Fade Friday – Vintage Custom Band Collar C.P.O. Shirt (60+ Years, Unknown Washes)

Normally for Fade Friday, we tackle a pair of tried and true indigo blue jeans, but John in Minnesota is giving us a much-needed palette cleanser with a vintage hand-me-down.

This 1950s CPO Shirt is likely a private purchase modeled after the popular shirt jacket used by the USN since WWI but popularized in WWII and thereafter. Made from melton wool and featuring plastic buttons probably with an anchor motif, and 2 flap chest pockets, this beast of a wool shirt has become nice and matted down after decades of original use before our guy took over.

An essential in any fall/winter wardrobe, thanks to its warmth and timeless design, this CPO features an exciting modification that makes it a one-of-a-kind. Though originally fitted with a collar, John’s was cut resulting in a righteous band collar. Whether it got too itchy, there was some DIY design inspiration going on, or the wearer just liked the look better is anyone’s guess. All we know is we are glad it was sent in for us to see.