I love a ballet wrap bani. I think they work for my shape plus they speak to the 8 year-old who wanted to be Margot Fonteyn. I haven't got bo's eye for shape and form but what I think I'd do is change one thing to shake things up a bit. I'm not sure what but maybe try it with a thin polo/turtle neck underneath for a more 60s vibe, or tie it differently e.g. lower or looser. Or chop off the sleeves. Ok that's a bit drastic. Or replace the opaques - I'm not going to suggest bare legs in late September Northern Europe but didn't bo do something on tights for the last Advent Calendar? (Have you noticed how I keep bringing up Advent Calendars? Whoops I just did it again.) Or change the shoes for cowboy boots, not that I've got any. Or if none of them worked, break up the outfit and team the skirt with, say a chunky men's cardigan and the wrap with an ankle length skirt or some ultra voluminous trousers.

Basically I'd just mess about with it.

Original poster

botemp · 18/09/2019 09:27

she promises to be all sweetness and smiles and then just 'casually' mentions an advent calendar For the record, I've yet to receive a Liberty's AC or equivalent, and no, I'm not settling for a MN mug, all mugs die an instant death in this household

Dressing like a canapé? Is that supposed to be a good or a bad thing? I think I resembled a prawn cocktail as a child for a while...

Some interesting articles doing the round at the moment since it's London fashion week:

Long-ish read, continuing the Anglo in Fashion watch, but a more interesting take from the inside on how class, division and crossing the divide plays into it, British Fashion Exploits, Celebrates and Fetishises the Working Class

How 'art world insider' became the look of the decade Pfft, a bit of old news, we were on to this Reddit thread character already, though I think it's a bit much to declare it the look of the last decade, more likely of the next.

So hot it hurts: London fashion week in the age of climate activism - because I keep asking everyone there's another month of fashion shows what the point is when all the relevant metrics for buyers are all sourced online and the whole thing feels a bit redundant, only kept alive for the sake of a party.

OP posts:

Original poster

botemp · 18/09/2019 09:29

I keep asking *every time not everyone...

OP posts:

quirkychick · 18/09/2019 12:21

I'm trying to catch up with everything, after spending the last few days clearing up late mil's house . It's inspired me to declutter our own house too.

I like the ballet wrap cardi, bani, and agree with others that the horizontal line of the cami doesn't help, would a lower cami or one with a more rounded neckline help? Sometimes very subtle changes, as flo says, can make all the difference.

I think I've been on a fisherman chic (maybe nautical sounds better?) vibe this week. Monday was drizzly, so I tried out the Breton cap with Ilse Jacobsen raincoat and necktie/scarf. Cap was perfect for a drizzly autumn day. Today, I've been in culottes with green uniqlo u jumper and necktie/scarf.

timeisnotaline · 18/09/2019 14:29

I need to hide this thread as I just bought some tweed from fabworks (and some teal boiled wool) Our packers come in a week- I cannot buy anything else
I like the deconstruct of banis outfit a lot, very helpful thinking. What does it look like with a belt at waist level and no cami underneath bani?

banivani · 18/09/2019 16:42

I was saving myself for a proper post when I had the time but I just had to pop in briefly because lord almighty Quirky, I’m not about to flash that amount of flesh on the internet - with no cami on I’d be a bit nekkid 😂😘

banivani · 19/09/2019 09:46

Time . Sorry Quirky. time wanted me naked, you suggested a lower neckline. I am so sorry. So funny that you're buying fabric just before a move Time. Are you a sewing person(note how I avoided both the traditional seamstress and the modern but ambigious sewer there).

The problem with boobs is I can't go lower, because everyone can look down my front. Ideally I feel a wrap should encase my breasts both sides, fittting snugly in the middle and exposing nothing (I don't think that makes a scandalously low neckline if the rest is covered). Unfortunately I haven't found anything that doesn't slip down a little thus showing my bra. I'm either pinning things to my bra to keep them put or I'm wearing a camisole underneath. The olive green wrap from Mango so far is the best fitting thing. I can't wear a turtleneck because they stwangle my twoath as my daughter used to say when she was little. Possibly very high boat necks? Little boats I mean, you know. Not that I own one.

I'll post a pic someday of the suede skirt with something different, I really appreciate these comments.

Floisme · 19/09/2019 09:59

I know what you mean bani. I love a ballet wrap but the low cut front is a bit much for me and it's hard to think of an alternative to a cami. (I know I suggested a polo but in all honesty I think the chance are it would look a bit odd.) Maybe the only answer is to distract with a big, frothy, sticky-out tutu.

time I hope the fabrics don't disappoint. I came across Fabworks through reading some sewing blogs and they were warmly recommended. (I'm deeply suspicious of anything recommended by a fashion 'influencer' but I'm assuming sewing hasn't yet been taken over by PR - or is that very naive of me?)

I'm also gripped by the merchant and mills workbooks and website. It's all so beautifully presented and I much prefer their aesthetic to the standard jaunty/quirky dressmaking guides. But is it style over substance? I don't know enough about it to tell. Hell I don't even own a sewing machine yet

Floisme · 19/09/2019 10:00

Whoops long crosspost with bani there!

banivani · 19/09/2019 10:06

Flo sadly sewing is very very PR and so nowadays. Tilly and the buttons for example has been roundly criticised as one big vanity project with more style than substance (whether this is accurate 100 % I can't say since I haven't tried the sewing). There were some very honest GOMI threads about it - the GOMI arts and crafts forum was very constructive and not particularly mean-spirited at all, albeit scathing in its criticism.

Floisme · 19/09/2019 10:11

Oh that is disappointing to hear but I guess gullible of me to think otherwise. Must say I didn't take to Tilly but that was mostly for style reasons. The Fabworks rec wasn't from her so fingers crossed.

banivani · 19/09/2019 10:21

I read a lot of sewing blogs for a while and it takes some time before you start to think hm, is this for show are someone who is genuinely good/passionate? There wasa bit of a scandal with pattern testing for free for indie pattern makers etc iirc. But I'd say a lot of fabric recommendations are solid on the whole.

ThisNameIsDifferentFromTheLast · 19/09/2019 13:32

I've brought a fair bit from Fabworks, and I'd say the quality is pretty decent. They have some beautiful tweeds in stock which were milled locally.

Their Avoca is also the same quality as those stocked in the Avoca stores in Ireland. I've got a couple of meters of some of Avoca from Fabworks which was a bargain compared to Avoca's ready made blankets. I made a stole from the French pattern company Orageuse using the Avoca fabric, but added a lining rather than turning under the edges as per the instructions. It looks fabulous on the receiver.

Which leads me on to Indie pattern companies and the sewing bloggers...

So much gifted fabric, so much pushing of unnecessary tools like the cricut. So many patterns that really are not chic at all.

I've never liked the look of Tilly's patterns, too many shift dresses and pinafores, it's all a bit too homespun and kinder school teacher.

The European pattern companies are much better IMO, Ready to Sew and Named clothing come to mind.

ThisNameIsDifferentFromTheLast · 19/09/2019 13:36

Oh forgot to say thanks banvani for the GOMI blog mention, I've not heard of them before so will have a read.

And Bo I owe you a long overdue thanks for the boots info a few pages back. Unfortunately I don't have a store nearby but I am sure something similar will come along soon .

And back on to the Parisian theme, I though this article in the Times today was interesting:

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-great-french-chic-myth-by-the-parisian-writer-alice-pfeiffer-3sb56jqnn?shareToken=e98e6f88d4912b70a842fe7d148f1262

Redandblue11 · 19/09/2019 15:40

I am around, just lurking as I am sooo busy.
But I did enjoy the article thisname
Thanks

banivani · 19/09/2019 15:45

Gomi is a minefield of both good and bad now mind! Unnecessarily unpleasant at times, refreshingly honest and to the point sometimes.

Never heard of Orageuse or Cricut, am thoroughly enlightened. Cricut seems to be exactly the problem with sewing influencers! I quite fancy a stole like that (one of my style ideals) but don’t know how to pull it off without just feeling super wide on top.

Adding two photos from yesterday. So dark I don’t know if you can see anything? The shirt is from Åhléns Carin Wester collection (ie not very exclusive). I got it for the colour and the wide ties. I’m a sucker for a tie. Until know I’ve worn it tucked in, so it’s had a wrap blouse effect. Yesterday I wore it outside my trousers (H&M, wool blend twill, pleated front, slightly tapered) and I tried the tie both front and back. It felt very mannish, esp with brogues.

quirkychick · 19/09/2019 21:00

I love your green shirt, bani.

quirkychick · 19/09/2019 21:03

Posted too soon... no more help with the ballet wrap top, I think I would wear a scoop necked vest top under, but I have much more modest boobage. Someone better endowed might have a more practical suggestion.

timeisnotaline · 20/09/2019 00:46

To be clear bani I don’t want you naked. In the nicest possible way. I’m sure you’re lovely naked . I use Hollywood tape to to attach clothes to my bra to keep baggy necklines from slipping, could be the answer? I hardly have boobs at all hence have to deal with baggy necklines.
I’m not exactly a sewer. I have made clothes in the past - a couple of skirts and dresses and can do basic mending. I’d love to do more, I’m not very good. And with both of us full time and small children I don’t have a lot of time! My mum and her sisters are very competent. I’m off to look at some of these sewing names. Merchant and mills patterns often seem much more hipster than me- like they should be made in a grey organic serge with mustard tights. I don’t really understand a fake sewing blog though - it takes far too long to just be doing it for a vanity project! And the home sewer needs to be decent which takes work. I don’t know Tilly and the buttons but had a look, the blog tutorial looks like a sewer. The patterns look on the homemade daggy side to me.

timeisnotaline · 20/09/2019 00:49

Green shirt is nice! I like the front tie. I wore brogues to dinner tonight, attempting a trans seasonal look with a floaty summer blouse and burgundy jeans and brogues. It’s not bad but not amazing, I can’t put my finger on why.
Waits for bani to suggest I lose the cami to improve the look

WhoEatsPopTarts · 20/09/2019 08:21

Long time lurker and sewing blogger here. Fabworks can be hit and miss quality wise, but the wool is usually a safe bet. I make almost everything I wear which is why I only lurk, but I enjoy your posts and thoughts about shape, style and trends. Justine is my YouTube favourite, I think it would be amazing if Bo was a YouTuber too. There are some wonderful indie sewing pattern companies, but the primary school ‘chic’ aesthetic is very popular in the sewing world so you have to look through past that.

Floisme · 20/09/2019 08:42

I'd love to hear some more pattern recs WhoEats (especially once the small matter of not owning a sewing machine has been rectified).
Agree time that Merchant & Mills appears very hipster and a bit pretentious - all the things that annoy me about Toast dialled up to 10. But (and it's early days) theirs are about the only patterns I've seen so far that don't assume I want poster paint colours, quirky patterns and pinafore dresses.

quirkychick · 20/09/2019 12:37

time, is it because the floaty top creates a horizontal line and the brogues maybe exaggerate that? Would ankle boots work better as they would elongate your legs?

Redandblue11 · 20/09/2019 12:50

time I think that where the top ends is the widest bit of your hips, which you normally don’t come across in photos as very “hippy” (as in with wide hips) but here you look a bit that from this angle.
I am also unsure about that cami under the shirt.
I am not being extremely helpful I feel so I stop and leave it to the more detail accurate here.

whoeats i would love to see a photo of any of your self made clothes

I am still in my no but spell. I managed nearly a month! My only allowance is when I go to a vintage and antique fair I had planned for a year. Is mainly furniture but sometimes there is jewellery, hats, scarfs so don’t be surprised if I acquire some

Floisme · 20/09/2019 14:51

time I really like all the colours together but I think brogues can look a bit unbalanced with skinny jeans. I wear brogues a lot but I prefer them with a wider leg e.g. in bani's pic. I think skinnies work better with something a bit clumpier.

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