over and try them on, even if you have purchased the "same" shirt before.  If for any reason the shirts are not acceptable to you, we offer a 30 Day Return Policy on unused, unlaundered shirts. 

Do you make shirts in 100% cotton?
Although our Pilot House Oxford is sometimes mistaken for 100% cotton, it has always been a 60% cotton/40%poly blend.  We do occasionally get requests for 100% cotton shirts, but we feel that the higher tendency for wrinkling and greater shrinkage of all-cotton fabrics makes them less suitable for the rigorous environment of uniform shirt usage.  Keep in mind that, in spite of heavy marketing by the Cotton Industry, polyester blended fabric was originally created to help rectify the wrinkling and shrinkage problems associated with 100% cotton.  Furthermore, all-cotton fabric would raise the price of the shirts substantially, and that is rarely well-received among a price-sensitive marketplace.  

What's with 'Velcro' closures on pocket flaps?
Nylon hook & loop pocket closures have been proven in use on uniform shirts for police, fire, postal and other demanding professions for many years, and have been used on our Pilot House shirts since 2002. The Wings brand shirts have also been made with velcro closures in recent years.  The hidden velcro provides a secure closure while allowing quick, easy access to the pocket, and helps avoid soiling of the pocket and flap that occurs when repeatedly wrestling with a button closure.  A velcro pocket flap appears exactly like a conventional button-down flap, and looks much neater than an unbuttoned flap.  The velcro on Pilot House shirts is located directly under the button of the flap.  The velcro on Wings shirts is under each corner of the flap.  The Velcro feature costs a bit more to manufacture, but it is extremely durable in laundering, pressing and use, and will typically outlast buttons, buttonholes and the shirt.  The notion that the velcro closure is somehow "unprofessional" is unfounded.  While we've encountered a few who simply refused to try it, our experience is that even those pilots who were initially very reluctant to accept the velcro pocket closure have been very pleased with the function... so much so that they requested the feature on subsequent orders.  

What is a pencil slot vs. a pencil stitch?
A pencil slot is a small horizontal opening in the functional flap of a pocket to allow quick access to a pen without opening the flap.  The pocket itself is still full width, to allow placement of wide items such as a pocket logbook.  A pencil stitch is placed at the top of a false flap which divides it into two sections; a narrow section for pens/markers, and a wider section for items like a cell phone or sunglasses.  A full-length pencil stitch is a continuous stitch running vertically from the top to the bottom of a pocket.  This divides the pocket itself into two separate sections; a narrow section for pens/markers, and a wider section for items like sunglasses or a cell phone which are therefore protected from getting scratched by a pen.   

How can I wear pilot wings on my shirt?
We offer several shirts with a wing eyelet feature, basically a pair of small horizontal buttonholes stitched above the left pocket to allow the placement of metal wings or an ID badge.  Our Pilot House eyelet shirts also employ a unique interior padded backing which provides comfort and extra thickness to support the wings.  As an alternative to shirts with a wing eyelet feature, we offer a durable Iron-On reinforcement Patch that allows the use of metal wings on any of our other shirt styles.  If you require sewn-on wings to be applied to your pilot shirts,  you will need to take your shirts to a shop with the special equipment needed to do embroidery work.  Currently we do not have the ability to perform that service.  

How can I exchange or return shirts?
New, clean, unlaundered shirts are returnable within 30 days; no return authorization is needed.  Item should be placed in it's original plastic bag for protection during return shipping.  A Return/Exchange Form is included with each shipment, or you can use our printable Return/Exchange Form.  Returns and exchanges are processed promptly and a confirmation notice will be e-mailed to you.  You can speed the exchange process a bit more by re-ordering your replacement items online in a new order, then simply return the unwanted items for a refund.  The customer is responsible for all shipping costs associated with returns and exchanges.  Please note: A restocking fee may be charged if returns require substantial refolding/repackaging.  

Do you offer a warranty on your shirts?
We offer a 6 month warranty on all of the products we sell.  Please check your order history online to verify that the shirt or other item was purchased within the last 6 months, then simply send us an e-mail describing the problem you are having with an item.  Depending on the problem, we will make provisions for the return and examination of the merchandise.  Any shirt or other item that we determine to be defective within 6 months of purchase will be repaired, replaced, or refunded, at our option.  This warranty does not cover against normal wear or poor appearance due to improper laundering or care.  

Can I have pilot shirts custom-made?
Well, if you want 600 shirts, we can special order them for you, since that is the minimum quantity to manufacture. Realistically, we offer many different pilot shirts, with various patterns, fabrics and pocket styles, so with a bit of compromise you should find a style that will suit your needs.  However, there are tailoring shops that specialize in offering true custom-made dress shirts, and some may be able to make pilot shirts as well.  Be advised that the typical price for custom-made shirts will range from $75 to $100 per shirt.  A more reasonably priced alternative might be to buy standard pilot shirts, and have them altered at a tailor shop to meet your special requirements.  We do not offer this type of service.  

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