So I tried to write this post earlier this week. And I wrote a whole other post about my plans for my frocks - but it didn't sit right and so I didn't post. I talked about my goals for Slow Fashion October last week on the blog and they remain the same. Focus and frocks. But how they fit into the bigger picture .....well I needed to give it some thought.
“...we’re talking handmade / living with less / quality over quantity / the capsule wardrobe / indie fashion / small-batch makers / sustainability in every sense. ”
The more I thought about it the more I wanted to spend this month focused on the bigger picture. Not just making frocks at a frantic rate (I'm sewing faaaassst this week!) but sewing frocks that fit into the bigger picture of a quality wardrobe that will last over time.
Before embarking on this process of making my wardrobe a few years ago, I often used to go to the cupboard and find nothing to wear. This is no longer my reality. I've slowly created my larger-than-necessary capsule wardrobe, in complimentary colours, and it works really well. I fell good about it. So now it's just a process of filling in the gaps. Which means not making lots of frocks but making frocks the right frocks.
That said I think part of the problem of desiring more and more is that I don’t think I’ve ever felt that good about my wardrobe. I’ve looked into it and many/most of the clothes haven’t made me feel that good. I haven't put that much thought into them. I've impulse purchased and not planned. I've had that "I don't have anything to wear feeling" often. Moving to a place where most of my clothing “sparks joy” Konmari style, and throwing out those things that don’t, has me feeling more grateful and less needy. Which means that I’m less focused on acquiring more (from a place of not-having-enough) and more focused on being joyful for what is there (from a place of gratitude).
I’ve talked a bit about my changing relationship with the idea of “enough”. A tricky concept to be sure. So while I’ve been meaning to make frocks for forever, when I’m finally about to make, I find myself wondering if I actually already have enough clothes. Eek!! So I want to be careful. Careful that I am making things that I really want to wear, will wear often, will be part of my everyday and that won’t date.
I read this line in Women In Clothes this week when one of the editors/writers talks about how she believes that each person has a “deep style”, even if they don’t know it. I’m thinking a bit about what mine might be, so that I can make sure the things I’m making fill the gaps, and then last me. I’m hoping the formula leads to something like this.
Less + better* = Satisfied for longer and grateful
*Where better is something that fits me, my lifestyle and makes me feel joyful. Because joyful clothing is where it is at - non?
There is this other line in Women in Clothes (I can’t find where ) where one of the women says that her purchasing line is “will I like this in five years?” Isn’t that an ace yardstick with which to measure a purchase?
So I have a revised plan for my wardrobe - to fill gaps with deep style items I will like in five years.
And the thing I was at risk of doing at the start of the week was planning on making a lot of things. Four frocks was my plan. And in time four might be a good amount - I already have a few. But after a few days of thought about enough/capsule/style/consumerism/responsibility/desire I am scaling the plan back to include the two that I most want and am most avoiding because I'm a little scared. Scared they won't turn out as beautifully as I want them to. I've been dreaming about them both for so long that making them into a reality comes with the risk that I'll screw them up..... Slow Fashion October to the rescue! Let's focus on the things that will make us happiest in the long term in order to kick the fear to the curb.
Without further ado, they are...
The everday boxy tunic - in a gorgeous fabric
Over jeans, over tights. Loose box tunic with a stylish shape in a gorgeous fabric. Lou Box again – but altered to be more Georgia like. So a bit wider and with the cuff on the sleeves. I can’t remember how I came across Elizabeth Suzann originally but like many others before me I'm a little obsessed with her style. Timeless, fashionless, forever clothing that suits my everyday*. I want to make a long tunic kinda knee length frock in my favourite ever linen that I have been saving like the hoarder I am. It’s going to be simple and smashing. I've cut it out already and am very nervous that I made the neckline too big. "It's only fabric, it's only fabric, it's only fabric" is the mantra of the day.
Scraps ready to go....
my favourite daywear-to-dinner frock style - in a gorgeous fabric I made
Anna by By Hand London is the base pattern of the top of this frock! Again I’ve been wanting to do Anna for-ever. This dress shape is one of my favourites - but it needs a lightly gathered skirt like you see in the examples here that pair it with the Emery skirt. I plan on doing a slightly gathered skirt as per my favourite ever Gorman frock and will lower the neckline a little. And the fabric.....well I can't wait to show you but I have plans for a masterpiece…..that is where the slow fashion comes in. It may not work but I'm going to finally give it a shot.
And then there is the dress that I don't get to make yet but may make before the summer.
the summer perfect summer frock - in Nani Iro
Lisa by Tessuti. Frocks like Lisa would be my everday summer uniform if I had one. I have a jersey fushia number (I can see your shocked faces) that I’ve worn quite a bit. But I've worn it not because I like it, OR because it fills me with joy, but rather because it's there. Lisa will be joyful. She will be made from that gorgeous Nani Iro in the photo above, with a lower scooped neckline and possibly no buttons. I need to lower the neckline as I think Lisa suffers a little bit from Waist Boob on me. I tried the sample on in Tessuti's Melbourne shop. If only we could do that with all sewing patterns!
Can't wait to see what you have all been up to this week.
Felicia x
*In time I plan on purchasing some of her sensational Clyde pants.
