Long mocked, often mocked, ridiculed from the most confidential blogs to the most prominent fashion magazines, the short-sleeved shirt is now all the rage.
Hard to explain, this turnaround, as improbable as it is unexpected, is very real. At Hast, we have noticed an ever-increasing craze for those that many call (a little quickly) "shirts", to the point of publishing 4 new ones this year.
Chronicle of a return to grace
For the past few decades, short-sleeved shirts have been the preserve of accountants, real estate agents, and pre-retirement teachers. Or at least they seemed to be. Fortunately, these prejudices are gradually being shattered, with the recent discovery of a casual shirt with enormous potential.
For several seasons now, the renewed interest in this former pariah of the wardrobe has been undeniable, visible on the street as well as in the figures. Within our collections, its exponential success sounds like revenge, a real source of pride for the professional shirtmakers that we have been since 2012.
In our opinion, this turnaround is due to a better understanding of the essence of the short-sleeved shirt . Far from being a classic shirt cut at bicep level, it is the daughter of a true legend, not to say the incarnation of a philosophy. This dates back to the 1930s, when a Japanese tailor from Honolulu had the idea of inventing a loose shirt inspired by Japanese kimonos. The Aloha shirt was born , and with it a singular conception of casual elegance .
In our opinion, this is where we must look for the soul of the short-sleeved shirt , which is what those who fall in love with it today tend to do - Hast included.
Four shirts, one mind
In keeping with this idea of ease and lightness, this season we are offering you a quartet of short-sleeved shirts. All of them respect the historical codes of this legendary piece, and each one also displays particularities that make it unique. The proof is in four:
- Our beige striped short-sleeved shirt. Inspired by an American model, this variation reveals a sunny charm with its light color and bright stripes. Crafted in an airy 100% cotton fabric, it is incomparably delicate and should captivate you from the first time you wear it.
- Our short-sleeved shirt in navy Giro Inglese . Lightweight and breathable as you want, Giro Inglese is one of the most summery fabrics with its honeycomb-type waffle weave. In addition to the ventilation allowed by this weave, Giro Inglese can boast of having one of the most beautiful textures in the wardrobe. A magnificent relief that will instantly bring personality to your summer outfits. Made in Portugal, this navy shirt combines style and comfort with a deliciously retro charm.
- Our short-sleeved shirt in blue cotton . Original without being extravagant, this 100% cotton model combines an ultra-light fabric and a tone-on-tone jacquard pattern to offer its vision of freedom. A reference to the airs of the Côte d'Azur, perfectionist to the point of displaying a matching pattern on its only chest pocket. The sense of detail, all in subtlety.
- Our short-sleeved shirt in green striped tencel. Made in Portugal, it is designed in 100% Tencel, an ecological material produced from wood fiber. Fluid and light, structured at the bust by two chest pockets, it extends its vertical stripes along a relaxed cut to create a silhouette where ease and elegance coexist.
Remarkable Cuban collar
Despite their differences, these four shirts obviously have some things in common. We're thinking of their short sleeves and loose fit, of course, but also and above all of that fabulous Cuban collar.
Originating from the Caribbean island that gave it its name, it is easily identifiable thanks to the particular design of its notched lapels. Open, it almost resembles the neckline of a suit jacket , thus helping to give our shirts their dashing look. The secret weapon of the Cuban collar: it can also be buttoned all the way to the top , thus taking on the sober and distinguished look of our work jackets . A saving option to elegantly fight against the little chills of late summer.
Our tips for wearing a short-sleeved shirt
In our opinion, the only way to go wrong with a piece is to treat it like a formal sleeveless shirt . This is the pitfall that turned the glorious short-sleeved shirt into the shameful “shirtette,” and we strongly advise against going down this path.
A short-sleeved shirt is worn outside the pants, closed against the skin or open over a t-shirt or tank top; but definitely not as a replacement for your white poplin shirt. Here, you need volume, fullness and freedom; texture, character and originality.
That said, this is a very permissive summer piece, and you'll have plenty of time to experiment to assess which compositions will suit it well. Shorts , washed jeans , linen trousers , work jackets and even a Fresco wool suit jacket : all are likely to pair well with this wardrobe virtuoso.
The final word
Long denigrated, the short-sleeved shirt has become a must-have in the summer wardrobe in just a few years. Leaving behind the ghosts of an overdressed past, it has freed itself from the formal wardrobe to reach horizons where ease and relaxation are legion.
Capitalizing on our expertise in shirtmaking, we have taken care to respect the historical codes of this piece to offer you four models, each more delicious than the last.
Between audacity and rigor, we have developed the worthy successors of the Aloha Shirt, with the honesty and accuracy that you know us for. Millimeter cut, noble fibers, labeled natural materials and European manufacturing: all the ingredients are combined so that these short-sleeved shirts accompany you from the heart of the beautiful season to the twilight of the Indian summer.