Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0 Review

The Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0 is an update to Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt and it is my go-to shirt for traveling, hiking, and just overall attempting to blend into everyday society. Like the original, the Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0 is lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and sexy. Best of all, it’s designed to be worn again and again (without having to go through the wash). It’s still the best shirt for the minimalist traveler (or a homeless person who wants help blending in while using the Starbucks wi-fi and bathrooms all day – so I hear).

Original vs. Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0

The Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0 is made from the same 2-way stretch material as the original Meridian Dress Shirt (98% polyester, 2% spandex), but with an updated fit. I have both the original Meridian and the Meridian 2.0 in a slim fit, regular, large size. The cut of the slim-fit Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0 is certainly slimmer (would that be the way you describe it? Slimmer? Maybe smaller?) than the slim fit original. Either that or I’ve just gotten fat.

The shirt is also now available in XS, S, M, L, and XL sizes. The original was available in S, M, L, XL, XXL. Are they actually the same sizes but with different labels? I don’t think so. I think there was probably more demand for an XS than there was for an XXL. Nice job keeping in shape, everyone (or for dressing up your children?).

The Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0 is also $27 cheaper than the Original at $98 instead of $125.

The Good

THE COMFORT | The Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0 is comfortable. I literally wear it traveling, hiking, eating, and sleeping (and sometimes bathing). Direct sunlight and heat? No problem. A chilly breeze and a spot of rain? Going strong. Sleeping in this shirt is no problem and I’ve yet to find it sticky or stuffy; the buttons offer adaptable breathability (does that count as a feature?).

THE UV-PROTECTION | I’ve been converted to wearing long sleeves when hiking to save myself from applying sunscreen (but as my sleeves have gotten longer, my shorts have gotten shorter so it ends up evening out). In my experience using this shirt ocean kayaking and summertime hiking in New Zealand (where the sun can be incredibly strong), I feel I’ve been had sufficient protection from the ball of fire in the sky trying to kill us all. But like I said, I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of a hooded dress shirt (I might be in the minority here). It would be a convertible collar sort of thing. No? Yes…

THE POCKET | I’ve never been one to appreciate a good shirt pocket, but now I’m scared that I won’t be able to live without one. The pocket (on your left when you’re wearing it), comfortably holds my 8 mm-wide phone, and it’s deep/strong enough that I don’t worry about said phone falling out (and it lets the camera peek above the top of the pocket so it’s like a discreet body camera – you never know who’s watching).

THE VERSATILITY | I generally don’t carry, and I especially don’t hike with, things that only serve one function. My trekking poles can spearfish and set up my shelter, my little, stuffed moose, Dog, watches over me and initiates conversations, and my Bluffworks shirt keeps me comfortable hiking and lets me pass as an acceptable member of society in town. A dress shirt you can hike in goes further than a hiking shirt you can be dressy in (but who wants to go to those places who don’t welcome hikers straight off the trail, anyway?).

The Okay

THE SMELL | The Meridian is marketed as being able to be worn “for 5 days without washing” thanks to its anti-microbial properties. I’ve put these properties to the test. I have worn this shirt for multiple, multi-day backpacking trips which require me to sweat profusely all day, every day. If I wear the Meridian for three or four days straight and sweat all day, this thing can work up a stink. That being said, after a quick rinse in stream or lake the smell appears to disappear entirely. Maybe my BO is just extra powerful.

THE STAIN | I wore this shirt for eight days straight during a traverse of the Tararua Range in New Zealand and at the end of the hike I noticed a stain on the sleeve. I suspect it’s from bacteria that grew during my time not washing, but regardless of the cause, it’s been tough getting the stain out. I don’t know if this is more a function of the material, the color, or my own neglect, but I felt it worth mentioning.

The Bad

THE SIZING? | Bluffworks posts their sizing charts, but I wasn’t quite sure what size and/or fit I would need for the Meridian. I got lucky and (I think) the Large/Slim/Regular fits me perfectly. That being said, Bluffworks offers free exchanges and even pays the shipping if you end up ordering the wrong size.

THE COLORS? | One thing I would have loved to see with the Meridian update is the addition of more colors. Alas, it looks like we will have to wait for this evolution. The three current colors are all blue-inspired, Peak Blue Tattersall, Deep Blue Mini-Check, and Highland Grey Check (despite this one having “grey in the name, it’s still blue overall). I’m still rooting for a purple Meridian (that’s close to blue, right?).

Who Is It For?

TRAVELERS: If you’re traveling (especially if you’re wanting to take as little as possible – which you should be wanting to do), then it’s absolutely worth your time checking out the Meridian Dress Shirt. It’s nice enough that you can dress it up, but it’s comfortable and versatile enough that you can also wear it out doing all the awful touristy stuff around town as well.

HIKERS: Love the outdoors, but are sick of the outdoor companies telling you what’s cool? Thanks to Bluffworks you now have another option.
It’s easy to adopt these ideas of the things we “have to hear” whilst participating in a particular activity, but the truth is that if something works for you, then that’s the thing you should be wearing. The Meridian works for me and so until something better comes along (a purple, hooded Meridian), I’ll keep wearing it.

Conclusion

The Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0 is in fierce competition with my wool hoodie for my hiking top, but when it comes to traveling or trying to convince people I’m not homeless, the Meridian takes the cake (mmmm…cake).

Bluffworks is one of the few companies that I actively follow to see what they’re going to do next because everything they put out I love (even their shorts which have since been discontinued). If you’re looking to minimize your wardrobe or are just in need of a versatile and wrinkle-free shirt, then we both know what you have to do.

Check out the Bluffworks Meridian Dress Shirt 2.0.

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