Dress shirt versus travel shirt? The Meridian is both.
When we introduced the Meridian back in 2017 the goal was to make a shirt that can be layered under a blazer, or worn for rough and tumble travel thanks to being wrinkle-resistant, breathable, and ready to change on a dime.
The hero of the Meridian has always been its fabric. The most tricky part of making a performance dress shirt is creating a material that isn’t too techie, shiny, or synthetic. And, the Meridian hits the mark. When it’s out of stock, guys ask for it.
Today’s version 3.0 goes further with a small hidden pocket, adding greater utility to a shirt I find myself wearing everywhere.
Meet The Fabric
The Meridian fabric meets all our objectives for a long wearing travel shirt:
Lightweight fabric for all-day comfort.
98% recycled technical polyester with 2% spandex for easy stretch and movement.
Soft, brushed finish with a matte, no-shine look.
Anti-odor treatment so you can wear it for days.
Machine washable, like everything we make at Bluffworks.
When engineering a fabric, the challenge is to produce a performance shirt that looks and feels the most natural. Overall, the Meridian hits the mark.
The Meridian comes in three patterns (see outfitting combinations, below)
A Machine Washable Dress Shirt
Like everything Bluffworks makes, the Meridian comes out of the wash like a hero.
You can wash in a machine or a sink. Hang or tumble dry. Either way, it dries fast and shows up wrinkle-free, and ready to go.
Meet The Features
Because I wear the Meridian in so many places – coffee shops, road trips, under the hot sun, on a boat, etc -- I wanted a little more from the garment.
The Meridian has two built-in details –
Hidden button-down collar – Under the collar, we concealed buttons to keep your shirt looking sharp all day, without the “button-down” look. The result is a collar that wont flap in the wind or get put out of place whatever you are doing -- like the best travel shirt should.
We can incorporate this feature into any shirt that does not expect to be worn with a tie.
Hidden zip pocket under the chest patch pocket – Underneath the chest pocket we snuck in a secure pocket for storage of small items like a credit card, room key or a smidge of cash. The pocket is discreet, with a focus on matching the plaid design and concealment of the zipper to mean no one knows it's there.
The pocket is small, but handy.
Features like this support how I wear the Meridian shirt - often in a casual setting - but don’t impact the benefit of a shirt that can be dressed up too. You just have to know how to pair it…
Ways To Wear It
The Meridian has always been about versatility. The kind of shirt that shifts with you, no matter where you’re headed.
Wear it clean and tucked for a polished look that’s sharp but never stuffy. (Sunrise Plaidwith Walnut BrownAscender Chino, holding Digital BlueTelex Blazer)
Take it all the way under a suit when you need to look boardroom-ready. (Terra Gingham with Metro GreyGramercy Suit)
Personally, I love wearing it open as a lightweight layer while traveling – perfect against sun or wind during the day, then buttoned up at night when it’s time to head out for dinner. It’s one shirt that can handle all of it, without ever feeling out of place.
Ready For The Smarter Meridian?
Sometimes, it seems like the rest of the world operates with an open secret -- that they cover up in the sun. Think of the farm workers you’ve seen in Asia or Central America, and they are wearing long sleeves.
That's how I use the Meridian. To travel, often in harsh environments. Dusty, sweaty, and sunbaked, I wear it for days on end, and then pop it in the wash, probably after sliding it on for dinner one more time.
I hope you love the Meridian.
August 27, 2025
PS. Patterns are a very personal choice. Drop us a line if you have feedback or would like to see something different or more.
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