A shirt is a shirt is a shirt. Right? Well, not quite. Yes, most shirts follow a similar cutting pattern, but where they deviate (and assume very different personalities) is in the collar style, and at Oliver Spencer, we have many to choose from. Cue artist Jon Beaumont, who has deftly sketched out the various styles we have on offer...
Yarmouth and Gibson
The Yarmouth shirt is a slightly more robust cotton version of the classic polo shirt and ticks the summer smart-casual box nicely. It features contrast stitching throughout with a one-button fastening below the short neat collar. It's a versatile piece and works well with our fishtail and pleated trousers, but equally it won't feel out of place with a more casual drawstring style. The fit is quite slim so take a size up if you often like to wear a t-shirt underneath.
The lightweight yet oversized Gibson shirt is cut with a straight hem and deep yoke. With angled seams and contrast panels in multi-contrast stripe, this new shape is finished with cuffless sleeves and one button loop fastening. The collar resembles a classic spread, but is much softer, with a smooth roll that works well buttoned up or down.
Warham and Brook
Our Warham shirt could probably be classed as an overshirt and features a flat half-moon collar, with a wider spread than the aforementioned Gibson shirt. With a straight hem, side vents, enlarged button-through fastening and loop cuff, there are also two front patch pockets. It's available in a variety of fabrics, including a Portuguese organic seersucker perfect for summer layering.
The Brook shirt is a great option to plump for if you're looking for an every-day summer piece with a regular fit. The classic button-down collar has a soft roll so probably won't take a tie too well, but that's just as well! With a wide front placket and one button cuff, it comes in a summery cotton and linen check cloth.
New York Special and Grandad Collar
A sharp-pointed collar underlines the soft construction of our New York Special shirt and subtle detailing completes the overall feel - Grandad cuffs, contrast bar tack bottom buttonhole, and a hidden inside chest pocket. Our Abbott cloth is available all year round and has a great handle and drape for a smart shirt with a casual edge.
The Grandad shirt, otherwise known as a banded collar shirt sits at the heart of the Oliver Spencer aesthetic. It features a soft one buttoned cuff, a chest patch pocket and signature red-bar tacked buttonhole which completes the subtle attention to detail that has become synonymous with Oliver Spencer. You can read all about the history and heritage of the Grandad style here.
Havana and Hawaiian
The Havana shirt is a relaxed fit shirt with a straight hem and features the classic camp collar. Although it's traditionally a casual or party shirt, it has nonetheless found its way into more formal tailoring looks in recent years. The camp collar worn outside of your suit jacket or blazer lapels is a neat and modern way to add a bit of Cuban style to otherwise classic tailoring.
Our Hawaiian shirt is based on the classic summer shape, with a relaxed fit similar to the Havana. Cut from 100% organic cotton, it's an excellent all-round holiday choice or an easy-to-wear option for weekends in the park.
Eton and Clerkenwell Tab
The Eton collar takes its name from the famous public school where to this day the pupils' shirts feature a rounded cutaway collar. Our version is cut in soft cotton, hence it doesn't have such a pronounced shape as a more formal Eton collar would, making it ideal for casual situations.
The Clerkenwell Tab shirt features a slim, square collar that conceals a tab fastening. Most tab fastened shirts are formal and require a tie to be worn with them. The idea of the tab is that it pinches the collar points together to make them 'stand-up' more prominently. We've evolved the concept for casualwear by making the tab fastener sit behind the collar so that the button is invisible. The result is a neat, no-button collar finish.
Eltham and Overshirt
Our durable organic cotton Eltham overshirt has front patch pockets, a straight hem, and side splits, with a tonal herringbone stripe. It features a slightly shorter, narrower points than a classic spread collar, giving it the look and feel of a workers shirt or hybrid chore jacket. It's an excellent option for layering, especially if you prefer to wear t-shirts beneath open shirts.
Our overshirt is, as the name suggests, a dedicated overshirt. It's a button-through cotton style with front patch pockets and is cut in Italian cloth with a subtle textured weave design. Like the Eltham, it's a great piece for summer layering.
