How to wear it: The Small Print Shirt

Banana Republic Slim-Fit Custom Wash Dash Shirt – $38.70 w/ HOLIDAY

Pardon the seemingly oxymoronic turn of phrase, but small prints are big this year. Stripes and checks will never go out of style, but small dots, flowers, dashes, and other prints have gained in popularity. And while more traditional dressers might see them as a hard to wear trend, it’s a style that’s really not that difficult to pull off. Some proof is below, and note that a lighter shirt with a darker print could easily be subbed in with ease.

 

With Jeans and a Medium Grey Sportcoat

• Sportcoat: Bonobos Unconstructed Wool Blazer – $223.50 w/ HEADSTART ($368)
• Jeans: Banana Republic Traveler Jeans – $118.00 ($59 if you can get a F&F code)
• Shoes: Banana Republic Ty Chelsea – $178 ($89 w/ a F&F code. review here.)
• Belt: J. Crew (sold out, but here’s the JCF version)
• Watch: Hamilton. More dress chrono suggestions can be found here.

Smart casual with a bit of a twist. Will look more at home out for cocktails than at work, but it could easily work, at work, as well. The dark shirt under a lighter blazer is going to be out of the norm for some, but it really does work. Especially when you pair it up with some warm brown Chelsea boots.

 

With Cords and a Cardigan

• Sweater: J. Crew Wallace & Barnes Boiled Wool Cardigan (Sold Out)
• Pants: Bonobos Made in the USA French Corders in Forrest Green – $128
• Boots: JC Penney Stafford Camlin/Deacon – $54.99 w/ WETHANKYOU
• Belt: GAP Basic Leather Belt – $29.95 (always on sale)
• Watch: Timex Re-Issue T2N393ZL (sold out) on an after market strap
• Sunglasses: Warby Parker Griffin in Blonde Tortoise – $95.00

Laid back but still pretty put together. Good for hosting guests around the house, or heading out for a casual date. Just take your favorite chunky shawl collar, pair it up with some cords (green doesn’t get enough use in men’s style) and lace up some wingtip boots.

 

Casually, Under a Crewneck with Jeans

• Sweater: J. Crew Factory Merino Crew – $33.50
• Jeans: Banana Republic Traveler Jeans – $118.00 ($59 if you can get a F&F code)
• Shoes: Banana Republic Ty Chelsea – $178 ($89 w/ a F&F code. review here.)
• Belt: J. Crew (sold out, but here’s the JCF version)
• Watch: Hamilton. More dress chrono suggestions can be found here.

The exact same outfit as the first one, only swapping out the blazer for a crewneck sweater. And that Sweater instead of a Jacket gives it a totally different feel. Much more casual, and the print is an almost hidden, barely-there detail. Wouldn’t look half-bad at Thanksgiving if you’re spending it at your Better-Half’s family’s gathering.

 

On its own with Contrasting Chinos or Jeans

• Jeans: Bonobos Made in the USA Travel Jeans – $98
• Scarf: Ralph Lauren Signature Scarf – $19.99 via Marshall’s
• Boots: JC Penney Stafford Camlin/Deacon – $54.99 w/ WETHANKYOU
• Belt: American Eagle (from like 12 years ago… it’s long gone)
• Watch: Armogan Spirit of St. Louis – $199.98 on a Slip-Thru Striped Strap

Letting the print be front and center. Not a bad look to have on under your favorite topcoat while doing some holiday shopping. It’s just a shirt and jeans, but slightly unexpected versions of each.

About the Shirt: Oddly described as “green” on the Banana Republic website, it’s a navy shirt with teal-ish looking \\s. Button down collar, soft washed cotton fabric, and a fit that’s not super slim but not enormously boxy either. Always on sale, and 40% off through tomorrow with the code HOLIDAY. Code also gets you free 3-day shipping on orders over $75.