Tops

As of late, there has been a very disturbing "billowing maternity top for the non-pregnant" trend going on. Why, oh why I ask, would a woman want to create the illusion that she has a bun in the oven, if she doesn't? What woman aspires to looking chunkier than she actually is? I just do not get it. So, in an attempt to convince myself that there are other options available to those of us with a shred of sanity (and vanity) left, I present a few rockin' alternatives (once again from Nordstrom.com):

Fabrizio Gianni Sleeveless Tee - $78

High-collared V-neckline and cutaway shoulders style a fitted stretch knit top.

rayon/lycra








Nanette Lepore "Supreme Shimmy" Cardigan - $195

Short-sleeve knit sweater shimmers with allover floral beading and big heart-shaped sequins.

cotton/rayon








BCBG Max Azria Rope Trim Top - $148

Diamond-shaped stitching details a cotton voile top with rope shoulder straps and a drawstring waist.

cotton







flounce tbd GatheredSilk Knit Top - $58

Feminine style is cut from supersoft silk, with a ruched V-neckline and ruffled, smocked cap sleeves. Curved Empire seam flatters the bodice, and the A-line body ends with a marrow-stitched hem.

silk







Tracy Reese Bow Neck Cap Sleeve Lace Top - $225

no description

polyester - silk lining








Tracy Reese Taffeta Pocket Tunic - $250

no description

cotton/silk - silk lining









Tory Burch "Stefani" Embroidered Tunic - $350

no description

cotton









Burberry London Check Print Voile Blouse - $295

no description

cotton

P.S. Love the skirt, too!







Piazza Sempione Belted Botanical Print Top - $645

no description

cotton/silk/lycra









Juicy Couture Eyelet Chiffon Blouse -$228

Adorable eyelet blouse features a squared front placket with fabric-covered button-and-loop closure. Short, slightly puffed sleeves have scalloped cuffs with button-and-loop closure, and tonal chiffon trims the bottom hem.

cotton







Elie Tahari "Alyssa" Bloue - $248

Crinkled chiffon neckline accents a short-sleeve silk top, shaped with a narrow, removable belt.

silk/elastane








Diane von Furstenburg "Revolution" Top - $185

Shoulder epaulets and rolled, elbow-length sleeves accent a tailored wrap top, secured with a waist tie.

cotton/polyester








A few things I notice:

1. As long as the top is fitted nicely in through the waist, the flowier tops can be worn without onlookers debating on whether you're preggo or not.
2. A good button down shirt is always in style.
3. Eyelet is sweet, subtle sexy, while lace is in-your-face, hot sexy.

Coats

I just can't stop browsing Nordstrom.com. Too much inspiration, too little time. Carolyn asked me the $64 000 question: how many of these styles will I be knocking off. The answer involves a short lesson on the theory of relativity as I will need to actually bend space and time to find enough hours in the day to sew all these garments. I hope to turn out at least a couple of these babies over the next little while, but who knows - major creativity will likely have to wait until the beginning of July when I am finally off for summer vacation.

Anyhoo, I have a few more gems to share with you. I have a major infatuation with coats. I wish I had a different coat for every outfit - unfortunately, I don't sew enough of them. Now, to be honest, half the time, I can't tell the difference between a jacket and a coat (is there a rule?), but this enigma just adds to their appeal.

Nanette Lepore Bell Sleeve Knit Coat - $430

Beautifully detailed coat is styled with a rounded Peter Pan collar, three-quarter bell sleeves and an Empire waist with front pleating detail.

cotton








MARC by MARC JACOBS Shantung Twill Coat - $628

Gorgeous three-quarter-sleeve coat is styled with a Peter Pan collar, covered-button closure and a contrasting polka dot lining. The inset waist hides two small pockets, and two larger front pockets finish the look.

silk







Guess by Marciano Topstitched Walking Coat - $98

Bright stitching adds contrast to a button-front jacket with patch pockets and a decorative side-to-back belt.

cotton/nylon







Cynthia Steffe "Darling" Trenchcoat - $550

Embroidered yellow squares pattern a fitted, double-breasted trench coat shaped with a high waist and full three-quarter sleeves.

cotton









Michael Kors Dogstooth Jacquard Wool Coat - $2395

no description - it is a preorder for Fall 2007

wool








Dolce and Gabbana Double Breasted Double Crepe Car Coat with Belt - $3795

no description - it is a preorder for Fall 2007

wool








Burberry London Single Breasted Wool & Cashmere Coat - $1695

no description

wool/cashmere








Burberry London Three Quarter Trapeze Coat - $725

no description

cotton








Burberry London Belted Spring Check Trench - $895

no description

polyester








Blumarine Double Breasted Coat with Beaded Collar - $2800

no description

cotton pique








A few observations:

1. For the most part, I have some damned expensive taste in coats!
2. I love a good trench.
3. I love traditional coat shapes, with a twist

I Love the Smell of Rayon in the Morning

Lookie what I just bought:


Isn't it absolutely wonderful? The print on this rayon/spandex jersey is breathtaking. I'm not certain what I'll make from this fabric, all I know is that 3 yards are mine, all mine. Run, don't walk, over to Lucy's Fabrics if you want some for yourself.

If you get BWOF magazine, you will see this fabric used in a preview shot for the next issue on the second to last page. Also, check this out - the price of this fabric on this German website works out to around $33 US/yard - ouch!

ETA: Burda just put up their preview for the next issue. Here are the pieces made from this fabric:

Dresses

Nothing can beat a good dress. Talk about easy dressing - pop it on, slap on a great pair of shoes and you're good to go. What's not to like about that? I could live in dresses all spring and summer long, so one of my goals this year is to augment my dress wardrobe. I need classic, tasteful dresses for work and here are a few of my favourites (pictures and descriptions are from Nordstrom.com):

Theory "Lilabeth W" Dress - $375

Eyelet A-line is simply styled with an elasticized scooped neck and cap sleeves.

cotton








BCBG Max Azria Stretch Shirtdress - $180

Fabric belt nips a crisp, buttoned shirtdress with puff sleeves and pleated pockets.

cotton/nylon/spandex








Carilyn Vaile "Hepburn" Dress - $172

Soft stretch jersey dress is shaped with cap sleeves, a paneled waist and a gently pleated skirt.

nylon/lycra








Eileen Fischer Surplice Tank Dress - $238

Empire-waist dress with surplice front and full A-line skirt is cut from a light stretch blend.

rayon/nylon/spandex








Jones New York Signature Linen Wrap Dress - $129

Contrast piping highlights a notch-collar dress with genuine wrap construction, secured with a sash for emphasis.

linen








Shoshanna Eyelet Dress - $340

Embroidered eyelet shirtdress is styled with puffed cap sleeves and a pintucked bib placket.

cotton








Kay Unger Cap Sleeve Dress - $348

Solid knit bodice flatters above a woven floral skirt, pleated for volume. A nonadjustable bow adds a pretty finish.

polyester/rayon bodice, cotton/silk skirt








Eliza J Dot Jersey Dress - $98

Solid trim emphasizes the lines of a knit dress, colored with an eye-popping print. Keyhole neck closes with a single fabric-covered button.

polyester/spandex







Ebby by Farinaz Taghavi Kimono Tie Back Dress - $138

Surplice neckline and gathered inset waist shape a jersey knit dress with full kimono-inspired sleeves.

rayon/spandex








Nanette Lepore "Ciao Bella" Lace Dress - $395

Sheer eyelet shapes a feminine dress, styled with a collar, cap sleeves and ribbon trim.

cotton/polyamide








These choices just confirm for me a few things I already knew:

1. I love a good A-line silhouette - it helps disguise a large booty.
   
2. I love a full skirt - see 1 for the explanation.
   
3. I love a fitted empire silhouette - one of my best assets is a small waist, I don't want to engulf it in a maternity top look.
4. I love eyelet, the shirtdress, the kimono style and small cap sleeves this season.

Jackets

I love a good jacket. It has the power to transform. It can take an outfit from good to great. It can cover a multitude of sins and it speaks volumes about the wearer. Here are some jackets that have me salivating (all photos & descriptions are courtesy of Nordstrom.com):

Cynthia Steffe Doll Sleeve Eyelet Jacket - $265

Peter Pan collar, short puffed sleeves and pleated patch pockets detail a retro-inspired embroidered eyelet jacket.

cotton - fully lined









Charles Gray Metallic Jacket

Peter Pan collar and a peplum hem style a shimmery cropped jacket with big, fabric-covered buttons.

acetate/cotton/metallic threads/nylon - fully lined in silver acetate -
$248.00








Cynthia Steffe Cascade Collar Jacket - $330

Ruffly cascade collar and short puffed sleeves style a fitted jacket with a low U-shaped neckline and an attached tie-front belt.

rayon/nylon/spandex









MARC by MARC JACOBS "Anette" Knit Jacket - $258

Tonal satin trims an adorable silhouette, detailed with four pleated, button-topped pockets. Bubble bottom completes the look.

cotton









Diane von Furstenberg "Nedia" Crop Jacket - $345

Feminine piece features a Mandarin collar and a ruffled hem. Three-quarter sleeves have wide hems that can be cuffed.

viscose rayon/polyamide/elastane









Amo & Bretti "Ginger French Terry Jacket - $284

Long jacket is fashioned from soft French terry, trimmed with reverse fabric at the front shoulders, sleeves and hem. Short sleeves have slightly puffed shoulders, and a drawstring tie cinches the Empire waist.

cotton/tencel/lycra








BCBGirls "Chloe" Seersucker Jacket - $118

Single button secures a flyaway jacket, styled with curved lines and a boxy shape.

cotton









Laundry by Shelli Segal Eyelet Jacket - $325

Embroidered circles dot a cropped eyelet jacket with wide banding around the neck, cuffs and hem.

cotton










After looking over my choices, I have come to realize a few things:

1. I really like cropped jackets.
2. I didn't think I liked puff sleeves, but apparently I do. I guess I'll have to see if they are flattering on me.
3. I like novel closures - ties, grommets, bows, etc.
   

Reports of my Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Obviously, I haven't posted since the finish of SWAP. I have been sewing - I have made 4 T-shirts for my husband and a few for myself - nothing exciting - just necessary, basic stuff. After SWAP was finished, I just bottomed out. The thought of underlining anything sent chills up my spine. The rustle of silk could send me into a corner rocking and murmuring incoherently. To get to the point - I needed a break from high level, focused sewing. So T-shirts it was. However, as much as I like T-shirts, they are dull, they are boring, they are mindless. So, I'm back and ready for a challenge again. What popped me out of my stupour, you may ask. Two things:

1. I'm an anal retentive, obsessive compulsive weirdo that isn't happy unless I have something into which I can sink my teeth and...
2. Carolyn

My dearest Carolyn, I give you my heartfelt thanks for beseeching me to get my @ss back in gear and do something...anything. You know I love you like a sister and just like a good sister, your words have inspired me. I have a couple of ideas percolating - one 50s inspired and the other 60s inspired - big surprise, eh? But, before I begin work on those two projects, I need to make some simple spring and summer clothes. It is getting hot here and lately my classroom at school has been like working in the fourth circle of hell (the fourth circle seemed apropos since all the hoarders go there and have you looked at how much fabric I have?). So, over the next few days, expect some quick and easy warm weather clothing.

SWAP Results

The winners of the Timmel SWAP were announced on Monday. The results were as follows:

1. Glam Bam Thank you Ma'am
Shannon M. - LaSalle, ON, Canada

2. Le Rouge et le Noir
Laura P. - Bucharest, Romania

3. Chasing Butterflies
Summerset B. - Northfield, NH, USA

4. Its Not Easy Being Green
Terese R. - Burlington, ON, Canada

5. Apple Pie ala Mode
Audrey Y. - Richmond, VA USA

When Julie told me I had won first place, you could have knocked me over with a feather. I actually hooted and hollered and did a little happy dance around the room. I think my husband and my dog thought it was finally time to call in professional help. I cannot tell you how honoured I am to be one of the top SWAPs chosen from amongst a group of spectacular entries. The level of sewing prowess displayed this year was awe-inspiring.

Once again, thank you to everyone that made a kind comment to me along the way and a special thanks to Julie for undertaking this contest.