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Walter Mitty Shirt

October 29, 2020 By In Men's Shirts, Men's Clothes No Comments

“I-I think we’re lost, Mitty,” said young Shaw, shivering. It had been hours since they’d heard the comforting ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa of the forest service helicopter. Smiling, Mitty unbuttoned a shirt pocket and withdrew map, compass, and knife; from a narrow compartment in the pocket he produced a folding fishing rod. “Dinner.” He announced. Then, unsnapping the other shirt pocket, he pulled out two carob-date bars (“dessert”) and a double-wide hammock rolled into a ball (“bad”). Shaw’s eyes dampened. “You–you’ve saved our lives,” he blurted. “Pshaw, Shaw,” said Mitty, grinning his lopsided grin. “It’s all in ta-pocketa-pocketa…”

The copy from the Spring 1988 catalog for the Walter Mitty Shirt is not taken directly from the James Thurber story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” but is a clever play on the ta-pocketa-pocketa wording in the story to sell a shirt with super cool secret pockets. This cotton twill shirt has hidden pockets with snap closures behind the front pockets, with underarm gussets with small ‘button holes’ for ventilation. 

Photos courtesy Gary Pinkerton.

Banana Republic Catalog #35 Walter Mitty Shirt, Correspondent's Bag, Henry Lawson Pants, Brass Buckle Belt
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About The Author

Robyn Adams
Robyn’s fascination with Banana Republic began in 1984 when her Alaskan adventurer father began buying their clothing and giving her their catalogs. She loved the clothes, and as an artist, she was drawn to the illustrations. Robyn went on to study illustration at an art college in Banana Republic’s hometown of San Francisco, CA, and she worked for years as a background artist for animation. She is now based in Oakland, CA and works as a graphic designer and illustrator. She has been collecting and archiving at Abandoned Republic since 2011.