UES MFG.CO. - Western Chambray Shirt [522511] COMING SOON*

COMING SOON*

UES MFG.CO.’s 522511 Western Shirt takes the unmistakable shape of an American western shirt and rebuilds it around a much lighter Japanese chambray. Instead of the heavier denim or twill often associated with western wear, UES uses a 5oz cotton fabric that keeps all of the traditional detailing while making the shirt considerably easier to wear through warmer weather and as a year round layering piece.

The foundation is a lightweight 100% cotton chambray. Chambray may resemble lightweight denim from a distance, but the construction is different. Where denim is normally woven with a diagonal twill structure, chambray uses a simpler plain weave. This gives the cloth a flatter, lighter surface and allows significantly more airflow, making it particularly well suited to shirting.

That distinction becomes especially noticeable at only 5oz. The fabric has enough structure to hold the western silhouette and pocket shapes, but remains light enough to wear comfortably through spring and summer. In cooler months it can move underneath a sweatshirt, denim jacket or heavier coat without creating the bulk of a traditional denim western shirt.

The visual texture is part of the appeal as well. Chambray gets much of its character from the interaction between its differently coloured yarns, creating the familiar slightly mottled blue appearance rather than a completely flat solid colour. Look closely and there is considerably more variation across the surface than the shirt initially suggests.

Like many UES fabrics, the real character should become more apparent after repeated wear and washing. The crispness of a new chambray gradually relaxes, the cloth becomes softer and the surface begins to develop subtle tonal variation. Areas that constantly move or experience friction, including the collar, cuffs, elbows, pocket edges and seams, will begin to look different from sections of the shirt that see less contact.

This is generally a more gradual type of ageing than the dramatic high contrast fades associated with heavyweight raw denim. Chambray tends to become softer and more lived in across the entire garment, with puckering developing around seams and subtle changes in colour appearing through repeated laundering. It is one of those fabrics that often looks increasingly natural the less new it becomes.

The silhouette comes directly from traditional western workwear. Shaped yokes across the upper body immediately distinguish it from a conventional work shirt, while pearl snap closures continue one of the defining elements of the western shirt. Historically, snap fasteners became closely associated with western clothing because they were practical, quick to operate and visually distinctive. Here they also provide a contrast against the relatively understated chambray.

Two chest pockets reinforce that traditional western layout and give the front of the shirt more structure. Combined with the shaped yokes, the pockets break up what would otherwise be a very simple lightweight blue shirt. The detailing is recognizable without making the piece feel overly costume driven, which is important with a style as visually established as the western shirt.

UES cuts the 522511 relatively slim. That keeps the shirt cleaner through the body and separates it from the oversized proportions sometimes associated with vintage work shirts. The lighter chambray works particularly well with that shape because there is less fabric bulk through the torso and sleeves, allowing the shirt to be worn tucked or untucked depending on the rest of the outfit.

The shirt has also been one washed before sale. This removes much of the initial shrinkage that can occur with untreated cotton and gives the fabric a slightly more settled hand from the beginning. It does not mean the garment is completely immune to dimensional change, particularly if exposed to high heat, but sizing should be considerably more predictable than an unsanforized or completely raw garment.

That one wash also means the process of breaking the shirt in has already begun. From there, repeated wear and washing will continue to soften the cotton and introduce the wrinkles, seam puckering and tonal changes that give chambray its familiar worn appearance.

The lighter construction also changes the role of the western shirt. Rather than being limited to something worn like an overshirt, the 522511 can function as a true everyday button up. Wear it on its own through warmer months, open over a T shirt, or underneath knitwear and jackets once the weather cools. It retains the visual language of classic western clothing without requiring the weight normally associated with it.

That balance is very much in keeping with UES. The design itself is not complicated for the sake of being complicated. Instead, the interest comes from taking a familiar garment, choosing a fabric that will become better with use, and building something intended to stay in rotation long enough for those changes to become visible.

The result is an easy entry point into UES for anyone who likes the ageing potential of Japanese denim and workwear but wants something considerably lighter. New, the 522511 is a clean blue chambray western shirt. With enough wear, the fabric should soften, the seams should become more pronounced and the colour should take on the uneven character that only comes from actually using the garment.

Made in Japan.

Key Features

• UES MFG.CO. 522511 Western Shirt

• Lightweight western shirt construction

• 5oz cotton chambray

• 100% cotton

• Lightweight plain weave fabric

• Classic blue chambray appearance

• Designed to soften and develop character with wear

• Traditional shaped western yokes

• Pearl snap closures

• Two chest pockets

• Long sleeve construction

• Slim UES fit

• One washed

• Reduced initial shrinkage

• Suitable for warm weather and year round layering

• Made in Japan

• Also available in White

• See more from Button Ups

• Shop more styles from UES MFG.CO.

Fabric & Care: Made from a lightweight 5oz 100% cotton chambray. Unlike denim, which normally uses a twill weave, chambray uses a plain weave that produces a lighter and more breathable fabric particularly well suited to shirting. The garment has been one washed, helping remove much of the initial shrinkage and beginning the softening process before wear. Expect the fabric to continue relaxing with use, with subtle fading, seam puckering and tonal variation becoming more apparent around the collar, cuffs, elbows, pockets and other high contact areas. Wash cold with similar colours and hang dry. Avoid excessive heat if maintaining the original measurements is important.

Fit: UES gives the 522511 a relatively slim western silhouette rather than the fuller proportions found on many traditional American work shirts. The one wash treatment means the garment should experience relatively little additional shrinkage when cared for correctly. UES generally fits smaller than typical North American sizing, so we recommend using our garment measurements and comparing them with a shirt you already own before choosing your size.

UES MFG.CO. 522511 Western Chambray Shirt, made in Japan from lightweight 5oz cotton chambray with pearl snaps, shaped western yokes and a one wash finish.

Canada: free Standard shipping over $300 CAD, otherwise $19.99 in BC and $24.99 to the rest of Canada. Express is $33 flat. Tracked courier, 1 to 4 business days.

United States: free Standard shipping over $350 USD, otherwise $25.99 USD. Express is $30 USD.

Returns: read our Return Policy for full details on returns and exchanges.