Wait no longer, friends!
The revolutionary new men's garment is here. It's called the BOXTOP, and you can see me model one right now.
OK, I know what you're thinking: isn't the BOXTOP just another version of that funsy onesie, the French calchemise (below)?
Oh, puleeze! There are a great many differences, but to reveal them would allow my competitors to steal my ideas. I'm not naive.
No doubt many of you are wondering where you can purchase your BOXTOP. Patience, patience. First, I need to get a sense of what the market for this garment really is.
I ask you:
1) Would you (if you're male) or the man in your life actually wear a BOXTOP?
2) If you answered yes to Question 1, would you wear it without pants?
3) If you answered no to Question 1, what's the deal breaker?
4) How do you like the name? (Does it look too much like BOTOX?)
Do let me know.
BTW, with the exception of the buttonholes, I made the BOXTOP entirely on my Janome Hello Kitty sewing machine.
Have a great day, everybody!
 |
| Like I always say, Nihil sub sole novum. |
The BOXTOP for a name is genius. As to the rest see my comment on the Mood Sewing Network.
ReplyDeleteThe name is fine for anglophiles, and I think a lot of English speaking guys would consider calchemise to be a slightly effeminate name for a male garment. However...
ReplyDelete1. Maybe, I know he'd like to have things that stayed tucked in, but I'm not sure this entirely woven option would go down well
2. Definitely not, under any circumstances! (and if he did, I would probably pretend I didn't know him...)
3. If not, it would be because none of the men in my life like woven boxers, they prefer a bit of stretch.
The name is heaven, but I remain, alas, unconvinced by the garment. I might not mind one around the house, but would then prefer short-sleeves, at which point one is basically a grown man in a romper, which seems unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteSo to answer the questions:
1. Probably not.
2. As above, but in the unlikely event, only with trousers.
3. A combination of the complexities of fit and, with my own physique, the unlikeliness that it would be flattering, and the necessities of life (I'm a middle-aged man; I'd have to take it off up to three times a day).
4. ADORE the name, though - if anything's going to put this over it, will be that.
Maybe I need a version strictly for tidying up one's home -- perhaps with a removable apron... ;)
DeleteNow you're talking - a man's French maid outfit for the 21st century!
DeleteI don't think guys look good in dresses or skirts and I'd wear a Utilikilt before wearing one of these. The calchemise/boxtop presents unnecessary difficulties and looks bad, especially from behind.
ReplyDeleteWell, you asked!
Nihil sub sole novum indeed.
ReplyDeleteBut this advertising campaign of yours, now THAT I'd buy!
The problem is laundering. I like to launder underwear in hot water, and shirts in warm (or dryclean). Because of this, shirts typically have a longer shelf life, and underwear will last 1-2 years at most. I like the idea of this, but it just does not seem practical.
ReplyDeleteI have just looked up the French site where you have got your previous photos from. Cal comes from Caleçon, which is boxer short in French and Chemise is shirt of course. So these are meant to incorporate the two garments together, not a bad idea if you like wearing boxers. I should imagine that they are comfortable to wear, but for me they work best under a pair of trousers, if you wore them by themselves you would be open to ridicule and people might think that you are wearing your underwear! My opinion of course and everyone is justified to have theirs.
ReplyDeleteI own a body that looks like a slim fitted blouse on top, but then has corton jersey bottom that snaps close between ones legs. It's a blouse that never untucks! And I find it pretty damn great.
ReplyDeleteSo, I do believe that worn with pants, it's a great thing.
As for it being worn by it self... Mhmmm
I do not know...maybe in few years it will be the new normal?
Bravo Peter! I was secretly wishing you sew your version of the Calchemise! Boxtop is a genius name! I personaly found your result nicer because of the choice of fabric. I find refined. My husband would never use it though. Maybe I am a fashion craze, but I like such experiment and I definitely like the Boxtop. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI owe you a debt of gratitude, Andrea. If you hadn't told me about the calchemise two weeks ago, none of this would have happened. Just look what you set into motion!
DeleteThe response from the guys in my life is a resounding "No way!". Clever name, though. :)
ReplyDeleteNot very attractive on men. Would rather see a kilt, a pair of decent shorts, or a jumpsuit.
ReplyDeleteFor an all-male review of Newsies, maybe.
ReplyDeleteThere is something almost juvenile to the silhouette, and on an adult man, it speaks of things one does not want to hear.
A man skirt, or high-waisted palazzo pants, may be edgy, but this is an unfortunate blending of dressy, romper-ish, and a dream only to the bathroom stall contortionists among us.
Not a boxtop worth saving.
First thought: Crikey!
ReplyDeleteHowever, I can think of some nice things to say:
- easy salvage job - the boxtop would yield a very nice shirt
- the project fits with the MPB slogan
- you are one intrepid explorer
Spud.
I actually really like the idea! My DH complains that his shirts come untucked, AND he refuses to use the washroom at work for anything yhat would necessitate removing his whole outfit... so this could be perfect.... hmmmm you may have started something awesome (and, your name for it is much more palatable!)
ReplyDeleteBasically a man romper, just what us guys need for the summer! Can't wait to make one for me, NOT! I'll stick to my Star Wars tee shirts and black cargo shorts; anything chambray will be made into a cowboy shirt.
ReplyDeleteOkay, here's my two cents! First of all the Arrow man ad is the bomb! Love it! The way it's presented there looks viable. One of the reasons being is that the shorts part is longer in length........too short and what you end up with resembles a juvenile romper, plain and simple!
ReplyDeleteAt the very least you like the fact that he's showin' some leg (I know you scorpioninblue!!! You're a leg man.).
DeleteWhat's so intriguing about the Arrow man is way his legs are showing....that buttoned look up or down is smoking!
Delete[exasperated exhale]
DeleteIf for no one else's sake, then for my own - please, keep it clean.
Well, I must say, the Arrow Shirt Suit ad is surprisingly sexy. Although if you Google Union Suit, you get some pretty interesting photos of all sorts. A wonderfully humorous exercise, but I am afraid any "sensational" reports with respect to the style's popularity in "Southern Europe" or even the "South of France" are only designed to malign the progressive nature of Europeans. Please veriy your sources before spreading such rumors! However, let it be known, that I intend to make one of these for my spouse - out of an old worn out sheet... that rips easily... after a little fois gras and a bottle of champagne. Thanks for the inspiration. BC
ReplyDeleteI think the Arrow shirt man is kinda hot, myself.
DeleteHi Peter,
ReplyDeleteI work for Aceville Publications and I'm currently putting together a piece about stitching bloggers for an upcoming magazine. I'd love to be able to feature your blog. If you'd be interested, can you drop me an email at kerry.heron@aceville.co.uk? I can give you more information then.
Thanks!
Kerry
Boxtop is an improvement over calchemise on the name for this garment. And you did your usual high quality work on it. And I know absolutely no men who would be caught in one, in public, without pants.
ReplyDeleteIf you made the front placket just a bit longer, would you have to disrobe for bathroom calls?
The idea of boxshirt is valid, if we still treat the shirt as underwear... Than, all of a sudden, it makes sense! Very sexy underwear! Love it! Thanks
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear what the editor-in-chiefs of GQ, L'uomo Vogue and Details magazines think of the calchemise!
ReplyDeleteIf the BOXTOP does become a great sucess, surely the next product from your boxtop empire will be books for men on how to get gorgeous legs. I'm ok with that.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this!!! I want the pattern to make my own!!!! Perfect, I would totally wear it without pants, but may keep a spare in my car if it gets a bit brisk or I've got somewhere fancy to be later, a great transition garment!
ReplyDeleteI'd wear one if it were longer, had belt loops for a belt, and had buttons on the inseams - not snaps. I just want to feel a little more protected from anything from (ahem) bursting out when I bend down.
ReplyDeleteOriginal looking, but--odd. No straight man I know would wear this at any time to any place. As a summer playsuit, with fewer shirt details and more shorts than underwear details on the bottom, maybe, at the beach. Tee shirt plus swim trunks? Fashion for many men is not a play activity, but a conformity exercise, requiring cover for the family jewels. But hey, change only happens if the creative among us are willing to experiment. Ask Amelia Bloomer.
ReplyDeleteKris
I only know of one man who wore something similar, but it was made out of leathery fabric, had top stitching, no buttons, a zip, belt and pockets and it was longer. Basically a shortened version of the jumpsuit.
ReplyDeleteSorry it looks too much like a kid's outfit. And then you have the problem of long sleeves and short shorts. It is just off-putting.
ReplyDeletei keep looking at the ad art and it baffles me. why are there buttons on the outside of the leg instead of the inside? is this man built differently from the men i know? or are there buttons in both places? if there are, then do you get it on by pulling it over your head (sorry - that image is too funny! i couldn't help myself.) how far down do the shirt buttons go in the front or are the side buttons used as a fly? let's hope not. also, in the ad there seems to be something - another layer? - under the boxer part. you can see it at the top of the leg button opening and as an opaque layer under the shorts at the very top. what do you think that is? the construction of the original fascinates me even though i can see why it never left the ground. or maybe it did leave the ground. in my opinion this is a combination of a work of superior tailoring by peter lappin and a failed fashion statement by arrow shirts. in my house it's been great dining table conversation, all of the same opinion.
ReplyDeleteHi, Barbara. I don't know much more about that Arrow garment than you do. I assume the buttons are on only one side and when you need to sit down on a toilet, you slide the bottom part over to the side (guessing here). My hunch is that the front buttons look like the ones on my boxtop, going from the ceneter top to the bottom of the fly. I suspect that extra layer you refer to is just for modesty in the ad. I'd love to see that garment in person!
Deletei'd love to meet the person who designed this garment and not shake his/her hand.
DeleteOk, bravo once again, Peter. You have made my day with this creation. I am very familiar with this garment as I am currently raising a baby boy and once the weather turned, it was all collared, woven onesies everyday. From now on, we will adopt "calchemise" over "onesie". As for "boxtop", I initially read "boxy top", and thought you'd made some sort of Chanel jacket shaped shirt.
ReplyDeleteI would really love to know how YOU feel when you're wearing it. Comfortable and confident? If so, I would bet that many more men would too.
If I had a man who would indeed wear this, I would love him eternally and parade him up and down the Highline. For now, I'll just use my baby for that. 😄
Thanks for the kind words, Mary. I love my boxtop and find it extremely comfortable to wear. Without pants, however, you definitely need underwear. One can feel a bit naked without it as I'm sure you can imagine!
Delete1) Yassssss! I love it! I really love it!
ReplyDelete2) Absolutely! YES!
4) Amazing!
I really want one! Or I really want some sort of tutorial or pattern to follow along and make one! Please let there be one in the future!!!! I'm very serious. Please!!!