Comments on: Where do you like your outfit variety ?

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 10:08:22 +0000

Interesting idea
My stomach gets ever larger, and I’m very conscious of styles that cling below the waist – make me look all hip and no upper body. . . I am interested in the ‘new’ over-sized shirts, made in a non-cling woven. Drapes and asymmetry are a bit low on my list of favourites !

By: M-C

M-C — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:01:41 +0000

I just have to let my inner nerd take over and think only in terms of geometry . But really, it helped me to realize I don’t have that high a Flamboyance Quotient to be making the Miyakes in fluorescent fake fur.. We don’t see any pictures of you , but I’d imagine you may actually feel happy enough if you tried some more interesting shapes in very, very neutral colors? A loose draped t-shirt for instance?

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:32:37 +0000

Well done M-C to find a way of wearing more unusual clothes that works for you. I’m fascinated by the cut of those styles, but would not feel ‘me’ if I actually wore them. So good for you !

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:32:37 +0000

Well done M-C to find a way of wearing more unusual clothes that works for you. I’m fascinated by the cut of those styles, but would not feel ‘me’ if I actually wore them. So good for you !

By: M-C

M-C — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:06:51 +0000

I like variety in both color and texture, mostly. I feel fine about making the same pattern several times, as in my experience even if you point it out most people are unable to distinguish style differences within the same color. And that’s especially true of pants, which are totally background in my wardrobe. I am however trying for a more integrated color approach, in order to have a more useful wardrobe. And I’ve also found that while I love prints it’s best if I keep them to tops, and better yet if I keep them fairly low-contrast.

I’m making more deliberate efforts to vary silhouettes, in order to look more current. I also enjoy some experiments in style such as weirdly-cut japanese stuff. But I’m also finding out that I need to wear something that’s either weirdly cut OR a wild print, not both at once:-). In fact slightly marled grey seems perfect for my weirder stuff..

One thing I don’t have or want variety about: comfort. I have no capacity to suffer in order to be beautiful. But on the whole I’m still kind of 50s in terms of liking simplicity coupled with very good quality fabrics.. I find I can get away with a lot more comfort if I do it in good fabrics, ie elastic-waist pants in good wool.

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:49:49 +0000

Thanks Sara. I do enjoy hearing these details about individual style. This question about variety seems to clarify so many things

By: sara

sara — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 07:06:31 +0000

I’m in the color and surface category. The clothes I make are pretty simple, with little to no embellishments, and I tend to sew tried and tested patterns over and over again. But handling fabric brings me joy. Right now I’m sewing a cardigan in a taupe wool knit with a very interesting tiny waffle texture and several days ago I found a matching taupe charmeuse which looks wonderful with the waffle knit. Such a lovely contrast in textures! This is what I get excited about. I intend to make a top to wear with the cardigan for a different kind of twin set.
If I didn’t sew, I’d probably be more concerned with finding clothes that fit and flatter than with texture. I do sew, and am in control of fit, plus I get to play with fabric.
I put a lot of work into the clothes I make so I kind of feel like they should speak for themselves. My accessories are minimal, except for scarves, but that’s also fabric. other than that, I use the same bag almost every day, and I could easily wear the same pair of booties for the whole fall and winter season. I rarely wear jewelry.

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:48:45 +0000

Goodness Vildy – this has certainly stimulated you to thought !
Actually twinsets are very trendy – just make sure they’re fitted and short
Your comments are interesting for me as we obviously have very different styles in many ways – not only because I wear lots of layers and love sweater knits, but I also run a mile rather than wear a crisp edge or outlining by piping or top-stitching
Your idea of a jacket as jewellery is good. I think it encapsulates this issue of how and where we want the ‘sparkle’ in our wardrobes – meaning that in a general way, not literal shinyness.

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:31:21 +0000

Alison – you have such a good understanding of your interesting personal style – I don’t think it matters what category label you give to it

By: sewingplums

sewingplums — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:30:03 +0000

Yes Lynn – a classic retirement problem Happily nowadays there are many ‘stylish’ casual tops and jackets which can be made in fleece – so we can wear cosy practical fabrics and also look good. Last year I wrote a couple of posts on more interesting patterns for sweatshirts and hoodies, and there have been more published since.