first things first, i owe everyone a huge apology for leaving this last (promised) installment hanging for so long… i had surgery last week (rather intrusive and painful, but not life threatening, so it’s unnecessary to turn your “poor diana” meters above a 6 at this point.) and no matter how prepared you think you are, you’re just not.
so…here it finally is though. the last installment. and i’ve finally posted my own “style concept” like i promised i would back when dinosaurs and grandparents ruled the earth, so if you’re interested you can read it. and if you’ve written one of your own that you’d like to share, please let me/everyone here know! i’d love to see what’s inspiring the rest of the planet right now…in my quest to create the ultimate closet-of-compatibility, i’ve pulled together these vintage patterns from my embarrassingly large stash for inspiration. they seem to merge all the lanes i’ve been exploring throughout this process – simplicity, distinct style and individually interesting pieces which also compliment each other when worn together. i feel like they also hold some of that “timelessness” i was pondering before, without crossing the line into shudder-territory. (please ignore the stains/tears/teeth marks on the patterns… they’re old, they came from thrift stores and they’ve been loved. and in some cases, tasted.)
how many places could you wear any of these pieces this summer and instantly be the most perfectly-dressed girl on the block? everywhere.
sleeveless? not sleeveless? maxi? mid-length? over pants? with a belt? without? over blouses? by itself? in my next wardrobe reincarnation, my closet will be filled only with variations of this dress.
buttonless jackets, jumpsuits and cute little skirts. um, these would be the first three of my seven pieces…
sigh… if someone else hadn’t already taken a bite out of this pattern, i probably would have , just out of pure adoration. it’s the compatibility of these pieces with each other that really attract me to them right now. the jackets and blouses work with the skirts, the pants and the jumpsuits, but it isn’t done in an overly cutesy, too matching sort of way.
ok, so now back to you… what do you think? i’m craving feedback on this subject, since i’ve been obsessing over it for quite some time now. please share your thoughts! (and happy planning!)
xo
God in heaven, I MUST have that second dress! The sleeveless version, only mini length! Can you imagine??? The cuteness just might kill me.
Thanks, Diana! Great post!
deary me, were the patterns included? I totally need to make of the dresses. Right now. or maybe I need dinner first.. No sewing on an empty stomach I know!
I love all of these! The first pattern has to be my favorite, though — that little white sundress variation could be my dream summer outfit (I am obsessed with little white sundresses). And the striped shirt over the white shorts? Awesome.
I love 70′s work-type separates! The little onesie in the third pattern is adorable and gasp! very classy, and the 2nd pattern is to die for, especially the beige one with the belted waist. I’d LOVE to make that one!
I love the dress styles of the second pattern and the big wide leg pants on the last one. Are you planning on making all these? Coincidentally, I picked up some 60′s & 70′s vintage patterns myself this past weekend and plan to post them in the next day or two. I love when you find the originals of what current fashion is based on. It seems the copy is never quite lives up to the expectation.
Great patterns! Come over in another day and check mine out if you want.
http://www.thefancier.com
august: i am SO coming over to look at your patterns! and yes, i am “planning” on making all these… actually doing it is a different story…
elissa: i know! a classy onesie! i’ve made it three times so far, trying to iron out all the kinks. (the pattern came in a size 400 or something, so i’ve had to do a LOT of re-drafting.) i’ve been out of school for a couple years now, and sadly, my drafting skills have gotten rusty. but it WILL be done!
baraginie: yes, patterns included! woo hoo! (i’m guilty of sewing on an empty stomach too… which can’t be worse than grocery shopping.)
thanks guys!
xo
I love love love vintage patterns…they’re one of my favourite charity shop finds…and these ones are gorgeous, will be fab to see the finshed product, but yes “planning” and “doing” are two different things with me too!
i love the seven easy pieces segmet, it was such a great idea. it’s wonderful to find new things to invigorate your outer life and inner self! (p.s. come do a thrift trade on long island!)
Your link to your style concept is not working. I would love to know what you developed.
thanks for pointing that out! tech difficulties
i’ll fix it. in the meantime, you can link to it here
These are all really great patterns. I have recently found momspattern.com and plan on doing all my shopping there this year not buying any new clothes in 2009). Could you perhaps tell me the pattern brand, number, and maybe year of the dress pattern #2? It is so amazing.