Banding Together

With summer winding down, fall style is on the mind.  Few things rival the pleasure of lazy Saturday afternoons spent wearing a chunky sweater and drinking a cup of coffeeUntil the cold winds sweep in, however, we’ll still be wearing our summertime clothes, and a few transitional garments to prepare for the change of season.

The band collar shirt is one such piece, based off the detachable collared shirts from the 1920s.  After several evolutions, the draped silhouettes of band collar shirts made them a staple of 1970s swagger.  They're back in style after a 40-year hiatus, thanks to fashion’s return to free flowing fits.  

Those uninitiated to the band collar should tread lightly.  Worn wrong (buttoned all the way up), and the collar looks priestly.  Worn right (with a couple buttons undone), however, and the look projects insouciance, allowing more breathability than an Oxford collared button-down but more refinement than a henley or popover.

Though I have my eye on an Aspesi band collar shirt for fall, I’ve worn this J. Crew band collar number all summer long.  It’s a reminder that while buying for quality is paramount, there’s nothing wrong with trying out trends at fast-fashion price points before wholeheartedly committing to them.  I’ve worn the J. Crew shirt with raw denim and Red Wings in true lumberjack style, and have paired it with Apolis linen pants and Rivieras slip-on shoes for a continental look.  Band collars are also perfect for layering under a sweater or jean jacket, and look crisp beneath a clean navy suit, proving that it's the sort of shirt you can wear in both Minneapolis and Milan.

Shirt: J. Crew, Chinos: Uniqlo, Boots: Red Wing Heritage, Socks: Happy Socks, Sunglasses: Warby Parker