It’s confession time! Sometimes we launch Cashmerette patterns that… I kinda hate.

SHOCK! HORROR!

But let me qualify that a little. I’m not saying that the pattern is poor quality, or not something I can recommend to others. Rather, that sometimes there’s just a style that I just feel isn’t “me”. Like, I’d never wear it. And maybe (maybe) I might just be a little vocal about my… hatred, of the style.

Way back when I started Cashmerette this was a non-issue as we were starting from zero, so every pattern we launched was a style I personally loved, and would wear all the time, so I liked 100% of our patterns! But now it’s 8 years on, and we have a monthly Club, so inevitably we started broadening a little from just “what Jenny personally likes” into “what other curvy people – NOT JUST JENNY – like”. Hence, the inclusion of things like dolman sleeves (!) and even.. wait for it… drop shoulders (!!!).

So, when the Cashmerette team started enthusiastically advocating for a camp collar shirt during one of our pattern brainstorming sessions, it went something like this*

*fictionalized account

Jenny: OK, I like the idea of doing another shirt. What haven’t we done before that would be different? What’s on trend?

Ayelet: How about a camp collar shirt? I love those!

Jenny: ARRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHH

Ayelet: Jenny, calm down, it’s just a camp collar

Jenny (wipes sweat from brow): But Ayelet, I HATE THAT STYLE. I will look like a mechanic! Or a diner waitress! Which is theoretically fine but NOT FOR ME.

Jen: They’re pretty popular now, lots of people love them

Jenny: I KNOW BUTTTTT

Jen: And if we design it we can make it look good on big boobs

Jenny: EHHHHHHHHHHHH. OK FINE.

Ayelet: (does a little victory dance).

And now for the big reveal. Even though I *very much* did not like the samples of the Cashmerette Club Haskell Shirt during the development process (it’s astonishing how much bad muslin fabric can influence your feelings), once I actually made one in fabric I liked and styled it in a way I prefer… yes, dear reader, I actually like it.

What has this taught me? Well, first up, we should indeed continue to design things that aren’t my style because lots of other people do like them, and we can’t all dress like Jenny Rushmore. But also, that sometimes it’s just that OTHER forms of a certain style never suited me – either because Ready to Wear never fits me properly, or other sewing  patterns weren’t designed for my boobs. Take back control of the fabric and the drafting though and… I can surprise myself!

You want deets on the shirt? Ok. So I used my long-hoarded dark navy/cream gingham double gauze that I got in Japan a long time ago. It takes full advantage of the double-gauziness by having different scales of gingham on either side! I always feel like colour-blocking and print mixing decisions toe a fine line between ultra cool and not cool at all, but it felt a little safer when the only thing is the scale of the squares, so I decided to use the larger gingham as the “main” shirt, and then the smaller gingham for the cuffs and back yoke (which also forms part of the sleeve).

I left off the breast pocket(s) because while I have come to terms with camp collar shirts, apparently more therapy is required before I can accept breast pockets into my life.

Wearing it tied was definitely the styling choice for me that took it from “meh” to “huh, this is actually kinda chic”, although I reluctantly admit that maybe I don’t think it looks so bad untied either… I paired it with my trusty Calder Pants and my new sandals from Reef.

If you’re thinking “huh, that doesn’t look like Boston in Feburary”, then well done my eagle eyed reader, it is in fact the Caribbean. Highly recommended, except for Providenciales airport which is the third circle of hell, 0/10 would not recommend.

Thank you for coming on this emotional rollercoaster with me, as I confronted my fear of camp collar shirts and triumphed. Whatever next?!

If you’re ready to try a camp collar shirt, the Haskell comes in sizes 0-32 and cup sizes C-H and is available exclusively to Cashmerette Club members. Not a member yet? Join today for as little as $9 (cancel anytime).

(Joining after April 2024? You’ll need to sign up at the All Access level to get the Haskell Shirt.)