Y/Project

I know, I know, you don’t do fashion. But this is about engineering and design. And that's fun, right? I love clothes that can serve more than one function or that go from spring to summer to fall; or from day to night with a buttoning up or down. And Y/Project does much, much more. It's deconstructed garments made fun.

The idea of having clothes that literally change according to your mood/time of day/weather sound like something I'd really like. And I do! I'm the kind of person who really likes layers (except during the summer, when I basically still layer XXL wife beaters with huge white t-shirts) and shorts, if I'm not working, and who usually sheds one or two pieces of clothing when going out during the cold months. I find the idea of layering appealing because I have the WORST sense to gauge how cold will actually be outside and I've payed dearly for it when I used to take METRA to go to work. I was constantly either underdressed to stand on that platform at seven in the morning during February or overdressed for the one hour train ride. It was not pretty.

So I learned to layer in such a way that by just taking one thing off I would feel comfy for the hour the commute would take. And full disclaimer: I love hats and gloves and scarfs, so those are just part of what I always wear. I'm talking about layers (jackets, waistcoats, hoodies, coats and the such) whether when I'm going to work or when I'm home I always wear layers. I'd rather do that than just crank the heating/air conditioning up to heaven. Call me crazy, but I don't see the need.

And this collection looks really cool. Yes, some of the designs are obviously styled to cause as much impact as possible and look extreme (it's a runway, honey) but the underlying genius construction and architecture of the basic garment is still there. I love the zippers and buttons and velcro and all the accoutrements these garments have. Would I walk around with my pants flapping in the wind with my face half covered with my shirt? Probably not. But I'm not planning ( I wish) on buying the whole collection. I'd choose some pieces and would wear them to death. 

Even though now I'm WFH and video meetings are the rule, I still layer. I don't wear a tie, mind you, but I do stay away from pajama tops. This works even when all people see it's your upper body. I also kind of dress up a little for those occasions because it reminds me I'm still human, even if I'm wearing comfy pants and comfy shoes and no belt. I have not worn 'real' pants for months, let alone my trusty jeans. But this creates a routine that helps me structure a little the long days we've lived since March, when we were sent to work from home to avoid dying. And to think the IMPOTUS administration probably knew before January 2020 a pandemic was coming and it did nothing. It makes me stabby.

I liked this collection because would wear these clothes.  Would you believe me if I tell you that my favorite pieces of clothing for winter are some drop-crotch pants I got at Zara like, two years ago and extra big t-shirts with some design (lately it's been The Ramones or Basquiat) on them layered with long-sleeved XL thermal underwear? You can imagine some of these collection's pieces would just fit. I would not wear the shoes, though. I'd rather do my trusty Doc Martens and a WWII green coat I got at an estate sale in Evanston years ago. That's my go-to uniform to go to Trader Joe's, when I break my stay-at-home routine. If it's really cold or snowing I'll add a knitted hat, fingerless gloves and a scarf. I basically wear the same kind of clothes every time I go out, with different color pants and different t-shirts or big sweaters until late spring but the basics are there. Told you I'm crazy. But I'm warm.

And you? Would you wear anything from this collection? What's your pandemic attire? What are your go-to fav clothes? I wanna know.

XOXO