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.
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.
Measurements of Actual Garment in Inches:
| TAGGED SIZE | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NECK | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 |
| SHOULDER | 17 | 17.25 | 17.5 | 18 |
| CHEST | 41 | 41.5 | 44 | 46.5 |
| ARM HOLE | 18 | 19.5 | 20 | 21.5 |
| SLEEVE | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 |
| CENTER BACK | 28.75 | 30 | 31.25 | 32 |
