Thanks to the meticulous research of Nathan Bellew, we can now confirm the original shirt was an olive green Sears brand work-leisure shirt. We don't know exactly what fabric treatment (Penn Prest/Perma Prest/etc.) but we are sure now that it was Sears, rather than Big Mac.
As many collectors and cosplayers know, Big Mac and Sears manufactured nearly identical work shirts from the 1950's to the present. They changed slightly with each passing decade, but in the 1970's and early 1980's both companies made their work-leisure shirts with giant disco collars. Like so:
The two brands were nearly identical in almost every way. As Nathan discovered, the key to discerning the brand used in the film lies in the pocket stitching.
Apparently, nearly all Big Mac brand work shirts have square stitching in the pocket corners, with a cross stitch that's a bit less than an inch from the top of the pocket, passing straight through the button. Like so:
But Sears workshirts of the period have a triangle stitch in the corners... and a horizontal stitch that sits a bit lower. Like so:
The hero shirt bears these two vital characteristics. The triangle stitch:
And the lower horizontal pocket stitch (below is Big Mac on left, Sears on right; bottom is the screen-used shirt):
So there you have it. Have some of these shirts at home? Take a look at them and see if that bears out. I have several of them and this distinction is borne out on every one.
As many collectors and cosplayers know, Big Mac and Sears manufactured nearly identical work shirts from the 1950's to the present. They changed slightly with each passing decade, but in the 1970's and early 1980's both companies made their work-leisure shirts with giant disco collars. Like so:
The two brands were nearly identical in almost every way. As Nathan discovered, the key to discerning the brand used in the film lies in the pocket stitching.
Apparently, nearly all Big Mac brand work shirts have square stitching in the pocket corners, with a cross stitch that's a bit less than an inch from the top of the pocket, passing straight through the button. Like so:
Absolutely honored to see this posted on your blog. Rock on!
ReplyDeleteI respect this post 100% and also your time and devotion to studying the part 3 hero shirt. I myself have spent more time than I care to imagine researching this shirt and staring at pictures for hours and hours. Also having purchased many many vintage part 3 era accurate work shirts. I own as of now multiple Big Macs a Blue Bell and the Sears Work “N” Leisure. After my research I have concluded that the part 3 hero shirt is in fact a toss up between the Big Mac and the Sears as I own two Big Macs with triangle pocket stitching and one of which is a full match to the hero shirt. I have all the evidence to show this and to say we shouldn’t be stating the Sears is 100% the part 3 hero shirt just quite yet. If your interested in my researches on this subject feel free to let me know.
ReplyDelete-Thanks, Kyle
You're right, it isn't quite definitive and we probably don't know enough about the construction of the Big Mac and Sears shirts in the 70s. There's a chance they were made in the same textile shops by the same workers and may only vary based on year of production.
DeleteRight now I think it makes sense to go with probability--since the vast majority of Big Macs that have been studied from this era have square stitching and most Sears have triangle stitching in the appropriate places, it stands to reason it was probably a Sears.
As I understand it though, isn't your perfect Big Mac still not quite a match on the buttons? Another wild variable.
I've considered taking this post down due to the uncertainty over the collar for example, but I think I'll just leave it up so people can see the comments.
Could it possibly be that the shirt doesn't have a pocket flap missing but is, instead, something like this? https://www.sears.com/diehard-men-s-big-tall-long-sleeve-work-shirt/p-A028505885?plpSellerId=Kmart&prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8
DeleteCould be, but it looks like there may be photographic evidence of a seam remaining about 3/4 inch above the pocket
DeleteI recently got a Sears Perma Prest shirt from the '60s and the buttons are closer to the bottom. Not directly on the seam as on the Big Mac shirts in the pictures, but not in the middle nor closer to the top of the pocket as in the movie. This may be due to it being of a different size, but I don't have any means of comparing.
ReplyDeleteI recently purchased a perma prest sears and the stitch was lined up with the button on the pocket flap.
DeleteIt's apparently from the '60s, BTW.
ReplyDelete