It may not be obvious, but the shirts we are featuring today have something in common with hoovers and kleenexes. 

Those of you who watched the Crown have certainly noticed that, during the most bucolic episodes, characters are wearing small square patterned shirts underneath their Barbour jackets and heavy gauge sweaters. This patterned is called tattersall is a pillar of the traditional rural British wardrobe.

According to the legend (Wikipedia), tattersall fabrics originate from blankets used at horse markets. Each merchant would have their own pattern and a horse’s blanket would allow to easily identify its owner. 

Viyella history dates back to the 18th century, but the company became famous at the end of the 19th for making cotton and wool blended fabrics. Soft, warm and unshrinkable, such fabrics were perfect for winter pyjamas, and especially shirts. So much that Viyella became the generic name for wool and cotton tattersall shirts. Just like Kleenex for paper tissues and Hoover for vacuum cleaners. Oops, I gave it away too early…

Two fits are available, a slim fit and a traditional fit. not being delusional about my body type, I went with the traditional cut. A precaution even more necessary in anticipation of upcoming holidays feasts. To stay classic, I went with two different tattersall patters. Viyella's website mostly offers an array of various tattersall in different scales and colors, and tartans. Each model is available with either a cutaway or a button-down collar. The latter being the one I decided to try. 

The fit, although traditional, is not parachute-y at all, which makes the shirt perfectly wearable with jeans. The shirt looks machine-assembled, nothing too fancy, which is coherent for a rustic-inspired garment. Double stitching on the sides of the body and gussets give an impression of sturdiness. 

It is no surprise that the fabric is what sets these shirts apart. The expectations of warmth and and comfort are met. One can easily imagine oneself stag hunting on the Balmoral castle estate wearing such a shirt, or even wandering in a more hostile environment, such as between the corporate headquarters of la Défense. Even better, the cozyness makes them perfect for an afternoon at home, watching a fire or a Christmas movie under a blanket and sipping on a hot cocoa, but enough about my perfect Sunday. 

For this review, i voluntarily steered away from the gentleman farmer look, but feel free to play along and pair such a shirt with corduroy trousers and a tweed sport coat. 

Finally, I noticed by accident a very British detail: cuffs have buttonholes on both ends, which will allow the chic-est of us to wear them with your nicest cufflinks. 

For approximately £105, Viyella offers beautiful shirts that would be a perfect match for the hardest days of winter, and the softest ones as well.