I was cruising through one of my Lutterloh books, when I found this rather nice design for a shirt from the ’60s.

I was drawn to the opposing stripes and knew that I had just the fabric for it in my stash – a lovely black and white striped cotton/spandex shirting from Tessuti’s Melbourne.

I immediately set about making it, adding short sleeves and working out where to put the pockets (Lutterloh aren’t very helpful about these tiny design details). I put the whole thing together (in draft form) and, very pleased with myself, I set out to find an admirer.

I found Archie studying in the kitchen and asked what he thought. Hmmm, he looked at me, looked down at his computer, looked at me and… grinned! When I asked what was wrong he told me that I had just made an exact replica of a basketball umpire’s uniform! Noooo! Mean brat! Feeling quite discombobulated I flounced back into the sweatshop and thought about it – Oh my giddy aunt! What to do? Right, find girly buttons. I bought these buttons several years ago when I was trying to revisit my Mary Quant days. OK, they’re not Mary Quant, but they are very cute. It is nice to use them.

I then took the time to peruse Google images – he lied! Basketball umpires do wear black and white stripes, but the stripes are wider, they all point in the same direction and they wear t-shirts. Revenge being plotted…

Getting back to my (non-umpirelike) shirt – I thought I might take in the sides to create a less boxy shape. This also had the effect of reducing those rather alarmingly pointy bust darts. These, of course, were a feature in the ’60s when we wore those amazing rubber Madonna-like bras (mine filled with socks – sorry, too much information, but it needs to be said!).

Anyway, here is the finished item:

You will note that I have had a hair cut – this is what happens when one gives the hairdresser carte blanche. I have to say that it is certainly no longer “mumsy”! These photos were taken early in the morning and I had just washed it and it is therefore somewhat exuberant!

Clearly I am not good at dressing myself – the leg of my jeans is all caught up in the boots!

Do I love this shirt? I am not sure. It might be useful to wear with a white pencil skirt or white cigarette pants – we will see.

The details:

Lutterloh shirts from a 1964 pattern

Fabric is cotton/spandex mix from Tessuti, Melbourne

Jeans are by Stella McCartney from Elle, Nedlands

Socks (hidden) knitted by me

Boots are Paul Green