Help me get the wardrobe I want
May 10, 2017 7:59 AM   Subscribe

Metafilter, please help me find or replicate a shirt that I love.

I absolutely adore this linen tunic (here is a similar non-linen one that I also love).

I would like to have this tunic in every color. I want to wear a different color every day of the week. I've bought three of the Gap ones, but their colors are limited. I have looked high and low for similar linen tunics, but they're either: 1) in a same or similar color (mainly navy, white and beige), 2) not long enough (I want them to hit at the upper thigh, but no longer), 3) have some other detail that I don't like (e.g. different neckline, buttons all the way down), or 4) are too boxy or too tent-like (i.e. extreme A-line).

Does anyone know where I might go to get either a pattern for this style of tunic and/or someone who can make the same thing for me, in every color I want? Alternatively, if you know a place that sells these kinds of tunics in every color or pattern, please let me know.

I am mainly looking for the linen style as they're harder to find, but if anyone knows places to find non-linen tunics like the Lush one, I am open to that too. The only necklines I like are v-neck or scoop. A few buttons at the top are okay but I don't want buttons that go all the way down. Thanks!
posted by triggerfinger to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (14 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
Best answer: If you love the Gap ones, I'd try to dye a white one. Rit is pretty easy to use.
posted by advicepig at 8:20 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]


Not sure if this Boden one fits the bill, because it comes in only one solid and the rest are prints, but I'll put it out there.
posted by holborne at 8:37 AM on May 10, 2017


Best answer: Hey June "Cheyenne Tunic" found here if you have someone who can sew. I don't know what your size is but you can slim down the body and they do have a collar option. I have made this myself because I also LOVE this style. Memail me if you have a linen fabric weight (do you want lightweight? Heavy? Not see thru linen?) preference so I can point you in the right direction.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 8:46 AM on May 10, 2017 [1 favorite]


This from J Jill comes in a few colors. Not sure how you might feel about the hood, but it's a v neckline. They don't call this a tunic but the hem hits at low hip.

Other non-linen options from J Jill: here And also And also.
posted by little mouth at 8:46 AM on May 10, 2017


Garnet Hill

Options at Peruvian Connection

Options at Sundance and sale shirts

Lucky Brand doesn't label many of their shirts as tunics, but many of them fit that way.
posted by Squeak Attack at 8:51 AM on May 10, 2017


Seconding buying a white one and trying your hand at dyeing it.

J Crew usually has a bajillion popovers that look like this, but I don't see any on their site right now. So keep an eye out for them in the fall.
posted by purple_bird at 9:10 AM on May 10, 2017


Best answer: If you buy a white tunic to dye, please don't use Rit dye, which fades quickly and ruins anything you wash in the same load with the clothes you've dyed with it. Instead use a higher quality (and cheaper in the long run) dye, such as Procion dye or Dylon Permanent dye. They are just as easy to use, and either will last through a hundred times as many washings. But keep in mind that the stitching is always polyester and will stay white.
posted by artistic verisimilitude at 11:36 AM on May 10, 2017 [3 favorites]


Here they are, in linen, in periwinkle and turquoise.
Talbots has some that are a little shorter, but have a lot of colors, solids, stripes, paisley.
posted by FirstMateKate at 12:06 PM on May 10, 2017


Best answer: "Popover" is a good keyword. Madewell sometimes has good ones. If you find something you like at Gap, try Old Navy and Banana Republic for close replicas.
posted by stoneandstar at 12:12 PM on May 10, 2017


Best answer: 3rding dying white ones. Rayon is actually very easy to dye, I absolutely recommend Procion dye as artistic verisimilitude suggests.

For best results, check out the tutorials at Dharma Trading. I just dyed 8 rayon tops and pants in different colors using their method and it works really well. You can buy everything you need from Dharma, including good detergent, superfine salt, and soda ash (fixative) and you can call them if you get confused or need a verbal walkthrough on the proportions.

I used the bucket method and got great results. Feel free to PM me if you want more details!
posted by ananci at 1:02 PM on May 10, 2017


Here's one in rayon that seems to fit your criteria Woman Within tunic and here's one in an a-line style WW Elbow sleeve in rayon. They have a number of tunic styles but right now they're selling lightweight summer stuff.
posted by MovableBookLady at 4:15 PM on May 10, 2017


You asked about getting it replicated, so I should just note that you don't necessarily need a pattern. There are a lot of ways to copy an item without taking it apart (and if you do have an old one that can just be picked apart that's even easier.)
posted by trig at 10:58 PM on May 10, 2017


J. Crew Outlets usually have more of them than their actual stores. If you're not near one, try giving them a call first.
posted by dancinglamb at 11:25 PM on May 11, 2017


J. Crew Outlets usually have more of them than their actual stores. If you're not near one, try giving them a call first. Also, Target!
posted by dancinglamb at 11:26 PM on May 11, 2017


« Older Seeking the Rebels' Death Star video from Star...   |   Crushing like a teenager, handling it like an... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.