Sunday, July 25, 2010

Planning for fall

It's still July but I'm thinking about wool - specifically, a scrumptious piece of feather-light wool/cashmere blend of which I have just enough for a sheath dress, and a coordinating, amazing, hard but light and airy pure wool for a jacket (I probably have enough to eke out a skirt as well).

The colour is blue - a greyish but still blue blue.  I purchased the cashmere blend in Toronto at the Wool House on Queen Street West (highly recommended, if you're in Toronto) and the coordinating fabric in Montreal at PR Weekend at Couture Elle (highly recommended, if you're in Montreal).  I gave my little swatch of the Toronto wool to the guy in Montreal and asked him to recommend a coordinating fabric (finding coordinating jacket fabric for 2 dress lengths was another of my shopping goals for the weekend).  He strode decisively to a high stack of bolts, pulled one out, placed the swatch on top and ... TA DA!  Perfect, first time.  This guy is amazing.



Is it true that real blazers are in style for fall?  I'm not very good at sussing out trends, but what I want to make is a traditional, single-breasted, long and lean jacket with tailored shoulders, and a slightly peaked lapel.  I found this in the new Burda envelope patterns.  What do you think?  It's #7421.  (Sorry for the fact that this is not an English page.  Thankfully, Burda's unbelievably inept decision to migrate ALL of its English content to the inane "Burdastyle" page, from which it is impossible to find any of the actual corporate content - i.e. its magazine and envelope patterns - has not yet affected its French site).  

But no - the dress and boots would not be part of my wardrobe plan, though they are utterly cute on this 20-something model.  You'll just have to imagine the jacket on top of something more sleek and age-appropriate.  

Much like this, in fact.  (It's a PatternMaster Boutique pattern reviewed here.)   Shorter??  

In the meantime, I'm finishing up another pair of bike shorts today, and really ought to finish the knit jacket so I can wear it ...

10 comments:

  1. I think the jacket is a great style and would look fantastic over a simple sheath dress. The blue/gray colors you've chosen for the outfit are beautiful. I must say that I love those boots!

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  2. The fabric looks gorgeous and perfect for your choices.

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  3. I think the longer, boyfriend jackets were super in style 1-2 years ago; but, that type of jacket will always be a great wardrobe addition. I agree with you that it will look fabulous with a classic, above-the-knee sheath.

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  4. I love the peaked lapel but even on your slim figure the length is a bit long, unless you are quite tall, which I don't know. The sheath dress in mid knee is good, though they are showing longer narrow skirts. Again though I think that this is a tall woman's look.

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  5. Yes I would go for a shorter dress. It would give more punch to your jacket. If the dress is too long you will loose some impact in the outfit. You have thin and beautiful legs to show anyway.

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  6. I think that jacket is a classic style and that you can sew it up for fall. I also think that the length for the dress and jacket should be one that works for you...if you can go shorter on both definitely do because it would be the most on trend. But if you are happier with a somewhat longer length than do it but beware going to long to avoid the appearance of looking matronly.

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  7. If I were doing it, I'd have to finish the jacket before hemming the dress to see ;-) Love both the jacket and the sheath. Particularly love the jacket details...the cuffs. And I'm so glad to know that I'm not the only one who can't find a #@$% thing on Burda, Burdafashion, BurdaStyle anymore. I sure understand trying to target a younger demo, but when I saw your jacket on FB and tried to find the technical drawings, I was at a complete loss. I'm not sure how well the youngsters can find anything either, by cracky. End of middle aged rant. :-)

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  8. I am with you on thinking ahead for Fall. I can barely force myself to finish sewing my remaining exercise shorts. I adore this jacket and your fabrics. As far as what length ... that is tricky. I feel like the short dress is what makes it look so fresh, but that is not a length I can consider at my age, either.

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  9. Hiya - here's an english language Burda site for its envelope patterns (main Collection). I hate that damned burdastyle site too..

    http://www.burdamode.com:8080/en/Patterns/Main_Collection/1270778-1128998.html;jsessionid=BE27A47978E03AE5AEC159D32367E647

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  10. Oh and here's the link to the line drawing for this jacket too....

    http://www.burdamode.com:8080/en/Patterns/Main_Collection/7421_Kombination/1270778-1128998-1769690-1769742.html

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