Comme des Garçons Ruffle Chest Tank

A tank top is pulled on. That single fact governs almost everything about how tanks are cut, because the opening has to be large enough for a head and shoulders to pass through, which puts a ceiling on how closely the neckline and the armhole can be shaped. Putting a zipper down the back removes the ceiling. The garment can now be cut to a fixed shape and closed around the body afterward, which is what allows a regular fit that is genuinely regular rather than approximately so. What that precision is in service of is the front: ruffled panels laid across the chest, which need a stable, well-fitted ground to sit on or they collapse into fussiness. And the back is sheer, so the whole construction is front-loaded. Approached from one direction it is a considered, built garment; approached from the other it is almost nothing at all.

We liked that it is two completely different garments depending on which way you are facing, and that the ruffles are structural rather than decorative.

The main line frequently gives a garment one finished side and one unfinished one, and a tank that is built at the front and sheer at the back is that idea at its most wearable.

One hundred percent polyester. Made in Japan. Regular fit, with ruffled panels on the front, a sheer back, and a zipper closure at the back. Color: black.

Regular fit, which here means genuinely fitted rather than loose, and a back zipper means it is sized to the body rather than pulled over it. Size at the chest. The ruffled panels add a little depth at the front, so allow for them if you are between sizes.

Under the Layered Organdy Jacket or the Layered Organza Jacket, where a sheer over a sheer back is the most interesting version. With the Wide Pleated Trousers. Under the Crispy Organy Button-Up.

Wash cool, in a bag, with the zipper closed so it does not catch the ruffles, and do not iron the front. A hot plate flattens a synthetic ruffle permanently. Hang to dry. Our care guidance covers the rest.

The Ruffle Chest LS Button Up carries a shredded ruffle panel into a long-sleeved shirt. There is more on the house on the Comme des Garçons designer page. Everything we carry from Comme des Garçons is listed together.