These clothes by Dutch designer Jeffrey Heiligers are structured to correct poor posture caused by slouching while typing.
To create a solution to back problems when hunched over a desk or laptop, Jeffrey Heiligers designed a collection of men's clothing that encourages wearers to adopt better body positions by tightening around back when shoulders are slumped.
"I engineered a tailor-made remedy that corrects poor posture, nowadays very common amongst the digital generation, not by constraining the muscles, but by training them," Heiligers told Dezeen.
The Posture range includes cotton shirts, felted cardigans and knitted wool jumpers that are all constructed differently to normal garments.
"Posture offers a solution integrated in the clothes you wear," said Heiligers. "By repositioning the seams in such a way that they start to feel uncomfortable when hunching, it stimulates you to sit up straight."
To develop his collection, Heiligers worked with a physiotherapist to identify standing and seating positions that cause back, neck and shoulder pain.
He then cut the fabric across the back so the clothes tighten slightly and become uncomfortable when the wearer slumps their shoulders forward.
This is intended to remind the wearer to adjust their body position, eventually training them to sit or stand up straight all the time.
"I would like the fashion industry to be inspired by the blueprint I created and them to buy/adopt it to prevent upper back problems in the future," he said. "The more the clothes are used, the less they are needed."
Heiligers chose a minimal palette of colours, including white, grey and navy, to create a collection that he would wear everyday.
"My aesthetic is clean and simple," he said. "I used white cotton for the blueprint to not draw away the attention of the simple lines I created."
"Adapting the theory into what I wear, the material and colour choices are very personal," Heiligers added.
Photography is by Daantje Bons.
Project credits:
Physiotherapist: Tanya Verhoeven
Models: Orfeas Lyras, Fraser McPhee