I received a comment on my photo yesterday in the Self-Stitched September flickr group that read in part that my ensemble looked perfect “mostly due to the beach background” LOL! *
Well I’m afraid the beach is going to steal the show again today because when I am fortunate enough to be staying by the beach then I see no reason not to make full use of nature’s beautiful offerings, particularly when one is simply logging a mere outfit. I’m not vain enough to believe my sewing creations are going to elicit any Wow! factor all by themselves!
So, today; I am using another little ploy for when one’s jeans have shrunk a tad, just roll them up a little bit and voila, the ankle-freezer factor has been happily disguised! Now they look as if they were meant to be like this… Another plus is that one can wade, which is as far as I will go in at this time of year. Shams asked if we swim at this beach, and yup we sure do! but it is still a tad chilly for full immersion. But the feel of cool salty water lapping about your ankles, and soft and squishy but still slight abrasive sand underfoot is always such a deliciously blissfully healthy feeling for your feet, don’t you think? I think it beats any foot pampering offered at any beauty spa, any day!
My half-zip-front parka is one I made about five years ago, and so it might be outdated but I still love it. It is self-drafted, but a completely slavish imitation of a Marni design from their Spring/Summer 2007 collection, so I feel I’m borrowing a bit of designer-style austere chic when I don this… . I really like how the high bunched up collar turned out. It’s basically a double layer rectangle cut to fit the neckline, sewn in, then with a lace inserted between the two layers and exiting through some tiny buttonholes to tie it loosely. It does have some piecing on the front, and all the seams are double topstitched, but it is probably hard to see it in this photo.
Details:
Parka; self drafted, a copy of this one at right, from Marni Spring/Summer 2007, black cotton
Jeans; Burda 7863 with modification, rust coloured stretch corduroy, details here
Sandshoes; Country Road
*Actually I’m sure the comment was intended to be a nice comment but I just couldn’t help but laugh when I read that bit…!
LOL @ your comment about a comment.
How about this one then. Your outfit looks perfect because of your dog…. teeheehee.
Either way, I'm jealous of the sun you've got. xo
Your jacket looks better than the original! I agree, nothing says spring more than a walk on the beach in the sun.
Cute jacket, I love the length! I wish we had some sandy beaches around here, I love walking barefoot in the sand…
How kind of you to show such a gorgeous beach, particulary to some people who might be feeling a tad snarky and need some soothing nature views ;). I like your rolled up trousers trick although I strongly suspect that on the less long legged it might look less elegant, and I do admire your parka. I expect my raincoats to last at least 20 years, so yours looks positively up to date to me!
You are very clever to self draft your top – it is not classical but looks timeless. Your dog is so sweet. Thanks for the info about Fabulouse Fabrics – another reason to visit WA ( I have several inlaws that live in Perth too )
It's all so lovely, you, the dog, the color palette,and goodness the beach…sigh. An inspiration and I do like the tip about the jeans, just made some a tad short, might try this even though my legs are a less then elegant length:)
Very smart. I personally make full use of the background scenery around me, although not as nice as your backgrounds.
I am totally in love with your Pattern Magic front linked dress. It so flattering on you and such a great idea to do the petticoat underneath.
I wonder if that person who made the comment didn't express herself as she intended. Why *wouldn't* you take advantage of your amazing scenery? Do fashion magazines plunk their models in ugly backgrounds? Wait, sometimes they do. 😉 But only for editorial expression.
Anyway, I love your casual look, esp those wonderful jeans.
But what I mostly ADORE is the expression on your dog's face! Does she love you or what????? I want to come sew with you, exfoliate my feet in the sand, and play with your doggy, and I am not even a doggy person. At all. 🙂
I'm wearing a pair of britches very similar to yours today. Admiring the three quarter sleeves on the parka.
I like your ankle-freezer rescue very much! My niece recently passed on a bunch of jeans to my daughter that actually fit me, except for the length… I've been contemplating radically shortening some, but this treatment might work, too…
Your jacket looks stylish to me, although have to chuckle at the term "Parka" here… I wouldn't call anything a parka that isn't rated to at least -30C ;). Regional dialect differences strike again!
Oh, and your backdrops pretty much ALWAYS steal the show, but that's the price you pay for living in paradise, I guess. 😉
The parka is definitely NOT dated! Timeless fashion?
I think my (very youthful and stylish) aunt used to have a very similar parka (not Marni). I remember liking it, and I'd still like something like it myself.
I envy you because of your beach… as always: lovely photo!