【ZUTTO Original】A cotton-wool pintuck shirt that looks put-together all on its own.

The ZUTTO original brand's 2021 AW collection kicks off with the 【Cotton-Wool Pintuck Shirt】.

As the air grows cooler day by day, we'd like to introduce a shirt you can wear from the moment it arrives and continue enjoying right through spring.

The shirt as an item carries a certain sharp, cool image. This impression comes from the fact that, in modern times, it's worn in business settings and formal occasions—but doesn't that also mean it feels like it only suits certain people?

We asked our designer to create something that would let people wear that "proper" shirt more casually and fashionably.

Actually, the person in charge of this project isn't very good at wearing shirts.

"Whenever I wore a slim-fit shirt with a collar, it always looked too serious and never fashionable, so I never chose to wear them. I thought there must be quite a few people like me, and that's how this project started—wanting to make a shirt that even people who aren't fond of shirts would want to wear."

Design Points of the Cotton-Wool Pintuck Shirt

1. Classic Pintucks

A pintuck refers to a design featuring finely sewn pleats, like pins, running down the chest. It's an elegant, classic touch that adds a bit of flair. On this shirt, the pintucks are made slightly wider and longer, keeping the look from becoming too sweet.

The placket has a hidden button (fly-front) design, keeping things clean and not distracting from the pintuck design.

Another element that lends a classic feel is the cuffs. Made slightly wider, they feature two buttons arranged vertically, giving them the look of cufflinks. When worn, the fabric gathers snugly at the sleeve, creating a nice accent there as well.

2. A Collar That's Not Too Formal

The turned-down collar at the neck—what you might call the "standard shirt collar"—is what makes a shirt look like a shirt. To make it easier and more casual to wear, we chose a "band collar" shirt, with the collar standing up slightly.

This gives the neckline a cleaner look and makes the neck appear elongated. 

3. A Soft, Airy Silhouette

It's a wonderfully balanced silhouette—it pairs nicely with bottoms when worn alone, and doesn't get too bulky when layered under a sweater.

Deep slits on the sides create a difference in length between front and back, so the front stays neat and not too long, while the longer back covers the seat—giving you peace of mind when paired with slim pants.

▲Thanks to the slits, tucking it in is easy too.

Not Just the Design—Careful Attention to the Fabric Too

A crisply pressed shirt without a single wrinkle is lovely, but that's also part of what makes a shirt feel so formal. We wanted a fabric with a bit more ease—one that lets you relax without feeling stiff.

▲With just a hint of napping, it feels soft and gentle to the touch.

What we chose was a fabric called "Pratt Air-in Cotton Wool Weather," made of 90% cotton and 10% wool.

The Pratt Air-in process involves repeatedly kneading and working the fabric over a long period of time, carefully loosening it from the core, which creates a softness full of airiness along with an elegant, natural wrinkle texture.

Since the fabric already has natural, refined fine wrinkles, it's perfectly fine to wear it straight from the wash without ironing. No need to worry about wrinkles from sitting or rolling up your sleeves.

Because it's blended with wool, it doesn't have that chilly feeling typical of cotton shirts, so you can wear it on its own in autumn and spring. In the depths of winter, wear it underneath a sweater as an inner layer.

The standing collar and slightly longer hem peek out from the neckline and hem of your sweater, letting you enjoy stylish layering.

Taking the sweet image of pintucks and giving it a mature, cool edge.

We spoke with the designer who created the 【Cotton-Wool Pintuck Shirt】.

The pintuck shirt has a very long history as an item—it's something that's always been around. I aimed to create a design that would live up to that legacy, one that could be worn and loved for years to come. While the focus is on the dress shirt, I kept the overall impression simple. The slightly wider pintucks add a playful touch, and the slits not only bring out a feminine quality but also allow you to tuck in just the front panel, so it's a piece you can style in many different ways. 

Not as a so-called "special occasion" piece, but as true everyday wear—something to spend an ordinary day in, whether you're out shopping, taking a walk, or relaxing at the park. This shirt in particular is easy enough to wash, hang dry, and just throw on without ironing, even with a little wrinkle left behind.

Since it's designed to be worn in many different ways, there's no single "correct" styling—we'd love for each person to enjoy discovering their own way of wearing it.

Starting from the basic premise of "a design that never grows tiresome and can be worn for a long time," the point I pay the most attention to is sizing as a design element. Since each piece is offered in only one size, I begin designing with the top priority of making sure people of all body types can wear and enjoy ZUTTO's clothes.

I also try to propose fabrics that are easy-care and that fit naturally into the daily life of the person wearing them, without being fussy or high-maintenance. Rather than fashion driven by mode, I think ZUTTO's products are about offering fashion that truly covers the "clothing" part of "clothing, food, and shelter."

I'd like to keep proposing clothes that you find yourself reaching for before you even realize it.

▼Cotton Wool Pintuck Shirt — click here for the product page

A Sneak Peek at ZUTTO Original Brand's Upcoming AW Lineup

Starting with this season's [Cotton Wool Pintuck Shirt], production of our autumn/winter wear is well underway.

We plan each piece carefully, one at a time, so the lineup isn't large—but please look forward to their release.

Here's a small preview of items set to launch in September and October.

[Rugwarm Long-Sleeve T-Shirt] *Scheduled for release in September

This is the autumn/winter version of the "Modal Clear Bare Tenjiku Long-Sleeve T-Shirt," which sold out this past spring/summer.

The easy-to-wear design remains the same, but the material has been changed.

[Denim Tuck Skirt] *Scheduled for release in September

A denim tuck skirt made with grown-up wearers in mind—a "denim skirt for adults."

Just like breaking in a pair of denim pants, you can enjoy the way this skirt softens and changes color over time.

[Brushed-Back Mock Neck Panel Pullover] *Scheduled for release in October

This is the designer's top pick material—warm and wonderfully comfortable. The panel design at the chest is the key feature.