On the clay court of a brand-new Roland-Garros stadium, Henri Cochet faced off against the defending champion: his arch-rival and fellow countryman René Lacoste. Cochet emerged victorious in 4 sets: 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.
However, the headlines the following day weren't about Cochet “the Magician”’s victory over René “the Crocodile” Lacoste, but about Lacoste's attire. His cutting of his shirtsleeves captured the public’s attention and ruffled quite a few feathers at the French Tennis Federation.
A few years later, this daring move would lead to the birth of the legendary L1212 polo shirt; but for now, it marks the origin of an exciting and controversial item: the short-sleeve shirt.
The shirt of shame?
If we’d mentioned short-sleeved shirts before 2020, you might have winced, closed this article, and added Asphalte to your list of black list of brands.
And with good reason. Decades of misuse and questionable designs have relegated it to the likes of the capri pants.
Let's face it, it's hard to mention the short-sleeved shirt without conjuring up images of Dwight Schrute.
But guess what? It's not 2010 anymore, and things have changed. Over the last few years, the short-sleeve shirt has been going through a rehabilitation program, the sort that Pete Doherty would be proud of.
Tracing back the roots
“If you don't know where you're going, look at where you've come from" it once said in a fortune cookie. And it seems that the short-sleeved shirt has learned its lesson.
After about twenty years of stylistic wandering, this piece has gone back to its roots and reconnected with itself.
When you talk about fundamentals, there’s René Lacoste of course but you can’t ignore:
- The Aloha Shirt: invented in the early 1930s by Honolulu tailor Kichiro Miyamoto, drawing inspiration from Japanese kimonos, the Hawaiian shirt is in a way the frontier of all shirts.
They grew in popularity in the ‘50s after appearing on screen. 1953’s "From Here to Eternity," Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra, and Burt Lancaster were decked out in Aloha Shirts which bagged an Oscar for Best Costume Design. Can you believe it? People were blown away at the time.
Marching on through the ‘60s thanks to Elvis. In 1961, he wrote the soundtrack for "Blue Hawaii" which he also played the lead in. Consecration on the shoulders of the King no less.
An age of reason at the turn of the century. Before fading into obscurity in the noughties, the shirt enjoyed a final flourish thanks to the likes of Scarface, Las Vegas Parano, Romeo+Juliette, Fight Club, and Sonatine. Some pretty memorable roles.
And finally on to our Cuban Collar Shirt.
At Asphalte, we're pretty chuffed that this piece has made a comeback in recent times. And as a true Cuban in all its splendour, not some weird dress shirt with both arms cut off.
As history shows, the short-sleeved shirt is at its best when it wholeheartedly embraces its casual nature. Trying to be formal just brings it into disrepute, which is what happened between 2000 and 2020.
Unsurprisingly, we've turned to its Golden Age to inspire our own design, and you'll see how that changes everything.
A generous, loose fit
A short-sleeved shirt is a summer essential that’s best worn loose and untucked for maximum ventilation.
Far from the snug fit of formal shirts, we're aiming for a relaxed, straight fit, with roomy sleeves and a perfectly proportioned design.
Wear it open over a vest, half-buttoned over a T-shirt, or buttoned up for a tidy look. You can’t go wrong.
Two ultra-light fabrics
For those scorching summer days, we've got two fantastic fabrics lined up.
The first is a classic 100% organic cotton, ready for the warmer months. It's 120g/m2 for the beige version and 155g/m2 for the denim stone version, as light as the breeze.
The second is a delightful blend of organic cotton and Tencel, combining the softness of the former with the silky lightness of the latter. At 120g/m2, it’ll feel like it’s just floating over your body.
The essential Cuban collar
This is the detail that sets our short-sleeved shirt apart: the iconic Cuban collar.
Recognisable by its distinctive notched lapels (sometimes known as the "shark collar"), it boasts a fairly deep notch that adds to its airy feel and overall style.
Notice the absence of a collar stand and the smooth cut. It’s relaxing just to look at.
The cherry on top, the little 'loop' detail will delight purists and the most discerning amongst you.
A colourful summer
We're offering four vibrant colours, from the subtle to the full-blooded.
First up, a soft, sun-kissed beige, reminiscent of French Riviera beaches at dusk. Yes, we've done our research.
Next, we have an extremely sociable bluish stonewash. This shade pairs well with most shorts, linen trousers and light jeans – so pretty much everything you’re likely to be wearing this summer and the next.
Hold onto your hats because we're heading back to Honolulu with a floral pattern burgundy. Fortune favours the brave.
In homage to the first Aloha shirts, here's a green version with white patterns. Wear it to look your best, even if you're not surfing 8-metre waves.
6 days to decide
Like every weekly release, the Cuban Collar Shirt will be up for preorder from Tuesday at 10 am, CET, and for 6 days only. And as usual, first come, first served – so you should have it in your hands by the end of June, just in time for summer.
A true catch like this at 69 € isn't something you see every day. The best way to snag one is to sign up below, and we'll send you a reminder on the day. Otherwise, you might be able to find it again in a few months during a stock sale, maybe, but then it'll be priced at 99€.
Need to know anything else? Drop it in the comments below or check our international Instagram page for the answer. Possibly.
Thanks,
The Asphalte Team