Autumn’s Best: Sport Shirts
Finding a mature sport shirt is much more of a task than it should be. The vast majority of sport shirts on sale are of the flimsy flannel variety on sale at Abercrombie & Fitch, J. Crew, and Club Monaco, but if you’re the type of guy that likes to wear trousers over khakis or tassel loafers over sneakers, than these probably aren’t the types of shirts you like to wear in your leisure. Luckily, there are a few options floating around that will be more your speed. If you have the finances, than the first place to look for elegant sport shirting is Ralph Lauren Purple Label–as with most things, seldom are you going to find anything they do that doesn’t look great. Their flannel sport shirts with their patented cutaway Keaton collar have been a mainstay of their sportswear collection for years now, and this olive version with the purple overcheck is one of the best we’ve seen in a long time.
Of course, Purple Label is for those that can afford the high luxury price point, but don’t think that means you can’t afford the style entirely. Look no further than Ovadia & Sons if you’re on a search for clothing with all of the luxury detailing, but without the fuss of high-end designer expenses. Their flannel Mildwood shirt with spread collar is a really beautiful piece that will undoubtedly leave you looking more mature than the guys in A&F plaid flannels. The red and brown hues are ideal this time of the year and at less than half the price of the Purple Label piece, it makes a bit more sense for those on a budget.
What’s a piece on elegance in sportswear without Phineas Cole? They do such a good job of designing sharp, youthful pieces that they’ve become one of the first places we go when we’re looking for basics that are intelligently rethought. Take this brushed cotton sport shirt, for example. There’s nothing overtly complicated going on here, but when you take a look closer to examine the fit, collar, and tailoring details, you’ll realize that you’re looking at a lot for what you’re paying. It’s the sort of shirt that won’t jump out at you, but the more you wear it the more you’ll love it–just like most of their work.
Finally, at the most affordable price of any of our selections comes Brooks Brothers’ wonderful reimagination of the long sleeve polo. Working a pitch perfect spread collar onto a fantastic plum-colored pique cotton, they’ve infused some Italian attitude into what is often a stale collection. The polos are in the double digits, which means they’re a great personal present for the holidays–even better if you want to buy one for a friend. The fit is slim, but not tight, and they’re just long enough to tuck it, but also short enough to leave untucked if you so choose. They also function as a great laying piece if you want to get creative.
