Checkered Shirt Brigade

[Keeps]

I have worn checked shirts since my teens and still do now in my mid fifties. Smart, short sleeve, button down shirts. Mainly Ben Sherman and Fred Perry. 100% cotton and very cool in the Thai climate. I pay around £75 per shirt on average but they are well made and last a long time.

 

I also wore checked shirts (with a plain tie) on an almost daily basis during a 30 year career in the City of London.

 

Nothing wrong with a decent quality checked shirt.

[EVENKEEL]

49 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

These shirts are not cool.

Mostly, these guys can be seen cruising around on the baht buses in Pattaya. 

 

I'm a T shirt guy, how cool am I ? 😎

 

That's what first timers buy for keepsake.

[novacova]

12 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Why is it the checkered shirt is favored by so many old gits in Thailand? Are you one of them?

 

Speak up loudly and proudly.

The same out in the country in the US, they’re country folks. TH has a lot of redneck country folks, many of your wives/girlfriends here in th are redneck country chicks, sorry for you lefties that don’t even realize that your spouse is a country hick given that most of you wouldn’t ever consider getting involved with one in your home country. My wife is a hard core redneck country hick and she’s quite the dandy.

[FolkGuitar]

6 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

 Legit question: Why do you  give a damn what other people are wearing? 

 

2 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

 

I'm quite sure you guys look awesome in your checkered shirts. A reading glass holder and a few pens in the pocket should finish the outfit quite nicely. 

Interesting way to avoid answering the question.
You should get dancing credit for that.
Let's try the question again, like we do for politicians who won't answer.
Why do you give a damn what other people are wearing?

[gamb00ler]

checkered   vs    plaid?

 

checkered is gauche  whereas plaid is sophisticated.

[novacova]

10 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

Why do you give a damn what other people are wearing?

Why do you give a damn what other people care about what others are wearing? You seem obsessively bothered and stuck on being a stick-in-the-mud considering that the OP is just making conversation. Weird.

[SAFETY FIRST]

2 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

These shirts are not cool.

Mostly, these guys can be seen cruising around on the baht buses in Pattaya. 

 

I'm a T shirt guy, how cool am I ? 😎

 

Nerdie guys are chequered. 

 

I'm Mr Cool. 

 

T shirts are for COOL guys. 😎

 

 

[pgrahmm]

3 hours ago, roo860 said:

Local Jumble sale?

I had to look up jumble sale....

None for sale....

All were new....A lot of Nike golf, some Hilo Hatties & Tommy Bahamas.....Some of my old tournament playing jerseys....Some tees & some Thai styles that I picked the material & had made.....

 

But

 

It's going to get worse..... We're going stateside for a few months & I'm bringing back what's in our RVs closet.... I'd left a few very nice shirts there.... At 77, I'm not sure if this will be our last RV rodeo or not.....

 

Pleasant side note - the daughters use my jerseys for lounging & sleepers which I find a comforting tradition - going back to my 20's (and 3 sets of daughters).....

 

And now back to our regular schedule program = the great checkered shirt debate.....

[FolkGuitar]

1 hour ago, novacova said:

Why do you give a damn what other people care about what others are wearing? You seem obsessively bothered and stuck on being a stick-in-the-mud considering that the OP is just making conversation. Weird.

Excuse me?

You believe badmouthing people for what they wear is 'just making conversation?'  Wow!
Thanks for clearing that up. Goodbye.

[EVENKEEL]

1 hour ago, FolkGuitar said:

 

Interesting way to avoid answering the question.
You should get dancing credit for that.
Let's try the question again, like we do for politicians who won't answer.
Why do you give a damn what other people are wearing?

I'm guessing you wear the cheap checkered shirts. 

 

I put this in the Pub section because this is where we gather for a laugh. I have observed the checkered shirt phenomenon for quite some time and posted for entertainment purposes. Are you not entertained?

[EVENKEEL]

Just now, FolkGuitar said:

Excuse me?

You believe badmouthing people for what they wear is 'just making conversation?'  Wow!
Thanks for clearing that up. Goodbye. :)

If I was going to badmouth anyone I'd pick on the guy in Jomtein I've observed a few times while banking. he must be 60's, wears short shorts and a padded bra. Well, I'm assuming it's padded. 

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

I'm guessing you wear the cheap checkered shirts. 

 

Clothing is a way for people of higher classes to differentiate themselves from lower classes.

 

Since there are so many locals of modest means here, I wouldn't feel comfortable walking around in an Armani suit. Dress "nice" ... you don't need ragged clothing ... but no need for designer clothing in Thailand.

 

Unless you're in Bangkok working in a professional setting? Then yeah dress sharp. 

 

Just conduct yourself decent. It's more important than fancy clothes. 

 

 

[pgrahmm]

6 hours ago, tubby johnson said:

 

You have a FABULOUS collection of outfits.

 

OMG, like .... they're to die for!

LOL - At this rate they'll never wear/cycle out....

Kind of - been there, done that, have the tee shirt opportunities.....

I'd have been a sh*tty backpacker, if life had allowed.....

[geisha]

16 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Why is it the checkered shirt is favored by so many old gits in Thailand? Are you one of them?

 

Speak up loudly and proudly.

I thought they wore wife beaters ? 

[geisha]

4 hours ago, Keeps said:

I have worn checked shirts since my teens and still do now in my mid fifties. Smart, short sleeve, button down shirts. Mainly Ben Sherman and Fred Perry. 100% cotton and very cool in the Thai climate. I pay around £75 per shirt on average but they are well made and last a long time.

 

I also wore checked shirts (with a plain tie) on an almost daily basis during a 30 year career in the City of London.

 

Nothing wrong with a decent quality checked shirt.

Plenty in every men’s department store shops. Fashionable in France and everywhere, Ralph Lauren favorites.  Cotton of course.

[novacova]

1 hour ago, FolkGuitar said:

You believe badmouthing people for what they wear is 'just making conversation?'

You brought the badmouth here.

1 hour ago, FolkGuitar said:

Wow!

 

1 hour ago, FolkGuitar said:

Thanks for clearing that up.

Sure thing man.

1 hour ago, FolkGuitar said:

Excuse me?

Yes, you may be excused.

1 hour ago, FolkGuitar said:

Goodbye.

So long and nighty-night.

[it is what it is]

17 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Why is it the checkered shirt is favored by so many old gits in Thailand? Are you one of them?

 

Speak up loudly and proudly.

 

not sure about checked shirts, but certainly the old, fat, bald, tattooed (optional) look certainly sees to be in vogue, and indeed, popular with local ladies of a certain ilk. 

[vangrop]

18 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Why is it the checkered shirt is favored by so many old gits in Thailand? Are you one of them?

In my country we name it Canadian lumberjack shirts

[vangrop]

17 hours ago, gargamon said:

Idiot. Get a life. Stop trying to waste mine.

why do you read this if it wastes your time. Nobody obliges you

[lamyai3]

4 hours ago, vangrop said:

In my country we name it Canadian lumberjack shirts

 

Those are flannel shirts, much thicker and designed for a cold climate. 

[cdemundo]

15 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

just handing out a bit of advice to our expat community. A little friendly advice. 

Could you post a current full length photo of yourself in all your sartorial splendor?

That would give us poor schlubs something to model ourselves after, something to aspire to,

a beacon in the night of poor fashion leading us the succulent grandeur of fashion perfection.

 

Please?

[cdemundo]

14 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

That's what first timers buy for keepsake.

That and "Same same only different" t-shirts.

[EVENKEEL]

18 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

Could you post a current full length photo of yourself in all your sartorial splendor?

That would give us poor schlubs something to model ourselves after, something to aspire to,

a beacon in the night of poor fashion leading us the succulent grandeur of fashion perfection.

 

Please?

Sometimes we need a little tough love. Our ladies don't really care what we wear as long as their wallet is stuffed. There's nothing wrong with a new look. It doesn't have to break the bank. In Pattaya T21 on the 2nd floor has lots of new style button down shirts to choose from in the 600 baht range. Or in Central Mall shop around there, shirts in the 1200 baht range, sometimes buy one and get one free.

 

One suggestion is to refrain from prancing around in polo shirts with collar starched upright. Looks silly especially on old guys.

[Artisi]

On 8/19/2025 at 9:15 AM, Yagoda said:

what kind of checks? Tartans? Houndstooth?

Big or bold, excessive number of colours, arranged vertically / horizontal or rotated to 45 degree? 

[roo860]

8 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Sometimes we need a little tough love. Our ladies don't really care what we wear as long as their wallet is stuffed. There's nothing wrong with a new look. It doesn't have to break the bank. In Pattaya T21 on the 2nd floor has lots of new style button down shirts to choose from in the 600 baht range. Or in Central Mall shop around there, shirts in the 1200 baht range, sometimes buy one and get one free.

 

One suggestion is to refrain from prancing around in polo shirts with collar starched upright. Looks silly especially on old guys.

King Eric knew how to wear the collar up.

[cdemundo]

26 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Sometimes we need a little tough love. Our ladies don't really care what we wear as long as their wallet is stuffed. There's nothing wrong with a new look. It doesn't have to break the bank. In Pattaya T21 on the 2nd floor has lots of new style button down shirts to choose from in the 600 baht range. Or in Central Mall shop around there, shirts in the 1200 baht range, sometimes buy one and get one free.

 

One suggestion is to refrain from prancing around in polo shirts with collar starched upright. Looks silly especially on old guys.

Answer is non-responsive.

I wonder why.

[Mutt Daeng]

22 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I have bought a few pairs of shorts and t-shirts from Uniqlo, good quality easy to wash, Im afraid if you are a fat bastard they wont fit you, 

Thanks. I wont buy any of those then.

[EVENKEEL]

2 minutes ago, cdemundo said:

Answer is non-responsive.

I wonder why.

Maybe if you stopped giving your money to the little lady you'd have some for a wardrobe.

[EVENKEEL]

22 minutes ago, roo860 said:

King Eric knew how to wear the collar up.

I'm sure he means something to you. Sports is one thing but I'm talking about the old guy, usually skinny, hasn't seen the sun in ages, prancing around with collar up.

[Wingate]

I guess I'm not a fashionista, because both the checkered and plaid look butt ugly to me.....unless I'm watching a 1950s sitcom on Nickelodeon. I think the Cleaver boys wore things like that. Dobie Gillis, too.

 

In Bangkok, most of the old guys I see wear wifebeaters or t-shirts they bought at a rock concert in the era between Chuck Berry and Coldplay. They have man boobs they cannot hide, and they've decided the way to become a babe magnet is to get Maori warrior tatted up on flabby, wrinkled arms. I guess it works for them, but it's not a look to which I will aspire with age.

 

Preferably one stays fit and defined, and if a dress shirt is called for, go with something classy and timeless like a Stefano Ricci or Brioni (not their wild prints, but the subtle colors and stripes). If daytime casual, crisp linen shorts and a dark cotton polo-style shirt, tucked in, hit the mark. Untucking doesn't mask the blubber, so tucking it in can motivate a man to drop the fat. He cannot pretend the 40" waist is really only 30".

 

By all means avoid cargo shorts, which should be outlawed by some UN rule or the World Court, if not just common decency. NOBODY has so much to carry that they need all those pockets. Rent a flat or buy a condo, and store the stuff there.

 

And no matter what age, lose the beer gut and the spare tires. Nothing can make those look good.