Michael Spencer Shirts Founder Spencer Bennett, 1958-2021
April 26, 2021
Yesterday as part of my pandemic-era ritual of wearing my Sunday best, I wore a fine custom shirt made by colleague Spencer Bennett as a tribute to the gentleman.
Last week Bennett’s son informed Ivy Style of his passing, and issued this statement:
On April 20, 2021 Spencer Bennett, co-founder of Michael-Spencer Shirts, passed away after a short bout with pancreatic cancer. Spencer loved few things in life more than his family, America, and a good shirt. In 2015, Spencer merged these interests together when he and his wife Ivonne started Michael-Spencer (the name being an amalgam of his sons’ middle names).
When launching the company, Spencer was asked what he would do if no one bought any shirts. To which he responded “then I’ll have a closet full of great shirts.” Fortunately, that wasn’t the case, as word of the company quickly spread. Spencer took pride in making the kind of shirt his customers sought after. And he found great joy in the personal relationships he developed with many of his customers.
The company is ceasing operations, and our condolences go out to Spencer Bennett’s family. May he rest in peace. — CC
This is terrible news. Whenever I had a question about Michael Spencer’s shirts, Bennett would respond personally and was always kind, courteous, and deeply invested in getting things right. I’m terribly sorry to hear of his loss and send my condolences to the family.
Sad news indeed. A good man is gone. Mr Bennett made the world a better place in his way, and his going diminishes us all. My heart reaches out to his family.
Tonight, where I live, a pink moon is on its way. Time to take inspiration from his good example.
Eric, I’m with you. He was really patient with my dumb questions and wanted things to be perfect. He got my hard to fit size right. I was waiting for his operation to return. He will be missed. I hope his family is Ok.
I am so saddened by this news. He was so kind and warm whenever I wrote to him and was so helpful. He made wonderful shirts for all of us and my he rest eternally in peace.
I was just worried about his business when I didn’t get a reply to an email earlier in the year. Incredibly sad to hear about his death; he seemed like a great guy and I have enjoyed the hell out of the shirts he had made for me.
As did other commenters, I greatly enjoyed my email exchanges with Spencer Bennett. My Michael Spencer OCBDs are of excellent quality, with a wonderful collar roll. I’m surprised and saddened to hear of his death, and offer my condolences to his family.
I, as others, had email exchanges with Spencer, the last being in the fall when I inquired whether he was back in production and he said he was trying to purchase the North Carolina Brooks Brothers shirt factor. What a horrible disease and what a great loss.
His emails were exemplary customer service. Many times he answered me personally. And I have watched his collar video over and over, and surely will do so today again. I just saw this on May 1 and am crestfallen. I will treasure my Michael-Spencer shirts now more than ever and likely will admire more than wear them. His pinpoint oxford was so thick and luxurious. My first shirt was a mod spread but wider than I liked, so I sent it back several months later to have a plain point collar substituted. He was concerned the cloth would be faded compared to the new collar, so he made me an entire new shirt – for free. Next I ordered a club collar, which is absolutely perfect. Finally, a button down oxford. But that one got stained somehow, and I sold it on ebay. Oh, how I wish I had kept it now. Of course, how silly for us to mourn from a distance while a family has lost their husband and father, but he was that kind of man. May he truly rest in peace, and may the Lord be with his family and comfort only as He is able.
I haven’t been to this site for quite a while and therefore just found out about this now. I was thinking it was time to order a couple more Michael Spencer shirts, and was wondering why I couldn’t find the company online. Very sorry to hear this. They were great to deal with. My condolences to his family.
This is terrible news. Whenever I had a question about Michael Spencer’s shirts, Bennett would respond personally and was always kind, courteous, and deeply invested in getting things right. I’m terribly sorry to hear of his loss and send my condolences to the family.
Sad news indeed. A good man is gone. Mr Bennett made the world a better place in his way, and his going diminishes us all. My heart reaches out to his family.
Tonight, where I live, a pink moon is on its way. Time to take inspiration from his good example.
Eric, I’m with you. He was really patient with my dumb questions and wanted things to be perfect. He got my hard to fit size right. I was waiting for his operation to return. He will be missed. I hope his family is Ok.
I am so saddened by this news. He was so kind and warm whenever I wrote to him and was so helpful. He made wonderful shirts for all of us and my he rest eternally in peace.
My condolences to the Bennett family.
I was just worried about his business when I didn’t get a reply to an email earlier in the year. Incredibly sad to hear about his death; he seemed like a great guy and I have enjoyed the hell out of the shirts he had made for me.
So sad. Rest in peace Spencer Bennett.
As did other commenters, I greatly enjoyed my email exchanges with Spencer Bennett. My Michael Spencer OCBDs are of excellent quality, with a wonderful collar roll. I’m surprised and saddened to hear of his death, and offer my condolences to his family.
My sincere condolences to Spencer’s family. He was a genuine quality guy and will be missed.
I, as others, had email exchanges with Spencer, the last being in the fall when I inquired whether he was back in production and he said he was trying to purchase the North Carolina Brooks Brothers shirt factor. What a horrible disease and what a great loss.
Spencer was true, devoted, so admirable, guided with grace by his faith, so sadly missed.
His emails were exemplary customer service. Many times he answered me personally. And I have watched his collar video over and over, and surely will do so today again. I just saw this on May 1 and am crestfallen. I will treasure my Michael-Spencer shirts now more than ever and likely will admire more than wear them. His pinpoint oxford was so thick and luxurious. My first shirt was a mod spread but wider than I liked, so I sent it back several months later to have a plain point collar substituted. He was concerned the cloth would be faded compared to the new collar, so he made me an entire new shirt – for free. Next I ordered a club collar, which is absolutely perfect. Finally, a button down oxford. But that one got stained somehow, and I sold it on ebay. Oh, how I wish I had kept it now. Of course, how silly for us to mourn from a distance while a family has lost their husband and father, but he was that kind of man. May he truly rest in peace, and may the Lord be with his family and comfort only as He is able.
I haven’t been to this site for quite a while and therefore just found out about this now. I was thinking it was time to order a couple more Michael Spencer shirts, and was wondering why I couldn’t find the company online. Very sorry to hear this. They were great to deal with. My condolences to his family.