Article: Frank & Eileen Shirt Fit Guide: Barry (Tailored) vs. Eileen (Relaxed) vs. Frank (Classic)
Frank & Eileen Shirt Fit Guide: Barry (Tailored) vs. Eileen (Relaxed) vs. Frank (Classic)
If you opened my closet right now, you'd find a lot of things I love. But the piece I reach for more than any other? A great button-up shirt. It goes to lunch downtown, to a client meeting, to the beach over a swimsuit, and out to dinner with a pair of earrings and a little lipstick. It's the hardest-working piece I own.
And for years now, my favorite button-ups have come from Frank & Eileen.
Here's the thing, though. Frank & Eileen names its shirts like old friends: Barry, Eileen, Frank. If you've ever picked one up in the store and wondered, "What on earth is a Barry?" this is for you. If you don't know the names, shopping for them can feel like walking into a party where you don't know anybody. So let me make the introductions.
Why Frank & Eileen Names Its Shirts
Frank & Eileen is a woman-owned company, founded in 2009 by a former engineer, Audrey McLoghlin, who set out to reinvent the button-up for women. (An engineer designing shirts? It shows. The fit is precise.)
Each name is a fit, not a color or a fabric. A Barry is always a Barry, whether it comes in Italian flannel, denim or a crisp stripe. So once you know which fit is yours, you can shop the whole collection with confidence. Here's the cheat sheet.
Frank & Eileen Barry: The Tailored One
Barry was the brand's very first button-up, and it's the most fitted of the three. It's cut to follow the curve of your waist and back, so it looks sharp and intentional, never boxy.
My honest sizing advice: Barry runs small. Frank & Eileen says so themselves, and recommends sizing up if you're in doubt. I agree. If you love a closer fit, take your usual size. If you want room to move, or you plan to layer it, go up one.
Barry is your shirt if you love a tucked-in look with trousers, want something polished under a blazer, or need a work shirt that looks like you tried (without looking like you tried too hard).
Right now we have the Barry Tailored Top in a light blue and red stripe that's about as classic as it gets, and the Barry Denim Top in Lapis, a deep, rich blue that looks fantastic with white jeans.
Frank & Eileen Eileen: The Relaxed One (and the Best Seller)
If you only buy one Frank & Eileen shirt, this is probably the one. Eileen is their #1 seller, and for good reason. It has a relaxed, easy fit and runs true to size. The buttons are placed so they lie flat across the bust, which means no gaping. (Ladies, you know exactly what I'm talking about.)
I see so many women in the dressing room tugging at a shirt that clings in all the wrong places. Eileen doesn't cling. It drapes. If you're self-conscious about your middle or your arms, this is the shirt that will make you forget to worry about either one.
Wear it half-tucked with jeans, open over a tee, or, as I mentioned in our Beach Edit, over your swimsuit at 30-A. It's the ultimate "throw on and go" shirt.
We have Eileen in several fabrics this fall, including the Washed Pumpkin, a Green, Black and Blue Plaid, a Multi Green Stripe, their Famous Denim in Classic Blue, and an Italian Corduroy in Peacock. That last one pairs with the matching Madeline Italian Corduroy Pant for a column of color that is pure fall magic.
Frank & Eileen Frank: The Classic In-Between
Frank is the pocketless one. It sits right between dressy and casual, with a clean, classic cut and a relaxed fit that runs true to size. Think of it as the Goldilocks shirt: less fitted than Barry, a little more streamlined than Eileen.
Frank is a great fit for women who want a crisp, minimal look without the snugness of a tailored shirt. We don't have Frank on the floor at the moment, but if it sounds like your fit, ask one of our stylists and we'll help you find the right one.
A Bonus Fit: Silvio, the "Untuckable"
For the women who tell me, "I never tuck in my shirts," meet Silvio. As the name promises, it's made to be worn out. Our Silvio Untuckable Button Front Top in a brown plaid is cozy, easy and perfect with jeans on a cool Saturday.
Which Frank & Eileen Fit Is Right for You?
You love a nipped-in waist and a tucked look: Barry (and consider sizing up).
You want ease, drape and no gaping: Eileen.
You want clean and classic, no pocket: Frank.
You never, ever tuck: Silvio.
Still not sure? That's what we're here for. Come try them on side by side in Decatur, or let us send all of them to you in a ShopBox so you can compare at home with your own jeans and your own mirror.
Your Frank & Eileen Questions, Answered
Does Frank & Eileen run small?
It depends on the fit. Barry runs small, so many women size up. Eileen and Frank run true to size.
What's the difference between Barry and Eileen?
Barry is tailored and follows your waist. Eileen is relaxed and drapes. Same beautiful fabrics, very different silhouettes.
How do I wash a Frank & Eileen shirt?
Most of their cotton shirts are machine washable. Check the care label on your shirt, since fabrics like corduroy and flannel can differ.
Where can I buy Frank & Eileen in Alabama?
Right here at Carriage House, 115 Johnston St SE in historic downtown Decatur. Not local? We ship nationwide, and our ShopBox lets you try before you buy.
Your New Favorite Shirt Is Waiting
A white button-up isn't boring. It's a blank canvas. Add a bold necklace, a leather jacket or a silk scarf, and it becomes a different outfit every time you wear it. That's what I mean when I talk about a smart investment: one piece, a hundred ways.
So go ahead. Try the Barry even if you think you're "not a tucker." Try the Eileen in a color you've never worn. You're never too old, too busy or too anything to find the shirt that feels like it was made for you.
As the great Diana Vreeland said, "You gotta have style. It helps you get down the stairs." Come see us in Decatur, and let's find yours.
