Moving On - A Summer Wardrobe Revamp March 9, 2008
The Girl Scout Leader wadder dress is in the trash and will be out for pick up in the morning! I really enjoyed all of the comments and suggestions, but in the end it had to go because I just couldn’t see myself wearing it under any circumstances.
So - next up - a revamp of my summer work wardrobe. Most of the time I go for a three-season work look; Boston can be cool well into April, and my favorite season is Fall anyway. I love boots, skirts, and light jackets and would dress that way all year if I could.
Summer is problematic; I don’t like hot humid weather, have sun sensitive skin and I loath pantyhose. Summer is also a short season in Boston, and most people tend to go uber-casual for work because no one wants to bother spending money and energy on clothes that work for just a 12 week period. I fell into that mindset too, not that I’ll wear Crocs (ack!) but there were days when I wore way too much Old Navy on a regular basis.
This has to change!
After giving it some thought, here is my summer work wardrobe criteria:
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No pantyhose; so this means pants, capri’s or longer skirts
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Nothing drapey; I’m SO SICK of the gathered, empire waist, baby doll, Duro looks of the past three years!
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Structured but not tailored because tailored is my regular three season look
After some stash shopping, I decided to go with the Hot Patterns No Sweat Easy Sew Geisha Girl Jacket and Pants. The jacket will be a reembroidered Japanese floral cotton with a red silk twill for the facings and belt. I like the facings on this pattern because I can make the jacket reversible, and the red silk tones down the floral. The lining will be the same red silk twill, and for the topstitching I may pickstitch the facings with red Delica beads on the red silk side. I have to thank Gigi for educating me as to the right way to approach florals; she has often noted they tend to look better on younger women and I totally agree with her. Fortunately, this floral fabric is more subtle than most, and the red, white and black cross-stitch embroidery adds an interesting surface embellishment. The pants will just be a nice black polyester for easy care in hot weather.
Time to trace off the pattern!
Oh, I really like this direction. No chance at all of being mistaken for a GS leader. Very chic, and will work with what we call “summer”.
Oh .. Phillys, the pattern is very nice and the material well. I am impatient to see it put on you. You are going to make a jacket with a belt? … I did a set and green “parrot” and was fantastic. A big hug, Paco
Based on your fabric choices, the new ensemble should be fabulous! I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Love the plan for this outfit. That fabric is amazing.
Forgot to add, Me Too! on the sick of the empire/baby doll/ Duro look. The fashion mags and pundits keep telling us fashion is growing up and that baby doll is going away, … have yet to see empirical evidence of this.
Love, love the fabric and the concept. Though that jacket was my most recent wadder last year — however, I have a much, much different shape than the model. It is quite a loose jacket and I need structure. I can’t wait to see your interpretation. Good Luck.
Say it’s not true about florals on older women! I’m just about to make that new McCall’s anorak out of a silky floral fabric I got at Paron’s—because all the style gurus say florals are where it’s at this spring. Plunging ahead anyway…. And I’m eager to see that HP jacket pattern on you; I’ve been long eying it myself.
I think florals done right work on any age. It’s a matter of not trying to look too “sweet”. And as you know, I LOVE that particular floral. Love the charmeuse as a trim and I can’t wait to see how it works up!
I agree! I’m also sick of the Duro and babydoll drapery that masquerades as fashion! I had to design a tailored fitted blouse in PMB in self defense.
I love the red in that jacket, just beautiful.
I love the print and solid, it’s so classy!
But, I have to add that you can still wear SKIRTS!
(and forget those pantyhose)
Out here in L.A., we wear sandals year round, and OK, if you are young, flip-flops are great.
But don’t overlook a great sandal like ‘easy spirit’ or ‘aerosole’.
Just get a nice version with squishy sole.
The addition of a great sandal to your summer wardrobe will open up the skirt options (and believe me, skirts are alot cooler than pants any day)