A breezy feel and high character yarns make for a sophisticated and supremely comfortable shirting option for the warm months of summer. Fortunately, shirting this sweet is just as good all year-long. Meet the Japan Slub Button Downs.
If you follow us at all, you know we're not hugely seasonal. We prefer to build clothes for the long haul. Pieces you'll own for years and wear all year long. That doesn't mean we don't like to have options that play a bit better in the warmer months. These new styles from Japan strike the ideal balance. Each starts with a finely woven, impeccable soft twill weave base. It's lightly brushed and one of the softest most flowing styles we've felt. Usually you don't see much texture in such a fine weave, but this style is wonderful exception. Slightly slubby weft yarns create a beautifully organic heather effect and visual texture. It's subtle, but serves to add a huge level of depth to these shirts. The base color is a vintage postal blue. This is a sophisticated comfortable button down from the masters in Japan.
We spent the most time really making a true improvement to fit. The best way to put it is that our updated fit simply feels more organic. There is a much more sophisticated and natural shape to the entire body, from shoulders to chest to waist that better matches the natural curve of the the human form. We’ve better aligned shoulder and chest widths and given the bottom hem only a subtle curve, striking an improved balance between tucking and untucking ability. The improved fit is something you notice the instant you put this new shirt on. It just flows with the body better and feels better on. We also believe this fit is more universal. It’s taking the place of slim and classic fits . . . this is now our best fit.
We also took this opportunity to make two key upgrades to the details while preserving the classic style we all love. The first is button placement on the placket. Most people are wearing these shirts without ties and now opening that top button leaves the ideal shape. Second is a gently rounded chest pocket shape to provide a softer, more organic look. Of course, we’ve kept all the intricate construction details from the single needle work to locker loop to box pleat.
Buttons downs that are made in the USA using our quality of material and construction are typically priced at $175 to $300. The Gustin model, with your support, lets us do much better.