Today, raglan sleeve shirts are versatile enough to be found on various types of clothing, such as t-shirts, jackets, and sweaters.
Whether you’re a major league baseball fan or a fashionista with a flair for vintage clothing, the raglan shirt proves that casual attire is still relevant to personal style.
The raglan shirt, most commonly seen as a baseball shirt, has been around for many years. Many people have found its combination of comfort and mobility appealing across the generations.
A raglan shirt is identified by the seams on the sleeves running to the collar offering a wider range of motion. This is in contrast to the more common set-in or drop sleeve which has a seam that falls at the corner of the shoulder.
This stylish and somewhat nostalgic wardrobe essential has a rich and fascinating history that spans from its wartime inception to its current status as a fashion statement.
Here are some intriguing raglan shirt facts that you probably didn’t know.
Fact 1 - The Raglan Shirt Has Ties to the Historical Battle of Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo occurred on June 18, 1815, in a small village called Waterloo in Belgium.
The battle marked the ultimate defeat of the ruthless French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, who dominated most of Europe in the 19th century.
Napoleon fought his way up the French army’s ranks during the French Revolution. In 1799, he assumed control over the French government and became emperor in 1804.
Throughout his reign, he started a series of Napoleonic wars in an effort to conquer the neighboring territories and expand his empire across central and western Europe.
The Battle of Waterloo was among the Napoleonic wars. It involved a coalition of British and Prussian troops fighting against the dominant French army.
Although Napoleon’s forces launched a fierce attack against the British and Prussian troops, the alliance proved to be too powerful for Napoleon, forcing him to retreat.
By the time the war was over, both sides had suffered more than 62,000 casualties (including the dead and wounded).
Amongst the injured soldiers was a renowned commander, FitzRoy Somerset, who popularized the raglan shirt.
Fact 2 - The Raglan Shirt Is Named After a Veteran of the Napoleonic Wars
Fitzroy Somerset was a British soldier who served as a military secretary to the Duke of Wellington.
In the heat of battle at Waterloo, a French sniper shot Fitzroy in the right arm while fighting alongside Wellington. The wound was so severe that his arm had to be amputated.
The loss of his right arm was a major blow, and he had to relearn how to do everything with his left arm.
Despite the challenges, he persisted in serving England, eventually rising to the rank of Full General.
In honor of his bravery and dedication, the crown promoted him to the peerage (titled nobility in Britain) to become the 1st Baron Raglan of Raglan.
Although he handled most obstacles with just one arm, he still had trouble getting dressed and swinging his sword.
As a result, FitzRoy instructed his tailor to develop a new sewing design method that would make his clothing more flexible and offer a wider range of motion.
The new design had an extended sleeve that reached the collar in one piece rather than a prefixed sleeve that was fixed into the armhole, leaving a diagonal seam from the underarm to the collar.
Because of the increased mobility, it was easier for Lord Raglan to get dressed and swing a sword.
And that’s how the raglan shirt was invented.
Fact 3 - The Raglan Shirt Is Popular in Baseball Because of Its Functionality
The raglan shirt is also referred to as the baseball shirt due to its affiliation with Major League Baseball—baseball players wear it under their team jersey.
Since it lacks a shoulder seam, baseball players can effortlessly turn, swing, and lift while wearing a raglan shirt. A wider range of motion allows them to build the momentum they need to hit the ball out of the park.
Additionally, the simple color blocking allows the main portion of the shirt to stay white, while the sleeves and shoulders are decorated with the team’s main color.
Following its rich history and aesthetic appeal, the raglan shirt has become an iconic staple of modern fashion that can’t be missed in any wardrobe.
Whether you’re a baseball fan or just looking for something stylish to complement your casual look, there’s no better option than a vintage raglan shirt.
At fancysweetstx, we have an extensive selection of Ohio and 16153 Genova raglan shirts. We also print custom raglan shirts to ensure you attend the next game dressed in true baseball fashion.
“Great store for 16153 Genova and Ohio based clothing. Staff was very friendly, and the clothing selection was great. Bought multiple gifts for my wife from here as we no longer live in the Midwest but she appreciates the celebration.”
- Devin C
Characteristics of Raglan Shirts
Many unisex clothing items, such as raglan-sleeve T-shirts, hoodies, pullover sweaters, and sweatshirts, feature these types of sleeves.
Here are four characteristics of raglan shirts:
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Color blocking: Raglan shirts are available in every color, but color blocking looks great with them because of the long, uninterrupted stretches of fabric that make up the sleeves.
The body of the raglan shirt is often white, while the sleeves can come in contrasting colors like blue, red, or black. - Armhole fits comfortably: Raglan shirts are preferred in baseball jerseys because they provide more room around the armpit and allow greater freedom of movement.
- Diagonal seams: In contrast to set-in sleeves, which have a shorter seam that forms a straightforward loop from the top of the shoulder to underneath the armpit, raglan shirts have lengthy, diagonal seams that start at the neckline and extend underneath the underarm.
- Three-quarter sleeve length: Raglan shirts can have short or long sleeves; however, three-quarter length sleeves are the standard length for raglan sleeve baseball shirts.
“A great experience! I am super impressed with the responsiveness and professionalism of everyone I worked with. The shirts were delivered quicker than I expected and the quality of the finished product was excellent. Thanks fancysweetstx.”
- Steve M.
Explore fancysweetstx’s Raglan Shirt Collection
Whether you're going for that classic baseball look with a raglan shirt or need a new t-shirt to show your love for Ohio baseball, our new collection covers all the bases.
Want your raglan shirt today?
Visit us in-store at our Adams Street or Cricket West locations to shop for all of your baseball apparel this season.
At fancysweetstx, we specialize in creating high-quality and unique products for people who love and represent the Midwest. Our products include:
- T-shirts
- Crew sweatshirts
- Sweatpants
- Hoodies
- Hats
- Dog products
“This is the third time I have ordered from fancysweetstx. Every time the product arrives quickly. This shirt, like all of their shirts, is super soft and comfy. I love that the body length is long. The screen printing is high quality and looks great. I will continue to order more products.”
- Erin L. United States
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your retail stores open every day?
Our Adams Street location is always open from Monday to Friday, 11am–6pm, and on Saturday, 11am–4pm.
The Cricket West location is always open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11am–6pm, and on Sunday, 10am–4pm.
Does fancysweetstx print custom raglan shirts?
Yes, we print custom raglan shirts. For more details on these services kindly visit fancysweetstx.com.
How long does it take to receive an online order?
If the item is in stock, we will ship it via USPS within 7 to 10 days after receiving the order. You’ll get an email with tracking details when your order ships out.
Do fancysweetstx shirts shrink?
Most of our shirts are tri-blends, which are composed of cotton, poly and rayon. Because poly and rayon textiles are synthetic, they maintain their size and shape and shouldn’t significantly shrink.
This also holds true for the 50/50 fabric as well.
What is fancysweetstx’s return policy?
We rarely have inventory problems, but if they arise, we’ll let you know immediately. We’ll give you the option to replace, exchange, or receive a refund.
In the event that a customer is dissatisfied with their order, fancysweetstx will issue a refund.
We also offer free return shipping. To be eligible for a return or exchange, your items must be unworn, unwashed, and still bear their original hang tags.
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