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| I found Simplicity 7822 in my recently inherited seven box stash addition. I swear I had a top that looked exactly like that purple one on the right when I was eight or so. |
I was going through my closet, trying to put away all the clothes that don't fit anymore, and I came across this top from very early on in my sewing journey. I haven't worn it in at least two years; I didn't like how boxy it was in the torso, and since I made it from less than a yard of fabric, it was way too short to wear untucked. Even tucked in, it was always working itself loose. Of course, now that I'm in a family way, the loose fit is perfect! It was still too short, though, so I had to figure out how to lengthen it when I didn't have any of the fabric left. Well, it's a good thing the 80s are back, because looking through the Anthropologie website revealed a quick and easy fix: just add a ruffled peplum in a different fabric! Those last two were the most inspirational; I combined the idea of lace + gray + peplum to come up with this combination:
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| It took less than half an hour to gather a 10" strip of light grey rayon knit at a 1:1.5 ratio and attach it to the bottom of this shirt. |
I was so pleased with myself for saving an unwearable top and even making it maternity-appropriate. And then when I really looked at myself in the mirror, I realized that I had just put on the exact outfit from Simplicity 7822, complete with the leggings. I even wore it with ballet flats today. Oh well, at least my hair is a normal size?
Next thing you know, I'll be succumbing to overalls. (Actually, I really hope not. If I do, you have permission to stage an intervention.)
Haha, I'm still of the opinion that 80s styles > 90s styles, so I'm definitely in favor of the drop waist look here. Big hair was easily the best part of the 80s! So glad Lorde is bringing it back so people will finally think I'm cool.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I have enough of a handle on 90s fashion to be able to say what it is...but maybe I just don't like big hair because my hair is so bad at it!
DeleteNearly my entire inherited pattern collection is horrendous patterns from the 80s and 90s... mostly drop-waisted potato sacks with gigantic puff sleeves. All the menswear involves Hawaiian prints on the pattern envelope *shudder*
ReplyDeleteYour compete lack of matching, lacey short leggings (or contrast print ones!) puts you far ahead in the taste stakes than the fab ladies of Simplicity 7822.
Ooh, I don't have any 80s menswear...obviously my pattern repertoire is lacking ;)
DeleteWell, at least you didn't wear it with cycling shorts
ReplyDeleteAt least I don't own any cycling shorts... ;)
DeleteYou don't look super 80's even though your outfit technically matches the pattern envelope. The lack of pastels and flora prints is working in your favor. :) Your overalls comment is making me giggle because my sister-in-law ,a real child of the 80's, is always lamenting that she can't find adult overalls to wear. She even gave me old maternity overalls when I was pregnant with my son. Now that is a garment that should not exist.
ReplyDeleteI just looked up maternity overalls and ugh, I have to agree!
DeleteCute! Drop waist dresses rock! And they are so comfortable, even for post maternity. Hey, you now overalls/coveralls are making a comeback. Even Peter from Male pattern boldness is considering them. You'd be cutting edge if you went for it with a pair! ;-)
ReplyDeleteYeah, this tunic is definitely super comfy! I have too many bad memories of overalls, though, to reconsider them.
DeleteIt looks contemporary but yep the eighties are being raided--it happens like clockwork after thirty years people begin to stomach what they spent twenty years mocking. The overalls are trying to claw their way back, too. I saw just the update yesterday, stretch overalls i.e. all the overall details but made from jegging material!!!!
ReplyDeleteYikes! That all I have to say...then again, I cringed when jeggings first came out and yet now I have a pair. Oops.
DeleteI was not a child of the 80s, I had children of the 80s and am guilty of dressing them in some of those dropped waist, legging type clothes. But for active kids, it was practical.
ReplyDeleteAs for the overalls, I recently made maternity overalls from Burda 7357 and my daughter loooooved them. Very comfy. The pattern seems to be out of print but I'd be happy to send you mine.
Thanks for the offer, but overalls are not really my thing! I think I'll spend the summer in maxi dresses.
DeleteI keep seeing Brooklyn girls in overalls! NO! NO NO NO! Oof. But this outfit is super cute on you! I really, really like it! I wasn't trendy in the '80's (hippie mom) so I missed all those looks, but I really wanted to dress like Kelly Bundy instead of like Laura Ingalls Wilder (the major downside of having a mom who sewed... and loved prairie dresses).
ReplyDeleteAww, you must've been adorable in those prairie dresses though! I hope you saved some pictures of that at least!
DeleteYou look nice even in an 80s outfit, and isn't it great the fact that you made that top wearable in less than half an hour?
ReplyDeleteThanks! And yes, I do love me some instant gratification.
DeleteI think to be truely like the pattern from the 80s, you would need a lot more ease in what you have (and the pastelly fabrics, as mentioned above). Your shirt is more fitted (and much more figure flattering) than those potato sacks.
ReplyDeleteNow that I look back at the pattern envelope and how tent-like it is, you're right!
DeleteIf that's the 80s you make it look good. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Em!
DeleteNice save on the shirt! When I was pregnant with my second child I bought a used Air Force jump suit. It had velcro on the sides so as I got bigger I just released the sides. My mother was mortified that I wore it. I think she threw it out behind my back when she came over to help me with the wee one. You could wear overalls and totally rock the look :)
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to imagine this jumpsuit and failing :)
DeleteI had a ruffle top that I wore with biker shorts back in the day. It was my favorite outfit. This is far from 80's! Just a little hint of an 80's throwback ;)
ReplyDeleteI think I can live with hinting at the 80s...
DeletePlenty of 80s fashions were great and are once again in - lots of young girls are walking around in skinny jeans tucked into boots and neon shirts - just like I wore in high school. I'd rather see dropped waist dresses than all of the inappropriate butt cracks from low-rise jeans (can that trend please end soon?) and even small shoulder pads instead of visible bra straps.
ReplyDeleteYour top save is really cute.
It's taken me a long time to come around to neon, but I do like skinny jeans tucked into boots. And totally agreed about the butt cracks!
Deleteoh, god have you looked at the 1980s maternity patterns, yet? Have a good hearty belly laugh with those and yes if I see you wearing any of those there WILL BE an intervention. The horror, the horror...
ReplyDeleteI've come across some in the thrift stores, yes...
DeleteI knoooooow I owned (and wore with pride!) the outfit on the left.
ReplyDeleteExcellent...I had the one on the right, so we're a pair!
DeleteHa, I think you look totally cute! And anything goes in pregnancy, so embrace it!
ReplyDeleteOhohohoh! Okay, 1: I have a pair of silver hoop earrings if you wanted to complete this look {that's eighties, right?}, and 2: I just saw one of those uber fashionable design bloggers post a pic of her wearing the exact Anthro top you're referencing, so you are right on point, dear! Yayyy!
ReplyDelete