Man In The Hathway Shirt Playing Cello Ad

This ad is one of the most famous clothing ads ever: The Man in the Hathaway Shirt. It’s just a man wearing a dress shirt and playing the cello—but the eyepatch changes everything.

The Subtle Genius Behind the Eyepatch

David Ogilvy added the eyepatch as a last-minute prop. That one accessory instantly transformed a boring shirt ad into a captivating story. Suddenly, this guy isn’t just wearing a nice shirt—he’s mysterious, distinguished, and worldly.

Why It Works

• Story spark: The eyepatch makes you wonder, “What happened to him?”
• Differentiation: In a sea of plain shirt ads, this one stood out instantly.
• Status symbol: The ad oozes quiet sophistication.
• Curiosity gap: Viewers fill in the blanks, making the ad more memorable.

Real-World Parallels

• Dos Equis: “Most Interesting Man in the World” sells intrigue like this ad.
• Old Spice: Used humor and quirk to make normal body wash stand out.
• Apple’s silhouette iPod ads: Simple image, big story.