wearable shelter garment transforms into a livable tent with bags

Transformable and wearable shelter garment with tent

Shelter Wear presents a wearable outer garment that transforms into a livable tent with sleeves that double as backpacks. Created by Tokyo-based fashion student Yoon Myat Su Lin, the design concept originates from her memory of an earthquake in Myanmar, where many people were suddenly displaced and left without safe, temporary shelter. That moment stayed with her, forming the basis of a garment that functions beyond being streetwear.

Instead of looking at fashion as just a form of creative expression, she channels practicality, asking how a wearable object can support someone during a crisis. At the center of the project is a simple idea: clothing is always with the user, so why not allow it to transform into what they urgently need? This starting point leads to a design that shifts between everyday wear and emergency structure, as the wearable shelter garment converts into a tent, with its sleeves operating as backpacks. Each element is part of the same design, avoiding the need for separate items.

all images courtesy of Yoon Myat Su Lin | photos by Anatolii Ozarto

Sleeves double as backpacks for essential item storage

The wearable shelter garment with tent and backpacks, inspired by the works of fellow designer Aojie Yang, is portable, so users can wear it like any standard outerwear, carrying shelter without the weight or bulk associated with tents or emergency kits. This supports people who need mobility, especially in unpredictable environments, so if a crisis occurs, the user already has what they need on them. Then, it transforms easily, as the garment expands into a tent structure by just unclasping the buckles and unfolding the temporary structure. The way the sleeves shift into backpacks also helps users during rapid movement, as they can store basic items easily at times of distress.

The design of the wearable shelter garment with tent and backpacks is efficient, too. Instead of producing multiple separate items, fashion student Yoon Myat Su Lin merges them into a single outerwear. This not only reduces material use but also helps users carry only the essential needs during emergencies. The design supports the tent’s shape while remaining wearable when folded, and such hybridization is central to why the design received recognition at the 25th YKK Fastening Awards, earning the YKK Special Award. By embedding protection and usability into clothing, Yoon Myat Su Lin shows how fashion can react to social realities instead of trends.

view of the wearable shelter garment when folded