{The Rite Stuff} Bantam Cotton-Linen Short-Sleeve Work Shirt (Ecru)

*The Bantam runs smaller, size one up from your usual tagged size.*

Introducing the Bantam short-sleeve work shirt, made just for when the going gets hot. 

The Bantam shirt is made of 75% cotton, 25% linen 5 oz. selvedge chambray that's milled in Japan and made to beat the heat. The fabric features a beige weft and is chockfull of texture and character and an incredibly soft hand but it's also sturdy enough to hold up to heavy wear and washing. 

Short-sleeved work shirts were rare pre-WWII, you couldn’t buy them in a store, so workers who needed a cooler shirt were known to modify their shirts by cutting the sleeves down. This shirt is inspired by them.

The Bantam features two acorn-shaped chest pockets with flaps, first seen in the 1920s, and am extra-wide pencil/pen slot on the left pocket. The collar is a period-correct shape and length, based on a 1930s original in our archives. All principal seams are triple-sitched for durability, and the gusseted sides prevent tearing. Both front plackets feature selvedge detailing and the left-hand placket features two rows of double chainstitching.

Rounding out the Bantam work shirt are period-correct star-shaped urea buttons, made in Japan, a printed cotton tags made and printed in Japan, and 100% cotton thread made in Japan.

The Bantam also has no taper to the waist, unlike previous releases, so the shirt is more forgiving.

Last but not least, the Bantam is sewn in Japan in collaboration with John Lofgren & Co. to John’s exacting standards of quality and ethical manufacturing.

Limited to 100 total, 50 per color.

*I'm 5'11" / 180 cm, 163 lbs / 73 kg and wearing sizing Medium in the photos*

Features:

-One wash, expect almost no shrinkage

-75% cotton, 25% linen 5 oz. selvedge chambray, milled in Japan

-Reproduction 1920s-style star-shaped urea buttons, made in Japan

-Triple-chainstitching on all main seams 

-Chinstrap, also known as an extension neckband or collar tab

-Acorn-shaped pockets with flaps

-Pencil/pen slot on left pocket

-Selvedge gussets

-Selvedge placket

-Back yoke based on a 1920s Sears Roebuck work shirt

-Cotton tags made and printed in Japan

-100% cotton Japanese thread

-Made in Japan