When you slip on a BTFD shirt, you're wearing the culmination of a meticulous design process that combines creativity, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of what makes clothing both stylish and functional. Today, I'm pulling back the curtain to give you a glimpse into how we create the shirts you love, from the initial spark of inspiration to the finished garment that finds its way to your wardrobe.

Finding Inspiration

Every BTFD shirt begins with inspiration. Unlike fast fashion brands that simply chase the latest trends, our design process starts with a deeper exploration of enduring style elements that align with our "Buy The Fashion Dip" philosophy.

Inspiration can come from anywhere—architectural details, historical garments in museums, nature, or urban landscapes. Our design team keeps extensive mood boards and reference libraries that we continuously update. We also draw inspiration from our customers, paying attention to how they style our shirts and what they request.

For our recent Urban Heritage collection, for example, we found inspiration in mid-century architectural elements—clean lines, thoughtful proportions, and a balance of form and function. We combined these influences with fabric techniques from traditional workwear to create shirts that feel both contemporary and timeless.

Concept Development

Once we have a direction, we begin developing specific concepts for individual shirts. This starts with hand sketches that explore silhouettes, proportions, and key details. At this stage, we're asking fundamental questions:

• What problem does this shirt solve for the wearer?
• How will it fit into their existing wardrobe?
• What occasions is it appropriate for?
• How can it be styled in multiple ways?
• What makes it distinctly BTFD while remaining versatile?

We believe that truly great design solves problems, which is why we consider functionality alongside aesthetics. Maybe it's a shirt that transitions seamlessly from office to evening, or perhaps it's a design that looks put-together even without ironing for the traveler on the go.

Material Selection

Concurrent with concept development, we begin the critical process of fabric selection. The right fabric can make or break a shirt design, affecting everything from how it drapes on the body to how it performs over time.

We work with textile mills in Portugal, Japan, and Italy to source and sometimes develop custom fabrics that meet our exacting standards. For each design, we consider:

• Fiber content and sustainability profile
• Weight and seasonal appropriateness
• Drape and movement
• Texture and visual interest
• Performance characteristics (breathability, wrinkle resistance, etc.)
• Colorfastness and washing behavior

We test all fabrics extensively before approving them for production. This includes wash testing (to ensure minimal shrinkage and color fastness), wear testing (to evaluate comfort and movement), and durability testing (to ensure longevity).

Pattern Making

Once we've finalized the concept and fabric, we move to pattern making—the technical blueprint that transforms a two-dimensional sketch into a three-dimensional garment. This is where science meets art in clothing design.

Our pattern maker, Teresa, has over 30 years of experience and works closely with our design team to translate concepts into precise patterns. We start with a base pattern that reflects our signature fit, then modify it according to the specific design and fabric characteristics.

Pattern making requires an intimate understanding of human anatomy and movement. The slight curve of a sleeve, the angle of a collar, or the placement of a pocket—all these details affect not just how a shirt looks, but how it feels and functions throughout the day.

We use both traditional hand-drafting techniques and computer-aided design to develop our patterns, combining time-honored craftsmanship with modern precision.

Prototyping and Fitting

With patterns in hand, we create the first prototype of each new design. This sample is sewn in our in-house sample room using the actual fabric selected for production. The prototype allows us to evaluate the design in three dimensions and make necessary adjustments.

Our fitting process is rigorous and involves multiple people of different body types. We assess:

• Fit across the shoulders, chest, waist, and hips
• Sleeve length and circumference
• Collar height and shape
• Overall proportions
• Comfort when sitting, standing, and moving
• Ease of putting on and taking off

It's not unusual for us to go through several rounds of prototypes before we're satisfied with the fit and function of a new design. This iterative process is time-consuming but essential to creating shirts that look and feel exceptional.

Details and Finishing

With the basic shape perfected, we turn our attention to the details that elevate a good shirt to a great one. These include:

Buttons

We use natural materials like mother of pearl, corozo nut, or recycled shell for our buttons. Each is selected to complement the specific fabric and design, with considerations for color, thickness, and durability.

Stitching

The type of stitch, thread weight, and stitches-per-inch all affect both the appearance and durability of a shirt. We use single-needle stitching on many seams for a clean finish, and reinforced stitching in high-stress areas.

Collars and Cuffs

These frame the face and hands, making them crucial design elements. We use traditional floating interlining in our collars and cuffs, allowing them to mold to the wearer over time while maintaining their structure.

Seam Finishing

Even details that aren't visible from the outside matter. We use French seams on many of our shirts, enclosing the raw edges for a clean interior and enhanced durability.

Production and Quality Control

Once the design is finalized, we prepare detailed technical specifications for our manufacturing partners. These documents outline every aspect of the shirt's construction, from the precise placement of buttons to the tension of specific stitches.

Our production manager, Marcus, works closely with our factory partners to ensure that each shirt is made exactly to our specifications. We conduct quality control at multiple stages:

1. Fabric inspection before cutting
2. In-line quality checks during sewing
3. Comprehensive inspection of finished garments
4. Random sampling and testing of production runs

We hold our manufacturing partners to the same high standards we set for ourselves, which is why we've built long-term relationships with a select group of ethical factories that share our values.

The Final Touch: Naming and Storytelling

A BTFD shirt isn't complete without its story. We name each design thoughtfully, often reflecting its inspiration or intended purpose. The storytelling continues in our product descriptions, photography, and styling suggestions, helping customers understand not just what makes each shirt special, but how it can become part of their personal style narrative.