Gramicci Safari Shirt : The Every Day Shirt

For me, shopping ranks about as high on my to-do list as picking out a new mattress--in other words, a necessary evil, but a task I don't particularly look forward to.

My attitude might be changing, however, thanks to Gramicci. For years, this California-based company with rock climbing apparel roots has been like a trusted friend: predictable, reliable, and comforting. I've always had a pair or two of Gramicci pants and shirts in the closet, or jammed into a drawer, ready to go on an adventure at a moment's notice. Lesser quality jeans and inferior shirts have not stood the test of time, but my Gramiccis remain, battle-tested and tough.

The story hasn't changed with the Gramicci's latest styles, the Safari Shirt and the Highline Trail pants (click here to read pants review). In fact, these two sturdy pieces of apparel represent everything that I've come to love about the brand.

Let's start with color. I've found that the old rule of thumb when it comes to travel clothing rings true for me--go with dark colors. White or tan might be nice for a springtime ice cream social on the veranda, but my clothes need to live up to splashed coffee and an occasional errant pen mark. The dark blue Safari shirt has the pigment necessary to carry me from one day's wearing to the next, and to the next, without needing a visit to the laundry.

Sturdy construction isn't just a fleeting thought for Gramicci designers; it's their mantra. A close look at the Safari shirt reveals attention to every detail imaginable. The two front chest pockets secure with Velcro and are triple-stitched for strength. Cuffs and seams receive a double-stitching at the minimum and the triple-treatment where it makes sense. The breathable cotton fabric ensures that I spend my day in comfort without thinking about my shirt and what I'm going to wear at day's end--I alwas prefer finishing the day in the Safari.

Buttoned tabs keep rolled up sleeves neatly in place. Finally, the extra stout buttons on the shirt (twice as fat as most shirt buttons) shout to the world that this is a shirt meant for business--the business of living, that is.

Bottom Line: The best of cottony comfort.--G.P. (Dec 06)

Price: $57

Manufacturer's Site: www.gramicci.com

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