For Nancy K

On Nancy's blog she talks about a typical question I get with my clients.

I need to go to my daughter's or son's wedding and yet this may be the last time I look formal for the rest of my life?  I hate spending a lot of money on something I'll wear once, but then I want to look nice.

The older we get, we really don't need all that formal stuff, and for some of us, it's really the only time we want to be formal.  That doesn't mean that we don't like formal, or that we don't want to wear it, it's just that it doesn't work for our lifestyle.

I usually solve this problem with separates.  And usually what I like to do is put the $$$ into one piece with the other being the "background" or something that can be worn again - lots of times that means that background piece can be worn to a friend's child's wedding where you don't have to look so formal, but you can look nice and feel that you have one outfit that will fit into that "formal" category for when you need it.

So for Nancy - here's what I'm thinking.  She's close to "the" fabric district (yes the one in New York), and so she has access to anything (lucky soul), so that's not a problem.  So I'd go to the jacket, skirt or dress idea, and there are a couple of patterns here that can look really fabulous with this.

IDEA ONE:

This is an Issay Miyake and I love this jacket....here's the tech sketch:

I can't say the skirt does much for me...but I adore that jacket....it has darts and all sort of fitting mechanisms in there to make it easy to fit, and you can even do a wonderful contrast with those inset pieces.  The collar pice and the front "lapel" piece that in back becomes the center back inset, would be gorgeous done in the shiny side of a silk peau de soie with the rest of the jacket being done in the crepe side of the peau de soie.  This is a formal fabric that doesn't scream but it's very luxurious in a very quiet way.  For further contrast, you can do a facing piece for the inside of the cuffs in the shing side of the peau de soie. 

I would think a beautiful silver or slate gray in a peau de soie would be gorgeous with Nancy's coloring, and it would go with everything.  I'd put a sheath type dress or shell and skirt under this jacket and accentuate with pearls and some classic earrings and off you go.

 

IDEA TWO

This Badgley Mischka doesn't look like much and it's not photographed well, but look at the tech sketch of this:

This shows all the great fitting darts that are in this jacket....I love those princess-esque type seams with those little bust dart thingies coming off the upper curve.  And the same seams in the back to allow Nancy to really get a great fit on herself. 

This jacket is also quarter length sleeves, which I love for California during the summer.  It looks fresh and cool and nice, as does the collar standing away from the neck. It also has a great skirt and all she would have to add is a shell or a camisole and she's done. 

To do this in a wonderful shell (light coral, peach, aqua blue - a light color) in a fabulous iridescent dupioni or shantung would be elegant.  She might have to back it, depending upon the weight of the fabric, and then put this with a background colored skirt - something that is classic, that she would wear again means that the bucks go into the jacket and the skirt, camisole or shell can be worn again.

 

IDEA THREE

 

This is an older pattern and I made it up for my sister when my niece was a deb. It was beautiful.  For Nancy, again some beautiful shantung (preferably iridescent) and think about using one of those gorgeous Swarovski Crystal zippers where the works of the zipper show - like this:

I know they have these in the fabric district cause I've seen them there - on 36th-is or 35th-ish,  and they have them in different colors.

Anyway - here's the sketch of this Guy Laroche:

It's got a lot of style and a lot of  class.  And if the collar is too high then just shorten in an inch and you have the same great look without it getting in the way.  Again putting the money in the jacket, and this jacket is even conducive to a little trim - something sparkly, although wouldn't use the Swarovski zipper AND the sparkly trim....

 

This on a silver gray or iridescent slate gray shantung would be ELEGANT.  AND you can take it off after you're finished and the jacket can become just a classic jacket for that night you need something for a dinner party or to go to the city for a concert or something.

Dang - I wanna come to NY and do this.  The sad thing is that I know exactly where this trim is at M & J and know exactly where the fabric is at B&J! 

I WANNA COME TO NY. 

I can only go so long and then I need a good ol' fashioned New York fix!!!  I need to get my schedule better organized!!!

OK - hopefully that helps Nancy with some ideas. 

Comments

[Ann's Fashion Studio]

I absolutely love the jacket ideas and the trim is gorgeous.
They would be all so beautiful made up as you see them :)

[Carolyn]

Love the jacket in idea 1

[sewing spots]

So, Claire, will you consult for the rest of us in blogland on decisions like this?! Great ideas and follow up to Nancy K's post! This is one of many reasons that sewing blogs are so very delightful. Thanks for sharing your insights and expertise. I loved all the details and comments about the jacket structures and fabrics that you gave.

[ClaireOKC]

@sewingspot - Absolutely...I get so many ideas I can't possibly make them up, so just ask away!!!

[Bunny]

Wonderful ideas. I like your color choices for Nancy. That first jacket would be my first choice. I hope Nancy pipes in here.

[vicki]

Love all those ideas! They sound so elegant. I can see Nancy in them too!

[Nancy K]

I thought I already posted to this, but it's not here so here it is again. You are the best. The first one is perfect for me. What was lacking in anything I saw was an edginess that I really like. I didn't want to just make the jacket dress combo. I'm not really a dress person, but I do love separates and I can see both pieces being worn with other things. At first I wasn't sure about the pants, but I drew them on my croguis with the jacket and you know what, the whole outfit works on my body. I feel chic and elegant and in silk it will be totally appropriate for California whatever it is. I only know that it's not black tie. I do see myself in gray and silver. I wear a lot of it with my newly white hair, but apparently the wedding party will be in gray. All 10 of them. Is it ok for me to wear gray? I asked a friend and she said as long as I wasn't all in white, anything goes.
I have always loved the Japanese designers and when I was younger I made a number of Miyake things that I really loved. This, as you stated has all the fitting seams to make this fit well. Again, thank you so much and when are you coming to NY so I can buy you a great meal?

[Martha from MS]

OK Claire,
I just had to jump in - I really need some wardrobe help and I would LOVE a consult from you!! Long story --- but my energy level is coming back now, and I DESPERATELY need to sew a new wardrobe. RTW simply does not fit and drives me crazy trying to make adjustments. Is this a service you really can offer? Maybe we can communicate privately if it's something you can/want to do.

[Tory]

I am in awe. What beautiful ideas. Nancy, you are going to look stunning. Claire, I love your suggestions.