This came in the mail today as what seems to be a bit of PR from London’s St. James BIA (I can only imagine). Wot day is it, sirrah? Well, today be White Shirt Day Week! For those who don’t know, St. James is home to Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, gentleman’s clubs, and one of the last bastions of true blue-blooded bespoke shirt makers. St. James has also been popularized by flicks like James Bond, The Great Gatsby and Downtown Abbey.
Apparently the earliest recorded white shirts have been recorded in 3000 BC in First Dynasty Egyptian tombs. In the Middle Ages, white shirts were worn as what seems like typical undershirts, but by the 19th, they had evolved into status symbols to differentiate from blue collar manual labourers, who couldn’t afford to keep the shirts spotless. Verrry interesting!
I’m sharing this not because I’m a royalist by any means but there has been a lack of sartorialisms on the site. Featured in the photo is British stage and screen actor Freddie Fox. To learn more about the wonders of marmite, Quality Street, the origins of what the Dickens? and more, take the trolley over to stjameslondon.co.uk.
Here’s a bit about the type of St.James Street shirt Freddie is wearing because I just can’t make this shit up.
“Each St James’s shirt maker has their own signature design, for which they are known. A shirt exhibiting a three-button cuff is a trademark look of Turnbull & Asser; a ready to wear version of this shirt costs £145. Mother of Pearl buttons complement Emma Willis’ signature look for £290. Emmett’s signature shirt, at £95, is made using Baby Twill White, a weave known for its soft texture that becomes even more supple over time. In contrast, Budd’s distinctive shirt, £115, is made of white poplin two fold cotton with a classic Budd forward collar. New & Lingwood’s signature style involves a curved collar ending in a point, allowing the collar to lay properly on the upper breast bone, and costs £95. Harvie & Hudson’s iconic shirt is the plush and luxurious white Herringbone and a white ready to wear version costs £64.50. Favourbrook’s 1850’s Victorian Morning Wing Collar Dress Shirt at £90 has an accentuated high collar and emphasised wing lapels that create a stunning effect when paired with a silk cravat. Along with the medium weight white cotton poplin, covered buttons and French-cuffs, the straight cut tailoring creates an elegant profile. Hilditch & Key’s bestseller is the Carlton with their classic collar and double cuff, made with the finest two-fold cotton poplin and real shell buttons.
Turnbull & Asser ties range in price from £85-£105. Stephen Quin recommends a pale blue tie in summer and for winter favours a navy blue polka dot. All Hilditch & Key ties are hand slipped and feature the distinctive Hilditch & Key tipping. However for something different to the standard tie, a Favourbrook pure raw silk dupion cravat is the perfect accessory. Emma Willis’ handmade gold acorn cufflinks at £1,200 are also a popular embellishment for a white shirt. Nigel Milne is another retailer offering high quality cufflinks in the St James’s area.”
