• Vintage 1970s Jim’s Chain stitched King Louie Bowling Short Sleeve Shirt - Black Embroidered Raglan Rockabilly
  • Vintage 1970s Jim’s Chain stitched King Louie Bowling Short Sleeve Shirt - Black Embroidered Raglan Rockabilly
  • Vintage 1970s Jim’s Chain stitched King Louie Bowling Short Sleeve Shirt - Black Embroidered Raglan Rockabilly
  • Vintage 1970s Jim’s Chain stitched King Louie Bowling Short Sleeve Shirt - Black Embroidered Raglan Rockabilly
  • Vintage 1970s Jim’s Chain stitched King Louie Bowling Short Sleeve Shirt - Black Embroidered Raglan Rockabilly
  • Vintage 1970s Jim’s Chain stitched King Louie Bowling Short Sleeve Shirt - Black Embroidered Raglan Rockabilly
  • Vintage 1970s Jim’s Chain stitched King Louie Bowling Short Sleeve Shirt - Black Embroidered Raglan Rockabilly
  • Vintage 1970s Jim’s Chain stitched King Louie Bowling Short Sleeve Shirt - Black Embroidered Raglan Rockabilly
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King Louie - Size L - Good Condition

Vintage 1970s Jim's Chain stitched King Louie Bowling Short Sleeve Shirt - Black Embroidered Raglan Rockabilly

Vintage 1970s Jim's Chain stitched King Louie Bowling Short Sleeve Shirt - Black Embroidered Raglan Rockabilly

¥10,900
¥10,900
Sale Sold out
Taxes included.

Vintage ’70s King Louie bowling shirt in classic black with red and white contrast panels across the shoulders.

“Jim” embroidered on the front and a large raised chainstitch “Brown Spray Coat Inc.” across the back.

Raglan sleeves, structured collar, dark marbled buttons and a straight hem. Made in U.S.A., in a 50/50 cotton–polyester blend.

Who produced it

Kansas City, Missouri · founded 1948 See on the Atlas

Size - fits like L Length 73 cm · Width 62 cm

Suggested size: L
Label size: L

Measurements

Length
73 cm · 28.7 in
Sleeves from collar
39 cm · 15.4 in
Sleeves from armpit
16 cm · 6.3 in
Width
62 cm · 24.4 in
Size Guide
  • Suggested size → the size we recommend based on the actual measurements.
  • Label size → the size printed on the label (if there is one).

On vintage pieces the label may not reflect today's fit: go by the measurements, taken flat from seam to seam. For more info, see the dedicated page.

Condition - Good Condition

The condition of our garments is classified according to the following scale:

  • Deadstock: Like-new condition, no defects. Fabrics and trim are practically new.
  • Excellent: In excellent condition, with any minor imperfections shown in the photos.
  • Good: In good overall condition, with signs of wear or obvious defects shown in the photos.
  • Fair: with obvious wear and visible defects shown in the photos.

Since they are vintage items, they may still have small imperfections or signs of wear that are not always shown.

All items are washed, sanitized, and stain treated before being put on sale. For more information, please visit the dedicated page.

Shipping and Returns

Orders are processed within 1-3 business days and entrusted to the most suitable courier based on the destination and type of package.
Shipping is free for orders over €100 in Italy and EU countries (zones 1-2) , while in other cases the costs are calculated automatically at checkout.

The right of withdrawal can be exercised within 14 days of delivery . Items must be returned in the same condition in which they were received and as described in the listing.

  • Returns must be requested in advance via email or the contact details indicated on the dedicated page;
  • The refund is issued within 14 days of receipt and verification of the package , and is made net of shipping costs ;
  • Unauthorized returns will not be refunded.

For further details and complete information, please refer to the pages dedicated to Shipping and Returns and Refunds .

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Story Time

The Evolution of the Bowling Shirt

In the early years of organized bowling, players wore ordinary dress shirts, sometimes even with a tie. Everything changed in the ’40s and especially the ’50s, when bowling exploded in postwar America. With thousands of new lanes opening and league culture in full swing, teams adopted dedicated shirts that were practical and recognizable: short sleeves, a relaxed camp collar and a roomy cut for easy movement. What made them unforgettable wasn’t just the fit but the customization: chain-stitched names embroidered on the chest and bold sponsor graphics on the back. Neighborhood bars, diners, factories, even funeral homes sponsored teams. King Louie went so far as to offer $300 to anyone who bowled a perfect 300 game wearing one of their shirts: a brilliant marketing move that cemented the garment in bowling legend.

In the ’60s, bowling shirts were everywhere in American suburbs, a symbol of working-class and middle-class community life. But as bowling participation declined toward the end of the decade, manufacturers simplified the designs and shifted to polyester models. That unexpected transition paved the way for the ’70s revival. Amid a wave of ’50s nostalgia and the rise of new subcultures, young people began wearing vintage bowling shirts ironically, enjoying the fun of sporting someone else’s embroidered name.

From there, the comeback only grew. The rockabilly revival of the ’80s, the swing scene of the ’90s and pop moments like The Big Lebowski turned the bowling shirt into a symbol of laid-back, timeless Americana.