not as you were is to be reborn.
At Not As You Were, we believe in challenging traditional norms and pushing the boundaries of mens shirting. We are never complacent and always looking to move forward, creating the future of shirting. We are proud to be the inventors of Collargami & Cuffgami, the convertible collar & cuff system, a revolutionary design that allows you to switch up your look in a matter of seconds.
Not as you were is a men’s shirting label focused on creating timeless pieces that are modern, sophisticated and unique. We don’t just want to dress you, we want to help you make a statement. Our shirts are made with the finest fabrics and attention to detail, allowing you to stand out from the crowd.
We’ve created a collection of shirts that not only look good, but also feel good. Our collection reflects our commitment to quality and style, and we’re proud to provide our customers with the perfect shirt for any occasion.
Converting the Collar
Collargami (Convertible Collar) is a wardrobe essential, a standard collar that converts into many collar styles without eliminating the use of traditional necktie accessories allowing one shirt to transition from one environment to the next. One can go from Tuxedo to denim.
Uncovering style,
one design at a time
Charles A Johnson II is a fashion designer born in Detroit, Michigan who always had a passion for creating beautiful things. His carpentry background and eye for detail made fashion design an easy transition. After studying fashion design and bespoke shoe making in New York City, he showed his women's collection at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week of New York City (The Tents) as a student.
Charles is a two-time patent holder in the fashion industry, and worked at Barneys New York Madison Avenue for 5 years. His passion for creating stunning clothes and accessories is evident in his work and he is sure to make an impact in the fashion world.
We've partnered with the Albini Group
The Albini Group strives to continue a legacy built over 140 years ago, that of creating the best fabrics in the world. We thrive through embracing the culture of quality, innovation and Made in Italy excellence.
Contact for licensing
We are now looking to license the convertible collar and cuff patents to a company that is dedicated to making high quality shirts. We believe this patent has the potential to drastically improve the quality of conventional shirts, and are excited to see the impact it will make.