Any sizes now sold out will be back in stock, once an October 2023 production.  If you wish to place a guaranteed reserve order for this next production, please select your size from the drop-down size menu under the "Advance Order" menu option, and you will be assured your size will be reserved and that it will ship as soon as inventory is replenished.  

The critically acclaimed 2020 Tom Hanks film "GREYHOUND" depicts warfare in the North Atlantic against German U-Boats in World War II.  Tom Hanks is a very dedicated actor who holds great personal admiration and respect for the WWII veterans, and as such he is very driven to achieve high levels of authenticity.  The production company for "GREYHOUND" hired our founder as a consultant because they were interested in the epitome of historical accuracy, and they purchased our Buzz Rickson's U. S. Navy items because these items are world renowned as the last word in quality and authenticity.  If you see "GREYHOUND," our founder is credited on screen as a consultant and you will see nearly every minute of the film depicting select cast members wearing these exact same Buzz Rickson's USN chambray shirts that were supplied in quantity.

Buzz Rickson’s USN Chambray Work Shirts are the most authentic, highest-quality USN vintage-style, chambray work shirts you have EVER seen!!!  Nothing like this has been offered since the "good old days" of the 1940's.  One look and you will be immediately transported back to an era when America was the unquestioned king of goods synonymous with top quality and durability. Every original and distinctive styling feature from the 1940's has been deftly reproduced, including true, hard-wearing chambray fabric produced on vintage shuttle looms from the era and sewn with 1940's sewing machines.

This is rugged and stylish American history at its best, and it is also going to look fabulous when worn because it is cut to flatter the body, unlike the ultra-loose styles so often encountered everywhere today.  Whether seeking a casual shirt for leisure, a sport shirt to be worn with necktie on casual office days (chinos and a blue chambray shirt never looked better), or truly in need of a work shirt that will outlast similar shirts, let this 1940's design be your silver bullet.  Quantities are very limited. 

Take note of these authentic features and details found only on a premium vintage chambray shirt of this pedigree:

• Placket-front closure

• Collar stand for crisper appearance

• Single-button collar

• Double-stitched seams for superior strength


• Reinforced shoulder yoke for greater durability at this crucial abrasion area

• Custom manufacturing of correct mid-blue, urea dish buttons

• Custom manufacturing of the correct all-cotton, chambray fabric produced on the original narrow shuttle looms employed back in the 1930's, including color matching to the deep shade of medium blue matching USN specs. exactly, allowing a gradual fading to light blue from repeated washings over time

• Dark blue selvage edge on gussets at shirttail side seams

• All-cotton, off-white USN-spec. thread employed in construction

• Exact copy of the original-style rayon-on-cotton labels

• True vintage fit for flattering appearance

• One-wash finish for greater softness out of the box

Sizes available: Small (14 1/2) - XXL (18 1/2). Please note:  This is the revised fit of a Buzz Rickson’s shirt of the same name that was offered before the fall of 2012, but this Revised Fit substantially impacts the fit and those who can comfortably wear this shirt vs. the earlier shirt.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

The critically acclaimed 2020 Tom Hanks film "GREYHOUND" depicts warfare in the North Atlantic against German U-Boats in World War II.  Tom Hanks is a very dedicated actor who holds great personal admiration and respect for the WWII veterans, and as such he is very driven to achieve high levels of authenticity.  The production company for "GREYHOUND" hired our founder as a consultant because they were interested in the epitome of historical accuracy, and they purchased our Buzz Rickson's U. S. Navy items because these items are world renowned as the last word in quality and authenticity.  If you see "GREYHOUND," our founder is credited on screen as a consultant and you will see nearly every minute of the film depicting the primary cast wearing Buzz Rickson's USN winter Deck Jackets, Pea Coats, and work shirts that were supplied in quantity; more specifically, however, Tom Hanks is outfitted wearing this exact same Buzz Rickson's USN CPO shirt throughout nearly the entire film.

This all-time classic shirt jacket has become universally known as a “CPO Shirt," though the actual application of this garment was not limited to U. S. Navy Chief Petty Officers.  The shirt was developed for cold-weather work duty in the 1930's and, in practice, could be worn even by officers.  The style evolved over the years, eventually having two breast pockets both with open tops and with pocket flaps, but the 1st version is immediately identifiable by the single breast pocket with scalloped pocket flap. Scores of these shirts were produced to meet the needs of the U. S. Navy during WWII.  The clean, simple, practical  design of the shirt, particularly this one-pocket version, and its hard-wearing, cozy, wool-flannel construction met with a very favorable reception by the sailors to whom it was issued.  After WWII, the “CPO Shirts,” as they came to be called, were widely worn among the civilian population of the USA due to the vast number of discharged sailors who continued to wear their issue shirts and the availability of issue garments sold via Army/Navy surplus stores. 

The popularity of this “CPO Shirt” design grew increasingly in the post-WWII decades, being offered for sale in the 1960's and 1970's in a variety of colors and even in plaid prints, sold by such big-name American retailers as Sears and Roebuck, J. C. Penney, and Montgomery Ward, though it was the later jacket version with two square-edged flap pockets these retailers marketed vs. the one-pocket 1st model. 

There has been a moderate resurgence in the last decade or so of some of the garments associated with the 1960's and 1970's and the “CPO Shirt” has been offered in various forms by today’s bigger names in the fashion industry, though the garments themselves pale in qualitative comparison to those from the 1930's – 1950's - except this Buzz Rickson’s masterpiece!

Once again, Buzz Rickson’s brand has resurrected a bygone treasure from the ground up, utilizing the vintage looms and know-how to craft fabrics not seen in 50 years or more, then deftly sewing the pieces together with vintage Union Special sewing machines to provide a finished product that comes as close to the vintage garment as possible.  What we end up with is a “CPO Shirt” that transcends fashion by light years and bolts straight to the heart of classic style through the very functionality of the original design that has been so deftly reproduced. 

The weight and quality of the wool, the fine details such as the twill-backed frontal closure, chain-stitched runoff with gusset on the shirttail, collar stand, and the simple clean lines of the 1st model with one scalloped-flap pocket all speak loudly about the production and design mindsets behind this gallant reproduction.  Perhaps the most special feature of this style is the use of boiled wool, which is then dried naturally in the sun outdoors to yield a soft, non-scratchy hand that feels like a vintage favorite worn by an old salt.  

This is top-quality vintage craftsmanship irreplaceable at any price – this is Buzz Rickson’s.  Please take note of these authentic features:  

• Exact copy of original U. S. Naval Clothing Factory contract label design printed on cotton

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, heavy-weight, wool-flannel on vintage looms, which is then boiled and dyed outdoors in sunlight so it's not scratchy and feels like an old salt's favorite shirt

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, all-cotton twill backing on frontal closure

• Cotton-thread construction

• Original-spec. one-pocket design with scalloped flap

• Custom manufacturing of the original-style urea buttons with fouled anchor

• Chain-stitched runoff with gusseted shirttail

• Collar stand with early, more pointed collar 

• Counter-rotated right cuff (this isn't an error - this is how a 1st-Model CPO shirt should be)

Even sizes 36-44 Regular.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.  

Buzz Rickson’s goods are imported from Japan  

Every distinctive, vintage styling feature from the past has been deftly reproduced on this Buzz Rickson's masterpiece work shirt, not the least being the all-cotton chambray fabric in a classic 1940's off-white produced on original narrow looms from the era and sewn with 1940's sewing machines.  This is rugged and stylish American history at its best, and it is also going to look fabulous when worn because it is cut to flatter the body, unlike the ultra-loose styles so often encountered everywhere today.  And it transcends fashion because it's traditional styling at its best, which will also outwear similar shirts you are familiar with.  For the ultimate in style, match this shirt with a pair of Sugar Cane selvage-denim dungarees or Buzz Rickson's chinos! Quantities are very limited.

Take note of these authentic features and details found only on a work shirt of this pedigree:

• Placket-front closure

• Collar stand for crisper appearance

• Vintage-style open-top pocket

• Double-stitched seams for superior strength

• Reinforced shoulder yoke for greater durability at this crucial abrasion area

• Pencil slot on left pocket

• Custom manufacturing of correct bakelite-style buttons

• Custom manufacturing of the correct, all-cotton chambray fabric on the original shuttle looms employed back in the 1930's

• Selvage edge on plaits at shirttail side seams

• Chain stitch runoff at shirttail gusseted side seams

• All-cotton thread employed throughout construction

• Exact copy of the original-style rayon-on-cotton labels

• True vintage fit for flattering appearance

• One-wash finish for greater softness out of the box

Sizes available: 14 1/2 Small - 18 1/2 XXL.  Please note:  This is the revised fit of a Buzz Rickson’s shirt of the same name that was offered before the fall of 2012, but this Revised Fit substantially impacts the fit and those who can comfortably wear this shirt vs. the earlier shirt.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

Every distinctive, vintage styling feature from the past has been deftly reproduced on this Buzz Rickson's masterpiece work shirt, including heavy-duty Herringbone Twill (HBT) all-cotton fabric produced on old looms and sewn with 1940's sewing machines.  Crisply tailored in black, the all-cotton fabric and employment of bygone dying techniques will allow this to develop a true vintage look over time from wear and laundering.  This is rugged and stylish American history at its best, and it is also going to look fabulous when worn because it is cut to flatter the body, unlike the ultra-loose styles so often encountered everywhere today.  Whether worn as a shirt jacket or as a shirt, this is one of those pieces others will notice and you just won’t want to take off.

Take note of these authentic, high-quality features and details found only on a work shirt of this pedigree:

•Placket-front closure

•Collar stand for crisper appearance

•Heavy bar tacking at critical stress areas

•Double-stitched seams for superior strength

•Reinforced double-thickness shoulder yoke for greater durability at this crucial abrasion area

•Pencil slot on left pocket

•Custom manufacturing of correct black, urea buttons

•Custom manufacturing of the correct all-cotton, heavy-weight Herringbone Twill fabric on old looms

•Gussets at shirttail side seams with chain-stitch runoff

•All-cotton thread employed throughout construction

•Exact copy of the original-style rayon-on-cotton labels

Sizes available:  15 1/2 Medium - 18 1/2 XXL.   Please note:  This is the revised fit of a Buzz Rickson’s shirt of the same name that was offered before the fall of 2012, but this Revised Fit substantially impacts the fit and those who can comfortably wear this shirt vs. the earlier shirt.  Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

Every distinctive, vintage styling feature from the past has been deftly reproduced on this Buzz Rickson's masterpiece work shirt, not the least being the heavy-duty, mock-twist, all-cotton chambray fabric in a classic 1930's fleck of brown and white that's produced on original narrow looms from the era and sewn with vintage sewing machines.  This is rugged and stylish American history at its best, and it is also going to look fabulous when worn because it is cut to flatter the body, unlike the ultra-loose styles so often encountered everywhere today.  And it transcends fashion because it's traditional styling at its best, which will also outwear similar shirts you are familiar with.  For the ultimate in style, match this shirt with a pair of Sugar Cane selvage-denim jeans or Buzz Rickson's chinos! Quantities are very limited.

Take note of these authentic features and details found only on a work shirt of this pedigree:

• Placket-front closure

• Collar stand for crisper appearance

• Vintage-style open-top pocket

• Double-stitched seams for superior strength

• Reinforced shoulder yoke for greater durability at this crucial abrasion area

• Pencil slot on left pocket

• Custom manufacturing of correct brown, bakelite-style buttons

• Custom manufacturing of the correct all-cotton, heavy-weight mock-twist chambray fabric on the original shuttle looms employed back in the 1930's, including color matching to the classic brown-and-white fleck typical of the era

• Selvage edge on gussets at shirttail side seams

• All-cotton thread employed throughout construction

• Exact copy of the original-style rayon-on-cotton labels

• True vintage fit for flattering appearance

• One-wash finish for greater softness out of the box

Sizes available: 14 1/2 Small - 18 1/2 XXL.   Please note:  This is the revised fit of a Buzz Rickson’s shirt of the same name that was offered before the fall of 2012.  The major design change is that the armholes are slightly higher and the sleeves are more tapered in the upper arm than the previous style. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

Every distinctive, vintage styling feature from the past has been deftly reproduced on this Buzz Rickson's masterpiece work shirt, not the least being the heavy-duty, mock-twist, all-cotton chambray fabric in a classic 1930's fleck of black and white that's produced on original narrow looms from the era and sewn with vintage sewing machines.  This is rugged and stylish American history at its best, and it is also going to look fabulous when worn because it is cut to flatter the body, unlike the ultra-loose styles so often encountered everywhere today.  And it transcends fashion because it's traditional styling at its best, which will also outwear similar shirts you are familiar with.  For the ultimate in style, match this shirt with a pair of Sugar Cane selvage-denim jeans or Buzz Rickson's chinos! Quantities are very limited.

Take note of these authentic features and details found only on a work shirt of this pedigree:

• Placket-front closure

• Collar stand for crisper appearance

• Vintage-style open-top pocket

• Double-stitched seams for superior strength

• Reinforced shoulder yoke for greater durability at this crucial abrasion area

• Pencil slot on left pocket

• Custom manufacturing of correct brown, bakelite-style buttons

• Custom manufacturing of the correct all-cotton, heavy-weight mock-twist chambray fabric on the original shuttle looms employed back in the 1930's, including color matching to the classic black-and-white fleck typical of the era

• Selvage edge on gussets at shirttail side seams

• All-cotton thread employed throughout construction

• Exact copy of the original-style rayon-on-cotton labels

• True vintage fit for flattering appearance

• One-wash finish for greater softness out of the box

Sizes available: 14 1/2 Small - 18 1/2 XXL.   Please note:  This is the revised fit of a Buzz Rickson’s shirt of the same name that was offered before the fall of 2012.  The major design change is that the armholes are slightly higher and the sleeves are more tapered in the upper arm than the previous style. Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

Traditional vintage-style thermal work shirts of this caliber are not available even from the fashion high street. With shrewd foresight of the oncoming vintage clothing market, much of the old, U.S.-made 1920s machinery and looms were bought up by the Japanese in the 1970s when they were otherwise deemed obsolete. These old looms, although much slower and less efficient than modern machinery, are able to produce much higher-quality fabric - fabric that perfectly matches the quality of those garments made from the good old days. For those who can appreciate the look and feel of such quality, these thermal work shirts are sure to please.

Buzz Rickson's Premium vintage-style all-cotton thermal work shirts are going to save you from the standard of mediocrity so omnipresent today in all of the stores that line shopping malls and big catalog outfits. Crafted from heavy-yet-so-comfortable 100% cotton fabricated on vintage looms and styled with all the correct features found on the old thermal work shirts, including set-in sleeves and a sleek fit without blousing. This is the real deal, folks, meant for those who crave a slice of the good old days to perfectly compliment a pair of premium Sugar Cane selvage dungarees. It’s time to discard those thermal work shirts that are cut like a lifeless, droop-shoulder sack that are made of flimsy fabric that will hardly do the job it was intended for. A Buzz Rickson's thermal work shirt is for real men. Take a bite of old-time machismo and see how true thermal work shirts used to look and feel. Take note of these authentic vintage styling features:

• Custom manufacturing of the heavy all-cotton thermal fabric produced on a vintage looms in a classic black weave

• Vintage lock stitch throughout sewn with vintage machinery in contrasting copper-grey all-cotton thread

• Slim, tapered arm to cuff

• Set-in sleeves for crisper fit

• Vintage four-inch cuff

• Exact copy of the original-style rayon-on-cotton labels

• True vintage fit for flattering appearance, not the sloppy, relaxed fit with droopy shoulder seams

Sizes:  Small - XL.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Traditional vintage-style thermal work shirts of this caliber are not available even from the fashion high street. With shrewd foresight of the oncoming vintage clothing market, much of the old, U.S.-made 1920s machinery and looms were bought up by the Japanese in the 1970s when they were otherwise deemed obsolete. These old looms, although much slower and less efficient than modern machinery, are able to produce much higher-quality fabric - fabric that perfectly matches the quality of those garments made from the good old days. For those who can appreciate the look and feel of such quality, these thermal work shirts are sure to please.

Buzz Rickson's Premium vintage-style all-cotton thermal work shirts are going to save you from the standard of mediocrity so omnipresent today in all of the stores that line shopping malls and big catalog outfits. Crafted from heavy-yet-so-comfortable 100% cotton fabricated on vintage looms and styled with all the correct features found on the old thermal work shirts, including set-in sleeves and a sleek fit without blousing. This is the real deal, folks, meant for those who crave a slice of the good old days to perfectly compliment a pair of premium Sugar Cane selvage dungarees. It’s time to discard those thermal work shirts that are cut like a lifeless, droop-shoulder sack that are made of flimsy fabric that will hardly do the job it was intended for. A Buzz Rickson's thermal work shirt is for real men. Take a bite of old-time machismo and see how true thermal work shirts used to look and feel. Take note of these authentic vintage styling features:

• Custom manufacturing of the heavy all-cotton thermal fabric produced on a vintage looms in a classic black weave

• Vintage lock stitch throughout sewn with vintage machinery in contrasting grey all-cotton thread

• Slim, tapered arm to cuff

• Set-in sleeves for crisper fit

• Vintage four-inch cuff

• Exact copy of the original-style rayon-on-cotton labels

• True vintage fit for flattering appearance, not the sloppy, relaxed fit with droopy shoulder seams

Sizes:  Small - XL.   Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Buzz Rickson’s products are imported from Japan

This is a Buzz Rickson's Special-Edition souvenir shirt from 1944-45.  Buzz Rickson's does not typically make Hawaiian-style shirts, but when they do we find them to be welcome editions to the Sun Surf styles, which come from the same parent company.  

This souvenir shirt comically depicts service life in cartoon form in the Pacific Theater of Operations for a USAAF 20th Air Force repair unit between 1944-45, spanning stints on Oahu, Cuba, Panama Canal, Guam and the massive B-29 bomber base on Tinian.  The artwork includes many comic lines, barking sergeants, 20th Air Force insignia, B-29 and B-25 bombers, P-51 fighters, jeeps, dirigibles, ships, surprised fish, and, of course, naked sunbathing nurses.  Printed in the original style on a super-dense cotton featuring one invisible chest pocket, genuine-urea buttons, and a vintage-style label woven on rayon, this shirt deftly copies all features of an original example.

As with all Special Editions, once gone, these will not be offered again.  

Laundry recommendations include washing in cool water and line drying to preserve color and minimize shrinkage.

Please see our SIZING TIPS for advice on how to get the correct fit.

Imported from Japan