“Greige”; not a word found in any dictionary, but one adopted by the fashion industry to describe this colour that is not quite grey, not quite beige… I love it. And going by my latest fabric shopping binge carefully-considered purchases, one I will be incorporating happily into my neutrals collection for this spring…
I’ve made this new top. Seemingly just an ordinary top, the pattern drafted from other tops I already own, with a small pattern modification… I’ve noticed on some designer collections the trend for a slightly different shoulder/sleeve treatment, where the sleevecap seems to be sitting much higher on the shoulder than usual, but still smoothly fitted to the shoulder. The crest of the shoulder/sleeve seam sits halfway up the model’s shoulder, see below right. Usually in my tops I aim to have that seam right on the shoulder crest… He he, I had a fleeting thought on first noticing this unusual shoulder in a fashion shoot that this might just be a symptom of an ill-fitting top!, but of course in serious fashion collections an effect is usually intentional… and I thought this was interesting so thought I’d give it a whirl. I think I had reasonable success for a first-time experiment. I just cut the sleeve cap about 4cm higher and removed width from the shoulder seam and arm scye along the outer edge… I do like the way the seam sits up a little higher, and not on the crest of the shoulder. It feels a lot smoother and sits nicer, in my opinion! Sometimes that little blobby seam sitting right on the shoulder edge can detract from the overall smooth lines of a top and this higher seam, not raglan, but not quite a conventional set in shoulder either, is a nice compromise… what do you think?
And for day 8 of Self-Stitched September: my pants are made from Burda 7863, from khaki stretch gabardine seen first here, and my scarf is knitted by me, seen first here.
Details:
Top; self-drafted, greige jersey knit
Jeans; Burda 7863, khaki stretch gabardine
Scarf; my own design, Debbie Bliss yarn
Boots; Andrea and Joen, from Uggies
photo below right, Maison Martin Margiela top, from Vogue Australia, photographed by Max Doyle; it is hard to see here, sorry, but the seam IS halfway along the model’s shoulder…
Great top! I think the colour looks wonderful on you. I should never try to wear a colour like that, it would make ME look greige too, but on you it looks great. By the way, I have been meaning to ask you before: is that your natural hair colour? I love it!
I know that sleeve shape as half-raglan. To make it work in woven fabrics (without going for a casual, wide armhole, t-shape), you would take pieces off the front and back bodice and attach them to the sleeve, creating a sleeve with a small seam or dart which lines up with the shoulder seam. This sleeve was used extensively in the 1950's.
That shoulder line is very interesting – it looks clean and smooth.
Your whole outfit is really smart, and I admire your excellent photos – all the backgrounds look gorgeous as well as your clothes. I think the paperbarks outer layer must be griege too.
I like it! I'll gie that shoulder a shot in my next knit top – most likely a turtleneck. Great shoulder detail!
Thank you Lauriana for the history of the cut. I always enjoy finding out the origin of styles!
i love the color. you're right, it's a great neutral to work into the whole wardrobe.
Huh. I never would have thought of that variation. I think it looks great. I love the background for your photo shoot today too.
I think the shoulder experiment was a success. It looks really good and that color is so nice on you! Another stylish ensemble. PS: I appreciated your thoughts on my last pair of Burda pants, Thanks!
What magazines or websites do you follow to keep up with current fashion trends? I'm new to your blog and am really enjoying going back and reading your posts and seeing your lovely photos. Nice to see a sewing blog where the clothes are actually attractive!
Pingback: Flares in Plum | Handmade by Carolyn