Aging Salesman Convinced Limited-Edition Robert Graham Dress Shirt Has Just the Right Amount of Flair

Stepping onto the show floor Tuesday with what witnesses called “visible confidence,” regional sales director Rick Dombrowski, 58, said he was certain his new limited-edition Robert Graham dress shirt struck “just the right balance” between professional and fun.

The shirt, which features paisley cuffs, an embroidered skull on the left breast, a contrasting floral collar, and a second, smaller floral pattern visible only when Dombrowski raises his arms to point at a booth graphic, was purchased at an outlet mall for $189, marked down from $340.

“It says, ‘I’m a serious guy, I’ve got 30 years in vitamins, but I’m also a little bit dangerous,’” said Dombrowski, adjusting a pair of cufflinks shaped like tiny dice. “A buyer sees this shirt, they know I’m not going to be boring at dinner.”

Dombrowski noted that the shirt is numbered on the tag as one of only 3,000 made. The number on his tag is 3,412.

Colleague Shannon Teague, who has worked alongside Dombrowski for eight years, said she has seen 41 different versions of the shirt. “They’re all limited edition. He’s never once worn the same one twice, and somehow it’s always the same shirt,” she said. “Last year he wore one with a pheasant on it. The pheasant was wearing a smaller version of the shirt.”

The booth next door confirmed the shirt was visible “from about three aisles away” and had stopped at least two people from walking into a pillar.

At press time, Dombrowski had untucked the shirt for the evening reception, a decision he described as “taking it up a notch.”