koto's take on the shirt silhouette.
At koto, we select a variety of brands and products from Japan and abroad.
However, when we consider the styles we want to propose at any given time, there are sometimes gaps that cannot be filled by the selected items alone.
"Right now, this is what I want."
"If I had this item, this style would work."
koto's original products begin with such sentiments.
What we want to create is not clothing that makes a strong statement on its own.
Rather, it's something that fits in among various products, connecting their individualities and completing the overall style.
It's like a "supporting actor" in styling.
That's why, especially for items that appear basic at first glance, we prioritize the quality of the garment itself, focusing on the silhouette, material, and construction.
The silhouette
When creating this shirt, the most important aspect was the silhouette.
It had to be sharp and clean, while beautifully showcasing the body's lines.
However, simply being slim wasn't enough.
Among the European shirts we've encountered over the years, some possess a sharp balance that beautifully enhances the body's lines.
Taking that elegance as a starting point, we aimed to also achieve the comfort needed for an everyday shirt.
Therefore, while allowing for moderate room in the body and armholes, we adjusted the balance to maintain the overall sharp impression.
Not too relaxed, not too tight.
It should flatter the body while being effortless to put on.
We created this shirt's silhouette by exploring that comfortable balance in between.
Details
At first glance, it's a very simple shirt.
However, upon closer inspection of the details, there are a few subtle differences.
The collar is slightly larger than a typical shirt.
Yet, we've balanced it so that the collar itself doesn't overpower, blending naturally with various styles.
There are seven buttons on the front.
The cuffs feature small slits.
None of these are obvious design elements at first glance.
It looks like a familiar shirt, yet it's subtly different.
It's a difference only noticeable upon closer inspection.
What we wanted to create wasn't a shirt where the details themselves are the main focus, but one that subtly enhances the wearer and the products paired with it, leaving a slight individuality in the details.
We've added design elements with that kind of understated approach.
Fabric & Production
The fabric used is a blend of 85% cotton and 15% wool.
It's a plain weave fabric made from 30-count pre-dyed yarn, offering the ease of care and feel of cotton with the elegant texture unique to wool.
Rather than a uniform and flat appearance, the subtle interplay of warp and weft yarns gives this simple shirt fabric a sense of depth.
Production is handled by a specialized shirt factory in Kyushu.
We believe that for simple garments, the precision of the stitching and tailoring directly reflects the overall appearance of the clothing.
That's why, with koto's original products, we refuse to compromise not only on design but also on the techniques used to bring them to life.
Through the reliable sewing techniques of a domestic specialized shirt factory, we transform our envisioned silhouettes and meticulous details into a single shirt.
How to wear
There's no fixed way to wear this shirt.
You can wear it classically, with the buttons neatly fastened, utilizing the shirt's inherent silhouette.
Or, you can fasten only a few buttons for a more relaxed look.
In summer, incorporating it into a relaxed style with shorts or sandals can slightly smarten up the overall look.
Conversely, I think it also works well paired with impactful pants or products, serving as a backdrop to embrace their individuality.
We deliberately haven't given the shirt itself a strong design.
This is because we see it not as a garment to complete a style on its own, but as clothing that refines a style through its relationship with the products before and after it.
It comes in three sizes: 1, 2, and 3.
Size 1 is also designed for women, so it's essentially proposed as unisex.
Even with the same garment, its appearance changes depending on who wears it, what size they choose, and what they pair it with.
Its role changes according to each wearer's lifestyle and personality.
We hope you enjoy this shirt, including that element of versatility.
koto original products
koto's original products are not separate from our curated selections.
We consider the styles we want to propose at that moment, and if something essential is missing, we create it ourselves.
Not to be the main attraction, but to fit between garments and connect a style.
This shirt, too, was born from that idea.
It's not finished when we make it; it becomes complete when it enters someone's daily life and becomes part of their unique style.
That's the kind of product we aim for.
Thierry Shirt
COTTON 85% / WOOL 15%
MADE IN JAPAN
koto
20 Rengezo-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
12:00–19:00 / Closed Wednesdays