Introducing Modern Clothing

Clark retreated to his bedroom, closing the door behind him as he let out a deep breath. He had just made a bold declaration to his employees—one that could either propel the Drennan Tailoring Shop to unprecedented success or completely backfire. But that was the nature of innovation. Risks had to be taken.

He pulled up a chair and sat at the wooden desk near the window. The desk was relatively clean, save for a few old scrolls and writing materials left behind by the previous Cornelius. It was strange—he could still feel some remnants of Cornelius's habits, an eerie yet useful sensation. Even though he had been a mechanical engineer in his past life, the muscle memory in his hands knew exactly how to sketch and conceptualize clothing.

Cornelius had been trained in tailoring, after all.

Clark grabbed a quill, an inkpot, and a blank sheet of parchment. He briefly examined the tools—rudimentary, but they would do. He had to make sure his designs were clear enough for the tailors to follow.

Before sketching, Clark organized his thoughts. Modern fashion had evolved over centuries, with each improvement based on three key factors—comfort, functionality, and style. The medieval world he was in relied mostly on functionality and durability, but the people still desired beauty in their garments.

For underwear, the primary concerns were fit, breathability, and discretion. He needed to develop something that would feel natural to wear under traditional medieval garments while setting the foundation for a fashion revolution.

The first things he would introduce:

Men's underwear: Boxers and briefs.

Women's underwear: Bloomers and panties. 

Undergarments for support: A precursor to the modern bra, comfortable but still practical.

He dipped the quill in ink and began sketching.

Clark started with boxers. The medieval world had nothing close to modern elastic waistbands, so he had to rely on drawstrings or buttoned closures.

He outlined the boxers in a loose-fit design, made from lightweight linen or soft cotton, ensuring breathability. The seams would need reinforcement to prevent fraying, and he made a note to add a double-layered front panel for additional comfort and durability.

Next, he worked on briefs. These needed a snugger fit, which meant he had to use a slightly stretchable weave of fabric. Since elastics weren't available yet, he would experiment with woven bands to create a similar effect.

He scribbled a quick note: "Test elastic alternatives—possibly leather threading or layered cotton bands for flexibility."

Women's medieval undergarments were often long chemises, not practical for modernized fashion. Clark needed something more fitted yet modest, ensuring it wouldn't seem too scandalous.

For bloomers, he designed a mid-thigh length garment, with lace-up sides or buttoned closures for adjustment. He made them looser around the thighs, allowing better movement while ensuring discretion under dresses.

Next is panties. Would they be too bold for this world? Too scandalous?

He had already decided to introduce boxers and briefs for men, along with bloomers for women, which were close enough to what already existed. But panties—as in fitted, comfortable underwear that women could wear discreetly under their clothes—was an entirely different matter.

Yet, something told him this was a risk worth taking. If executed correctly, panties could be an immediate game-changer in how women dressed. 

Next.

Corsets were the go-to for women, but they were restrictive. Clark had to design something that provided support without suffocating the wearer.

He sketched an early concept of a soft support garment—similar to a bandeau. This could be secured with adjustable laces rather than rigid boning. He also designed a shoulder-strap version with a cross-lace back for better fit.

"This will evolve into a modern bra one day, but for now, let's ease them into it," he thought.

Now that he had the designs, he needed the right materials. He listed a few fabric options based on what was available:

Cotton – Breathable and lightweight, but harder to source in large quantities. Ideal for undergarments.

Linen – Widely available, slightly coarse, but good for durability.

Silk (for premium sets) – Expensive, but nobles might pay extra for comfort.

Clark took a step back and looked at his work. The sketches were simple but clear and precise. Thanks to Cornelius's muscle memory, the lines were fluid, the measurements reasonable.

Clark stacked the sheets and exhaled. It had taken a few hours, but the first step toward revolutionizing fashion was now on paper.

He tapped the parchment, a smirk forming. "This is it. The start of something big."

Tomorrow, he would present the designs to his team.

And with that, the fashion revolution would begin.