So I had this idea. It's something I had seen just a few times in stores, and I thought, "that looks easy, I should do it."
It's shirts with contrasting pockets - like a grey t-shirt with a blue pocket, or a white button-down with a plaid pocket. It's something little that makes something basic much more unique, and it looked so simple to do!
During Gap's Friends and Family event earlier this year, I bought two of the same oxford shirt in different colors. And then I went to my tailor, and asked her to flip the pockets - and this is what I got - pretty cool, huh? Two shirts that are completely unique, and solely mine (until someone else does it!) And since I got the shirts on promo this wasn't a major spend. I spent $60 bucks total on the two shirts and spent $25 on tailoring - so overall, I have a couple of special shirts that cost under $45 apiece.
I realized a few things as I was thinking through this process, that will make it much easier for anyone who wants to do this (and their tailor):
1. Use two shirts that are the exact same style - this way, the shape of the pockets will match up.
2. Use two shirts that are the same size - again, so the pockets match up and your tailor doesn't have to trim or alter either pocket to fit. There are size tolerances in any mass produced clothing, but they should be minimal and the pockets should flip just fine.
3. Select two shirts of the same fabric. This is more for you than the tailor - it will make the washing that much easier, since you won't have to deal with a pocket fabric that may wash or shrink differently than the shirt fabric. If you do choose to go with a different fabric, it's probably easiest if everything is 100% cotton - and that you take care when washing.
4. Go for two colors that contrast each other - or one solid, and one pattern. The last thing you want is to put work into the shirts, and then no one notices that the pocket is different.
5. Make sure that the end product of both shirts can work into your wardrobe - so that you're not paying for two shirts plus tailoring, and end up wearing only one.
I love the way these turned out, and I've already worn both a couple of times. My next step is to try a solid and a print - so you may be seeing a solid shirt with a plaid pocket (and vice versa) soon!
Solid oxfords by Gap. Heather grey t-shirt, khakis, striped belt by J Crew. Watch by Tourneau. Blue/green leather wrap bracelet by Tateossian. Beaded bracelet by Didier Guillemain. Sunglasses by Oliver Peoples.
