Everyday Denim shirts back in stock, and Lighter Denim for the first time
[Everyday Denim shirts available here. Lighter Denim shirts here]
When you talk to craftsmen or designers about things you like in their range, there’s often a particular smile that creeps across their face.
Actually, it usually starts as something closer to relaxation. There’s a sense of relief; the shoulders relax; they take a breath, and then the smile starts.
And if you mention something you like – some technical or functional point – their eyes will often light up, excited that someone appreciates why the product was made that way.
When I meet readers, I always forget to ask useful market-research questions. How they heard of the site, what their favourite type of post is, how it could be improved.
But I immediately light up when they say they like one of the products we’ve developed. I know what that relief/pleasure feeling is like now, and I want to know every thought they have: why they like it, how it compares to other things they wear, what they wear it with.
This was what happened in the pop-up shop every day. Some of the readers that came in already had an Everyday Denim shirt and wanted to talk about it, while many of the rest wanted to see them in person.
From those talks I learnt that readers appreciate the difference between the darker and lighter shades, but actually find that either works with more formal clothes. (I added the lighter version in order to be smarter and better with a suit, blazer etc.)
I learnt that people were anxious for the shirt to start fading, and sometimes washed it three or four times before wearing it for the first time, in order to get that effect.
And I learnt that while readers love the handwork on the shirts – particularly for the price – several were confused by the tack stitch that is sewn halfway up the front. (Shown below, next to the button.)
In fact, two readers asked whether this was a mistake, and was meant to be cut off.
Well, no. Just so everyone knows, that stitch is functional and deliberate.
If you look on the inside, you will be able to see that the placket is sewn down halfway by hand. In the top half, it is left loose in order to roll open more naturally.
The tack stitch is there to finish that line of hand sewing, and prevent it coming undone. So please don’t cut it off. It’s a nice, tiny bit of functional sewing.
This is relevant because the Everyday Denim shirts are now back in stock on the Shop site, and for the first time there are shirts in the Lighter Denim as well.
In order to add some illustration and perhaps inspiration around both, Jerry Tong from Prologue (above) and I wore them out on a sunny day during the pop-up, to shoot with Milad Abedi.
I deliberately wore the Lighter Denim with jeans, to demonstrate a point I’ve made before – that this lighter colour is far enough removed from normal denim to be worn with jeans, and avoid a ‘double denim’ look.
(I must get blue-denim jeans that are higher waisted, though.)
Jerry wore the regular Everyday Denim, which probably makes a nicer match with his outfit. The slightly darker shade is a better partner for the cream trousers, creating a nice bit of contrast between them (see pic above).
Both shirts have been worn and washed 8-10 times, and you can see that while the Lighter Denim does fade as well, it’s not as marked as the Everyday.
As ever, the shirts are made by Luca Avitabile in Naples, using his curving button-down collar that sits so well around the collar of a jacket when open – and yet also sits proud when worn with a tie.
The shirts have several points of hand sewing, focusing on the most important and functional areas. So the sleeve and collar are attached by hand, as is the shoulder.
Aesthetic hand-sewn points are the buttons, buttonholes, and points like the back of the placket mentioned earlier.
The buttons we use are a smoky mother-of-pearl, which I think gives a slightly more casual and vintage look that suits the denim.
The sizing for the shirts is the same on both colours, and as the PS Oxford shirts – though slightly different to the Friday Polos as the material is so different.
Sizing chart and other details on the shop page.
In the photos here, Jerry and I are both wearing Mediums, which is a pretty good fit on us both despite him being a little shorter and bigger in the chest than me.
Jerry is also wearing trousers and jacket from his company, Prologue, with the jacket being in a Marling & Evans undyed-yarn cloth that I rather like.
I’m wearing my Eduardo de Simone cashmere jacket and Levi’s bespoke jeans.
Thank you to everyone that came to the pop-up and told me what they liked, disliked and were confused about.
I know why those artisans smile now. There’s nothing quite like making something people love.
For anyone that is new to Everyday Denim, here's a brief summary:
- 'Everyday Denim' is so-called because it is a denim shirt a man in a modern office can wear every day. It is made in blue colours similar to a regular office shirt, but rendered more casual by its denim texture.
- It uses a denim shirting from Albiate (part of the Albini group) that is exclusive to Permanent Style. A re-weaving of a cloth that wasn't commercial enough for mainstream stores because of its fading, but perfectly suits more advanced PS readers.
- The shirts are made by Neapolitan bespoke shirtmaker Luca Avitabile, using several stages of hand-stitching to give it more of a bespoke fit (eg a smaller, hand-sewn armhole).
- The cloth is a cotton twill, using 60/2 yarn in the warp and 120/2 in the weft. Being 2-ply is significant with denim, as most brands use cheap, single-ply yarn for denims - but 2-ply softens and wears better.
- Everyday and Lighter Denim are both also available as raw material, in order to buy and give to a bespoke shirtmaker.
- The shirts cost £180 plus VAT. As with everything on Permanent Style, the pricing is slightly below normal retail margins.
- Made in Italy, ships from the UK.
In other stock news:
- The PS Oxford shirts will be in stock again in about two weeks. Email [email protected] if you want to be on the waiting list.
- We will also do shirts in the striped PS Oxford cloth, but they won't be ready for a few months. Again, email if you want to be notified about those.
- There will be a restock of Friday Polos in about two months. There are some left, but with quite a few gaps.
- Shorts will be back in about a month (with a new, extra colour). Hopefully by the time it's warming up in some places enough to wear them.
- There are still plenty of Bridge Coats left, but there won't be any more Trench Coats until the Autumn.
Everyday Denim Shirts and cloth available on the shop site here.
Photography: Milad Abedi
Learn more about how Permanent Style’s collaborations work, and how else it is funded, here.
Thanks Simon I have been waiting for a re-stock. I just picked up one of each (Everyday and Lighter Denim). Just need some clarification, lighter is referring to color, rather than fabric weight, is that correct?
Yes exactly. Just lighter denim in colour. Identical otherwise
I love the shirt but had an issue, wonder if you could advise. It faded dramatically across the chest and upper back, almost white compared with the sleeves and lower front which faded more slowly. I had machine washed in cold alone or with another similar shirt and delicate detergent, line dried. No idea why this happened. In the end I bleached it and now have a decent off white (tinge of blue) shirt. Still decent.
Interesting, thanks Matt. It would be good to know every how that happened, so if you want to contact me on email to run through it, please do. Thanks
Simon,
I had a similar experience with my lighter everyday denim. I think it’s from my briefcase and guitar strap to be honest. Still, you can’t really tell unless the shirt is wet from washing.
Does this run hot? Would lighter one work with khaki linen suit?
It’s a mid-weight cotton, so pretty versatile throughout the year. Unlike the PS Oxford, which is heavier
Hi Simon
Good to receive the update on Friday Polos I will keep an eye out for when my size returns to stock.
On the EDS, do you have plans to have stock with some stores around London as you did with the Friday Polos? Unfortunately, I could not come to the pop up shop and it would be nice to see them and check sizes before buying.
Good point. No, we don’t have the Everyday Denim available at Whitcomb or Bemer. But I’ll see if we can
Hi Simon
Good to see your denim shirts are back in stock.
Please can you advise on what , if anything to allow for shrinkage. Also are they 30 or 40 degree wash?
Thanks
Stephen
40 degrees is fine. There shouldn’t be any shrinkage
Hi Simon
Really like Jerry’s jacket and near ordered it at the pop up. Have you received yours from Jerry yet
Paul
Nope, tomorrow! (Am now in Hong Kong)
Hi Simon,
I have been keeping an eye out for the restock of your Oxford shirts and noticed last week that they appeared to be back in stock. I subsequently ordered one in large. This contradicts slightly with your update today. Have I simply preordered? Having recently taken receipt of your everyday denim shirt, I am now, as you’d expect, very impatient for my next acquisition to arrive!!
Many thanks.
Richard
Hi Richard. No they’re not back in stock, we just had a couple come back from returns/exchanges
You both look lovely. I caught you leaving the pop up, the day of this shoot. I remember your jeans sat perfectly on a suede spilt toe.
Hi Simon
Apologies, another question. Are there any details on the back of the denim or Oxford shirts such as pleat or hanger loop. Also are they regular, tailored or slim fitting by design?
Thanks
No, neither pleat nor hanger loop. And of those choices, tailored is probably closest.
Hi Simon!
I just regret that iI did not buy that Simon Abbarchi shirt that you had on the trunk show,
But a very ridiculous question: What is the difference between formal and informal?
I guess shirts in the article is quite versatile?
They could be used quite formal as well.
In todays world.
Or perhaps I am wrong?
Hi Rune,
Yes you’re right, both denim shirts could be worn formally and informally – we’re talking about a small difference here. For example, with a lighter denim someone might notice the difference with a regular business shirt, but they are more likely to with the regular denim. Small variations
Hey Simon-
Did you ever get your new jeans with the lower front rise made by Liz/Levi’s? Curious how the new fit and fabric worked out. Thanks.
Yes in a cream denim. Sorry, yes I will cover them at some point. Bit of a queue at the moment
Thanks! I was able to grab one. Nice touch with the packaging too. Wondering if you could do a run of oxford shirts, plain but the striped one looks cool too. No worries if not, great shirts though keep ’em coming. I do also like the polo shirts but I do prefer the usual collar versus spread.
We’re actually getting a new run of the plain PS Oxford shirts in very soon. Email [email protected] if you want to be on the waiting list
Hi Simon,
When do you anticipate restocking the everday denim shirt? Thanks!
Not for a few months I’m afraid, but do email [email protected] to get on the waiting list. We’re trying to get them earlier and you’ll get first access that way
Simon,
Size wise I am obviously in between L and XL. When I got the denim shirt in L it was too tight. The XL for exchange I received is to roomy around the waist, so I wonder if darts to optimize the fit would ruin the appearance? Any suggestions?
Hi Simon,
I ordered a medium of the Everyday Denim recently (one of the last in stock, I think). It’s an absolutely beautiful fabric and the tone of the buttons compliments it perfectly. Unfortunately, it was just a tad too tight, especially around the chest: a bit of gaping between the buttons and pulling at the armpits. I wear a 15.75 collar in Drake’s shirts, which is about as perfect size-wise as I’ve come across for me. Comparing the measurements of those to the ED online ones, I’m keen to try a large when they’re back in stock. Do you have much experience of Drake’s RTW shirts and whether those sizes might be comparable? I’d probably generally prefer something to be a bit on the loose rather than on the tight side.
Thanks and sorry for the quite specific question!
Hi Joe,
No worries. Sorry the sizing didn’t quite work.
I can’t compare the sizes of the two that easily, so I’d suggest the online measurements are the best things to go on. But you’re right to err on the side of large, probably, as you can always dart a shirt more to give it more shape if you need to.
Do also email [email protected] in the future if you want information like this. It’s a good way to start a conversation and then continue when you want news on stock etc
Cheers
Simon
Actually I have a fitting problem with Luca’s Denim bought here in the PS shop!
It seems that I am right in between L and XL. I had tied both, and opted finally for XL.
As everything is now slightly “spacy” would darts improve it? Or would this ruin the overall appearance?
Means I better stay without darts! Any recommendations?
I would certainly dart it, Axel. A nice thing about shirts like this is that you can buy the right fit on the shoulders and neck, and then taper the body to the right fit (easier if you’re slim, rather than large). It won’t ruin the appearance.
Simon – not specific to your denim shirt but as you’ve mentioned the cloth itself can be purchased it raised a question with regards to purchasing fabric on its own. I’d imagine sourcing/selecting fabric with your shirtmaker will always be the easiest option but is there a way for the average person to browse and source shirting fabrics directly, i.e. some way to see what various shirting mills have available that your shirtmaker might not carry?
Not really, no. Some merchants have started doing so on the tailoring side, but as far as I’m aware no one is doing so with shirting.
The reason is largely that the transaction costs of a business like that outweigh the benefits. Dealing with 100s of shirtmakers is time-consuming enough. If you start dealing with end customers that number would go into the 1000s.
Hi Simon,
The listing on the webshop says ‘Made in a Naples atelier supervised by bespoke shirtmaker Luca Avitabile’. Is there a change in the manufacturing now?
Evan
No, made in the same place. Why, have I miswritten it somewhere?
Simon,
I love the shirts you offer, especially the new oxfords. I now have an everyday lighter denim, the striped oxford, and the new white oxford. One difference I have noticed between the three is the buttons and how well they stay, for lack of a better term, buttoned. My two oxford shirts have no problems whatsoever staying buttoned, but the denim shirt seems to come unbuttoned and any sign of movement. In fact, I frequently look down and have 4 buttons unbuttoned on the placket! What do you think is the cause of this? Maybe the size of the button hole or maybe something to do with the button itself? Is there anyway to remedy this? I love the cloth and the cut and make of the shirt, its just a pain to close buttons all the time.
I think it’s likely the buttonhole size. We did have another customer report this.
The easiest thing to do at home, if you want to, is to sew the opening buttonhole slightly closed – one stitch, a little across one end. It’s quite simple to do.
But if you’d rather not we can talk about getting it back to Luca to change if you want.
S
Thanks Simon. I don’t know if I currently have the sewing skills for this on a high quality shirt. I could get a local alterations place to look at doing it if that is easier than sending to Luca.
Perhaps try that, yes. Happy to coordinate getting it back to Luca if that’s needed though
Simon
When will the denim cloth be back in stock? Any other shirting cloths to be released soon?
Thanks
George
Hi George,
I’m not sure the Everyday Denim will be restocked, but we will have more of the Lighter Denim later this year.
No new shirting cloths planned soon
Thanks Simon. Is it worth me waiting for the lighter denim to order my length of pink Oxford (want to send them to tailor in one batch) or is pink running low in stock?
I wouldn’t wait. Pink is a bit low
Hi Simon,
I am torn between the Denim and Lighter Denim shirt, how could you compare them from a style point/wardrobe building perspective? I am looking for something that will work with chinos and jeans.
(I read on one of your comments that in your view the two most versatile PS shirts were the Blue Oxford and Everyday Denim, although this might have been before the lighter version came out). I already own the PS Oxford in Blue and the striped version, and love them!
It also seems that you’re not planning to restock the Everyday Denim, any reason?
Thanks,
Matthew
Hey Matthew,
We’ve just found that the lighter denim has been far more popular than the everyday denim, so it doesn’t make sense to keep the latter in stock.
I’d agree with that, I think over time I’ve come to think of the lighter as more useful too, because it’s more similar to a regular light-blue dress shirt or denim shirt colour.
S
Hi Simon, would you wear a navy hopsack sports jacket and navy grenadine tie with a PS denim shirt for a business interview or meeting?
Many thanks,
Jack
Yes. But you know your business better than I do Jack. Look at what everyone else is wearing and try to fit in
Thanks, Simon.
Hi Simon, I ordered the Everyday Denim cloth (original and lighter) around 3 years ago and kept them together with other pieces of PS fabric (in the same conditions, well away from light). Sadly COVID delayed my plans to have them made up. Recently when I took the lighter cloth out of the wardrobe to send to my shirtmaker, it’s faded quite strongly along several of the folds (strangely, the fading isn’t consistent). While I understood that fading would develop with washing, it’s disconcerting that it occurred merely with the passage of time (and to such a pronounced extent, in a manner which will make it difficult to justify sending it for tailoring). And I really fail to understand, because the cut wasn’t exposed to anything more than occasional light. I’m wondering whether other lighter denim cloth customers may have experienced this.
The original denim has faded ever so slightly in a few areas (not along the folds) but is still usable for a casual shirt. The other PS fabrics (oxfords, chambrays and madras) which I kept alongside the denims look the same as when I received them.
Hi Chris,
Yes I would expect this I’m afraid, and sorry if we haven’t been clear that it shouldn’t be kept in that way for so long.
The other PS fabrics are not designed to fade, whereas the denims are – that’s the point of them, to get the industrial washed effect but in a bespoke shirt. When we store them in the warehouse, we do so in black bags that keep the light out.