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| Muffy Aldrich wearing her 1980s Fun Shirt. |
In the 1970s, a Brooks Brothers' factory trainee, when practicing putting together shirts from scraps of fabric, assembled a combination that attracted the attention of VP Ash Wall, who commented, "These are some fun shirts."
Brooks Brothers decided to offer these "Fun" shirts to the public, and other clothing companies copied. I bought this one from the Sero factory in the late 1980s.
The Fun Shirt format has also been riffed upon, with "Fun" tartan shirts being one example.
Fun Shirts should be worn judiciously. As with critter pants, patterned socks, and rowing blazers, they can very easily come off as a bit overenthusiastic.
Photo Credits: Salt Water New England
I wear mine from time to time. It always gets compliments. I have had people offer me money for it.
ReplyDeleteI had one ages ago. It never provided fun. So I gave it away.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing them on other people, although I probably wouldn't wear one myself. It can seem like trying a bit too hard.
ReplyDeleteIn the UK there was a brief fashion for wearing these with a tuxedo. Opinion was divided!
ReplyDeleteVery much appreciate the term 'overenthusiastic' used in this context. There can be a fine line between tasteful, sartorial wink and preppy cosplay, and sometimes it can be difficult to fall on the right side of that line--best to control for vectors of occasion, environment and locus. Under the heading of discretion is the better part of valor, never want to be seen as overenthusiastic.
ReplyDeleteI just bought a new one for the summer.
ReplyDeleteI have had a few in my rotation beginning in the 80s. The first was a winter one from Gant. I wear them mostly in the summer now. A couple from Polo and 3 from the Brothers Brooks. I particularly like wearing them when I sit in my Adirondack Chairs.
ReplyDeleteDavid J. Cooper
I have an old Tommy Hilfiger. I never knew they called were fun shirts!
ReplyDeleteAs Talleyrand said: "surtout, pas trop de zèle" – above all, not too much enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteA must have! Truly a wardrobe staple! Thank you so very much!
ReplyDeleteI have an old Polo one which, while it doesn't get worn much, I would never give up. Yes, it's "fun". But for me, it's all about the 80s nostalgia when I put it on.
ReplyDeleteHA! I remember these from the 80's. Love them!!! I had forgotten all about them! They're so cool because they go with a bunch of colors. Remember the VW Golf back in the day that was painted similarly - green door, red hood, blue fender, etc? --Holly in PA
ReplyDeleteBrooks Brothers had the option to customize a fun shirt a few years back and I couldn’t resist. I do wear it sparingly.
ReplyDeleteJM, VA