One of my favourite designers is Rick Owens. Unfortunately pieces of his post-apocalyptic vision are seriously expensive to buy, and even the more basic and wearable designs are pricey. One of these basics is a skinny wool knit t shirt with an exposed back seam, a deeply curved raw hem, and extra long sleeves. I made a knockoff of it a couple of years ago and have worn it so much it’s now starting to look a little sad. Here it is when it was just made.
The neckband has stretched and gone wavy since then. I made it too long right from the start and only aggressive steam pressing ever made it sit flat. I’ve also never been 100% happy with the shape of the hem; it’s a little too long. So this is version two, made out of the same John Kaldor Isabella wool jersey as the first one, with a shorter neckband and reshaped hem.
Weirdly it seems to fit better too, but I think that’s because I’ve changed shape rather than any improvement I made to the pattern.
I only made it a couple of weeks ago and have worn it four or five times already so this is a definite win! Thanks to my husband for the photos as always.
Catherine Daze's Blog 
That looks like an exceedingly useful top. I enjoy hearing of garments that have been literally ‘worn to death’. Enjoy this updated version 😊
I have a stack of black long sleeve tops (mostly RTW) that are in constant rotation as layering pieces, and some are about to bite the dust due to age. I see some RTW cloning in my future. You really can’t have too many! The change in fit between the two makes is pretty striking, given that it’s the same fabric and pattern.
Yeah, I got ill in 2020 and went down a size…but I do wonder if the fabric has changed a bit too, the texture seems smoother. Might just be that the old one’s been washed a lot though.
The exposed back seam adds so much interest to an otherwise very plain top.
how is the exposed back seam constructed/finished?
I sewed it wrong sides together on the sewing machine and then overlocked over the top of that, which trimmed the seam allowances to about 6mm. I left a long tail at the hem edge, knotted it, and wove that back into the seam to keep it from unraveling. I pressed it to one side but it doesn’t stay put.
Love! And so practical. I want one. Except wool is too warm here most of the time.
I love your description of this as ‘post-apocalyptic’ – I’ve definitely laughed about that thing in movies and TV where people get really into knitwear after the world ends! That exposed back seam detail is a lovely touch. It looks super stylish and cozy for this mid-apocalypse we’re living through, too (too dark?).
super-cool as ever. That’s a great T shirt
Lovely t-shirt. I also like that you always thank your husband for the photos. Such a simple thing and I probably forget to do it way too often. Thanks for the reminder!
I’m very lucky; there wouldn’t be a blog at all without his contribution!
Love it! Sometimes the simple things are the best contributors to the wardrobe.