A few weeks ago, I told you about Coletterie’s Wardrobe Architect series and shared with you my color palette. Over the past few weeks, I’ve also been collecting lots of inspiration via Pinterest to narrow down the silhouettes that I find most appealing, most flattering and most appropriate for my lifestyle. I’ve assembled these into some Polyvore sets which I’ll share below.
These looks aren’t meant to be rules or outfits which I’ll create exactly; instead, they are a good reminder to me about where I should put my focus when creating my handmade wardrobe. I’ll warn you though - my looks are pretty booooring! Lots of tees, jeans and flats. My shoe selections are not very diverse, either, as I picked things that I already have in my closet (or something similar).
Also, these looks are most appropriate for spring/summer and maybe a little fall. I admit that I don’t really plan my wardrobe based on seasons; I really like to have things that work either way depending on how they’re layered and accessorized. It doesn’t get super hot or super cold here in Portland, so that’s not so hard to do. Plus, I tend to wear pretty neutral colors, so it’s not like I’m going to be wearing a super bright, summery frock in the middle of winter (or anytime, for that matter). I’m sure I’ll do some new sets later in the year that include lots of button-down shirts, cardigans and sweatshirts!
You can click on any of the images below to go to the set on Polyvore, or you can see my sewing pattern ideas below each set.
My original Pinterest board which inspired all the looks below can be seen here.
- Top: Union St. Tee by Hey June Handmade (perhaps with sleeves shortened slightly and shirttail hem modification)
- Jeans: Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Files
- Skirt: Basics Pocket Skirt by Cali Faye Collection
- Top: Basics Tank by Cali Faye Collection, Tiny Pocket Tank by Grainline Studio or Wiksten Tank
- Top: Hemlock Tee by Grainline Studio (free), Extraordinary Girl by Filles a Maman, Plantain T-Shirt by Deer & Doe (free), Bronte Top by Jennifer Lauren Vintage or Brigitte Top by Tessuti
- Jeans: Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Files
- Top: Lane Raglan by Hey June Handmade (modified to be sleeveless and have that uneven hem - is there a term for that?)
- Shorts: Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Files (modified to shorts - I haven’t seen this yet!)
- Top: Lane Raglan by Hey June Handmade (modified with shirttail hem)
- Pants: Hudson Pants by True Bias (modified for woven - and maybe add a faux fly?)
- Top: Union St. Tee by Hey June Handmade (I know, I know! But this time, add a pocket and shirttail hem!)
- Jeans: Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Files (Again, I know. At least I’m consistent. I really hope this pattern works for me once I get around to sewing it!!!)
- Handbag: Oh yes, I want to sew this bag of leather. I’ll probably just draft my own pattern since it’s so simple. A less-intimidating version would be the On Holiday Bag by Green Bee Patterns.
- Dress: Marianne Dress by Christine Haynes (short-sleeve version, no collar)
- Denim Jacket: (I do not plan to sew a denim jacket. I already own one!)
- Blazer: Morris Blazer by Grainline Studio
- Top: Basics Tank by Cali Faye Collection, Tiny Pocket Tank by Grainline Studio or Wiksten Tank
- Jeans: Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Files (high-rise version…modified to have wide legs?! We’ll see!)
- Jeans: Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Files (I would LOVE to experiment with bleaching/distressing these!)
- Top: Lou Box Top by Sew DIY (View C). I also love the sleeves and yoke on the Tessuti Alice Top, and although it’s a bit different from the look above, it might be a suitable alternative.
- Cardigan: Julia Cardigan by Mouse House Creations (lengthened…for me, anyway, as I made one already that wasn’t this long), Jalie Drop-Pocket Cardigan or Jalie Cocoon Cardigan
SOOOOOO…
Not a lot of variety, right?! I know! But the good thing is that it won’t take me too many patterns to really build a foundation for my wardrobe. My goal is to come up with a small set of “TNT” (tried-and-true) patterns, and then I can add variety to that later. I’d love to have more dresses and maybe some top silhouettes, but the truth is that I’m going to be breastfeeding for at LEAST the next six months - possibly up to a year and a half. So for now, these simple looks will be great.
Oh, and there’s also that 50 pesky pounds I have to lose…
And that baby I need to push out…
One step at a time, I suppose. 
