Thursday, April 15, 2010

Columbia Sportswear

Being in West Palm beach with work colleagues isn't a hot bed for style as you can easily imagine (mad pleats yo), but the one thing I have noticed is that Columbia Sportswear makes a pretty mean sport shirt.  While you could complain about fit and how it's not the "coolest" label in the world, I really like the aesthetics and functionality of the shirts.  Seeing the shirts on a few guys with their various vents and pockets has even reminded me of brands like Woolrich Woolen Mills who are making similar detail loaded shirts, though not as technical, for the style minded set.  I'm even at the point where since the shirts hit right under the $50 mark I might size down to a small and see how they work out - no lie.  I'm not expecting anyone to fall head over heels in love with Columbia Sportswear since there are a few missteps overall (missteps is probably the wrong word since most of the people reading this are not the targeted demographic here), but it's interesting to see the stylistic parallels that exist even when brands aren't trying to ape each other and steal market share.  Pair this up with some slim chinos and canvas sneakers for the highly coveted "coolest dad in the world on vacation" look. 


-L.A.S

13 comments:

  1. we live for these shirts in Charleston. the humidity gets so crazy and these joints with the back vent are so on time...way to beat me to the punch as far as blizzogin' about them! haha

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  2. Haha, wow, I was getting ready to write how people in Charleston love those shirts, then I saw KJ's comment.

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  3. http://www.columbia.com/mens-cargo-shorts-khaki-shorts/men-shorts-casual,default,sc.html?sz=1&start=2#

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  4. I live on the Texas coast and these Columbia shirts are everywhere, the functionality of these shirts is great for hot humid Texas weather. Yes you must size down 1 or even 2 sizes these bad boys run huge. I do a lot of wade fishing on the coast and these shirts are the standard uniform.

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  5. Also well worn during SEC football season with college logos/mascots emblazoned across.

    Careful to not wear them with your patagonia standups

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  6. mad pleats yo!

    Lawrenzo, when you proverbially speak of slim chinos, jeans, etc. what is your preferred leg opening? I'm in the process of trying to find my sweet spot

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  7. pretty sure my dad owns this (and its patagonia and north face cousins) in every color. must be a southern thing? i don't see yankees wearing them around these parts.

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  8. Agreed, these were huge in Clemson/Charleston. I have the monopoly on them in Boston though. LL Bean makes a solid one of these shirts.

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  9. These are also a staple at Ole Miss... you're right Hannah, Southern style. We like to fish down here!

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  10. Yessir...so Southern. I rock mine with a fitted and some dope sneakers so I get the "dog with two tails" looks from the traditionalist! haha

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  11. hmmm... pocket shirts, not a fan. If you're in Florida why not a Guayabera?

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  12. Yeah, so this is a fishing shirt.

    You wear it for function, not style.

    As a girl, if I saw someone wearing this shirt as a normal piece of clothing, I would think twice. As others have stated, hot and humid weather would be the only other occasion to wear this if you're not fishing or the like. Just sayin.

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  13. These shirts are great...they are all over the place...starting as the humidity rises.

    KJ/Trip - yep. They are standard practice in the Palmetto State.

    DAM - you are right - with Stand Ups would scare the frat out of someone.

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