Day 4: The Greatest Print I Have Ever Seen; 3D Effect Airbrush Harlequin Printed Top

When heading to the local multiplex this Holiday season, you will be hard pressed to find a movie that is not shown in 3D. As far as filmic devices go, I find 3D to be overwrought. For the most part, it seems to be a poorly executed technique that is employed to resuscitate public interest in plotless films that would otherwise be sure fire flops. Until the trend fades, we will all be forced to sit in theaters wearing ridiculous glasses and be utterly convinced therein of the superiority of our movie-going experience.

When applied to apparel, however, I find 3D to be utterly fresh, sophisticated, and terribly clever. What am I implying, do you ask? That my #2 Black Friday Thrifting find is in some way 3D? 3D CLOTHES!? Believe it.

This find--an amazing early 90's Limited brand 3D airbrush effect harlequin printed knit top--makes it way to the #2 because it features the most amazing print design on a garment I have ever seen. *


Before I delve in to the incredible qualities of the print design, there is also the design of the garment itself that needs to be explored. The tent silhouette and chelsea collar combination is something I have never come across before. A chelsea collar, in and of itself, is pretty hard to come by in the form of anything other than something a polygamous wife might wear. That is an accomplishment of its own.

Then there is this print. First of all, it is a harlequin pattern. The harlequin pattern gets its name from its namesake character, the comedic servant in the Italian Commedia dell'arte. The pattern was utilized to emphasize the foolish, comedic qualities of the character. In other words, it is meant to look ridiculous and most often does, and is not very often utilized in non-costume fashion design anymore.

So how is that this harlequin ends up looking amazing instead of ridiculous? It comes completely out of left field, and applies an airbrush effect to it. This quality makes it very modern and inverts the history of it. Then the application of the pattern is made irregular, instead of the traditional checkerboard, and the effect created by it is 3D. Throw in a couple of choice 'pop' colors, and there you go; the very first spray paint 3D effect multi color harlequin pattern I have ever seen. All accomplished without a computer.

*This is a hyperbolic statement that I realize I will probably make repeatedly throughout the history of this blog. Please bear with me.