Introduction
Sportswear Classics
No type of clothing is so closely associated with America as clean, simple, functional
sportswear. The continual refinement and re-contextualization of classics, such as the
shirtdress or shirtwaist, have made sportswear perennially popular. Halston’s best-selling
garment was his version of the shirtdress, made from a wrinkle-free and machine-washable
synthetic.
Halston modernized the shirtdress by dropping the buttons to
reveal the wearer’s clavicle, and refining the garment’s lines to
insure a slim, flattering silhouette.
American designers today continue to adapt the shirtdress to
their visions. Bruno Grizzo’s denim version is shortened and
flared, but is instantly recognizable as a classic shirtdress. The
use of denim, another American element, reinforces its impact.
