Thursday, January 28, 2010

Debate: Steven Alan for ACL & Co. vs. Save Khaki

The black oxford shirt is making a strong case for "shirt of the moment". The two most prominent examples are current offerings from The ACL Shop and Save Khaki. Interestingly enough, both also come clad with a flap pocket, which I personally think is a really cool detail. Black shirts are tough to pull off, but if you are going to wear one oxford is the route best traveled. Ultimately, price point isn't really an issue here (ACL = $168, SK = $150) so going purely off of aesthetics which one would you wear? Is this actually a "trad" vs. workwear argument? Could a black oxford shirt even pass as "trad"?

13 comments:

Personally I would go for Save's Khaki version of the shirt not only based upon price point of being a twenty-year old student with a part time job but it's so much more appropriate for the oncoming season of Spring and Summer. The wrinkled effect gives it a much more casual aspect you can wear two-three buttons unbuttoned with it tucked in.

On the other side of things Michael's shirt isn't bad at all as I have 3-4 black oxford shirts which look a like minus the flap pocket. All of them are what I would wear buttoned up to the top - tucked in. It looks like a great shirt made by Steven Alan too

I know this may seem like such a simple way to pick, but I would have to go with the Save Khaki for one simple reason, the buttons. For reasons I cannot fully explain I simply do not like black button-ups with anything other than black buttons.One reason I don't like to white (clear?) buttons is because it reminds me of when I was younger seeing the burnouts, when they HAD to get dressed up, wearing cheap black VanHeusen button-ups with white buttons. This often paired with a red or white, skinny, pre-tied vinyl tie. Now, I am not saying the ACL offering is in any way cheap. I am sure it is of the best quality. It is just the childhood association it brings with it.