I spent a lot of my younger years trying valiantly to blend in rather than be true to my own quirky self. I grew up in a conservative town with a conservative parent where out-of-the ordinary looks were viewed askance or simply mocked. Many years and several looks later, sewing became much more of a tool and less of a hobby in my life, allowing me to better narrow down my style. I'm classic mid-1950's to early 1960's with a healthy dollop of kitsch. My style icons include Audrey Hepburn, Jean Seberg, and Jackie Kennedy. I also love the quirkiness of Pippi Longstocking and steampunk style.
Since joining Pinterest and having several boards dedicated to clothing and accessories that appeal to me, I have a visual record of the things I love.
Dresses
Given my 52 Dresses Project and the fact that most of my projects involve dresses, it's clear that I am definitely frock mad! I feel most like myself in dresses and wear them nearly everyday. Looking at the pins collected in my Fantastic Frocks board, scoop necked dressed with full skirts are my standard style. It's easy to wear and easy to customize with funky tights, a pretty cardigan, and/or unusual jewelery. Peter Pan collars pop up frequently, too.
I am a retro girl at heart. Dresses and skirts are knee- or mid-calf length in my wardrobe. Classic prints, such as polka dots and florals, are bountiful. I also have a healthy appreciation for kitschy prints, such as pies and super heroes. Solids in bright colours are another standard with feminine details like applique or ruffles. Jersey knits also appear regularly as they feel like pyjamas but look nice and neat!
Cardigans
Learning to knit has been a revelation! It was really hard going at first - I wasn't able to complete Cadence - but I kept at it and now I am happy to say that I've knit my first cardigan: Miette. The wool was a birthday gift from my friend N and it knit up a treat. I was so happy how it turned out that I am nearly finished a second one in pink bamboo blend yarn. What can I say? I love multiples!
Cardigans and shrugs (boleros) are daily wear. Long sleeve, short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve...and so on. There's nothing more versatile for me than a cardigan or shrug. They make my sleeveless and short sleeve dresses year-round wear. Peggy Sue (above) is next on my knit list and I plan to customize it to look more like a vintage fair isle cardigan. My first cable project - eek!
Skirts
If I'm not in a dress, I'm sporting a skirt. I prefer plain skirts, as I am pear-shaped, paired with bright tops. Pencil and full skirts are my favourite. I adore the femininity of swishing about in a twirly skirt and I love the tailored look of a pencil skirt. Zoe's yellow nautical skirt (above) and my denim Meringue are two of my favourites and are on heavy rotation in my wardrobe. After I saw Zoe's skirt, I zipped over to eBay and snapped up my own copy of the pattern for a song.
Tops
The Breton and Beatnik looks play heavily into my choices for tops. I absolutely adore a cheerful stripey top paired with a bright skirt. Jean Seberg captures this perfectly with her style. Colette Patterns' Jasmine blouse is also on high rotation in my wardrobe. To me, it is chic, pretty, and easy to wear and I feel it is a nod to the Jean Seberg/Audrey Hepburn/gamine look of the early 60's that I love so much.
Peter Pan collars are definitely on the standard list for me. I just love them! Complimentary or contrasting, they are just so cute and give my tops that element of kitsch and fun that I love. Polka dots, of course, are prominent in my pattern choice, as well as bold solids, and tongue-in-cheek prints like this.
How Does this Impact my Sewing?
More than anything, it enforces the fact that I'm on the right track. This is really important to me as I have made an effort over the last year to stop sewing closet orphans. Dresses, without question, are the single most worn item in my closet. I have several dresses planned for the next few months, including my lace Peony, corduroy Macaron, and slub silk Peony/Jasmine combination. Dresses make me happy and isn't that what fashion and sewing is all about?
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What's your style? What do you love to wear the most? Does it compliment what you love to sew the most?
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I must apologize for my lack of posts this week, especially since the Peony Sew-Along is in full swing! The simple truth is that I have been very busy with work (I work for a Cardiologist who is both a clinician and a researcher) and have had precious little time for blogging. However, I am most fortunate in having spectacular co-hostesses for SC2.0! Check our Erin's (aka Dr. Creepy) comprehensive list of everything you need for fitting / altering your Peony and Rochelle's terrific dart tutorial. Ever since I saw this tutorial I have been sewing my darts in the same way.
11 comments:
What a great roundup of your style essentials! I'm more than a little jealous of your knitting projects (I used to love knitting until it gave me RSI), especially since it's perfect knitting weather in Canada right now! Enough time to start AND finish a project, while still having enough cold weather left to actually wear it! Good luck, and enjoy! Cables are magical and fun, and really not difficult!
I love your style! It's so cute. I've been in a knitting mood lately too.
I am now fully embracing the clothes I love to wear. After years of working in a conservative accounting office I now work from a home office and my wardrobe is changing to reflect my personality and preferences. I love dresses too, but never had too many before - the ones I like are not really suitable for office wear. Now I am making them and have loads of plans to make more!
I knit too and have the Peggy Sue in my queue also. Cables are not as hard as they look, you will be fine :)
I love your quirky style, Sarah! So many classic looks (really, polka dots and stripes are totally classic!) plus those fun prints! :D
A Miette is also on my to-knit list (in green Merino wool) and so is the Peggy cardigan, although with the short sleeves, that may keep until spring. :)
Say hi to your cardiologist from me! ;) If I wasn't going into General Medicine, I might totally take you up on that offer (although I fear that the Canadian Medial Board might not be impressed with my German credentials... ;)
I really enjoyed reading this. Very, very fun. It's super refreshing when someone just embraces their quirkiness and owns it in their style.
As a fellow knitter, cables aren't hard in and of themselves. It's the counting to make sure you're on track with the pattern and that everything lines up that's the tricky part. I'm currently working on a sweater with a lace pattern in the body that about has me pulling my hair out because of all the counting and ripping when I get off by even one stitch. Blech.
This is a great post, Sarah, and a good breakdown of your style! And of mine because, as you know, we have very similar style and tastes!
hahaha I love that you called me "Dr." hahaha!
I like your style, Sarah! And I want to see the Miette! I wish you lived closer so I could beg you to teach me to knit! xo
That pie dress is so awesome!!! I love all of your boards on pinterest :)
What a great post, Sarah! You really have come to terms with what is you, and you´re sticking to your guns. Well done! I really want to make more dresses too, I might join you in the 52 dresses project, although I probably shouldn´t go all in with 52 (not until we´ve moved into an apartment with bigger closet space, any how…:-)
Thanks for the tip on the Peggy Sue, I´ve totally missed that pattern, and it´s so cute!
Yes, these are you exactly!! I'm always reminded of your fabulous style when I am browsing Modcloth or Ravelry - there are some pieces there that are perfect for you :) Your style is marvelous, and is so colorful! I love love love that!
Thanks for the link, I'm very pleased my yellow skirt inspired you. I really enjoyed reading this post Sarah. I love how much self-knowledge you have regarding the styles that make you feel the most comfortable and happy. I, too, have an obsession with cardigans and shrugs for layering and warmth, congrats on mastering knitting!
xxx
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