Good lord, what is happening to me? This pattern is totally not my usual style and yet . . . I WANT it. It caught my eye on Etsy early yesterday, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. I think it's fantastic, especially with the Annie Hall styling on the left. (Fun fact: this pattern was released 5 years before the movie was.)Perhaps this pattern crush means I secretly long to return to my roots as a child of the 70's. Some fashion elements of that decade certainly appeal to me: the tie-neck blouses, pleated skirts, dolman sleeves, the narrow-shouldered jackets. Then again, there are many more that definitely do not appeal to me: polyester, disco wear, caftans, maxi dresses, and bell bottoms, to name just a few.
But there's probably a bit more to my obsession with this pattern than that: I also find myself filled with an overwhelming sense of giddiness at trying a style so far out of my comfort zone. Do you know what I mean? I think it's kind of like imagining oneself with a completely different haircut: that soaring feeling that maybe there's a new, more fabulous version of yourself just waiting to be revealed. But then you chop off all your hair and realize that you're just the same person with a different haircut. And it dawns on you just how large your derriere will look in a pair of 70's-style trousers, even though you know you shouldn't say those things because you're trying to set an example of being more body-positive. Wherever you go, there you are, eh?
I still do have a tiny yearning desire to have this pattern in my collection. Sadly, I can't find it in my size and I'm not about to try grading this one, especially when I'm not sure I'd make it anyway. So, if you are a 32-1/2 inch bust and want to dazzle the world with your devastatingly glamorous Annie Hall look, please buy this pattern. Come on. Do it for me.
Oh my goodness, I love that suit. It is so feminine. I think I have to have that pattern. Where did you get it?
ReplyDeleteOh my. I think it's fabulous, and that you should definitely get it. I love the sleeves and the gentle curve of the revers. I'd definitely get it if I hadn't already bought two petterns yesterday (one is from 1952!) Forget the pants if you can't stand them, but the jacket would really look lovely with a pencil skirt in a red or bright pink wool.
ReplyDeleteBesides, the enveloppe matches your blog's colors perfectly. It's a sign!
Oh, honey, no.
ReplyDelete-Sandra
Sandra: HA! I was wondering how long it would take for someone to tell me I'd lost my mind.
ReplyDeleteForget the hat and tie, and I rather like it! Am I crazy too? Maybe the jacket and pants can be worn separately! Gertie, I would take you out of your misery if it wasn't so small-- b32...uh no!
ReplyDeleteGertie: I adore your blog and your sewing, so you know I say it with love!
ReplyDelete-Sandra
Mmmmm....I'm gonna have to side with Sandra on this one!
ReplyDeleteI say do it- I think it would look super cute.
ReplyDeleteI think high-waisted, wide-legs things are actually rather flattering - they make waists look smaller and legs longer!
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't be feeling the love for it if you could remember wearing this pattern in the seventies, like some of us can! Once is enough for me, but you can give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Sandra too, sorry! But if it's any consolation, I frequently have pattern lust for patterns that would not look good on anyone unless they were proportioned just like the drawing on the front.
ReplyDeleteI love it on the left, kinda don't on the right... I have a similar love/hate thing with 70s fashions, and I totally agree it's from being a young child during them. Like with some 70s fashions there's this deep, deep glamour I feel, different from any other era. But it's really style-specific with me too, and I'm not always sure why one thing I find deeply ICKY and others I think are fabulous. There's no division along, say high/low fashion lines or anything. But the reactions to them have that childhood-feeling potency.
ReplyDeleteI personally love it, but I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that the seventies is my favourite decade- however unpopular it might be.
ReplyDeleteI have this very pattern except I only have the pants pattern pieces!! I keep the envelope because I love the illustration so much. I hope to come across a complete pattern one day. It's a little full-on, I don't know that it would look good on me anyway but there's just SOMETHING about it.
ReplyDeleteIs that a shoulder princess line I see? It's gorgeous and would look spectacular in a deep rose colored wool crepe. Properly lined and fitted of course. Maybe with one of those funky obi belts. Maybe an princess seam on the trousers as well? Or just a sharp press. And high heeled boots. I'm sure you'd look gorgeous in it. Alot of work to make, though.
ReplyDeleteVibeke in Oslo
I am positive this is the same suit I made for my first job in the 70s. If not, it is certainly similar. Also made a long line button up vest and skirt so I could inter-match all pieces. Have gotta drag out my old patterns to check. I still love the design and can see it on my 19 year old niece.
ReplyDelete