Apologies for the delay in reviewing this issue! I know a fair few of you use my reviews to decide whether or not to buy them. My subscription copy arrived before we left for NYC, but I was too pressed for time in finishing my jeans and getting the other posts scheduled that I didn’t have time to scan this until after we returned home.
But there should still be time to order this should you like any styles more than I do!
“Hi, I’m too thin. Can you show me a dress that will instantly add 50 pounds to my bust, waist, and hips, rendering me something akin to the Michelin Man caught in a ruffle explosion? You can? Great!“
This is probably my favourite from the issue, as I always enjoy a good 3D construction – in this boxy top, the back wraps over the shoulder to form the sleeve. The square neckline is also a good look, but I’m unsure about the overall silhouette. Perhaps it could be improved by a fabric with a softer hand?
This drop-waisted dress is definitely channelling the 1920s, though the kangaroo pocket modernises it a bit. There’s also top version version of this pattern that could really work if you’ve only got a metre of fabric to play with but, beware that super LOW neckline!
Here are two striped dresses – the one on the left seems to be made in way too stiff a fabric for the style (see the orange and beige version further down), but the concept seems sound. The one shown on the right has a clever wrap style that would work for a lot of body types, and also has the advantage of illustrated instructions, too.
On first glance I love this designer Cacharel dress with its boat neck and lattice back, but IMHO the recent La Maison Victor version is far more wearable and bra-friendly. I bought a dress with a very similar silhouette (nearly identical to the Maison Victor one, in fact) last summer in France, and it’s a style I’ve seen all over in NYC and London. If you still don’t trust me that this shape dress with back interest is a serious trend, then look no further than the latest Vogue designer patterns…
Behold, a skirt with a built in crotch arrow! With bonus crotch ruffle, in case the eye wasn’t drawn to your nether regions enough already…
These high waisted trousers are the vintage reprint pattern for this issue (though it was easy to overlook as there wasn’t an original sketch included) and they come paired with a boxy top to match. To be honest, I’m unsure about this look – mostly unsure whether I dislike the patterns, or just the gross shiny fabric they made them in.
I don’t normally like many jackets, but this oversized blazer looks very modern and easy to wear, especially made up in a calming neutral. The dress on the right is the same pattern as one of the stripey ones above, but sewn in a more appropriate fabric, so the back flows rather than sticks out like a tail.
The Plus section is unfortunately mostly horrific caftans, but this sheath dress looks wonderful – classy and easy to fit, with room for customization and a nice split skirt detail.
If you’ve got this issue, what did I miss? Were there any that you loved that I loathed?