Empire Canvas Works Heritage Shirt Review

[Panache]

Empire Canvas Works Heritage Shirt Review

Kevin Kinney (a.k.a. kevinkinney here on X Marks the Scot) had posted a contest for writing a descriptive taglines for his company Empire Canvas Works.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=29769

Normally I do not enter such things, but the company’s concept of using traditional materials and designs was an appealing one so I gave it my best shot.

I was delighted to be chosen as one of the winners. In fact I was offered the big prize of the Wool Blanket Shirt. Looking at the website I thought a Navy one would look rather nice. However, the more I thought about it, I had to face the fact that winters in Northern Minnesota are perhaps just a tad colder than here in the Bay Area in California. As lovely as the shirt was I thought I might not have much occasion to wear it. Some time ago I bought a very nice black wooley pulley from cavscout that I think is really smart looking. Sadly I am seldom able to wear it because it seldom gets cold enough where I live.

The Empire Canvas Works Heritage Shirt seemed very attractive to me and I have been thinking about getting a Jacobite Shirt to wear to a Highland Games. The Heritage shirt seemed neat because it had the classic lines of a Jacobite Shirt / Renaissance faire shirt but had a sturdy snaps instead of laces making it look less costume-like.

Here’s what it says about this shirt on their website:

We're big fans of history. Look through any illustrated text, and you'll find garments like our Heritage Shirt. Whether it was called a tunic, hunting shirt, or a smock, the long length and generous size offered everyday protection for a range of environments. It worked as a wind breaker in cool temps, and served as protection from the sun and stinging winds in the summer. Ours is a loose blend of several period styles, that's not too awkward for today.
We pre-wash a specially selected 7 ounce cotton, leaving it with a organic feel that's right out of the 1700's. The coarse weave allows natural breathability and puts a bit of bulk between you and the bugs. There's a double layer placket at the neck, pleated set in sleeves, and a wider cut at the hem to cover your thighs. The fit is romantically large and long. Since it's 100% cotton, so you can shrink it to the size you like. The rugged stainless steel snaps at the wrist and collar are anchored in webbing for a lifetime of service.
Our fabric is substantial, but still light enough to tuck inside trousers or a kilt. The Heritage Shirt is looks great when worn with a sash or belt. This textile is untreated, so it accepts dye, and weathers with style. We even include a few scraps so you can patch holes as the years go by. Fabric: 7 ounce single fill cotton duck Color: Natural. Sizes: SM, MD, LG, XL (XXL by special order.)

Thinking it wouldn’t hurt to ask, I sent a PM to Kevin and wondered if I might have a Heritage shirt instead of the Blanket Shirt. He was happy to oblige. Looking at the sizing chart I thought I needed a large. Kevin assured me that a medium would be more than big enough. He later wrote me to say he was finishing up my shirt and he would mail it off on Monday. Today it came in the mail and I happy removed it from the box.

The first thing about this shirt that strikes you is that it is long! It is going to stay tucked into your kilt. I like the material a lot. It seems very thick and sturdy in my hands. Immediately I put it on and as thick as the material is it seems very comfortable. It‘s 78 degrees here in Balmy California and the fabric seems to breathe well. Of course those of us that do Scottish Country Dancing among us know that a Jacobite-style shirt’s full sleeves and body allow for a bit of air circulation which keeps them cool. The ecru color of the shirt and the more open weave lend this shirt to a kind of country -daywear sort of look. The snaps are big and durable looking and well set in the fabric. The stitching seems even and neat.

My overall impression is that this shirt is meant to last. It isn’t going to rip at the seams, the snaps are going to stay set unless you cut them out, and the material itself is pretty tough. It is much more dashing looking in person compared to the picture of it laying out flat on the website.

But this is X Marks the Scot! What would a review be without pictures! Here you go…


When Kevin said a Medium would be big enough for me he wasn’t kidding!



With a kilt



Back of the shirt



Detail of the sleeve



Detail of the collar




Now I was fortunate and won this shirt, it normally sells for $80. The real question is would I buy this shirt with my own money?

I would say yes. Compared to the Jacobite style shirts I have seen for sale at the Highland Games (ranging in price from $38-60) this one is sturdier and has a length that makes it far better for wearing with a kilt. I like the snaps that give it an updated take on the classic “Highlander” type of shirt.

I would like to thank Kevin again for such a nice garment. Kevin I think you would do yourself a great favor if you were to post someone modeling the shirt on your site. I also think that having the option of horn buttons (like on the wool blanket shirt) might be appealing for those wishing a shirt for things like Renaissance Faire or other period events. I personally like the snaps but that might be a deal breaker for someone looking for a period costume.

I will post some final impressions about the shirt after wearing it out and washing it.

Cheers

Jamie