Reid and Taylor (India) Ltd introduced three shirt lines built around a single idea: that one shirt should do more than one job. Each takes a different route to that, and the three are worth understanding separately because the underlying techniques are still in use.
De-Attach
A three-in-one shirt ensemble built around a detachable collar. Removing or changing the collar shifts the shirt between formal and casual registers, so a single garment covers occasions that would normally need two.
The detachable collar is an old tailoring idea returned to a modern purpose. It was originally a laundry solution, since collars soil fastest and were replaced rather than washed with the shirt. Here it is used for versatility instead.
Ironfree LAMC
LAMC stands for liquid ammonia moisture control, a finishing process applied to cotton to make shirts entirely wrinkle free, soft and maintenance free.
The detail that matters is the seams. Tapered seam construction keeps the seams themselves wrinkle free and pucker free even after repeated washing. This is where most so-called wrinkle-free shirts fail: the fabric stays flat while the seams pucker, which is immediately visible along the placket and the shoulders.
Reverso
A fully reversible shirt using twin-sided fabric, with reversible collars and upturned sleeves so the garment looks as finished inside as it does outside.
Reversible construction is considerably harder than it sounds. Every seam has to be finished on both faces, there can be no interfacing that only works one way round, and pockets and plackets have to be designed so they read correctly from either side. Done properly, one shirt genuinely serves as two.
What to take from it
| Line | Technique | Problem solved |
|---|---|---|
| De-Attach | Detachable collar | One shirt covering formal and casual |
| Ironfree LAMC | Liquid ammonia finishing, tapered seams | Wrinkling in fabric and at seams |
| Reverso | Twin-sided reversible fabric | Two shirts in one garment |
Frequently asked questions
What does LAMC mean?
Liquid ammonia moisture control, a cotton finishing process used to produce wrinkle-free fabric.
Why do tapered seams matter in a wrinkle-free shirt?
Because seams pucker even when the fabric does not, and puckered seams are the most visible sign that a shirt has not been pressed.
Are detachable collars practical?
They work well for versatility. The collar has to fit precisely, since any gap at the neckband is visible.
This report dates from 2009.
