Straight out of Rite Stuff research comes to a shirt pattern Bryan Shettig found in a photo postcard and decided to recreate: Bryan called it the Bulldog Work Shirt.

The pattern is one he found on a workman in a 1920s postcard in his personal collection, a pullover (referred to as a ‘closed front’ shirt at the time) Stifel fabric work shirt. This is consistent with the 1920s when most work shirts were still made as pullover shirts.

For the Bulldog, Bryan chose a selvedge discharge-dyed dot stripe Wabash fabric, milled in Japan, in Indigo in a versatile, year-round 5 oz weight that will fade with washing and wear so you can enjoy the unique ageing characteristics your garment takes on.

Wabash fabric was popular with both railroaders and regular working men for its neat appearance and hard-wearing nature. “Bull Dog” was the name of Stifel’s Wabash fabric used in children’s overalls as well a now-defunct overall manufacturer from Canada that used Stifel fabric.

The Bulldog Work Shirt is cut roomy and full as a pullover needs to be in order to easily go on and off. The chest is generous, as are the sleeves, cuff, and the extra length ensures it stays tucked in, with no tails bobbing out when you put your arms up.

Double-row chainstitching at principle seams means no tearing, a high, thin double back yoke, and a period-correct chinstrap (or extension neckband) and collar length and shape round out the shirt. One chest pocket holds your valuables. The Japanese-made, star-shaped urea buttons are reproductions of 1920s originals as well. Note also the triangle stitching on the collar, pocket, and both chest and sleeve plackets.

Further down, you’ll find a workers’ tag as well as selvedge gussets. And as all the Rite Stuff garments, the Bulldog Work Shirt is made in Japan by John Lofgren Co. to their exacting standards of both quality and ethical working conditions.

The Rite Stuff is a label created by Bryan Shettig, a devotee and great connoisseur of the workwear used in American factories in the early and mid-20th century. All the products from The Rite Stuff are painstakingly made in every detail in Japan by John Lofgren and his staff of highly qualified Japanese workers. John Lofgren is a Californian living between Japan and the USA, known for taking to extremes his obsession with quality and detail when producing one of the best Engineer Boots in the world under his own label. As well as boots, John Lofgren produces for The Rite Stuff some of the highest-quality garments in the world.