Kristl Pelz: September 2007 Archives
La Vie des Années Quarante! (The Life of the 1940's)
Silhouettes for fall 2007 are varied, wide ranging and reminiscent of the 1940's. There is truly something for everyone to update their wardrobe with. Lady-like styles including softly tailored jackets and dresses are some of the best updates. You can choose any length of skirt that suits your figure from the mini to an A-line skirt at your lower calf. Pants can be super skinny or the wider leg variety like Lauren Becall would have worn. Add a great new fall color or accessory, and you are up to date! We have a great selection of Fall Fashion fabrics ranging from our Wool Gaberdine & Suiting (check out our great suiting in our Everything's $1.95/yard) for pants to our new Corduroy for jackets.
Speaking of jackets. One of the best features you could sport for fall is a nipped waist. There are tricks to perform in case your waist isn't already ''nipped.'' Princess seaming in a jacket or blouse will reveal curves that may be just barely there. Add a belt or a sash, and you could be amazed at what you see in the mirror. Wool coatings and wool meltons will make this style of jacket appropriate as outerwear. Another trend in jackets is a ¾ length or bracelet sleeve. For colder climates, these jackets will require a longer glove. They are very 1940's without the giant shoulders. Add a great glove, and you have a great update.
Pants and trousers this season can seem confusing because the trendiest styles are totally opposite. Skinny is still ''in'' and if you are tall and thin, this is a great trend for you. Add volume on the top to balance out the skinny silhouette with a voluminous top for evening, or a chunky sweater and a scarf for day. The other end of the spectrum is the higher waist and wider leg trousers a la 1940, Check out Erica's wonderful wide leg pants here, note how she works in that great belt to show off her waist! A wool gabardine will add some drape to the trousers and give them some warmth and substance.Or if you are looking for something lighter for the transitional period try our great selection of suitings.
Pencil Skirts and A-line skirts pair nicely with lady-like blouses for fall. A-line skirts need a fabric with movement and some flow. Try the pencil skirt to the left with our Wool Blend Tweed Suiting and Simplicity pattern 5259. The Soft Suede is a terrific fall fabric, and would update an A-line skirt pattern you already have. Pencil skirts need structure. Wool gabardine or even a dull satin like Duchess Satin are both great choices.
Don't forget to have fun. Make your A-line out of quilting cotton or a great vintage tablecloth, like Tuesday's. Try our Retro and Mod Section to brighten up your fall wardrobe. Wear the funky prints with a solid color top for work or Polka Dots for a night out! Throw on a Corduroy Blazer and cashmere scarf to finish it out.
The blouses have accents like long thin bows at the neck or ruffles on either side of the placket. To capture the richness of the season, create your blouse in a charmeuse satin. For a crisp alternative, use our Japanese Shirting. Try this Vogue pattern to make your own. We recommend Charmuse Satin in Butterscotch or Sweetheart Satin Antique Gold to bring some warmth and shiny into your closet.
As always we, here at fabric.com, look forward to seeing what you create for fall. When we can't find great ideas in our Sew & Tell Gallery, we troll the craft blogs. Either way, we are loving everything you create. Don't be shy drop us a line and tell us your ideas or better yet, show us! Post your pictures in our Gallery. Have a great season!
Fall Fashion Forecast 2007
Colors to wear
Black is back! Did anyone really let it leave? Women always turn to shades of black to look sophisticated, to look slimmer (of course) and to make getting dressed easier. Fall and winter 2007 embrace ebony, raven and midnight as very chic, but there are colors to look for as well. Shades of grey are the new classic staple for Fall replacing chocolate brown. Grey comes in many wearable shades and can be worn with many colors. If you don't like greys near your face, pick up a pair of trousers in grey. Add a colorful scarf at your neck with a grey coat or sweater. Check out our new patterns in the Amy Butler Nigella Line. It is chock full of greys mixed with this years hot colors or greens and pinks.
The trendy color for Fall 2007 is magenta/fuchsia pink. Not only does it look fresh and fabulous with greys, it will go with all the browns you already have in your wardrobe! You can go head to toe is this jewel-tone shade of pink, or stick with accessorizing with it. The most up-to-date way to accessorize with magenta is in your hosiery or footwear. Deeply pink tights or trouser socks will put the spice into your fall wardrobe immediately! Check out our new wool coating for that great pink coat you can't buy in stores!
Always a classic, red is a fantastic fall color. In 2007 it's the perfect accent to black and grey. The Italian designer, Valentino, has been known for his shade of classic red for decades. It's not too orange and not too blue. Every woman can wear red; you just need to know how to find the right shade for you. If you have a warm skin tone, look for warmer reds. If your skin tone is cool, look for bluer reds. A great black outfit looks like a million bucks with a little red lipstick!
Accessorize yourself!
Accessories are an important wardrobe update for the fall. Those beautiful browns you love to wear can get an update with the right accessories. Tights are back in vogue, and I, for one, am thrilled! The style of tights popular this season harkens back to the 1980's with bold pattern and color. Have a little fun with a new texture or color on your legs with your basic brown or black footwear. On the flip-side, wear a pair of inky black tights with red pumps. On the more conservative side, grey shoes with the blackest black tights would look fabulous, too.
Scarves are a winter necessity. This season, wear one of the really large printed scarves with accents like fringe and beads on the edges. Take a scarf that's at least 36'' square and fold it in half. Wrap it round your neck and create a loose cowl neck. The more ethnic the scarf looks, the better. Thick, knitted scarves and wraps are also very fashionable and quite practical. The chunkier the knit is the warmer and more fashionable you'll be.
Handbags are the new status symbol. The designer bags have become quite outrageous not only in price, but also in size. If you are looking for a bag that is on trend for fall, but is not large enough to carry a small wardrobe, try a clutch. Once again, we hearken back to the 1980's for the oversized clutch bag. This kind of clutch holds more than a credit card and lipstick. You can carry everything you need for work in this compact bag. For shopping ease, get a clutch with a slim strap to attach to each end. Look for envelope styles with great hardware in patent leather or leather.
Don't be scared and don't hold back.
