1970's JC PENNY BIG MAC CHAMBRY SHIRT.
1970's JCPenney BIG MAC,
Chambray shirt.
Two items have arrived.
I received some shirts made in America in the 1970s. They are chambray shirts from BIG MAC, a private brand of JCPenney. There are two from the same period. Both are blue chambray shirts, and both were made more than 50 years ago.
When you pick it up, the fabric feels soft. It has that worn-in, washed-out texture that only clothes that have been worn for many years possess. Here you'll find something that can't be achieved with new clothes; something that can only be created over time.
Left: SHIRT - 1 (¥15,400) / Right: SHIRT - 2 (¥11,000)
BIG MAC is a workwear line developed under its own brand.
It has a longer history than McDonald's "Big Mac," dating back to the 1920s.
— About JCPenney and BIG MAC
JCPenney is a large American department store chain founded in 1902 by James Cash Penney in Wyoming. With a nationwide network of stores, it is known as a cornerstone of everyday clothing for the American middle class in the 20th century.
BIG MAC was a private label workwear line developed by JCPenney, with a history dating back to the 1920s. Long before the Big Mac hamburger appeared in 1968, it was a brand that was long loved for its practical clothing for people working in American factories, farms, and mines. It offered classic American workwear items such as denim overalls, chambray shirts, and work pants.
— What is chambray?
Chambray is a lightweight cotton fabric made by plain weaving dyed yarn (blue in this case) for the warp and white yarn for the weft. It looks similar to denim, but while denim is twill weave, chambray is plain weave. It is thinner, softer, and more breathable than denim.
Chambray has a history of being used as a work shirt material since the 19th century, and it became popular as everyday wear for people working on farms and in factories. The difference in color between the warp and weft threads gives chambray a unique texture that changes its appearance depending on the viewing angle and how the light hits it.
— I. 1970's BIG MAC CHAMBRAY SHIRT — 1
The first item is a size M. It has three pockets (one on each side of the front, and a double pocket on the chest), and tough stitching typical of workwear. Although it is over 50 years old, the fabric still retains its unique firmness and texture.
The 35% cotton, 65% polyester blend is a typical composition for polyester blends that became popular in the United States in the 1970s. This garment dates back to an era when synthetic fibers became widespread due to advancements in petrochemical technology. Lightweight, quick-drying, and wrinkle-resistant properties were highly valued in workwear of that time. The unique softness of this vintage garment is a result of its long history of wear and repeated washings.
Vintage / 1970's JCPenney
BIG MAC CHAMBRAY SHIRT — 1
¥15,400 (tax included)
- SIZE
- M
- COLOR
- Blue (Chambray)
- MATERIAL
- Cotton 35%, Polyester 65%
- CONDITION
- Custom
- ORIGIN
- not clear
*Please allow for slight errors.
— II. 1970's BIG MAC CHAMBRAY SHIRT — 2
The second item's size is unknown (please check the actual measurements). This is a BIG MAC chambray shirt from the same period as SHIRT-1, but this one has a different blend of 50% cotton and 50% polyester. It was common for models from the same brand and period to have different material blends, which was typical of American workwear at the time. This one is priced at a more affordable ¥11,000.
Vintage / 1970's JCPenney
BIG MAC CHAMBRAY SHIRT — 2
¥11,000 (tax included)
- SIZE
- Unknown (see actual size)
- COLOR
- Blue (Chambray)
- MATERIAL
- 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester
- CONDITION
- Custom
- ORIGIN
- not clear
*Please allow for slight errors.
— About dressing
Chambray shirt × denim × work boots
This work style perfectly reflects the context in which BIG MAC was born. The "double denim" look, which combines the blue of chambray and denim in similar shades, is a style that American workers wore without hesitation. Add work boots, and the American workplace of 50 years ago is brought back to life in Kamakura.
Chambray shirt × slacks × leather shoes
Despite its origins as a work shirt, the chambray blue color surprisingly pairs well with slacks. Wear the shirt untucked over chinos or wool slacks, and complete the look with leather shoes. The power of vintage style subtly loosens up the otherwise neat bottoms.
Chambray shirt × wide-leg pants (worn open as a light jacket)
This shirt can be worn as a shirt, but it also works naturally as a light jacket with the front open. When worn open over wide-leg pants or cargo pants, it functions as a light layer to connect the innerwear and the pants. The washed-out look, characteristic of vintage shirts, adds warmth to the overall design.
You can view these items at our store in Yuigahama, Kamakura. As vintage items are one-of-a-kind, we recommend that you actually come and check their condition in person. They are also available through our online shop.
VINTAGE — 1970's JCPenney / BIG MAC. A garment that embodies the history of American workwear. ARZACH KAMAKURA, Kamakura/Yuigahama.
