So, here we go, the first day of Spring, and the first day of a month of all self-stitched fun, to be seen in entirety here. As usual, when the pressure is on to dress for a challenge like this my perverse nature means that I could think of absolutely nothing to wear this morning. Yes really! Sounds ridiculous, I know…
And just saying now; I will understand entirely if this is not everyone’s idea of what a blog should be and if people choose to switch off for the month, BUT I have enjoyed these challenges before and I find them very helpful in assessing my self-made wardrobe and its wearability. I want to try to mix up old and new and be “interesting”. There will be some new creations popping up this month. So I hope it doesn’t get boring.
So what of today? My ivory shirt and the skirt are new-ish, both made in the last month or so… and it may appear black in the photo, but my outfit is navy blue. I made the jacket a few years ago but haven’t worn it for one of these challenges yet. I was pretty proud of this jacket when I made it, because it is completely lined and also underlined, my first attempt at a properly tailored jacket. Also with no iron-on interfacing, as an experiment. As a result, the jacket is very soft and very comfortable, and the tailoring has stood the test of time. And when I dyed this previously charcoal skirt blue it hadn’t occurred to me that I now had something passing as a suit. Hehe, me, in a suit?! Mon dieu! The funny thing is that I didn’t think I was going to look quite so suit-y when I selected these items… and it was only when I was dressed and looking in the mirror I was like, woa, I’m in a suit! Actually I do have another suit, also made by me, that gets worn, like, never. Never ever. And now I have another one…. you’d think I’d have learned, right?
Details:
Jacket; Simplicity 4698, navy blue silk hessian, to see this jacket styled in 6 different ways go here
Shirt; Burdastyle magazine 10/2010,102, made of white brushed cotton, details and my review of this pattern here
Skirt; Vogue 7303 lined, made of charcoal wool mix then dyed blue, details here
Tights; Metalicus
Shoes; Django and Juliette, from Zomp shoes
I never wear suits either! What you have on looks polished, but still less formal than a suit. It's nice to have a few "smart-casual" outfits to turn to.
Looks very classy. I like it! Suits, not really for me either but I don't think you can go past navy and white for a dressy outfit.
I love the look and I will most definitely continue to read during September. I have not yet participated in one because the daily photographs are more than I can manage, but I love the idea.
And I want shoes just like yours. They will work with so many outfits.
I like seeing your outfits. This one is a lovely casual take on a suit.
I have sooo been looking forward to Self Stitched September just to SEE your outfits! Looking forward to all the posts. This is a very casual fun looking suit I think it'll be ok 😉
I'm with the OutlawLady – I love your styling as much as your sewing!
I don't think this outfit looks at all suity. It does look smart, but in "well dressed and put together" as opposed to "going to a job interview".
It also made me laugh when you said the first day of spring – I can never quite get my head round the opposite seasons to here for those in the southern hemisphere – I'm busy making a wool skirt at the moment!
That doesn't look very "suit like" to me. 🙂 Beautiful jacket!
I love this jacket. I don't think it looks like a suit either, I like this outfit.
Keep 'em coming Carolyn. This challenge is really what raised the bar for me in my style transformation. I like this casual business look you have going on today.
I'm looking forward to all your September outfits. I do love how you mix things up.
I happen to love suits, but unless one's lifestyle demands the wearing of suits, they seem to hang in the closet without use, so then what's the point of having them? I look to your inspired mixing up of things to make use of the individual pieces of my "suits". Can't just chuck all that hard work that got put into those jackets!
Pretty! I love the lines of the blazer on you.
I don't think your outfit looks too suity either. Very stylish. That jacket shirt combo would look fabulous with jeans as well.
Well, you are wearing it, right? I too thought "nothing to wear!" I remember last year getting my wind somewhere in the middle of the month and then losing it again. Love the jacket … And your hair looks lovely too.
It's fun! You made me go to the wikipedia. I didn't know that the spring in Australia start in a different day… By here, spring only in 23 september. We'll have to wait.
Kisses.
Now that is classic and classy.
Great chic outfit. I like the navy and white combination and the shape of the jacket looks good on you.
What a great combination. I didn't really think "suit" when I saw it because of the blouse being untucked and the shape of the hemline on the jacket. I think it has a romantic Victorian vibe, especially with the shoes. I really like it, and I look forward to seeing all your looks this month.