early spring inspiration
[ urban outfitter's open back dress, anthropologie's tic-tac-toe blouse. ]
It seems a bit silly to be thinking of spring already: considering the cold snap we’ve had in Florida (it’s gotten as chilly at the mid 20s at night!). But the arrival of a new Anthropologie catalog and browsing some other fashion sites has given me some ideas of possible inspirations for springtime sewing. Not that any of these will be made or even make their way into the things I do make–I muse over ideas quite a bit that never go further than a doodle in my notebook and a few scribbled notes! I just find the idea of gathering and contemplating the pro’s and con’s of certain ideas to be conducive to motivating me! lol.
I nearly fell off the sofa when I saw the Urban Outfitter’s dress. I’m usually not swayed by UO (the fit model they use for their clothes are usually so off to how I’m shaped), but this dress pulled me in with it’s quiet stripes and peek-a-boo back. But I don’t like the length (not sure how I feel about the exposed zipper either). So, I might make my own at some point. Need to draft up a decent t-shirt pattern first though. It would be a cinch to use that, plus a lightly gathered semi-circle skirt. Seems like an ideal workhorse design that I could just throw in the washing machine if done in the right material (always a perk for the gal who hates to iron!).
[ landing field skirt, into the night blouse, aniseed skirt (all from anthropologie). ]
Moving on to my beloved Anthro… Last year, none of the catalogs really captured me: the styles they were offering were just a bit too modern or blah for my liking. (But then again, I am excessively picky, as Sailor Husband likes to remind me regularly.) I love many of the drapey pieces they have in the current catalog though. Have you noticed some of the peplum blouses and interesting draping on skirts? Definitely reminding me of the mid forties (or maybe I just bring everything back to my favored decade).
I spent a good deal of time over the weekend looking through all the images on my computer for inspiration regarding my spring wardrobe. I think it’s definitely going to continue in the 40s vein; perhaps with a few twists here and there! I’m already dreaming of what fabric I’d like to track down to make some new outfits from…
Oh, and an update on the swing dance class: literally thirty minutes after I posted on Friday, I got an email saying it had been canceled because of low enrollment. Oh well… I guess I chalk this up to life happens and not to get my hopes too tied up in one thing. lol. Actually, I think we’ll just wait and see if any other classes are offered later in the spring. We’re trying to take it through the local community college, since it’s a lot more reasonable cost-wise than many of the overpriced dance studios around here. If at first you don’t succeed…
Posted on January 11th, 2010 to fashion.
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curl up with some knitting… »24 lovely thoughts to “early spring inspiration”
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Lovely Goretta says:
Hope your post make spring happen early !!
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Marmielu says:
I haven’t gotten my Anthro catalog yet, but I can’t wait to see it! You know I’m all into drapey design. I really enjoyed the text of this post, too. Now you’ve got me thinking if I should try and get to work on that Colette pattern so I have something fun to wear when I come visit. Decisions, decisions!
Stay warm. Did you get snow?
XXO
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Alyssa says:
The open back dress is quite quite pretty. I bought a bunch of spring fabrics yesterday and now I know where to go look for ideas!
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Debbi says:
The YMCA in Brandon offers dance classes also! I think they’re slightly more expensive if you don’t have a membership, but still resonable. I know someone who took classes there and liked it! Wish we were still there and could do classes with you guys!
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Sally says:
January 11th, 2010 at 10:23 am
I felt the same way about last year’s Anthro offerings … and I AM a modern dresser! The spring catalog definitely had some gorgeous stuff.
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Marjorie says:
January 11th, 2010 at 10:38 am
I was just swooning over both these new little catalogues last week!! I’m particularly taken with all the darling little flat oxford shoes that keep popping up as of late here and there…..some of them look quite similar to Regency footwear….and I’m itching to get a pair soon!!
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Amy says:
January 11th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Such pretty designs… I dream of the day I will be able to sew clothing. I’m still working on easy items. Can’t wait to see the pieces you make for spring. Spring is my favorite season. I’m sorry the dance class was canceled, but I saw that your new serger arrived. You have a wonderful way with words.
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Alyce says:
January 11th, 2010 at 10:52 am
I *so* wish we lived in the same city… or even the same state…heh… I would trade swing lessons for sewing lessons!!
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Quincy says:
January 11th, 2010 at 11:01 am
i used to be a UO nut! the last few yrs though I haven’t been crazy about anything of theirs. I guess Im still not really. Is there something wrong with me?! Everyone else seems to be mad about the spring collection. Though, I do love that little dress, but doesn’t the side view on the model look awful!? hahaha
Anthro though, OH MY!!! I want everything, hehe!
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Irene says:
January 11th, 2010 at 11:10 am
The UO dress is really cute but here in Sweden its -13 Fahrenheit and snow up to my knees so I´ll guess I have to wait a few more months for cute little dresses.. >_<
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Ann says:
January 11th, 2010 at 11:16 am
I too love the new Anthropologie catalog! Sometimes they are hit and miss for me as well, but the spring collection is full of great looks. I kind of thought it was a little more of a 20s/30s take though, especially with the model’s bob and shirts like this : http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=&id=010023&catId=CLOTHES-BLOUSES-FLORAL&pushId=CLOTHES-BLOUSES-FLORAL&popId=CLOTHES-BLOUSES&sortProperties=&navCount=45&navAction=middle&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=085&colorName=CORAL&isSubcategory=&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=
Idk…maybe we see what we like to see. Or maybe the strength of Anthro designs is their ability to take elements from disparate eras, mix them together, and make it modern.
Sorry about the swing classes….keep trying! They’re worth it, in my experience.
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Nancy says:
January 11th, 2010 at 11:17 am
I am drooling over the anise seed skirt, and I love anything with a peplum, so I’m going to have to go look at anthropologie online now!
Bummer about your dance class being canceled. Hope you find another class soon!
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Francy says:
January 11th, 2010 at 11:33 am
That UO dress is stunning! I also usually don’t go too crazy over UO, but I may have to invest in that one.
pixiedrivein.blogspot.com
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Rhiannon says:
I can’t wait to see your take on the U.O. dress. I fell in love with it too but I just know that it’s going to be weirdly small and made for teenagers and not for oldsters like me. Plus back cut-outs always scare me. The fabric’s the best part anyway, and once you make your dress I have a feeling I’m going to be bugging you to make a few and sell them on Etsy.
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Sunni Standing says:
Love this inspiration. That green anthropologie skirt is my favorite. You have such stunning taste. So sorry about the swing class. What a bummer! Yes try, try again.
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Andromache says:
I’d love to be somewhere where it only goes down to -3 degrees celsius at night!
Right now were around -20 celsius with windchill (thats -4 F) and its not so pleasant. But it could be worse! I’ve been through -40 before…(-40 is the same for both scales!)At least tights and stockings are back in style.I wish I could find some fashionable mukluks..
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Estefania Pena says:
Hi, I have been following your blog for a while now and decided to jump in.
I am completely in love with the UO dress. I agree on both points with you. I don’t like the exposed zipper not the length of the skirt. The fabric isn’t gaining any favors with me either.
I think maybe if made in a stiffer fabric and longer length it would be lovely. Also a nice light shade of green would be nice.
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Ernie says:
Oh, I just love that Aniseed skirt! But as with most Anthropologie pieces, it’s not quite in a college girl’s budget! I’ll just bookmark it & hope for a sale :]
I’d love to see your take on that Urban dress if you decide to make it!
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Cassie Stephens says:
January 11th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Ah, I was just strolling thru these photos over a bowl of peanut butter oatmeal this morning. So lovely. And I just recently discovered the blog/website about the guy that travels the globe looking for anthro treasures: Man Shops Globe. I’m sure you’ve heard of it…I’m usually the last to know!
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Mrs. Jess says:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
I just saw your note about swing classes – have you considered joining a local swing club? My club is affiliated with the big University in my town (also happens to be my alma mater), so we have weekly lessons, weekly dances, workshops, a big exchange in spring, and other special events. Most medium-to-large cities and colleges have a lindy club (even the small colleges around here (Indiana) have them!) so I would check around if I were you to see if you have anything local. The best thing about swing clubs (as opposed to classes) is that they are cheap! My club charges $25 per semester for lessons, beginner thru advanced/competition. That’s 1 lesson per week, plus a weekly jam session (dance) and special lessons – for a whole semester. Ridiculous! It’s a wonderful, supportive way to learn lindy/blues/east coast/balboa… lots of styles. Member dues are only $5 per semester to participate in special events and the weekly dances (no classes).
Please feel free to email me with your location if you have trouble finding a club, I will set my network of swing minions a-working to help find you something
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Stephanie says:
“It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing…”
Swing dancing is thrilling! My friends and I started a swing club early in high school, after watching Swing Kids. We were all novices; as we learned we taught each other the new tricks we figured out. Our club still exists even though we have all graduated and moved.
Swing clubs are surprisingly easy to start up. All you need is someone with a bit of foreknowledge, access to the internet and a group of fun people with enthusiasm and a desire to learn. If you can’t find a friend who knows a bit, maybe you could hire the teacher from the canceled class to give you and your friends a lesson in some of the basics.
It was too fun as a high schooler to crash the college’s swing club and join in… there is a great sense of camaraderie.
Apologies for the long post – I miss dancing. It makes me happy to hear that you plan to take it up!
Best Wishes!
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Eileen says:
If you are in the Tampa area there is a thing called “Swing Gang” that meets at the Zendah Grotto on Sundays at 6pm. For $7 you get TWO HOURS of lessons followed by a dance that goes until midnight. This is how my husband and I got started.
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Erika says:
I love the middle blouse, it definitley has a 40s touch!
As for the class, that’s a real shame! I hope you’ll find a new class, there was some excellent advises among the comments. Personally, I prefer clubs to “ordinary” dance schools (schools that teach other dances as well, like modern jazz, hip hop etc), as the schools tends to be focused primarily on dancing for competion and show, where the dance clubs are focused on social dancing. At least, that’s the case here in Sweden. From the international dancers I’ve met though, I’ve gotten the impression that it’s a bit of the same at other places.
I hope you’ll find some classes, swing dancing is really great! I started about four years ago, and it’s become my hobby, my vacation and basically my social life revolves around it. But then, I might be a bit of a nerd… =) It’s a good thing to be nerdy about though, as I always feel happy while dancing!Cheers!
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Jessica says:
January 16th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Casey, you are always such an inspiration! I love your blog.
I hope you get to take swing classes soon! The recommendation earlier about University classes is a great idea. They are generally very reasonable priced, and often taught by instructors from local studios. I’ve taken a bit of east coast, lindy and west coast, and I think lindy and west coast are the most fun.
Best of luck!
Jessica
Thank you ever so much for taking time to share your comment! Although I try to answer questions, I am not always able to respond to each comment individually. But please know that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart every comment I receive!