I deconstructed a female size S oxford shirt. I studied the shirt by taking every piece apart analyzing how it was constructed. What intrigued me the most was how playful it can be to deconstruct and reconstruct again I thought of it as an endless puzzle game with so many ways to approach this. While playing around I sketched around and came up with some ideas. I thought of how a I could approach a female shirt and make it a tad more masculine, but still maintain its femininity.
To create the pattern I wanted with this idea in mind, I began with the back of the shirt. I used the original shirt I deconstructed and drew the patterns. As I cut the pattern directly into the 100% cotton fabric I switched the sides from back to front. I took away the collar and the circular shape that was exposed around the neck fitted me perfectly. There was no button up as a usual shirt would have on the front, instead I decided to put buttons on the back. The front was kept crisp, but I thought it felt too loose it on my body, it felt to me that I was lost in the shirt so I made some seams that would hug my own body contouring my waist. To roughen the look up I ditched the sleeves referencing a bit of the working class man and their amazing arms. Mine aren’t as well shaped but I’d like to embrace them as they are.
The back of the shirt is what made me the most excited Ive always liked the open back for no reason except that its sensual. I opted for not buttoning up the back entirely but revealing enough. I was thinking about a quote that said ” I hate to see you go but i love to watch you leave” I just thought it was great it made me think as if it was a kind of surprise at the back, it doesn’t feel gratuitous nor taken for granted. I let the lapels fall naturally and just add one button to make it easier to get into and comfortable to be able to press your back against your sit or wall.
When it was finished I was surprised to be satisfied with the result. It’s just something I would wear and continue to wear out. For me it speaks of the masculinity I maintain in a subtle way as I like to be close to an elegant ladylike sort of style when I dress.
