Just where are these beautifully cut natural fabric clothes?

[Badgergrey]

I'm using lockdown as a chance to overhaul my style and wardrobe and have been following the 'how to look expensive threads.

They all talk about buying well cut and tailored clothes in natural fabrics.

That's all well and good, but where do you buy those? Especially online and if your lifestyle doesn't usually demand being dressy?

I am handy with a sewing machine and can alter clothes (but wouldn't attempt tailoring), so any suggestions for buying lovely fabrics to make my own would also be great.

Thank you

@JoysOfString thank you!

Comptoir des Cotonniers. They are a French Jigsaw/Whistles clothing co.

Gorgeous stuff especially lots of linen (not mummy).

This linen dress is fab.

^Not Mumsy

I've got this and it's lovely.

This:

etsy.me/2iojO1y

I've bought some from Patra, not high fashion ,mainly Silk and cotton. They're cut for women with curves I details under the bust are under the bust not halfway up.

seasidetones.com/en_GB/index lovely linen made in Europe

This thread is brilliant. Thank you. I am desperately searching for lovely cotton or linen tops and have been struggling to find new places to explore. I've got plenty to research now!

Thank you for these. I am sick of nasty, cheap material, it feels horrible and sticks to you in summer.

There's a great blog post here which you might find useful:

thatsnotmyage.com/style-inspiration/sustainable-style-the-brands-that-dont-cost-the-earth/

Arket too?

Oh wow wow wow to the fabrics there @JoysOfString. I have a simple cocoon/duster coat from m&s that always looks smart and I’ve been meaning to make a copy in a different colour but struggled to find fabric. I’d basically do one in every one of their fabrics if I could! Not bad pricing either.

@ZaraW I have a very similar dress from monsoon. Zero creasing but I often get comments asking where I’m going being all dressed up.

I think a natural fabric can still be shit quality, e.g. a lot of high street linen (my pet bugbear). Personally I don't mind a small amount of synthetic in say, tailored trousers as it can help them drape better.

Also I think fabric and cut are two different things. I'm not sure what 'well cut' means in the world of tailoring but for me it's something that hangs well on on my body (but might not work for someone else). It's not just about fit. I think it's why some clothes can be in a good fabric but still look wrong (although they may feel nicer). Or vice versa, e.g. I like the cut of Whistles but I got fed up with the dodgy quality.

Yes Flo the quality of the fabric itself matters a great deal!

Well cut is generally used in terms of quality of pattern, I think. Cheaper clothing uses a lot of short cuts, because it uses less fabric and takes less time.

But how it sits on the individual also makes a big difference to one’s look - different brands will suit different body types (and even personality types, but that’s another discussion I think) so if is not quite right it’ll just look all wrong. Those who are lucky will find a range of brands that suit them perfectly, where the brand silhouette sits well and makes the best of what they’ve got. Others might struggle if they’re consistently right between sizes or too short/too tall for the majority of the brands they like. I think that’s why the people who know about these things tend to get a lot of things altered to sit exactly right.

Cut is critical. It affects how the fabric drapes.
A beautiful cut can forgive the quality of the fabric, but the wrong cut will make a good quality fabric look rubbish.

@Floisme both my mum and dad worked for Moygashel linen for many years , nearly all my clothes growing up were made by my mum from faulty off cuts of their fabric.

Lovely to see it mentioned!

This is partly why I want to learn to make my own clothes - even if I never produce anything wearable, I think it will teach me more about what makes a garment well made.

Wow, Moygashel linen was lovely Eve, I still have a jacket in it from the 60s and it's beautiful - and never goes saggy. You must be very proud of your heritage!

@lonelySam thanks for sharing that site. Do you have any of their dresses? They look lovely.

It is nice that there are some natural fabrics (I have the Poetry catalogue at home) but I cannot wear Viscose, Lyocell, Tencell etc.

Thank you, thank you for all the suggestions.
I'm coming to the conclusion I need to re-start making my own clothes.
I'm small and big busted so need a defined waist and things that don't drown my petite frame. Belts help, but a properly fitted waist is better.
I'm also a winter so sludgy colours don't suit either.
There are some amazing fabrics from those links and a few pieces which could work.

have you tried any of the Merchant and Mills patterns? If so, is their beginner rating really a beginner? Wondering whether to have a stab my self.

I know this wasn't addressed to me but I've made tons of M&M patterns and I would say their beginner patterns are definitely achievable by a beginner. Agree that their fabrics are absolutely gorgeous too. I can also recommend their courses - I made a pair of jeans there last year, I'd never attempt anything so difficult on my own and while I was definitely the slowest person on the course I pretty much managed to get them done (and sewed in all the topstitching ends afterwards).

DaisyBD thank you!

@thehollyandtheirony one of the dresses is on its way to me so you'll need to give me a while before I make my own opinion but generally speaking, Polish non - high street brands are good quality. Seaside tones sell on Etsy too and they have lots of very good reviews. I'll come back to you once I have received the dress ;)

Lots of good ideas on here, I'm just posting so i don't lose the thread. I'm particularly interested in good patterns for simple items no am off to Google the Japanese book mentioned upthread!