There comes a moment in a man’s life when he finds himself holding a $235 t-shirt and seriously wondering if it’s reasonable. The short answer: it depends on the t-shirt. With Paul & Shark, the long answer is much more interesting.
Le Capitaine D'a Bord, located in the heart of Old Quebec on Petit-Champlain Street, is the largest Canadian retailer of the Italian brand. And if this collection generates such steady revenue — regardless of the season — it’s because customers who buy their first Paul & Shark piece almost never stop there.
A brand born on the water
Paul & Shark was born in Italy in 1975, in the Como region. The brand was originally created for water sports enthusiasts — regatta racers, sailing lovers, those for whom the open sea is a way of life. Its shark logo and marine colors are not arbitrary aesthetic choices: they reflect a consistent brand DNA for over half a century.
Today, the Paul & Shark Men’s and Accessories collection is distributed in 143 countries, 906 cities, and over 2,000 points of sale worldwide. But the philosophy remains the same: high-end technical clothing, made in Italy, designed to withstand the most demanding conditions without sacrificing elegance.
It’s a combination that echoes something quite Quebecois, at heart. When summer finally arrives on the Saint Lawrence, we want clothes that hold up — whether on a sailboat off Île d’Orléans or on a terrace in Old Quebec City.
What truly sets a Paul & Shark t-shirt apart
You can always recognize a Paul & Shark t-shirt by its logo — that iconic embroidered shark. But reducing the brand to just a logo misses the point.
Cotton and materials: where it all begins
The real differentiator of a Paul & Shark t-shirt is the quality of its materials. Depending on the collections and models, you will find:
Double mercerized cotton jersey — the signature fabric of the range. Mercerization is a process that strengthens cotton, gives it a characteristic silky sheen, and improves its durability. Double mercerization goes even further: the resulting material has a soft yet dense texture, a subtle shine, and exceptional wash resistance. That’s why a Paul & Shark t-shirt made from this fabric still looks like new after several seasons.
Supima® cotton — a long-fiber cotton variety grown in the United States, known for its extra-long fibers that produce a finer, stronger, and softer yarn than standard cotton. Less than 1% of the world’s cotton production meets Supima® standards.
Aqua Touch — a proprietary Paul & Shark textile technology that gives the fabric water-repellent properties while maintaining breathability. Perfect for Quebec’s unpredictable summer days.
Cotton and silk — for the Cotton & Silk collection models, a blend that combines natural lightness with the softness of cotton, ideal for the heat of July and August.
Italian finishing: the details you don’t see right away
A well-made shirt is noticeable around the collar, seams, and buttonholes. A well-made t-shirt is more discreet — but just as real.
On a Paul & Shark, seams are reinforced in tension areas, the collar keeps its shape after every wash (where most entry-level t-shirts collapse after ten machine cycles), and the side finishes are consistent. The drape is carefully worked: the t-shirt neither clings nor billows — it naturally follows the silhouette.
The shark logo: more than a signature
The embroidered Paul & Shark shark has become one of the most recognizable logos in European men’s ready-to-wear. On the original models, it is always made with thread embroidery, never heat transfer — which ensures it remains intact after years of use.
Some models emphasize the pattern more: large graphic prints, heraldic embroidery, sharks in reflective lurex. Others focus on the minimalism of a discreet badge on the chest. Both approaches coexist in the range depending on the collections.
Collections available at Capitaine D'a Bord
At Le Capitaine D'a Bord, the Paul & Shark selection covers the brand’s main lines. Here’s how to navigate them.
Silver Collection — the prestige line. Fine piqué cotton or double mercerized jersey t-shirts, precise cuts, impeccable finishes. It’s the choice for those looking for a t-shirt they’ll still wear in five years. Prices start around 249 $ CAD.
Summer Time — the seasonal summer collection. Graphic prints, shark motifs, heraldic embroidery. More playful in its visual expression, but uncompromising on the material. Priced between 229 $ and 315 $ CAD.
Riviera Collection — inspired by the Mediterranean coasts. Two-tone colors, lightweight materials, slightly more relaxed cuts. Perfect for Quebec summer evenings.
Always Collection — timeless essentials. Organic cotton or cotton jersey t-shirts, clean shapes, starting at 195 $ CAD. The perfect starting point to discover Paul & Shark without committing to a collector’s piece.
Discover the entire Paul & Shark collection at Capitaine D'a Bord →
How to recognize an authentic Paul & Shark
This question comes up often, especially since the brand is imitated on parallel markets. Here are the checkpoints:
Composition label — Paul & Shark always precisely indicates the material composition on its inner labels: type of cotton, elastane percentage if applicable, country of manufacture (Italy). A vague label is a warning sign.
Logo quality — the shark on an original is neatly embroidered, with sharp outlines and uniform thread density. A logo that frays after the first wash or has blurry edges is not authentic.
Product code — each Paul & Shark piece is referenced with a specific SKU code on the inner label, verifiable with an official retailer.
Buy from an authorized retailer — the simplest guarantee. Capitaine D'a Bord is an official Paul & Shark retailer in Canada. Pieces available in-store at 63 rue du Petit-Champlain in Quebec City, or online, come directly from the brand.
Care: how to make a premium t-shirt last
A $235 t-shirt deserves some care — and it’s not complicated.
Washing: cold water (maximum 30°C), delicate cycle. Heat is the enemy of mercerized cotton jersey — it shrinks fibers and dulls the fabric’s characteristic shine.
Drying: flat or on a hanger, never in the dryer. High-temperature tumbling distorts seams and accelerates embroidery wear.
Ironing: at low temperature if necessary, inside out to protect the embroidery. Most double mercerized jersey models wrinkle little and often don’t require ironing.
Storage: folded or on a hanger. Avoid prolonged contact areas with jewelry or belts that could snag the embroidery.
Why invest in a premium t-shirt for the Quebec summer
Summer in Quebec lasts on average three months. Less, when you subtract the spring transition weeks and the early September chills. That’s not much — and that’s exactly why every piece counts.
An entry-level t-shirt might last two seasons. A double mercerized cotton Paul & Shark, well cared for, will keep its shape and color for ten years. When broken down to annual cost, the investment is more reasonable than it seems.
There’s also a comfort factor that can’t be fully explained on paper. An August day in the city — terraces of the Old Port, a visit to the Old Quebec market, an outdoor business lunch — feels different in truly breathable cotton that still looks perfect at 6 p.m. than in a synthetic t-shirt.
Explore our Paul & Shark crew neck t-shirts →
If you’re looking for a slightly dressier option, polos perfectly complement the summer look — see our selection of Paul & Shark polos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Paul & Shark t-shirts so expensive?
The price reflects Italian manufacturing with certified materials (Supima® cotton, double mercerized jersey, Aqua Touch), hand-finished embroidery and logos, and durability above average. A well-maintained Paul & Shark t-shirt often lasts 8 to 10 years — which brings its annual cost well below that of an entry-level t-shirt replaced every season.
How to recognize a genuine Paul & Shark from a counterfeit?
Check the composition label (marked “Made in Italy”), the quality of the embroidered logo (sharp edges, dense thread), and always buy from an authorized retailer. Le Capitaine D'a Bord is an authorized dealer in Canada.
What size should I choose for a Paul & Shark t-shirt?
The Paul & Shark fit is slightly slimmer than North American standards. If you’re between two sizes, choose the larger one — especially for cotton jersey models that may shrink slightly after the first washes.
Can Paul & Shark t-shirts be machine washed?
Yes — delicate cycle, cold water (max 30°C), no tumble drying. These simple precautions are enough to preserve the fabric for years.
Where to buy Paul & Shark t-shirts in Quebec?
Le Capitaine D'a Bord is the largest Canadian retailer of Paul & Shark, offering the most complete selection available online and in-store at 63 rue du Petit-Champlain, in Old Quebec.