#wardrobe architect

[hestiaandhalcyon]

Wardrobe Architect // Cascade

So, I should preface this by saying that I don’t know when I will actually get around to making this because I am currently under orders to try and avoid sewing.

I really like sewing for the most part. My neck and shoulders do not like sewing. So basically- my spine is way too straight. The lack of curvature in my spine and the way the bones around my shoulders are structured mean that my shoulders roll forward and in order to balance the weight of my head, my head leans forwards. All of this means that my neck/shoulder/upper back muscles are over worked, and I’m stressed and tense like all the time. So tasks that can tend to make you hunch over and such aggravate the problem... like sewing....

I sewed for like 20 minutes the other day and... I had a bad time later that day and the next day. So.  I have been ordered to avoid sewing, reaching overhead, and lifting things until further notice. I shattered the latter two of the those rules in the airport/on the planes, except on the second flight my seat mate helped me put my two-ton backpack into the overhead.  

ANYWAYS. I want to have a Cascade skirt of my very own. I want it to be light grey. I also really like the idea of making it reversible?! So maybe a light grey side and a dark grey side?!

I also like the idea of having it be out of a bit heaver fabric, although making it reversible will solve some of that.

Also, I promise pictures of the new knits are forthcoming. I’m probably going to have BFF help me with them this weekend when she is home during the day.

[bespokevenus]

Sunday Me Made

Yesterday, I finished three items for my new wardrobe!

1. Merchant and Mills Factory Dress in gray budquette voile, with a mandarin collar.

2. A pair of me-designed lavender jersey shorts with cargo pockets.  I’m super pleased at how these turned out.  The pockets aren’t perfect, but they’re a great ‘first attempt’.  I’m definitely going to make many more, in gray, khaki, cream, navy, raspberry...

3. A tank shelf bra experiment, for sleeping or yoga.  It’s not perfect, and it’s not sturdy enough for day wear, but it’s perfect for sleeping.

[bespokevenus]

The Bespoke Project

Less than a year ago, due to a health thing, I ended up gaining weight and changing dress sizes by quite a bit, which meant I needed allll new clothes.

I’ve decided to take it as an opportunity to make myself a wardrobe, and I want to share my process, triumphs and tragedies.  

To start, I’m using the capsule wardrobe concept.  My plan is build a simple, attractive set of clothes that I can wear in warm weather.  

The traditional capsule wardrobe is 32 pieces, including major accessories, and uses a color palette and ‘uniforms’ to build collections.

My summer wardrobe color palette is similar to the colors in Anna Maria Horner’s Folk Song fabric collection--

Periwinkle, Forest green, Spring green, Cream, Navy, Lavender, Raspberry.

and sometimes, Crimson, Cream, Gold.

I’ll be posting some pictures of my ‘uniforms’ and my planned outfits and my ‘to make’ lists, but I’m super excited.  This should be really fun, and I can’t wait to get going.  I’ve got a couple of items in my wardrobe already, but only a couple.  

I’d love to hear from anyone else who has done this, too!

[redheadfibers]

me: serious question: particularly if some count as professional, how many octopus/sea-life tops is too many?

magali: more than 8. one for each leg.

[kayerye]

This one was tough, because I tend to just buy anything that is cheap and kind-of fits, whether or not I ‘like’ it. Shopping is the Actual Worst, and I value getting it done far more than finding that elusive (or rather, illusive, natch) Holy Grail item. 

I like mid-to-low rise tapered pants, fitted collared shirts, any sleeves that aren’t full-length (or at least look attractive when rolled up), or knee-length dress+tights for work.

I don’t like scoop necklines, but honestly have no idea if that’s because I actually don’t like them or because the only ones I can ever find are far too low for my shortest-torso+no-boobs Situation. I have the same problem with women’s v-necks. I definitely don’t like boat-neck tops -- they show my bra and are constantly sliding sideways. I can’t wear strapless anything, unless there’s some serious foundation underneath and a sturdy strip of elastic across the top (see: no-boobs situation).

Outside of work, I’m all about t-shirts and stretch jeans. I love my mid-length utility jacket, though it’s often too warm to wear any kind of jacket. I also like short shorts (~2″ inseam), and occasionally sundresses (above the knee, A-line, halter or string top).

[kayerye]

INPUT

R204; G166; B148

R159; G93; B109

OUTPUT

Actual:

Super-saturated, because I wasn’t satisfied with the muted palette:

IDK, this strategy didn’t give me nearly as many vibrant colors OR as many greens and blues as I wanted; it did give me way too many pinks. Probably something to do with the black eyes/hair cutting down on possible color combinations.

MY COLORS

Whoops, I missed forest green up there in the accent colors, but I’m too lazy to go back and edit the image...

[redheadfibers]

Serious question: how many novelty print dresses is too many?

[kayerye]