In summer, we are all a little guilty of only thinking about the items that we should be investing in; those all-important preparation pieces that ensure we stay one step ahead of the warm weather. A new pair of sunglasses, for example, or a perforated sneaker that makes for a more comfortable alternative to a pair of all-leather ones. But less is said about the more functional aspects of a summer wardrobe – and most importantly, the Cuban collar shirt.
Although the Cuban collar shirt has many close relatives – the bowling, the camp collar and even the Hawaiian shirt - it is often only worn exclusively as a ‘holiday’ shirt. Yes, you may be a little bit worried as you’ve probably seen the Cuban collar on many an outlandish Hawaiian shirt, but the two are not synonymous. As this season, there are a host of rather more flattering ways to wear the Cuban collar. First of all, it can give your outfit a relaxed, Americana feel if done right. While, some of the neater, understated varieties will even work for the office and in the evening, if paired with the right pieces. To illustrate our point, we have called upon the help of Percival – the independent British brand famed for their relaxed Cuban Collar Shirts – who have just launched their summer collection at OPUMO.
Percival is one of those brands that you’ve probably seen a whole host of times without even realising it – which is a strength of the brand’s understated, ‘quintessentially British’ aesthetic. The young British workwear label has reached near-cult status in the English capital courtesy of its high-quality materials and logo-less style – having made some famous fans along the way, too (check out Percival on Instagram). The brand’s motivation ‘to experiment with how far you can push the everyman wardrobe’, sees them revive a range of classic pieces from velvet jackets and striped tees to the popular Cuban collar shirt. Scroll down to discover three of our favourite spread collar shirts and how you can carry them off this summer.
Cuban Collar Indigo Linen Short Sleeve Shirt
The light indigo colour hue of this linen Cuban collared shirt from Percival really helps to play down the ‘I’m clearly embracing the summer sun’ connotations that are often evoked by the more daring varieties of the Cuban collared Hawaiian shirt. The shirt also features a slightly textured touch that means it can be easily contrasted against a simple white t-shirt and a co-ordinating pair of navy shorts for a style that is acceptable to wear almost anywhere.
Cuban Collar Waffle Stripe Short Sleeve Shirt
The Cuban collar offers the best of both worlds; it can act as a neat, considered layer under a lightweight jacket in the evening and it can offer a bit of pattern and personality when worn on its own. The thin pinstripe design of this Waffle Shirt makes it appropriate for the workplace and the weekend as the slim-fit and low-key pinstripe design keep things interesting, without going overboard.
Cuban Collar Black Palm Short Sleeve Shirt
This Japanese black palm print shirt from Percival is one of our favourite styles for summer as it shows the brand’s expertise in being able to turn the archetypal exotic Hawaiian print into something more wearable. The shirt also continues Percival’s tradition of sourcing the rarest fabrications, as it is crafted from a super soft cotton that is woven and printed in Japan. The laid back statement print and the relaxed, breathable fit offers a languid style that is ideally suited to those long days in the sun.
Shop the entire Percival Summer 2017 collection at OPUMO.
Be sure to check out our ultimate guide to men's shirts for everything you need to know.
