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

The Manual Talks Summer Shirts with Chris Olberding from Gitman Vintage

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.

What’s your favorite shirt of all time?

Recommended Videos

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…
CNCPTS and Canada Goose’s new sneaker is plucked from the skies
CNCPTS, Canada Goose release new sneaker
close up on green laces

Made to trek through rough terrain easily, the new release from CNCPTS and Canada Goose is a lesson in high-quality construction. As part of a high-quality performance collection, the newest collaborative sneaker from the two brands comes with a sleek and majestic colorway. Inspired by the many colors of the aurora borealis, the latest sneaker is all about intentional features and designs that deliver. While the collection has interesting and statement features, the sneakers ultimately complete the look. Available in one colorway, this sneaker is ideal for all of the adventures you have coming up. 
CNCPTS / Canada Goose Glacier Trail Sneaker High

Crafted using a premium collar with waterproof zippers and stretch collars for comfort, the sneaker has a relaxed fit that doesn’t constrain the foot yet comes with the ultimate protection. Equipped with a rubberized leather wrap, the sneaker is ideal for battling the elements while staying warm. Inside the shoe, the Glacier Trail Sneaker is made with an HDry membrane, an innovative creation that ensures 100% waterproof protection and flexibility. 

Read more
Is Shaun White’s new gear and apparel line the Rolex of Snow Gear?
Shaun White in WHITESPACE gear.

If anyone knows snowboarding, it’s mountain legend Shaun White. I remember watching live as he landed his signature trick, “The Tomahawk” (a Double McTwist 1260), at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010. Who could forget skill and passion like that?

Further proof of that passion is Shaun White’s WHITESPACE line of snowboard gear and winter apparel. Shaun White brings his personal insight and style to the table during the design process. Utilizing top-of-the-line design and tech, WHITESPACE delivers an elevated winter apparel line for riders who want the best. Let's dig into the top-tier performance of WHITESPACE's newest offerings.
Icona Board

Read more
Y.Chroma introduces the Swiss Army Knife of the coat world
Get all your seasonal coats in one versatile option
Y.Chroma Quatro Jacket under a coat

Having a good coat wardrobe is one of the most critical pieces of your closet. Staying warm is an extremely important function of the coat, and style is an add-on that often gets lost when men need to guard themselves from the cold. When a man embraces the importance of style, that is, when he decides to dive deep into "functional fashion" and values the warmth and the appearance of a good coat; then he has to run out and buy multiple coats for every occasion. That is where Y.Chroma feels they can make a change. The Y.Chroma Quatro Jacket is the answer to the problem of needing multiple coats. They want you to look good and stay warm in numerous occasions, all in one jacket they are calling the Swiss Army Knife of jackets.
All your jackets in one

One of the things that Max Israel, founder of Y.Chroma, does so well is he offers products that are both functional in that they fit your lifestyle in ways you didn't even know you needed and fashionable in ways that they will stand out and not be seen anywhere else in your circle of influence until they see yours and want to buy their own. We call that trendsetting, by the way. With the Quatro, it looks better than any other quilted coat on the market, but it is also convertible to numerous styles: A hoodless vest, a hooded vest, a light jacket, and a lined puffer. Finally, there is a coat you can wear that is adjustable to changing temperatures and changing social environments.

Read more