The History of the Tattersall Shirt
Understanding the famous shirt and how to wear it
When it comes to the perfect men’s shirt, there’s only one name reserved for such a distinguished look and feel. The Tattersall shirt.
The men’s Tattersall shirt is quintessentially British, with a hint of class and sophistication. Otherwise known as the classic 'English' check shirt, this is a classic country shirt that you can wear for any occasion. As a long-standing firm favourite amongst our customers at James Meade, it’s a true staple piece that every gentleman should have in his wardrobe and it’s perfect for all seasons.
With such an iconic shirt steeped in history, James Meade finds it only fitting to name the Tattersall men’s shirts after famous racecourses throughout the United Kingdom…
The story behind the Tattersall shirt
The shirt dates as far back as 1766 when Richard Tattersall founded Tattersalls Sales, a renowned auction house and horse market, in Suffolk. The name is derived from the brightly coloured check pattern seen on the blankets that were draped over the horses to be sold.
Weavers in Lancashire took a liking to the distinctive patterns and began to weave the designs in pure cotton for use in men’s shirtings. The shirt soon found itself used as working shirts due to the robust twill construction and was adopted by agricultural workers, farmers and estate hands.
They then became a popular piece to pair with tweed suits and turned into the countryman’s favoured choice of attire for most outdoor pursuits by the late 19th century. Today, the Tattersall shirt is instantly recognisable and remains a key garment in every man’s town and country-style wardrobe.
What is a Tattersall shirt?
A woven check or plaid pattern is the dominant feature of this material. Composed of regularly-spaced thin, even vertical warp stripes, repeated horizontally in the weft to create squares and this forming the iconic Tattersall pattern.
The men’s Tattersall shirt comes in a large range of colours and styles, featuring small or large check patterns with either short or long sleeve lengths. The shirt fabric is typically cotton twill, although you may also find these shirts in cotton and wool mixes. Traditionally, the shirt has a long tail and comes with a reinforced classic collar and a single cuff, often with a breast pocket. These men’s shirts are ideal for both smart and casual occasions.
How to wear a Tattersall shirt
Tattersall check shirts are often worn in country attire, namely for outdoor pursuits such as walking, fishing or shooting - but this traditional men’s shirt is far more versatile than you may think.
It goes without saying that the shirt will make the perfect partner for a Tweed jacket, perhaps paired with classic corduroy trousers and a pure wool tie to complete the look.
Since it can be styled for either smart or casual outfits, this check shirt is suitable for all occasions and can be dressed up or down with or without a tie.
Consider adding a slipover jumper to the shirt as a way to combine warmth and smartness.
The bold checked pattern of the shirt contains interesting and colourful weaves that will work perfectly with the solid colour of a body warmer, an ideal way to create that country gentleman’s look.
Teaming the check patterned with a knitted crew neck jumper is another stylish choice to add an effortless, sophisticated touch to any man’s outfit.
Where to buy a Tattersall shirt
James Meade supplies a large collection of men’s shirts in best-selling cotton and wool blend or cotton twill, designed exclusively for us in traditional country check designs.
The nature of these fabrics allows you to stay warm when it’s cold and keep cool when it’s warm, making them the ideal choice for wearing from season to season all throughout the year.
Check shirts from James Meade are available in different sizes and sleeve lengths, with a range of colours and pattern styles to choose from.
We offer free UK returns with a no-time limit guarantee to give you peace of mind when ordering from James Meade.
