Athletic apparel within the fashion industry is often limited to the function of exercising. SweatySilk aims to address the needs of customers who might desire to wear athletic clothes throughout the day -- maybe  to stop by a coffee shop or restaurant to socialize after visiting the gym. 

The inner piece of the clothing is a sleeveless neon top and mesh shorts which can be worn during exercising. Special materials such as recycled elastic fabric and silk mesh is used for the inner piece, as ventilation and mobility are prioritized. To add to the multifunctional feature, a jacket and a wrap skirt is added to the look. As shown in the illustration, the buttons on the wrap skirt enable the wearer to easily attach it as desired. This function would expand the number of occasions in which this outfit could be worn. Also, the khaki jacket with adjustable drawstrings is made of waterproof microfiber fabric, allowing a more diverse range of active sports.

This piece also drew inspiration from the evolving role of K-pop stars in the world of fashion. Initially focused on idolizing thin bodies and dancing in dangerously high heels, the emergence of novel groups with a sportier look, such as New Jeans, has shifted the stage aesthetic to be more friendly, allowing them to wear low trainers. I aimed to extend this notion to my clothing. Moreover, it fulfilled my personal desire to create athletic wear that could seamlessly transition to more formal outings immediately after exercise, addressing the perceived informality associated with traditional athletic clothes that might attract stares in certain settings.

SweatySilk caters to socially involved businesswomen who often find themselves wearing formal attire for important occasions or long office hours. Recognizing the customers’ potential desire for more comfortable office wear and considering the current limitations in designs that meet these needs, I added the concept of deconstruction in every aspect of this clothing. This is particularly evident in its presentation, symbolizing the resistance toward overly formal and uncomfortable clothing norms. For example, five different pieces of clothing -- stretch denim, blazer, chiffon shirt, organic linen, and recycled silk  -- are physically intertwined to represent a contrasting image to the traditionally one-toned and uniformly designed “office wear.” Addressing an additional norm, I intentionally designed a sleeveless chiffon shirt. Wearing sleeveless tops in the office is not common due to its perceived inappropriateness and informality, which can be particularly discomforting in the summer within the confined air of the office. This deliberate choice thus adds to the defiant nature of challenging the need to cover up bare limbs, especially applying to women, in corporate settings. In all, I aimed to elevate the outfit’s overall level of comfort and mobility, making it suitable for customers who endure long and rigid work hours, as well as enabling them to transition into attractive clothing immediately after office hours. 

In the future, I aim to extend this notion of deconstruction to other categories of fashion attire, one particular item in focus being hoodies. After noticing the sheer number of hoodies I have owned since my teenage years, as well as their symbolic significance that carries one personal history - whether exchanged as gifts from two friends enrolling in different schools or serving as souvenirs from various parts of the words - I hope to mix and match different parts of this clothing, such as the hood. The deconstruction process would transform this typically unattractive and perceived as homely attire into a fashionable design while retaining its comfortable aspect. Moreover, I wish to redesign these seemingly ordinary hoodies to carry a more personal and unique touch, weaving the stories of the past into the present.

Besides the emphasis on comfort and hard work, being fashionable at social gatherings and parties also plays a significant part in the lives of our target customers. I aimed for our semi-formal “athledress” to be a comfortable yet unique and aesthetically pleasing party gown that incorporates an attractive dichotomous style. 

The dress’s top and inner wear would consist of three vibrantly colored elastic fabrics, which are waterproof and environmentally sustainable. The overall design resembles the materials of rashguard and yoga leggings, creating an athletic and functional look. Contrastingly, the sleeveless dress made out of layers of pink glossy plastic material and sha fabric introduces a more refined texture that complements the athletic top. The layered skirt is tailored for movement, a departure from traditional tight-fitting long skirts that restrict leg movement. 

The noticeable shine of the material and the constricted waistline evokes a sense of femininity, which, however, becomes neutralized when worn together with the innerwear top, essentially allowing for a versatile and gender-neutral look with the combined outfit. The flexibility and neutral tone of the dress also allows for easy mix-and-match with the customer’s existing attire, increasing the possibilities of outfit combinations to encourage maximum wear of this outfit while discouraging fast fashion practices. The use of eye-catching colors in the athletic top further serves as an accessory feature, adding vibrancy and visual interest to the one-colored dress while eliminating the need for wearing any additional accessories to complete the special occasion look. 

In all, we aim for the flexible combination of the more athletic top and the more delicate dress to create a semi-formal outfit that successfully represents the multifaceted image of our SweatySilk brand.