Back-of-the-pickup tunic (Men’s shirt refashion)

Recently, while surfing the web, I came across this cute tunic, billed as the “back-of-the-pickup” tunic, from Modcloth. So, I decided to do a copycat refashion with a men’s shirt I had on hand.

The advertising copy for the tunic was just so inspiring:

As you hop into the bed of your BFF’s pickup truck, you’re oh-so glad to be wearing such a downright adorable sleeveless tunic! … Style this tunic with strappy sandals and a pleated cotton skirt on those days when you just feel like taking a well-deserved scenic drive.

I was ready to jump on board. Although I didn’t have a chambray shirt at hand, I did have this thrifted patterned silk shirt, that gave me much the same summer feeling.

To make my new tunic, I chopped off the sleeves and marked two points where I wanted the straps to go. I cut the back of the shirt straight across from armhole to armhole.

 I separated the collar from the yoke of the shirt and cut it in half—like so…

….and pinned it to the shirt like this (starting at the buttons) before sewing a seam all the way around the garment.This is how I pinned the collar to the rest of the shirt.

From the remaining fabric, I made two tunnel straps, turned them right-side out, and attached them to the points of the shirt. I purposely made them thicker than the spaghetti straps from Modcloth because I don’t like visible bra straps. And I fitted the tunic by turning it inside out and taking in the side seams.

 And voila. Here is my finished version. Since I don’t have a pickup (and neither does my BFF), I call mine the “back-of-the-bus” tunic.

As you hop into the back of the non-air-conditioned bus, you’re oh-so glad to be wearing such a downright adorable sleeveless tunic! …

Now, if only summer would arrive (and the bus), I’d be all set.