Cuban collar shirts have taken over the world. Once synonymous with paunchy TV patriarchs like Tony Soprano and Hank Schrader, the mid-century staple has enjoyed a huge resurgence that shows no sign of rolling back.
It’s easy to see why. Whether it's worn over a T-shirt, under a blazer or on its own, the short-sleeved Cuban (otherwise known as a camp collar) is a timeless embodiment of pure summer insouciance. That being said, there are still ways to kick things up a notch for 2019.
In the third episode of our Get Dressed video series, Esquire’s Deputy Style Editor Finlay Renwick walks you through three ways to wear the chest-baring wardrobe essential, featuring pieces from the likes of Sunspel and Prada.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
The easy way in. Bold prints are all well and good, but a plain or lightly patterned Cuban will open up more opportunity for layering. What's more, it will provide you with a refreshingly casual option for the office. Team with a tailored pair of trousers and don't skimp on the shoes – they'll be perched up on your desk for nine hours a day, remember.
BOOK A FLIGHT
Like goblets of Aperol spritz and medical-grade sunburn, the Holiday Shirt is crucial to any honourable summer getaway. That you should pair it with shorts is a given, but are you brave enough to go with a full co-ord? If ever there was a time to prove your numerous doubters and haters wrong, it's now.
EXPERIMENT WITH YOUR FITS
It could be argued that Prada kicked off the whole Cuban collar trend a few years back with the immensely popular 'Impossible True Love' shirt, featuring an illustration of Cleopatra kissing Elvis. High fashion brands offer a boxier fit than your average, creating the kind of silhouette that will stand out amongst the crowd.
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