There are certain fabrics that just can’t do any wrong by me, oxford cloth for one and of course tweed is up there, but for warmer months madras is the undeniable champion. Over the last several months I have been working with the folks at GANT on producing a special GANT Rugger “Handloom Hugger” Indian madras shirt — which launches in the ACL Shop today. We produced a small run (73 in total) of these co-labeled shirts to celebrate the 1973 birth of GANT’s Rugger collection and to celebrate our shared love of madras. Christopher Bastin, the GANT Rugger Creative Director, helped create a beautiful handloom madras specifically for ACL, and in the process created what I think is an instant classic. Christopher is someone that possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of all things Americana which made this project really enjoyable for me and our shared love of classic American menswear definitely helped in creating a good looking collaboration.
The GANT Rugger for ACL & Co. “Handloom Hugger” 100% cotton madras button-down shirt ($125) is now Sold out — but there is a small assortment at the GANT Fifth Avenue store on the second level.
The GANT flagship store
645 Fifth Avenue @ 51st St
212-813-9170
For the launch of the “Handloom Hugger” we will be giving away one shirt to a lucky winner. Follow @GantRugger for more information — details of the giveaway will be announced via the GANT Twitter feed at some point today.
william
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 11:40 AM:
Where’s it made? I don’t see a country of origin on the main label.
lineage of influence
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 11:43 AM:
Beautiful shirt, well done!
Michael Williams
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 11:46 AM:
Indian madras, made in India.
Tom
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 11:47 AM:
I believe it’s made in India..
RCP
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 12:20 PM:
Nice. Surprised there isn’t a flap pocket, though. Was that Gant’s choice?
Josh Premuda
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 1:04 PM:
RCP beat me to the pocket flap question!? I saw a Gant shirt with a pocket flap at a Barney’s Co-op, so I’m thinking there’s a reason.
Jordy
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 3:00 PM:
What a terrific shirt! I hope to win it — if not i’m definitely buying.
JHHiatt
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 3:45 PM:
I follow your blog for the men in my family. But speaking for me — do you know how scarce good plaid shirts are for women? Hint, hint.
I went to Woolrich at your suggestion and bought the Buffalo Plaid version they make for women (not in wool, like the men’s, which I would have preferred); the cotton flannel has substance and the fit is decent, and really, for northern California, it is a better all-season choice.
So, thanks for the shirt I’m wearing at the moment, but I’d love to have a summer madras …
victor
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 5:27 PM:
Such an amazing shirt. Pity it’s already sold out in my size, wish there was a run of 1973 instead.
Eric
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 7:53 PM:
Shirt looks great.
I see navy, black, white and red color scheme. Is there also yellow in it?
bob corrigan
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 8:37 PM:
That is one handsome shirt.
khkjhkjhj
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 9:32 PM:
they are all sold out already!??!?!
chb
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 10:04 PM:
damn the ides of march. got to this puppy too late! congrats, it’s really a beaute.
Roger Thornhill
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 11:33 PM:
Congratulations on a dynamite shirt! Hope this is a taste of things to come.
Michael Williams
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 11:35 PM:
Thanks to everyone for the support! All of the shirts have been sold.
—ACL
Zachary
on Mar 15th, 2010
@ 11:37 PM:
Awesome! I’m sorry I was too late to the party. Any chance for another run?
Pierre Maheo
on Mar 16th, 2010
@ 4:07 AM:
Hello ,
Looks really nice , but colors and patterns looks more tartan plaid than madras to me , when you talk Indian madras you think more of pastels and springy colors , not sure pattern and colors really match with what a true madras shirt should be .
Frank
on Mar 16th, 2010
@ 6:40 AM:
really nice madras! looking forward to THE return of the striped oxford shirt though…
khkjhkjhj
on Mar 16th, 2010
@ 12:35 PM:
any chance of another run?
Camila F.
on Mar 16th, 2010
@ 3:37 PM:
Lovely fabric!!!
the zhush
on Mar 16th, 2010
@ 8:26 PM:
When I met my husband 16 years ago, he was wearing a Madras shirt, still love it (and him) to this day!
mjg
on Mar 17th, 2010
@ 11:18 AM:
just picked one up at the Gant store yesterday…lucky me I just happen to be visiting the city this week! The fit is perfect, and the fabric, it feels….amazing. I literally walked in the store, tried one on, and left wearing it.
Lee
on Mar 18th, 2010
@ 8:17 AM:
Rugger or Hugger?
brian
on Mar 18th, 2010
@ 9:14 AM:
They have that same shirt at Uniqlo for $29.00. I would expect something more original.
Michael Williams
on Mar 18th, 2010
@ 10:39 AM:
Brian — please send me a link to your clothing line so I can decide if you are original or not.
Tony Oliver
on Mar 18th, 2010
@ 11:00 AM:
i was like a kid in the candy store with this one, fits like a dream. i have been to uniqlo and can’t recall anything this great especially for $ 29.00. it may cost more and if you take care of it like one should it will 30+ years.
Tony Oliver
on Mar 18th, 2010
@ 11:01 AM:
my mistake, it will last 30+ years.
Dennis Cahlo
on Mar 19th, 2010
@ 9:35 AM:
You cannot even compare a Uniqlo shirt to something like this.
I buy Uniqlo shirts because that’s what I can afford. On the flip side I have to usually put about $30 – $40 of tailoring into it to get it to fit right.
From the reviews I have read, this seems like a nicely constructed, better fitting shirt than Uniqlo or H&M as most Gant pieces are. The differences between a $125 and a $29 are subtle but great.
With that rant, well done, Mr. Williams. The ACL shop is looking mighty nice.
I really do hope you do a suit one day. I’m sure you will kill it…even if I can’t afford one.
euewuweiuoirir
on Mar 19th, 2010
@ 3:43 PM:
with the success u had with this shirt…any plans of another run of this same shirt?
Michael R.
on Mar 19th, 2010
@ 9:41 PM:
A friend had given me a blue on blue madras shirt from Brooks Brothers about ten years ago. The cut was a bit baggy, but I’d been thinking about a shirt just like this and there it is. Nice colors, fabric and cut.
Patty
on Mar 19th, 2010
@ 10:26 PM:
Sold out? Is there nowhere else we can get it?
Louise
on Mar 23rd, 2010
@ 12:22 PM:
i’m surprised no one has brought up the fact that this isn’t a made in america item.
keith
on Mar 24th, 2010
@ 8:57 PM:
i ordered a small and its too small for me, if anyone wants to buy it, write me at keith dot minders at gmail dot com
Chris
on Apr 1st, 2010
@ 12:47 PM:
If anyone has one of these they’d like to sell in size XL please email me here: chris rimby at gmail dot com