Far East Manufacturing introduces two new versions of the “UTILITY SHIRT.”
Both share the same FEM-002 pattern, but each has a completely different character through its choice of fabric and color.
The first is the UTILITY SHIRT NAVY, featuring a deep navy tone with an almost eggplant-like richness.
The second is the UTILITY SHIRT Herringbone, made from indigo-dyed cotton herringbone.
Although the silhouette is the same, the different fabrics give each shirt a noticeably different appearance and feel when worn.
Based on a 1950s Utility Shirt
The UTILITY SHIRT is based on utility shirts adopted by the U.S. military from the 1940s through the 1970s.
FEM focused specifically on 1950s examples, when these shirts still retained a strong jacket-like character.
The body has a clean silhouette with a slightly shaped waist.
At the same time, the tubular sleeves are cut with enough room to preserve that distinctive jacket-like feel, allowing the piece to work not only as a shirt but also as a lightweight outer layer.
Deep NAVY with a Hint of French Workwear
The UTILITY SHIRT NAVY is made from FEM's original cotton back satin.
Rather than a conventional dark navy, this color has a deep, slightly eggplant-like tone that brings to mind classic French workwear.
The color also highlights the natural slub and subtle surface irregularities of the back satin fabric.
Although the design originates from military utility wear, the NAVY version has a calmer, slightly more refined workwear appearance than the traditional olive version.
The color is deep and subdued when new, but gradually fades through repeated wear and washing.
Natural wear will begin to appear around seams, sleeves, and areas where the fabric creases, gradually creating the dimensional character associated with well-worn back satin.
Model: 168cm / 62kg / Wearing Size M
Soft and Comfortable INDIGO HERRINGBONE
The UTILITY SHIRT Herringbone, on the other hand, is made from indigo-dyed cotton herringbone.
Herringbone has long been associated with both workwear and military garments, but despite its rugged appearance, the fabric used for this shirt is exceptionally soft.
It feels comfortable from the beginning and settles naturally against the body.
The fine herringbone weave combined with the depth of indigo creates a fabric with considerable visual texture, becoming even more interesting when viewed up close.
With repeated wear and washing, the indigo will gradually fade and natural highlights will begin to appear around seams and areas of creasing.
As the color fades, the herringbone weave becomes increasingly pronounced, allowing the fabric to develop a completely different character from when it was new.
Model: 168cm / 62kg / Wearing Size M
The Same Silhouette, Two Completely Different Expressions
Although the NAVY and Herringbone versions share the same UTILITY SHIRT pattern, they look noticeably different when placed side by side.
The NAVY version has a calm appearance influenced by the deep color and slubby texture of its back satin fabric, giving it a subtle French workwear feel.
The Herringbone version places greater emphasis on the fabric itself, with the distinctive weave creating a stronger traditional workwear character.
Both are rooted in military utility shirts, but neither feels like a direct reproduction of military clothing. Their balance makes them easy to incorporate naturally into everyday outfits.
A Natural Match with Jeans
The UTILITY SHIRT works particularly well with denim.
The Herringbone version creates an indigo-on-indigo combination when paired with jeans, but the difference between denim and herringbone textures keeps the look from becoming flat or monotonous.
The NAVY version also pairs naturally with dark denim, and a simple white or natural-colored T-shirt underneath is enough to create a well-balanced outfit.
Both versions can be worn on their own as shirts or layered over a T-shirt or cut-and-sew top as lightweight shirt jackets, making them especially useful during seasonal transitions.
SIZE
Available in sizes S through XXL.
In both styling videos, the model is 168cm tall and weighs 62kg, wearing size M in both NAVY and INDIGO HERRINGBONE.
Detailed garment measurements and measuring instructions are available on each product page.
Choose the version that best suits your style and enjoy watching the fabric develop its own character through years of wear.
Far East Manufacturing
UTILITY SHIRT NAVY
FEM-002
Far East Manufacturing
UTILITY SHIRT Herringbone
FEM-002