Orlebar Brown began in London in 2007 after founder Adam Brown spotted a gap while on holiday: men's swimwear tended to mean either loose board shorts or briefs, with very little in between. His answer was a pair of tailored swim shorts cut more like a traditional trouser – smart enough to leave the beach in without immediately needing to change.
That idea of “holiday clothes, not just swimwear” still defines the brand. The original Bulldog shorts remain its signature, recognised by their tailored waistband and distinctive side adjusters, but the collection has expanded into polos, shirts, knitwear and resort clothing designed around the same relaxed but considered approach. There's a distinctly Mediterranean mood to Orlebar Brown, filtered through the sharper eye of British menswear.
The brand's connection with James Bond has reinforced that identity, with Orlebar Brown pieces appearing on screen and the company producing official 007 collections inspired by Bond's holiday wardrobe. It's an appropriate partnership for a label that has made an art of looking properly dressed while technically being on holiday.
The Felix Shirt brings Orlebar Brown's relaxed approach to resort dressing to one of summer's most natural fabrics. Made from breathable linen and finished in Latte, a warm, understated neutral, it's designed for the sort of days when keeping cool matters but looking properly dressed still does too.
The lightweight linen gives the Felix its naturally relaxed character, becoming softer and more individual with wear. Its subtle Latte colour is particularly versatile, pairing easily with white, navy, stone and olive, whether worn with tailored shorts during the day or linen trousers and chinos in the evening.
The Felix is very much in Orlebar Brown's natural territory – an uncomplicated linen shirt that feels relaxed enough for a day by the coast while still looking right when the sun goes down.