[Style Search] Week 3: First Make

Sep 17, 2016 | Sewing Projects | 22 comments

Hi All!

After last week I definitely needed a little time away from my closet, and to recharge in front of my sewing machine, think about everything and process a little more. Firstly thanks so much for all of your amazing comments! You guys are the best! You gave me so much encouragement, great ideas, tips and support! And I promise I’m still going to plough on, even if it’s a challenge 🙂

But this week I wanted to make something that was an easy project, something that I thought would have an immediate big impact on my wardrobe and would go with EVERYTHING. The one from the list that really stood out was a simple knit skirt. So I did a little browsing and I found my perfect simple pattern – the Mabel from Colette.

 

And it was so easy and fun that I decided to make myself two!

One I made a little more casual out of this light-weight denim-look knit, and the other a little more dressed up out of my black quilted rayon. Both SUPER comfortable, and very versatile.

So I made one outfit for each skirt from my fall wardrobe!

This first outfit includes my new blue skirt. I chose this short-sleeved, hi-lo, sweater top over a simple white sleeveless button up blouse. I have some tights in the colour ‘nightshade’ on for a little more leg coverage, with my little ankle boots which are super comfy and as high of a heel as I will wear lol. Also for my bit of a pop of colour, I chose this coral coloured necklace I found at a thrift store.

It feel like this outfit is a good balance. For me this is an outfit that I would wear to my studio and I would feel cool about going out to lunch, or if someone stopped in. It would also be fine for sitting at my computer or sewing machine for hours. To me it hits the comfortable, chic, youthful and fresh pretty well.

It was easy enough to wear for a hike around the boardwalk and I think it’s pretty body flattering. It has enough visual interest to be cool, but not too much to be quirky or overdone for me. And I think that because I have a blouse on, and this grey/black sweater, it still gives off the professional vibe, with a skirt that’s a little on the shorter side to add the ‘young’ to young-professional.

At this point I’m probably way over-analyzing the outfit, so here is a picture of me hugging Gibby, and let’s move on to the next outfit!

This next outfit with my black quilted Mabel, is a little more casual and a little more warm for later in the fall.

For this outfit I have my skirt over opaque black tights, with my lace-up boots that I bought a little big so I could wear my super-thick wooly socks- in my pop of colour deep fuchsia. On the top I have this grey sweater that is like a really thick wooly net- it’s all holes, so it’s warm but not too warm (I’m a very warm person all the time). I have a black tank top underneath it (which is actually an old pj shirt with a saying on it worn inside out just for this outfit- I really need some tank tops!) And finally I have a scarf that is also deep fuchsia!

This outfit to me is really good because it is very practical and cosy without just being my yoga pants all the time- to me the skirt-and-tights combo is a slightly more stylish thing to wear than another day of black yoga pants. For me this is more on the comfortable, youthful, cool, edgy – because of the boots with thick socks, and the grey sweater that’s all holes. It’s also a very dressed-down version of this skirt, because I think it has the potential to be very chic and classic if I pair it with different things.

I can see myself going apple picking with my friends in this outfit, or maybe going to a fun little cafe for hot chocolate when it gets cold. I think it would also look cute with hats and mittens and a coat when it gets even colder. I think all the textures make this outfit cool to me 🙂

And as you can see it was definitely practical enough for me to get up a tree with my puppy 🙂

So there are my first two outfits. But I had a great idea- for next week instead of adding another new thing to my wardrobe, I’m going to make more outfits with these skirts, to really see where they fit into my wardrobe and see how versatile they can be.

One of my goals with these outfits is to make one that is more dressy to go out somewhere that is maybe a little glamorous for a girls night out, maybe an outfit that is a little more fresh and youthful before it gets too cold and all I want are the coziest things! I would also like to show more the shape of these skirts, because both of these outfits have a lower waist line with longer shirts/sweaters, but the skirts actually come all the way up to my waist- and I think that an outfit that shows off my waist might be more flattering and show my curves a little more.

What do you think? Any suggestions for these outfits or for next week’s outfits?

And don’t worry, I’m definitely feeling a little more hopeful and maybe slightly less lost this week? Let’s hope it holds through my outfit making ahead!

I love hearing from you!

xo

erin

22 Comments

  1. Sue @ A Colourful Canvas

    DANG girl…you've got legs that go for miles! Both of these looks are gorgeous.

    May have to follow your lead and look at where my own style is heading.

    Can't wait to see what you do next week.

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Thanks Sue! I think it helps that I'm super tall 😛 I would love to see your posts on style 🙂 it's always good to look through and make changes- it's already helping me so much!! Next week should be fun 🙂

      Reply
  2. Beth Holmes

    i love both of these, you look gorgeous! i'm really enjoying your style posts, it's interesting to see how you're finding what you like and what suits you. hope you're outfit-making goes well! 🙂

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Thanks Beth!! I'm loving writing the style posts- it's so refreshing to do something new for a while 🙂 Thanks for the well wishes on outfit making- I'm just hoping there isn't too much laying on the floor staring at the ceiling! lol

      Reply
  3. allie J.

    Your outfits are so cute!! Love those Mabels–is this the shorter or longer length? I can never figure out how to wear knit pencil skits, so I'm definitely taking inspiration from these!

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Thanks Allie!! This is the shorter Mabel, and so far I'm finding them really easy to mix into my wardrobe. I think it's also because they are fairly high-waisted, so I can wear any length of shirt with them, but I'm looking forward to mixing and matching them even more of my style post this Saturday 🙂 🙂

      Reply
  4. missmaddysews

    Yesssss, love your knit pencil skirts!!! Aren't they great?? So easy to sew AND to wear! I love mine because I can wear them all day on placement and look professional and stylish while being sneakily comfortable, and then come home and flop straight down on the couch without needing to take off uncomfortable clothes first 😛 I also made a turtle-necked version of the Nettie dress (again, I haven't got round to blogging it yet!), out of a really soft warm knit for the same comfort+chic reasons and I love it – definitely made getting dressed in winter easier! Can't wait to see how else you style these 🙂 xx

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      They are so great! And definitely have that 'secret pyjama' quality! It sounds like you have so many amazing un blogged projects! I'm going to have to keep an eye on your blog for all these beauties!

      Reply
  5. Regan Louise

    I love these outfits ! So cute on you ! I think you definitely hit the nail on the head there.

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Thanks Regan 🙂 I'm loving these outfits!

      Reply
  6. Anonymous

    Dear Erin,
    So glad you've got your sew-jo back! You have looks that kill. How is it you're still single? (Ha ha!) Like inventing and running your own business leaves Leads of spare time and energy. (Add a battery bunny emoji here) Those were the days! I miss my youth more than the daily challenges. But you rock girl!
    Now for the post I meant to get to last weekend. My Mum was always stylish and so was I while under her wing. How could I not be when I walked (toddled) down my first fashion show runway at one and a half. No thats not a typo, eighteen months old. It was a charity event and she walked along side the runway. Used up my cute points early in life and no I'm not sharing. Just think of late fifties kids clothes at the extreme. We're talkin Bonnet, gloves and little itty bitty white wicker purse with minature rose buds (real) and a bow on top. Oh yeah, and a lacey puffy short sleeve dress. Mom looked equally stylish in a sheath dress with knock out wide brim hat covered in flowers.
    Of course that means I hit high school in the early seventies aka the ERA era. "I am women, hear me roar!" We could wear pants! And then (gasp!) Jeans. Such freedom you have no idea. On the other hand; choices are NOT always easy. I wore a uniform to school until fifth grade. All I had to do was put on a clean blouse and my wool jumper. That fall was the first time I had new school clothes. After the first time I was late after an indecision meltdown :'( Mom started me in the habit of planning what to wear (in detail) the night before. I still do it to some degree especially for occasions! I really related to the lying on the floor time outs!;-)
    Other lessons learned, anything you wear til it dies. Ask youself why, then consider replicating it. Maybe in different colors or updating details like with or NOT 80's shoulder pads. Always have a few classics. Pencil skirts, dress black pants and always always a little black dress! Simple lines in a really good fabric. Not too extreme with the hem length. A sweater set never goes out of style, a wrap dress and of course a string (or more) of pearls. 😀
    Lastly, as I told a younger friend who was dreading turning thirty. It was the best because (especially in business) that's when everyone started treating me like I was finally grownup. Yeah! Later she told me she thought I was nuts at the time but turned out I was right. Meanwhile, back to the corral and the post ! an old mentor taught me to dress as if I were ten years older. Most folks can't tell the difference between 25 & 35. They go by your wardrobe and vocabulary. But always you can be stylish. 🙂

    Pick the fruit you like, ignore the rest. You're off to a great start!

    Best Always,
    Merry

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Dear Merry,

      Thanks so much! I have to say – at this point, the single life is then life for me! It gives me more time to be fabulous and figure out my style ha ha!
      I can only imagine how cute you would have been in the late 50's walking down a runway- I did the same with my grandmother for her sewing fashion shows- but it was the mid 90's so I don't think I faired out as well! lol
      I think it's a great idea planning your outfits ahead- and something I try to do if I have a very important thing to go to, or if I have to leave super early in the morning. But choices do make things harder- which is definitely a big part of my lusting after a capsule wardrobe!
      Those are really great points too! The classics are something I need to build and I feel like I have one LBD in my closet, but it's not as versatile as I wish it was- so I might need to make another- and there might be a wrap dress doing up in the future soon 😉
      I feel like it's a whole new world now, and turning 30 doesn't really scare me (I suppose that's easy to say when it's still 5 years away) but there are so many amazing role models of women who are still young and amazing and living cool lives and they're in their 30's – I feel like the 30's are the new 20's especially for my generation when everyone is struggling through their 20's up to their armpits in schooling and student debts!

      Thanks for all the tips and encouragement! More styling to come with these skirts this Saturday!!

      xo

      erin

      Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Thanks Rosemary! I'm really getting some use out of them!

      Reply
  7. Ilna

    Wow Erin, both these skirts rocks! I think they will fit in with a lot of your clothes. Stylish and comfortable – that's the way to go. I love the outfit you put together with the black one, that fuchsia looks good with it. Wish I had your legs (he, he)

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Thanks Ilna!! I've been working through putting together lots of outfits with them this week for my upcoming styling post- and I have to say they're pretty fantastic- and it's so nice to have some shorter skirt because other than wearing shorts in the summer I don't usually show off my legs- and I should more! 😉

      Reply
  8. Sofía

    I love your Mabel skirts! They're so simple but yet stylish! I really like the way you've styled them too, specially the first look. They're definitely a wardrobe staple! 🙂

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      They are becoming a huge wardrobe staple, the more outfits that I put together for this style post the more I'm drawn to wear them (although i'm holding off because I don't want to get them dirty before I take all the photos!!) Really it was the best 45- minute make to step up my wardrobe game!

      Reply
  9. Johanna

    This looks like a great start and the outfits are awesome. I worked through the Workbook from Into Mind (she's currently updating it) and that was a huge help,along with the Wardrobe Architect.
    Good luck with your closet! Be patient and it looks like you're on the right way.

    Reply
    • EmeraldErin

      Thanks Johanna! It's definitely a process! 🙂 🙂

      Reply

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