Editor’s note: Today we are launching our pullover work shirt, which is in the warehouse and ready for shipment. Because of massive delays in the country’s delivery systems, we cannot guarantee delivery before Christmas. You can read all the details about the shirt’s construction on the page in our store. It is, of course cut and stitched here in Cincinnati from high-quality materials. Below, you can read our clothing designer’s account of how he developed the shirt.
— Christopher Schwarz
When Chris and I talked about designing a work shirt, we knew we’d want to make a pullover style. That’s been a good choice for hundreds of years. No placket or buttons to interfere with planing, shaving or hewing at belly level. Simple in cut and detail, not festooned with living history museum ruffles. Sleeves that can be easily rolled up. Unstructured and comfortable, but presentable, too.
I found a rich mid-weight indigo cotton from Japan, and the team at Cincinnati’s own Sew Valley cut and sewed a batch of shirts. It took a lot of development. Like wood’s worst warping happening between felling the tree and drying the lumber to a reasonable moisture content, fabric’s big shrink happens at the first wash after weaving. During the first wash of this fabric shrank it by 3″. That was startling. So we calculated that big shrink into the pattern, sewed up some very odd-looking shirts, then laundered them all down to normalcy before sending them to the warehouse. The shirt you receive won’t shrink hardly at all, especially if you follow the instructions (wash cold, hang dry).
This is a real indigo – not a vegetable dye, but chemically identical. It will rub off if you grind your shirt on a white couch. In everyday life, it shouldn’t be noticeable, but do know that the dye can transfer. It’ll fade like that old pair of blue jeans – slowly and handsomely.
The cut was intended to have enough room for easy work while not feeling like a balloon or a costume. It’s long enough to tuck in, but not dress-like. The sleeves stay rolled up pretty well thanks to a shorter cuff placket than is typical on a dress shirt. The collar is unstructured. It’s as simple and steady as a shirt can be.
We’re not taking much of a margin on these. They’re made of good fabric, by a factory that pays its workers a living wage, and that ain’t cheap. But we think it’s the way to go.
— Tom Bonamici
Will these be available from our UK desler?
I’m afraid not. There is almost no margin in these shirts for us, so we can’t sell them wholesale. I’d recommend a mail forwarding service (there are several in the UK). Or I’d recommend you talk to Old Town in the UK, which makes excellent workwear and has a similar pullover.
https://www.old-town.co.uk/collections/product/products/pull-on-shirt
That’s a shame, but thanks for the pointer to Old Town.
Dealer!
All thw dudes you have pictured in this post with this style shirt are robust and good looking. Especially the dude in the bottom photo.
Will go nicely with a new timber frame style workbench.
Chris, have you always been devilishly handsome? Or did you become more distinguished over time?
Double negative warning !! : “…The shirt you receive won’t shrink hardly at all,…”
Typo, “they won’t shrink appreciatively” — I presume you meant “appreciably”.
I’m undecided but interested.
How about a picture of the shirt untucked. Since my days of 165lb. soaking wet are in the rear view mirror.
Thanks.
Business at the top, party at the bottom. The mullet of the shirt world if you will. I like it.
Long time ago I wore the same type of shirt from Sears when I worked a land surveying crew. Got hired to do some work at the Georgia State Pen down in South Georgia, (think Burt Reynolds in Longest Yard) and when we got there I realized that was exactly the shirt the State furnished to the inmates. I fit in almost too well.
Looks wonderful. Congratulations on another great creation and collaboration. Chris, it would be most helpful if you could just say: I am x inches tall and y pounds and I am wearing a size (…). Or if that is too personal, maybe say what size chore coat you wear. Thank you. John
I’m 6’3’ and weigh 185. I wear a large in our stuff. But I like a trim fit and don’t layer much. If you like a loose fit I would order one size up.
It’s funny because I WAS seriously wondering if this might work well for my living history outfit…ruffles aren’t my bag anyhow.
You guys should look around for a different model just sayin
Nice shirt, good call on making it pull over. Love the colour!
Model: Chris “I’m too sexy for my shirt” Schwarz.