Get to Know: Criquet Shirts

I was introduced to Criquet Shirts a couple months ago, and they have been popping up quite a bit lately.  Company founders Hobson and Billy & I have gotten to know each other over the past few months, and I think you’ll really like their company, products, and style.  Their website is a lot of fun as well.  Check it out – you’ll see what I mean.

They sent me a couple Players Shirts to check out (full disclosure).  I’m really impressed – the style immediately brings the 70s-80s golf style to mind (four button placket, point collar, and front pocket).  The biggest difference is in the material – it’s 100% organic cotton.  It’s not thick, but not so thin that it immediately wrinkles.

In terms of the fit – it has a slimmer cut, but not ‘fitted’.  Order the same size you would wear in Polo by Ralph Lauren.  This is a good shirt for the golf course – it won’t get in the way during your follow through.

Not only are their shirts made from organic cotton, but they are made in the USA – the Texas part of the USA.  Add points.

For me, the pocket is the differentiator.  It’s a grown-up polo shirt with a classic, hip style.  They offer the Player’s Shirt in quite a few colors, all of which are the ‘classic’ non-Easter Egg choices.  They offer some striped polos and Pique polos as well.

 Choices…

Billy and Hobson were nice enough to answer the ‘Who/What/When/Where/Why/How’ for me…here we go: 

Who:  Lifelong friends & part-time alibis, Billy Nachman and Hobson Brown.

Billy:  The first day I met Hobson he had a nose bleed and threw up.  In reverse order.   We were 5 years old.

Hobson:  I met Billy in kindergarten at The Buckley School in NYC.   I had never seen ears so big.  It completely freaked me out.   We also went to boarding school together where our love for the untucked polo was formed.

What:   Organic polos and vintage style golf shirts.   Shirts for good green L..I..V..I..N’.

Hobson: We’ve always had a thing for vintage styled golf shirts and were sick of looking through, and in Billy’s case, smelling like thrift store bins.

Billy: The proper polo/ golf shirt is invaluable. It is one of the few articles of clothing that can successfully cross over from the world of sport to the world of leisure, both casual and semi-formal.  And while smelling like a thrift store bin is never a good thing, it beats having to borrow a shirt from Hobson, with the anticipation of the inevitable release of scent.

When:   As often as possible.

Where:  Austin, TX

How:  

Billy:  Hobson and I have different styles, and it is one of the great things about the Players shirt.   Its versatile enough to wear in Hobson’s more classic and conservative style, while I sport them a little less conventionally (black Players, corduroy western jacket, jeans, and gold New Balance sneaks.)

Hobson:  We collaborate on all our designs and act as our own fit models.  Our shirts aren’t slim fit nor are they like wearing potato sacks – it’s a great fit for two guys who keep saying they are going to get in better shape.   We also tap into Billy’s architecture background for clever design details like the removable collar stays and the secret pen stash.

Who’s going to win the Master’s?

Hobson:  Davis Love or Freddy Couples ala Jack in ’86.

Billy: Jimmy Walker… talk about a name that would shake things up at Augusta…. Dyn-O-mite!

Who’s playing on your Ipod:

Hobson:  Drive-by-Truckers, Justin Townes Earle and James McMurtry.   A must-do Austin event is the Wednesday 12AM McMurtry show at the Continental Club.

Billy: Wrinkle Neck Mules, Dirty River Boys, Black Joe Louis and the Honeybears, and any Stax soul with Booker T backing.

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You want some better news?  Hobson and Billy were nice enough to give a 15% discount for Red Clay Soul readers for the next two weeks.  Use code ‘RCS‘ at checkout and you’ll get the discount on your entire order.  The offer expires on March 28th – so order yours quick so you can wear it to Augusta.