For my second Wardrobe Refashion project I took the scissors to some three quarter pants that I’ve had for about two or three years. They’ve been good pants and I loved them when I first bought them, but over time the fabric had pilled a bit, “knees” developed pretty soon after putting them on, and the folded waistband, which has no zip, used to pop open in a very unattractive way without warning. However the fabric is a nice textured charcoal linen/cotton blend which I still liked.
I envisaged a simple Japanese style top, something like the beautiful designs I saw in the Yohji Yamamoto exhibition at the Perth Art Gallery a year ago. That was such a gorgeous exhibition, sigh, the awesomeness as a whole left me quite spellbound and deeply inspired. I have not even close to 1% of his talent, but I thought I might be capable of a simple top, something symmetrical, but with just a few elements of asymmetry thrown in, as practiced in traditional Japanese architecture.
I’m very happy with this result although putting it together ended up a bit more complicated than I first thought – again, just like the deceptive simplicity of Yohji Yamamoto (I have one Yohji Yamamoto top that I was lucky enough to come across in a second hand shop, and it’s quite unlike any other top I’ve seen) The difficult bit on which I spent the most time was in the inserts I put in under the arm which are to avoid inadvertent “flashing” when arm-lifting; and you can’t even really see this part of the shirt! Even though you can’t see them, let me describe them; they are scooped and edged with scraps of self binding…
I kept the waistband of the original pants to use as a belt and my whole family agrees the top looks better with it.
I really like the up-and-down effect of the hem; longest in front, shorter at the sides and shortest at the back. The hems here are the original hems of the pants.
I slashed the neckline of the top off-centre to insert a button closure and used a small amount of lightweight black fabric from my stash to face the neckline. This button closure is functional but not really needed as it can be just slipped over my head anyway… I love this old button I inherited in my grandmother’s haberdashery; it’s texture is a bit like rough stone.
Pretty much all of the fabric of the original pants was used in making this top; I had only the tiniest of scraps left!
Details:
Top; refashioned from old 3/4 pants, my own design
Shorts; Burda 7723, white linen
Sandals; Vicenza, bought at Soletta shoes
I really love this shirt I really can't believe it came out of pants!! Xx
Looks fantastic. I am also amazed how you have refashioned slacks into a smart looking fashionable shirt.
ps: looking forward to seeing trench coat pics
Now this is amazing.
That's looking great! I know it's harder than one would think to make a Japanese-style item which looks good on a non-Japanese person 😉 and yours is very stylish.
Wow! I would never have thought to do that with a pair of pants! How amazing are all the Japanese designers??? The button is gorgeous. You've done such a fantastic job. hehe actually I haven't made any further progress with the Armani fabric… I'm not going to bother doing any more of it until I've figured out what I'm going to make out of it.
I'm exactly like you. I spend pretty much all my time thinking about clothes and sewing. It's ridiculous. All I want to do is spend all day sewing. My boyfriend has booked us up for social events this weekend and I'm very angry because it's seriously interfering with my sewing time!!! Grrr and my overlocker is giving me grief which I'm not at all pleased about!
What a fabulous top. Hard to imagine it was trouseres once. I think by having the challenge of re-doing clothes it makes for much more imagination. Just lovely.
I absolutelly like this outfit, so stylish and trendy! And that top is amazing.
Your top is fabulous. Wow. What a brilliant job you have done. I hope you wear it with pride.
That is a beautiful top. I wish I could that, but having little kids around…not happening until they are in school. : )
http://www.emilyguerra.com
Absolutely love the hem and the way you put in that button on the front. Wow, it's an amazing top.
Is that how you started envisioning the top? By pinning pieces onto your dress form?
found you on WR. love love love this top! and the vogue skirts are beautiful! bravo.
This is completely adorable on you!
Just found this post at wardrobe refashion and was amazed. The color looks great on you and I really like the style. Great job! Now I'm off to see who Yohji Yamamoto is.
Just found your blog. I really love your top. It looks great.
Wow, I'm so sorry I didn't find you a couple of months ago! I hosted Perth's first SwapORamaRama in early December, and it would have been so cool to have you and your amazing talent there.
Did you know there is a downloadable Yohji Yamamoto pattern at ShowStudio.com (I think it's still there, otherwise I have it on file)
Can I send you an invitation to the Perth BurdaStyle Sewing Club? We love restyling!
Clever, clever, clever, and very smart (in both of its meanings!).
I'm impressed, I like it a lot.