Camp shirts . . . and ties

Kostya · Sep 30, 2008

Hello all

I've been lurking for a while here. I'm currently fascinated by the camp shirts and depression-era work shirts J Crew has been selling. I also have a current fascination with knit ties. My question is: Would it be terribly wrong to wear a tie with a shirt that was designed for work or outdoors use? Let me know if I just horribly off in this picture. I agree that the tie may not match, but maybe a dark brown or black solid knit tie? What do you think? I guess I'm thinking along the lines of British military fatigue shirt and regimental knit tie.

Kostya

John in Covina · Sep 30, 2008

Some shirts like that are essentially uniform shirts and in the past WWII the US Army wore ties with the uniform shirt. So I'd say it is probably do-able.

Creeping Past · Sep 30, 2008

It would look much better with an unlined tie from the period. See this FL thread for reference.

Tomasso · Sep 30, 2008

When I hear camp shirt I think of this cut, especially the collar:

MrBern · Sep 30, 2008

Kostya said:
PS--How do I upload photos directly to the forum? I keep getting a message that says, "exceeds your quota." (pic is less than 2 MB, but the upload tool shows a maximum of 9 MB or so for JPEGs).

Open up the actual photo jpeg & not he whole page that the photo is on, like this.

CharlestonBows · Sep 30, 2008

Tomasso said:
When I hear camp shirt I think of this cut, especially the collar:

Ditto.

Hugh Beaumont · Sep 30, 2008

Ditto ditto

Kostya · Oct 2, 2008

Camp shirts

Maybe I have the terminology wrong. Or J Crew does. J Crew refers to these as camp shirts routinely, as in "camping" not "campus." They're referring to outdoorsy, adventure-esque, military-esque shirts with features such as cargo pockets, epaulets, button on exterior of sleeve so you can keep your sleeves rolled up.

For example:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/Men...riteshirts/PRDOVR~81557/99101116349/81557.jsp

I just ordered this one. What do you think?

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/Men...riteshirts/PRDOVR~93386/99101441677/93386.jsp

Back to my original question: Would ties be appropriate with these shirts or not, and if so do you think knit ties fit the bill?

Here's J Crew's collection of solid knit ties:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/MensBrowse/Men_Shop_By_Category/ties/knitties/PRDOVR~75980/75980.jsp

Kostya

Feraud · Oct 2, 2008

I like these shirts but do not wear them as dress shirts. Those are weekend dress down for me.

The picture you show with the tie does not look bad. Some guys can pull off the look.

As an aside, try not to pay 50 bucks for knit ties.
You can find JCrew, Brooks Bros knit ties for a few dollars a piece at thrift stores.

dhermann1 · Oct 2, 2008

I think it's a great look. I call it the Mark Trail look. I like knit ties, too. I think that maybe with that sort of casual rustic style a shorter tie would look better. But that outfit looks really nice, as far as I'm concerned. I also like plaid shirts with knit ties, or solid shirts with a woven wool plaid tie. Same general idea.

Fletch · Oct 2, 2008

The camp shirt, strictly defined, has a soft collar that lies flat when open. It closes with a loop and it's simple attached (no neckband), so it tends to buckle around the tie knot.

They can be worn closed and tieless, though, which is an elegant look in some contexts.

Tomasso · Oct 2, 2008

Kostya said:
Maybe I have the terminology wrong. Or J Crew does.

You both do.

Kostya said:
Back to my original question: Would ties be appropriate with these shirts or not, and if so do you think knit ties fit the bill?

I think that the collar would have to be just as substantial as that of a dress shirt to carry off a tie. Most RTW shirts of this type have skimpy (low stand, short leaf) collars.

I have similar casual shirts cut from my dress shirt pattern so that the collar can accommodate a tie. I wear these with sportcoats and generally with silk knit ties.

Here's the basic cut in Royal Oxford (my favorite shirting):

Another Royal Oxford:

Denim:

resortes805 · Oct 8, 2008

Ok, so I don't know how period authentic you want to go, but knit ties like that are more commonly associated with the 1950's. Of course they had knit ties in the 1930's, but they would have looked, well, different.

Camp shirts, perse, can look good with ties. However the shirt in the first pic seems more like a work shirt. I commonly wear gab sport shirts with ties, which is period correct.

Artigas · Oct 8, 2008

That is one skinny belt, my friend!

resortes805 · Oct 9, 2008

I have some other belts that are nearly half that width.

Tomasso · Oct 9, 2008

Very nice look, Resortes! The collar is sublime.:eusa_clap

David Conwill · Oct 9, 2008

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when wearing a tie doing outdoorsy things, wouldn't it be more appropriate if the tie were either (1) extremely short, or (2) tucked into the shirt between the buttons at sternum level? I know that when I was on Mackinac Island for my honeymoon, I found it most convenient to do that with my tie while peddling our tandem along the shore, otherwise it dips into things and blows up in your face.

-Dave

Tomasso · Oct 9, 2008

^^^^^

Your tie could just as soon fly into your face on a windy Michigan Ave. as a windy island in Michigan. Try a tie clip.

Dinerman · Oct 10, 2008

I wear my workwear/ military styled shirts with ties. Why? Because I like wearing a tie, and I like having the flapped pocket for my watch.

David Conwill · Oct 10, 2008

Tomasso said:
Your tie could just as soon fly into your face on a windy Michigan Ave. as a windy island in Michigan. Try a tie clip.

Doesn't strike me that more jewelry is really a good solution in an active/outdoors environment. If it's too warm to be wearing a sweater, tucking it into the shirt is the solution.

On Michigan Avenue, however, I'd agree with you on the tie bar.

-Dave

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