So how do we realize our mission: to create clothing that goes further so women can go farther? We spend a lot of time thinking about design, perfecting the fit, not compromising on fabrics, and working with the best production partners.

Thoughtful Design

We don't design a new style just because the fashion calendar or a trend dictates it. Every style we make is born from a real-life need in our own closets. And then we take it further. Every shirt also has to be extremely versatile—it isn't finished until it meets all of the following criteria:

HIGH-LOW

Does it work with everything from shorts to suiting? Can we wear it to a board meeting and to board game night?

QUICK PAIRING

Can we pair it with three or more items in our own closets in under five minutes?

MINIMALIST TO MAXIMALIST

Is it strong enough to stand alone with denim yet pared-back enough to let your statement pieces and accessories take center stage?

SOLO TO LAYERED

Does it layer well for all-year wear?

DAILY LIFE TO TRAVEL

Would it make the suitcase cut? 

This process means we develop styles more slowly than other brands, but in taking our time, we are working to build a product that is thoughtful, beautiful and versatile. Clothing that goes further.

Five Points of Fit 

The most beautiful and versatile shirt in the world is wasted if you want to take it off the minute you put it on. We want you to be so comfortable that you get dressed and never notice your clothes again (unless you pass a mirror, wink wink). No pinching underarms, rolling and re-rolling sleeves all day, or being afraid to bend over or reach up.

We do it by focusing on five points of fit.

SLEEVE LENGTH

We believe in seeing your watch, bending your arms, and avoiding sleeves in your dishwater...without having to roll (and re-roll) cuffs all day. Our long sleeves end 2-3 inches above your wrist bone—enough to remain long, without covering you jewelry or getting in the way of hand washing—and our short sleeves about an inch before your elbow so they don't bunch up when you bend your arms. We also control the volume of our sleeves so they don't drag across dirty surfaces and are easier to layer.

ARM OPENING

Are you hot natured or an anxiety sweater? We hear you. Our arm openings are designed to maximize air flow, but are structured enough to fit under a blazer or sweater. And there is never any pinching in the armpits.

BACK + CHEST WIDTH

Whether we use a bias cut to add stretch without adding volume, a rounder cut to keep fabric away from the body, or a fabric with natural stretch, our goal is to have you reaching all day with ease.

HIP WIDTH

We utilize side vents to provide movement in the hips (and avoid fabric bunching up around in the stomach area) while remaining tailored.

BODY LENGTH

We design the body long enough to provide coverage when you reach up and bend down, but not so long that it isn't flattering on the hips. In some styles, we also use graduated front-to-back lengths for additional coverage. 

Luxury Fabrics

A great fit is supposed to go unnoticed (that means it is working), but great fabric is always noticed. 

We start with fabrics made by some of the most renowned mills in Europe, whose multi-decades of experience and dedication to doing things the right way result in superior textiles. All of our mills are part of the Better Cotton Initiative.

But they have to go further. All of our fabrics must also be:

NATURAL

BREATHABLE

SOFT

SHAPE RETENTIVE

COLOR-FAST

FREE OF HAMRFUL CHEMICALS 

We only source from mills whose fabrics are OEKO-TEX certified and only use fabrics that are free from PFAS, PFOS, PFOA, PFC, DWR, and formaldehyde.

MACHINE WASHABLE

NEVER SEE THROUGH

VERSATILE HUES + PATTERNS 

We focus on colors and patterns that are classic, suitable for year-round wear, and pair with what’s already in your closet.

LOOKS AMAZING TUCKED AND UNTUCKED

They must retain their shape when untucked, while being light enough to tuck in comfortably (no extra fabric bumps) and blouse beautifully. 

CAN GO HIGH-LOW 

It has to be polished enough to pair with a suit, but still easy enough for your denim.

Want to see the fabric in person? Request a complimentary fabric swatch here.

Craftsmanship  

Nothing can be realized without our production partners. Their skills are what turn our ideas into reality, and ensure every garment is made to last.

We partner with pattern makers experienced in both haute couture and high-end ready-to-wear lines to ensure the details are both luxurious and hardworking...and that the fit is right, no matter your size. 

We partner with factories and mills who are committed to the preservation, practice, and building of their crafts. And who practice respect for their skilled workers. 

MADE IN THE U.S.

We choose to produce our shirting in the U.S. Each of our shirts is designed in Virginia, patterned in North Carolina, marked in New York, and cut and sewn in California. 

SMALL-BATCH PRODUCTION

We produce our shirts in small runs to ensure we do not produce more than we can sell. This makes our product more expensive, but it is how we feel right : about doing business.

A NOTE ABOUT PRODUCTION DURING COVID

We honored all of our production orders during COVID-19 and have paid/continue to pay all of our bills to the mills, factory, and our partners on time and in full.

Current Efforts to Reduce Waste

SMALL-BATCH PRODUCTION 

We produce our shirts in small runs. This is a mutually-beneficial arrangement for us and the factory—our order sizes respect their production capacity and ensure we do not produce more than we can sell. 

Any unsellable product, whether because of damage or imperfect production, we donate to Virginia Tech's Career and Professional Development Center for students who cannot afford interview attire.

REDUCING FABRIC WASTE

We purchase fabric in small amounts. Although this affects our economies of scale—and thus our prices—this helps to reduce potential fabric waste.

We aim to use no more than we can sell.

We proactively seek to limit waste in production by laying out the pattern markers in the most efficient way possible.

A portion of our excess fabric is made into fabric samples available for our customers. The rest is recycled. 

ENERGY-SAVING RECOMMENDED FABRIC CARE

Our fabrics are machine- and hand-washable and quick drying (most will air dry in under 1.5 hours). This reduces the energy needed to launder, eliminates the financial and environmental impacts of dry cleaning, and means that you can wash and quickly dry your clothes almost anywhere.

RECYCLED, REUSABLE, AND RECYCLABLE PACKAGING

We ship our shirts in 100% recycled poly mailers from Eco Enclose. These packages have two adhesive strips so they can be reused for product returns, or they can be recycled again.

We'd love to hear what's important to you! Please reach out to us at hello@fieldtripbrand.com.