Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Manual Talks Summer Shirts with Chris Olberding from Gitman Vintage

Jodie Kharas
By
manual talks summer shirts chris olberding gitman vintage gv 940
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Gitman Vintage love a summer shirt almost as much as we do. Each season, the division line of parent brand Gitman Bros, look to their own design archives to resurrect and reimagine their favourite shirts for the present season. The spring/summer 2014 offering looks to be their best yet. A plethora of classical striped designs sit alongside statement ‘tropicalia’ prints, deco depictions and bold checker patterns. The Manual caught up with brand creator Chris Olberding to talk sweet summer shop.

C OlberdingThe Gitman Vintage brand is based exclusively on looking to the Gitman Bros archives. Why?

It’s important to link the past and present, to offer your customers both your hallmarks, whether it’s Indian cotton madras or Oxford weave hopsack, and things that recall your DNA but with a twist. In our case, prints on Oxford, crazy patterns with linen.

Recommended Videos

What’s your favorite shirt of all time?

That’s tough – so many favorites, but my current favorite is our light blue denim print in a pop-over. It’s the perfect summer shirt… and it feels like summer today ;)

If you were gonna advise someone to buy one shirt from the SS14 collection which would it be and why?

Hibiscus Girl. Because at a distance it looks like a great Aloha print, but up close you see the floral print is actually a nice little montage of pin-ups. Call it shirt sublimation.

Tell us about Gitman Vintage circa SS14.

SS14 celebrates the brand’s 5th year with a real potpourri of fabric. In addition to the classics (Oxfords, chambrays, Indian cotton madras and seersucker) we put out all the laundry. Zephyr weight Oxfords, Yacthing stripes mixed with Nautical flag prints “Good Catch” banner shirts, along with motifs of juicy lemons, limes and bananas both ripe and not. Call it Chiquita Oxford. A little homage to Roy Lichtenstein, along with big floral prints, continue to riff on sun and fun. Our Las Vegas Girls calling card shirt contrasted and our Shibuya Girls shirt leaves one wondering which “Smiley” they most identify with, a la our Baron Von Fancy print.

Where is your dream summer holiday destination? What shirt would you be wearing there?

Brazil for the World Cup. I’d wear our Bahia print all day and night – the shorts for am and the shirt for pm.

Jodie Kharas
Jodie Kharas
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jodie Kharas is a style, art and culture writer who lives in London. She has contributed to the online platforms of POP…
Birkenstock is taking on Crocs with its new $150 Lutry clog
Be honest: You're tired of Crocs and are glad Birkenstock did this
Birkenstock Lutry Clog

"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." Some fashion trends show up, and they just don't go away. They grab ahold of a specific part of our societal collective psyche and refuse to die. Crocs seem to be one of these trendy items that just won't go away. They took the idea of the wooden clog made famous by their medieval craze in Europe and replaced the wood with silicone. They added to the garment by adding a backstrap, allowing the wearer to put it into "Sport Mode," where they can wander Starbucks to their heart's content without losing their intricately decorated silicone slip-on.

Then you have brands that will take a fashion trend, refusing to die, and give it a little class, a little panache. You have a brand that will take what you would normally add flair to (like a bad version of Office Space) and add a simple twist of elegance that not only makes the trend more enjoyable but ensures that it stays around. Birkenstock is now going head-to-head with Crocs in an attempt to add some luxury to the world of the modern-day clog by introducing their Lutry Clog.

Read more
Brooks challenges Vuori with new Luxe Apparel Collection men’s clothing (and women’s clothing!) line
Workout clothing is now more fashionable than ever
Two people walking on the street in Luxe

There has always been a separation between fashion and function, style and getting the job done. When it came to gym clothes, men were often used to simply throwing on a ratty old t-shirt and the same basketball shorts we have always worn. The world is ever-evolving, and the fitness world is beginning to get stylish. Brands are becoming more focused on style and comfort, closing the gap between fashion and function. Vuori has long been the pioneer of the stylish comfort game. But now they have a new competitive adversary on the market.

Brooks has been a mainstay in footwear since the early 1900s when they made bathing shoes. That's right, shoes made to be worn in the rivers, oceans, and anywhere the tender footed wanted to go. They developed shoes across many industries before they took aim at the one that held their passion: running. Decades later, they are one of the leading authorities in all things running, with some of the best shoes money can buy. Their next step is the release of the Luxe Collection, a combination of men's clothing and women's clothing that is just as good on the run as on the couch.

Read more
Puma Sale: 290 men’s sneakers and running shoes now under $100
Puma Deviate Nitro 2 running shoes on the floor.

With plenty of variety as part of its sale, Puma is the ruler of running shoe deals right now with hundreds of sneakers and running shoes on sale. It's possible to buy Puma running shoes from just $51 with popular options like the EvoSPEED Electric 13 track and field shoes available for just $99. With so many different options out there, we strongly recommend you click the link below so you can see for yourself what's best for your needs. However, if you need a little guidance, keep reading while we take you through some of the highlights.

What to shop for in the Puma sale
Puma is responsible for some of the best running shoes which is always a great start for any future purchase. If you want to keep things cheap while also having a wide fit, consider the

Read more