I think you all know that I like to spend time outdoors. The thing about the outdoors currently is that it is cold out there. So for once I am talking wool, but I am not talking Shetland sweaters. Lately I have been getting into wool or wool blend shirts.
What got me interested in wool shirts is a vintage Brooksflannel shirt (see above worn post-hike). This shirt came to me via my friend Dallas (getticketsforthedance.tumblr.com & Instagram getticketsforthedance) who has been featured on here for his trad cycling fits. It is a cool and interesting shirt. It is 55% wool and 45% cotton. It has a button down collar. It also has a flap pocket on the chest. It is an amazing shirt. Get jealous.
I have worn this shirt a lot recently. It’s very clear to me that I need another. I am leaning toward’s a shirt that is more wool than cotton, but something like the Viyella at O’Connell’s are still on my list at 80% cotton and 20% wool. I am also not set on it being a button down collar. In terms of colors I am thinking solid navy or cream, but a classic Tartan is always good.
One last thing about these types of shirts is that it may require a long sleeve undershirt. I myself cannot wear wool against my skin comfortably, but most of the time I wouldn’t want to as this is all about warmth. I use long sleeve tees, thermals, and henleys of all sorts as base layers. I haven’t went the turtleneck route yet, but it’s not far away. I have added a few of the shirts that I am considering below although I would need a 50% off sale to even start considering that RL piece.
Excellent post as always. Up here in Minnesota, if you want to go outside this time of year, layer up as well. I discovered this wool/cotton blend when I bought a vintage 1950s Hathaway Viyella plaid shirt a few years back (it’s a rare tall model with a loop collar!!). Excellent material compromise, soft and warm, yet without an overwhelming feeling of wearing a Brillo pad for us sensitive to wool types (though I have grown a tad more tolerant over the years). I also recently found one of those Brooks flannel shirts with the same label you have, except it is a 15.5 XL (which I take to mean extra long as it fits like a tall shirt as I wear 15.5/16 tall). It’s a red black plaid with a regular point collar with removable collar stays. Go Brooks Brothers!
Wallace & Barnes had some wool-blend flannels a few years back. Easy to find on eBay. Less of an overshirt fit though.
Yes, as well as Lands End and LL Bean versions. eBay a great resource for these shirts, especially the vintage ones where medium regular is a common size. By the way, I said I had a Hathaway shirt, I meant I have a Manhattan brand vintage Viyella.
Ebay is a good source but get measurements. Some of these shirts get washed in warm water and shrink.
I have one of these from Wool and Prince. Understated and warm
https://woolandprince.com/collections/button-down-shirts/products/button-down-burgundy-oxford