The 1943 CPO Shirt from Pike Brothers is a technically robust outdoor shirt made from 12.1 oz German-produced moleskin, designed to withstand demanding conditions with an authentic 1940s fit.
The U.S. Navy CPO shirt is an immortal classic in maritime apparel. Life on deck was, and still is, a tough existence that requires clothing specifically developed to withstand the elements. Over the decades, certain materials and cuts have therefore established themselves as industry standards at sea, and the CPO shirt is one of the most iconic of these garments.
Originally, CPO shirts were made of wool, but in this version, Pike Brothers has used an extremely strong moleskin woven in Germany. Moleskin is a very robust textile made of 100% cotton with a fabric weight of 410 g/m² (12.1 oz). The fabric is brushed on one side, which makes it very comfortable against the skin, while also giving the textile an appearance reminiscent of suede or mole skin (hence the name moleskin). This combination of durability and comfort makes the shirt ideal as both an overshirt and an insulating mid-layer.
