Outdoor Heritage Rugby Shirt

Hard-wearing jersey inspired by 70s climbing culture

At first glance, rugby players and climbers might seem to be breeds apart and admittedly, we cant see many loosehead props excelling at the crag. But actually, there is an intriguing historical link. Back in the late 1970s, while visiting Scotland on a climbing trip, legendary climber Yvon Chouinard bought himself a striped rugby shirt. He thought these heavyweight jerseys looked ideal for surviving rock rash, and also found that the sturdy collar did a great job of preventing a heavy sling loaded with climbing hardware from rubbing against his neck. Inevitably, a host of other Californian climbers subsequently followed suit, co-opting the classic rugby shirt as their climbing attire of choice. The rest, as they say, is history. Inspired by this unusual culture clash between rugby and rock-climbing, Black & Blue 1871 have produced this heritage outdoor rugby shirt in authentic patterns and colours, finished with a distressed wash for a nicely worn-in look and feel. So, now you too can look like an authentic 70s dirtbag climber from Yosemites infamous Camp Four.

• FEATURES
• SIZING
• ECO CREDENTIALS
• THE BRAND

• • Made from heavyweight 380gsm slub cotton, which gives the shirt a hard wearing yet soft and comfortable feel
  • Vintage colour dyes and a distressed wash for a nicely worn-in look
  • Embroidered 1871 detailing on the back of the neck
  • Reinforced hems
  • Two rubber button placket
  • Machine washable
  • Made in Portugal

• Check out the full Black & Blue 1871 size guide.

  Quick guide – Use the following guidelines along with a fabric tape measure

  • Wear minimal or no clothing to get the most accurate measurement
  • The shirts have a semi-fitted cut to give a more tailored look but have been designed to be worn with other layers
  • If you prefer to wear a t-shirt underneath then we recommend you choose your normal size. If not, then consider a size below for a more custom fit

  How to measure: Place the tape around the fullest part of your chest, including your shoulder blades, then drop your arms to your sides to measure.

• • Local manufacturing – Made in Portugal
  • No plastics in product or packaging
  • Drawstring bag is useful as a laundry bag when travelling or as a bag for bags
• To create exquisite, hard-wearing apparel for everyday adventures, Black & Blue 1871 turned back the clock specifically, to 1871 and the formation of rugby as we know it today. They are inspired by the rugby shirts of old the ones that prevailed when the game was still a plucky, amateur affair; when shirts were built to last for longer than 80 minutes; when shirts were stylish, and not coated in adverts | READ MORE