I was alerted that Gap was re-issuing an oxford via an OCBD blog reader (Thank you!). I pondered what ocbd they were re-issuing and what features they would highlight as I waited for the link to render. I was expecting something Take Ivy like, playing up an unlined collar and back-button, but it wasn’t that at all.
Gap’s re-issue is the big oxford shirt (See here). At first I thought that big referred to the collar size until I made it further down the page. They go on to state that,
“We’re throwing it back to the ’90’s with a limited-edition collection of iconic pieces pulled straight from our archives, exactly as you remember them.”
It seems like the shirt might be more Seinfeld than Take Ivy, but it does have a few things going for it. It is must-iron, has a locker loop, and the the collar size does not look bad. It’s also only $55 at a place that is plagued with sales. All in all it is good to see a company releasing ocbd’s instead of discontinuing them.
These characteristics of the shirt seem to contradict each other:
“Modern and tailored fit.”
vs.
“Standard fit has just the right amount of room in the shoulder, chest, and waist.”
HH Huntington – I thought the same thing.
But the model is wearing it in a very casual manner, might look different when buttoned and tucked though.
Jerrod,
Are these photos of you?
http://tweedlandthegentlemansclub.blogspot.com.tr/2017/02/sunday-images-in-search-for-perfect.html
Alderson – They are of me. Thanks for keeping me aware. I appreciate it.
Lennart – I agree. What I was trying to say is the re-issue was inspired more by Seinfeld than by Take Ivy not that the end result was a huge 90’s shirt.
Jerrod – I fully do agree, what I meant was the casual style the model wears the shirt makes that 90’s impression even stronger. I wonder how it would look if I would wear it like I use to wear my ocbd’s? I saw on their web site that it also came in pink and that it could be bought from Sweden (where I am), hmm I have a pink ocbd on my spring wishing list and the price was very reasonable.
Is it my imagination, or is that breast pocket humongous?
I recall Brooks Brothers coming out with a line of shirts in what they called “Relaxed Fit” in the 90’s. It had droopy shoulders and was generally sloppy looking. I always found it odd, since the standard BB shirt of that era was huge (in its last iteration it was called the “Traditional” fit, but I’m not sure whether it is still offered). My friends and I had to work on the military-style, carefully folded tuck-in to wear the things under our blazers, but that was just part of the classic BB experience. Today, the much slimmer “Regular” or “Madison” cut still seems roomy. I have a few of the old shirts left, and confess to a nostalgic love for them, despite the fit.
I worked at GAP in early 00s and had several of these – as casual shirts, they were *awesome*. I hope they make it to the sale rack, because I would certainly wear them at the right price.
I am the reader that alerted Jerrod to the Gap Re-Issue. I just received the shirts (white, blue and pink) and tried them on…
First things first: Collar Points: 2.34″ Not bad for casual wear, but not good for blazer-tie wear.
Fit: There is a bit of the “Seinfeld” to them, particularly around the armpits and upper arm area. Slight intimations of piratey-ness, but only slight. The fit is full and not “modern and tailored.” The fit is reminiscent of the Tommy Hilfinger oversized oxford trend from the 90s (early 80s too?). I’m very happy with the fit for casual wear. I have heavy shoulders and arms so the fit is quite comfortable for me. Tails are long and are to be tucked.
Material: On the light side. Nice hand, should be very comfortable. Contrast of the the basket weave (color to white) on the blue shirt is not bad. I haven’t washed them yet, but I think they’ll hold up okay.
All in all, I’m pretty satisfied with paying $32.97 for each shirt. 40% off sale is still ongoing!
I was hoping that these shirts were going to save me a trip to the higher priced offerings by the other retailers – but there does not seem to be much of a choice outside of those trad offerings if one wants to rock that roll.
P.S.
I was thinking that I would go up a few price points and go Kamakura, but I’m not sure how the fits will work out for me since I have heavy shoulders and arms. According to their size chart I’m 42-84 and it would appear that the Tokyo Classic Fit stocks in that size. I’m also wondering how the “Vintage Ivy” sizing would work for me.
@John
I cannot recommend Kamakura highly enough for the price point. As one who owns vintage BB, I can say that Kamakura’s current offering is somewhere between the BB of old and today’s OCBD.
That said, the Kamakura is superior in every way (fit, quality of construction, collar, buttons, drape) to BB’s current OCBD. Except for the fabric – it is more coarse and has less shimmer. The weight and color is similar – but it doesn’t have that BB gloss or softness.
Has Kamakura decided to sell shirts in a variety of sizes, or are they still selling their quirkly version of alpha sizing?
JDD: I’m thinking of one Tokyo Classic (42-4) and one Vintage Ivy New York Fit (M) for starters.
I’m not sure if the Tokyo Classic cut will be loose enough in the shoulders though…
@Hollywood
They do neck and sleeve now – although it is originally measured and cut in centimeters – which makes the conversion to inches a little odd.
@John
You can rely on the size charts on their site – as I’ve found them to be pretty accurate. The strangest part of their fit is the shoulders – incredibly narrow. If you’re concerned, either size up or go with the NY Classic fit.
there is a polo Ralph Lauren ‘factory outlet’ nearby that seems to consistently stock oxfords with a reasonably good-feeling needs-iron cotton fabric, unlined/unfused collars, cuffs, placket, generally under fifty bucks. they are sized small through XL or XXL, so really a more casual shirt like this one. worth a look. some interesting colors, too, a nice solid green for example.
@JDD
Thanks for the info on the shoulder fit of the Tokyo Classic. Narrow will not do for me. New York Classic sounds like where I need to go though of late I haven’t seen any oxfords in that fit sized 42-84,
I know this is late coming since the story was posted some weeks ago but I thought this was kind of funny. After reading about this shirt I visited my local gap and discovered that only a few of the stores would carry the item and that I’d have to order it online. Since I really wanted to try it on first, I figured I wouldn’t bother. Then a few weeks later I was perusing a local thrift store and discovered, of all things, an ORIGINAL Gap Big Oxford that looked like it had never even been worn. If I’m reading the tag correctly, and I think I am, it’s from July of 2000. I still haven’t handled the re-issue, but the original is definitely big. It’s a full size smaller than what I wear now and I think I could still have gone down a size. As for fit/shape, the major differences between it and modern shirts are the lower armholes, the fuller chest, and and longer length. It was obviously intended to be tucked in. As for the reader who said the reissue is thin, I think the old one is a great thickness. It’s not quite as thick as my BB but thicker than my Polo ones. Anyway, I thought $50 was a good deal on the reissue and ended up paying $2.50 for the real deal. I’ll take that deal any day.