A few years ago, I bought a yellow t-shirt that became my absolute favourite: interesting pleating and details on the neckline with just the right amount of drape made it flattering without being tight or revealing. I wore it to death. I still wear it, even though years of stains and stretch mean that it has been relegated to the not-leaving-the-house pile.
But I wanted to be able to wear it out or to work again, or something like it, so I bought a t-shirt pattern with interesting pleating at the neck and what looked like decent drape and hoped for the best.
I’m supposed to be a size 16 in this, but it is “very loose” according to the pattern description, so I went with the finished garment measurements instead and sewed up an 8/10. It’s a little snug across the shoulders but otherwise perfect. I can’t imagine this in a 16 on me. I’d have been swimming in it.
The yellow cotton knit came from Downtown Fabrics on Queen West during my April spree, and it is soft and a perfect light/medium weight.
Sewing up the pleats was a bit time consuming, but otherwise the pattern was simple and straightforward. I used knit seam stabilizer and a walking foot on the hems to make it nice and flat, and the other seams are serged. Easy peasy.
The only alteration to the basic pattern I made was with the facing: it would roll up. This is a problem I’ve noted with RTW knit tops with facings, too, so I don’t think it’s the pattern. I just tacked the facing to the pleats on the inside and serged the facing a bit narrower, and problem solved.
And yes, it’s the fancy shorts again. They are so comfortable. I’ve already worn this combo a bunch of times together. Love love love them.
Zoopolis 
Oh, interesting t-shirts that are flattering and chic are almost the Holy Grail, it seems. I’ve been schlubbing around in regular old heathered gray v-necks with fancy skirts, which is sort of dissonant.
I love that you found the perfect buttery yellow, and got your interesting seaming. Too bad for its indoors-only inspiration.
The fancy shorts ride again!
Those shorts will be riding everywhere this summer. They are so comfortable.
It’s true on the t-shirts. I find it really hard to find a good pattern for an interesting-looking knit tee. They’re either very very basic or oftentimes just weird, with lots of stuff going on. The pleating was a happy medium and it adds a bit of welcome space to the top front without being baggy or weird.