As most of you know know I’ve been WFH since they closed my branch during Covid. It has been a lot to adjust to in general, but it’s really done a number on my uniform. Add in the fact that I am also married with two small children now and I’ve had to totally rethink my uniform. I’ve started to build a new uniform, but I still haven’t figured out quite yet. What I have done is I have started to sub in denim (and chambray) shirts for my blue OCBDs.
I love my blue OCBDs. Maybe too much. So much that I’ve recently boxed away almost all of my “work” ones leaving only a select few in my closet. The reason is that I don’t want to destroy my work shirts in case I do return to an office someday and being at home interacting with kids all day will definitely do that. If you have small kids you already know the deal, but if not just know that their hands are almost always sticky and they are going to wipe both their hands and their face on you. These are just the facts of life.
This is where the denim/chambray shirts come into play. They are a little more durable than my OCBDs and because I am mostly sourcing them on Ebay they are also cheap. On top of that they fit well into the heavy-duty-ivy-Americana vibe that I’ve always rocked on the weekend, but is now seeping into my day-to-day style. They are also having a moment, or just had a moment, and of course will have a moment again. That’s what’s great about the staples is that they never really go out of style even if they fall out of fashion.
Read this post to my wife b/c she teases me that all my pinpoint button-downs are now packed away just in case I, one day, will have need of them with a necktie and suit at work. Cannot imagine that actually happening in my current job, which I am extremely blessed to have, but we will see. In the meantime, so many of my regular weight OCBDs get frayed at the cuffs that they move from the dress/work closet to the casual closet. With (true) traditional fit being harder to find, they are prized possessions—but ever Mercer & Sons eventually will fray at the cuff. Always looking on ebay and just found two old stock Lands’ End Hyde Parks, although, unfortunately, they were the same color, and it was not blue. “True” Brooks Brothers are harder to find all the time. Nice post, Jerrod. Thanks much. Enjoy your children. These are long days but short years. Mine are now sophomores. Time flies.
Ha, that’s hilarious! I wonder how long my boxes will go untouched. I am doing the same, perusing ebay looking for steals. I’ve got a few OCBDs that I can beat up that way. I can’t think how much a made in the USA OCBD will cost in 5-10 years which is why I boxed most of them. Thanks for the reminder because the days are loooooooooooooooooooong lol!
As a Dad of two myself (toddler + a newborn) your post really resonates! I’ve also been leaning towards chambray shirts lately, for much the same reasons. I especially like ones that have the elements of an OCBD. Chambray is one of those fabrics that (not unlike a blue OCBD) just seems to look great on anyone and everyone – including sleep-deprived Dads 🙂
Sound like we are on the same page. Probably has to do with the kids. Stay strong fellow Dad!
Interesting article that resonates for two reasons. First, with active kids, I packed away dress pants and even chinos. I’ve since leaned heavily into denim (five pocket pants) in both rinse and traditionally ‘chino’ colors. I credit Sid Mashburn for that, but I did it for the same reasons you put away your OCBDs.
Up top, I think denim/chambray is very versatile. Yet, despite how cool the shirts look on everyone else (plus they are affordable), I just cannot bring myself to wearing one. I’m thinking of starting with a simple Chambray, single pocket or none at all, to kick things off. In the meantime, I find my OCBS are durable, go with everything and are fuss-free, which is why I loaded up on them over regular dress shirts. Who knows what the future holds. Maybe Santa will bring me a Wrangler western shirt, I’ll see how great they are, then thrift myself into a closet full of Billy Reid Shoals shirts in a few years 🙂
JJ, it feels good to hear that I’m not alone. I think a single pocket chambray is a great place to start. I have a very nice one from O’Oconnells. It’s put away too lol. I agree that OCBDs are pretty durable but having my kids beat up a $150 OCBD isn’t something I’m ready for. Especially since they will probably be $250 in 5 years.
Awesome. The more “dad-posting” the better as I’d like to have a family of my own within a few years and I’m grateful for the sartorially inclined fatherly advice. Currently in college (looking for a virtous young lady to court).
I, too, have picked up a chambray shirt recently (Proper Cloth) and I found a really cool Levi inspired denim shirt from the Japanese brand Kapital on eBay. I haven’t got the chance to wear it yet but I love wearing the chambray one.
I think you’re right about buying chambray/denim shirts second hand instead of MTM, it’s not like I’m going to be wearing them with tailoring where I’m very picky about sleeve length.
Cheers.
Thank you and that’s exciting to hear! Dad posting is unavoidable at this point lol. I agree with you take on second hand vs mtm.
Glad to see you jump on the full Western shirt bandwagon, brother. For me, as an OCBD/prep man I enlarged to Western snap shirts (arguably equally American as East Coast Ivy) during the pandemic, and truth be told I think I’m more excited on days to wear Westerns than OCBDs. Try to find the elusive white/cream Westerns, which for me are the bee’s knees in terms of that high-low dressing the Internet seems to be in love with. Rinse dark denim is also fine. (give me a shout if you’d like suggestions where to look)
Chambray shirts are fine too, they have a stronger foothold in Ivy League (I think Brooks Brothers made button downs in chambray in the 70s and 80s). I tend to prefer chambray in the OCBD cut, not workshirt, not US Navy shirt etc. But I could always be persuaded!
Thanks! I might have to try a white western now! I am not dark denim pilled yet. I tend to lean to towards a light wash, but who knows where the future will take me. Brooks has definitely been making chambray shirts since the 70s if not before. I like both OCBD and workshirt cuts. Just depends on the situation.
Ralph Lauren produces a work shirt that has flapped pocket on one side, open (with a pen slot) on the other. I do find that configuration useful. Also has a two-buttonhole neckband if I recall
I think with relaxed standards today we can get away with wearing white or ecru Western shirts to the office, maybe not Mondays or exec meetings, but just about everything else. The snaps add an extra level of fun for us tactile folks!
In terms of color, I agree with you that lighter blue looks better than dark denim. However when buying new, my understanding is “light washes” are achieved by beating/bleaching the hell out of dark denim, so you essentially get a product with half its life used up. Something about that does not sit right with the New England frugality that’s at the heart of my predilection for Ivy. Besides after about 10 washes, a rinse denim shirt looks more like French blue (depends on the fabric and dyes used of course)
I see your comment about not being convinced about dark denim yet, which I’m surprised because I always find it much harder to wear light color denim (at least in regards to jeans, but now that I think of it you’re likely referring mostly to shirts). I think the easiest denim shirts to wear are probably mid wash, though I agree dark wash denim shirts are kinda hard to pull off unless you wanna commit to the look, but lucky for us a few washes in the washer they’re lighter in shade. Take that with a grain of salt, though, because I do admit I only wear my (dark-wash) jeans with Red Wings, white tees, flannels and, when I’m feeling particularly bold, a denim shirt on top… For some reason I don’t like the jeans + OCBD look.
John, good thoughts. I was talking about dark denim jeans. I’ve always preferred mid to light wash. Dark denim always felt very workwear to me and didn’t ever seem to work as well with my shetlands and OCBDs, but I might be coming around.