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Madras shirts are generally worn by those who enjoy taking short trips into the countryside or those who like to do some outdoor activity on their day off. If you are an avid hiker, backpacker, hunter, or camper or just like to spend your summers in the countryside, you must own a madras shirt. Not only does it effectively help protect us from insects and bugs, but also keeps us cool on hot summer days!
A madras shirt is usually made out of cotton fabric that has been tightly woven to create a thick pattern. It is then highlighted with lots of tiny cotton yarns that are woven into the fabric for additional texture and color which gives the madras its characteristic criss-cross check pattern.
What Is a Madras Shirt?
A madras shirt is an Indian shirt. It was popularized by the British army around the late 19th century and was initially worn by the men in the Madras region of India. Madras shirts and camicie were originally designed as a form of lightweight and extremely comfortable clothing for hot, humid conditions worn by those who worked outdoors or took advantage of summer vacation activities.
Nowadays, you can find madras shirts made from any type of fabric as long as they keep their signature thin-yet-thick design. In other words, a thick weave combined with thick material is required to make a proper madras vest.
It is also important to note that madras shirts are not the same as casual cotton button-down shirts, although they do share many similarities. Although they come in all types of colors and styles, most madras shirts sport simple patterns with accent colors (often red or blue).
They are ideal for warm or hot weather because of their lightweight design. They are perfect for the laid-back free-spirited guy who wants to go on short trips to the countryside but doesn’t want to carry too many heavy things. Not only can he wear it during his day out in the country, but it is also fashionable enough to be worn at night when taking a break from business or work affairs.
Madras shirt From Ralph Lauren
Why You Should Buy a Madras Shirt
Madras shirts are a great summer wardrobe solution for those who enjoy outdoor activities. It is simple and lightweight clothing that will protect one from insects and bugs that can be found during a warm summer night. Men’s fashion has returned to the classic preppy styles of old, and madras is a piece of clothing that has found its way back into the hearts of men like forever. It is also very durable and long-lasting clothing that can be worn out for years.
1. They Are Lightweight
Madras shirts are lightweight and most of them come in simple colors such as white or blue. They can be worn on a hot summer night when you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of town life. These days, madras shirts can also be found in various designs such as polka dots, plaids, and plackets which provide you with additional options when it comes to picking out your favorite madras shirt.
2. They Can Be Found in Various Designs
You can also play around with different combinations and patterns to find out what looks best on you. For instance, you may want to go for a light blue madras shirt with a white collar and bright red buttons or choose a striped madras shirt with vertical or horizontal stripes of various medium-toned colors.
3. Wear Them on Your Day Off
Madras shirts are ideal for those who like to do short trips into the country on their off day and take advantage of the warmer weather that the countryside offers. You can also wear your madras shirts on your day off on weekends or even on holidays.
4. Not Only Do They Keep You Dry, but They are also Eco-Friendly
Madras shirts are made from 100% cotton, so this means that they are also eco-friendly due to their water-repellent nature. It means that if you are wearing madra, your shirt will shed water off its surface just like a sponge. This helps keep you cool because evaporation helps to cool the person wearing it down.
How To Wear Your Madras?
As previously mentioned, madras shirts can be worn on any occasion you want them to be worn on. They can be worn when taking an afternoon break in the countryside, on your day off on the weekends, or even when you are on holiday in some remote location. Since they are linen, they can be paired with trousers, jeans, or shorts.
1. Less is More
For those of you who are looking for a casual look, less is more. You can wear your shirt on its own with a pair of jeans or shorts. If you are looking for an even more casual look, you can replace the jeans with trousers.
2. Keep it Grounded
If you are looking for a more upscale look, you can pair it with your favorite trousers. You may want to choose pants with a thin stripe pattern or thin vertical line pattern or you can go for pants with larger stripes or lines. This will create a more formal look that is perfect for your day at the office.
3. Prep it Up
If you are looking for a more formal look, you can also prep up your shirt by pairing it with some kind of blazer or sport coat. You are more likely to find this look on those who are working in professional office settings or for those who are looking to go on a night out with friends.
4. Make it Casual
If you prefer a casual look, you can also wear your shirt as-is with some jeans or shorts. Sometimes, it may be all you need to make a simple and chill outfit. You can pair it with sneakers and a pair of socks and you will be ready to take on the day.
5. Pressed and Ready
Madras shirts are pressed and ready to be worn on the day that you buy them. However, if you would like to make your shirt look even better or if you prefer a more tailored look, you can always send them over to the dry cleaners.
6. Match It with Accessories
Madras shirts are lightweight by nature, so they can be worn with accessories such as watches, bracelets, or even stylish sunglasses. They are the perfect shirt to wear for warm weather because they keep you dry and cool at the same time.
Conclusion
Men’s fashion is all about finding the right items for your wardrobe. Right now, you can find madras shirts on Amazon. They come in various colors, designs, and price ranges.
You can find them in linen or heavyweight 100% cotton. Right now, they are trending because of the cool-casual effect that makes them perfect for warm-weather activities.
