Have you ever found a shirt or pair of pants that feels perfect? The one you wear over and over, the one that works with everything in your closet and feels like the right thing to wear no matter what you are doing.
These items can be perfect for a time, or perfect forever, but the point is you feel like you in them. For me, this year that item has been a wonderful classic chambray shirt from my favorite clothing maker, imogene + willie. This company is one of my favorites not because their clothes are of super high quality (they are), or that they are of classic designs (they are), but because they are committed to making high-quality clothing in America, with material grown, woven, and sewn (as much as possible) in the US.
Their clothes fit my general clothing mantra: they look like something Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Harrison Ford, or any stylish-without-trying archetype from the 60s through today would wear. Basically, if Indiana Jones would wear it, it’s probably going to look good in any decade and stand above any trend.
The shirt is called the “Earl,” and it is at once timeless and perfect for the moment. Since I already have a few Oxford button-down shirts in the classic light blue colorway (my go-to shirt), this shirt may seem redundant at first. But the chambray shirt has such a wide range that it is truly in a class of its own.
The Earl chambray can be tucked in and worn with chinos or denim for a put-together, traditional look. It also looks great untucked with any pant or pair of shorts, or layered and unbuttoned over a tank or T-shirt. It’s not afraid of a little work. The fabric has enough presence and structure to hold up to chores; it’s not just for show.
Beyond the fact that it goes with literally every pair of pants or shorts I own, my favorite part is the fact that the more I wear it, the more it becomes me. It is the kind of shirt that, unless you soil it or get very sweaty, can be worn multiple times between washes and still look fantastic. It just works, and that is one of its best virtues.
The chambray shirt is a classic for a reason, and imogene + willie’s interpretation with two button pockets and a bit of swagger is, for me, one of the best iterations of it in some time. It at once recalls classic American style and workwear, with inspiration from military uniforms and western classics; it hits every note.
I have been pondering getting another to rotate through my wardrobe so I don’t ruin the one I have. Thankfully, the Earl is a mainstay for i+w, and I don’t think it will be out of the collection any time soon.
Then I made my typical weekly browse through their website, and something stopped me in my tracks; a new version has arrived. This Earl Natural Chambray is undyed, and it’s fantastic. It’s not quite white, more of an off-white, slightly sandy color that offers infinite versatility. I immediately knew this shirt belonged in my rotation.
The only thing better than two blue chambray shirts is a blue-and-“white” combo that can cover nearly every scenario. Once again, imogene + willie have created another way to separate me from my money. I stopped in the flagship Nashville location in the 12 South shopping district and tried on this new variant of my favorite shirt. It did not disappoint and is now mine. The salesperson let me know they would be introducing some flannel versions of the Earl for Fall/Winter, which could be dangerous.
I’ve worn this natural shirt a few times already, and I love it. The undyed and unfussy nature is so much more functional than a pure white shirt. Yes, it would be tricky to dress this one up, but you could. More importantly, like its blue brother, it just works for me. It fits my life and my style, and that’s about the most important thing an article of clothing can do.