The Original Shop Rag Shirt

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$180.00

Size

Our flagship product, this first-of-its-kind work shirt is inspired by the iconic rag found in garages, factories and back pockets the world over. Made with special attention to every detail that gives the shop rag its signature characteristics, the shirt pays homage to a rich history filled with stories of a job well done.

Features

American-made 100% cotton Osnaburg fabric

Overedged by the Merrow MG-3DR machine

Leather-backed, antique brass tack buttons

Chest pocket with flap and pen slot

Reinforced elbow patches

Made by New England Shirt Company in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Sizing & Care

Designed with a modern but relaxed cut, the shirt tapers slightly from the shoulders to the waistline and fits true to size. See our sizing chart for specific measurements.

Each shirt is pre-washed to minimize shrinkage. We suggest machine washing in warm water, with like colors only. Use non-chlorine bleach if needed. Tumble dry on low heat and iron if needed.

Material

The fabric, called Osnaburg, is milled expressly for Godspeed Co. in North Carolina and owes its origins to Osnabrück, Germany, where the loosely woven cotton was first utilized for clothing for the lower classes as far back as the 16th century, giving the shop rag its utilitarian roots.

Color

Early “Dirty Osnaburg” had imperfections due to the fact that scraps and thread off the factory floor were utilized in its make up. The best guess for first dying it red? Simply to give the fabric a more uniform look, and hide stains better.

The Edge

Uniquely equipped to roll the material within the stitch, The MG-3DR machine was first commissioned to provide a durable finish edge for a “mechanics towel,” giving the 170 year-old Merrow Sewing Machine Company birthright to the rag we know today, and giving every shirt its signature accents.

Production

All sewing is completed at New England Shirt Company, and takes place in their centuries-old factory in Fall River, MA.

Buttoning It Up

The leather-backed, brass tack fasteners come from the Waterbury Button Company, founded in 1812 in Waterbury, CT and proud supplier to the U.S. military since before the civil war.