Here in the UK, we’re pretty much back to normal. No restrictions on public transport or on London nightlife; no need to isolate at home for a week and, soon enough, no excuses not to head back into the office for those all-so-important face-to-face meetings. At 9am on a Monday.
Well, accustomed as we might have become with the ‘new normal’ of working from home, you don’t want it to look like you’ve been working in your jogging bottoms for the past couple of years. You need to come back in looking like you mean business – and that starts with the right shirt. Fortunately, the right shirt starts with Budd.
The Piccadilly Arcade shirtmaker has been a foundation of fine style for well over a century now, as the gatekeeper of the gentlemanly purveyors of fine things on Jermyn Street. And fortunately for those among us with less-than-exemplary sartorial budgets, they’ve also expanded beyond the rarefied realms of bespoke.
Of course, after these many months of comfort, going back to a stiff old shirt would be hell. Instead, you’ll want something smart, yes, but soft and breathable. If that comes in the form of Swiss organic cotton, all the better.
Like all organic things, the type of Swiss cotton used by Budd is a touch pricier than the norm, but that’s the only downside, especially from an environmental perspective. Organic cotton uses far less water, far less energy and untreated, natural plants. Obviously, it’s labour intensive – the cotton is handpicked rather than mechanically harvested – but even that has its benefits, offering more work to the growers.
Yes, yes, and it also makes a fantastic shirt material. Being environmentally sound’s all well and good but if it didn’t actually make a decent product, what would be the point? Here it’s as excellent as any high-end cotton, woven to a two fold 100 quality for a beautifully luxurious finish. Thanks to the handpicking, it’s also smoother and stronger than anything machine harvested.
To keep things light, Budd’s used their stock of Swiss organic cotton in two different colourways – a classic poplin white and a pinpoint sky blue. They’re clean, minimal and perfect as a base layer underneath your business suit of choice. There’s no going wrong with either, whether you opt for the classic fit or go for something a touch more tailored. In fact, getting one of each might be a pretty solid plan.
With either fit, you’re looking at double cuffs and, of course, Budd’s signature forward collar, a style touch that’s been around since the 1980s and looks as sharp now as it did then.
So, while yes, we’re all dreading heading back into the office (I assume, anyway. I’ve been working from home for years and don’t intend to stop any time soon), at least you can return sartorially triumphant.
More details at Budd Shirts.
