Hi everyone, hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend!
Those of you that follow me on Pinterest will probably have guessed by now that Autumn is my absolute favourite season: the first of the proper chilly weather, changing leaves, Halloween, Bonfire night, lots of cinnamon spiced deliciousness and of course Autumn fashions! I love jumpers, coats, scarves and boots and all the lovely textures that the fashions of the colder seasons embrace. This year the trends seem better than ever with a massive vintage influence everywhere and an abundance of big coats, full skirts, angora, boucle, velvet and lace.
I have been so busy recently that my sewing has been a bit limited but I was determined to whip up some quick pieces to mark the start of a new season and decided to start by designing a simple pattern that would work well as a basis for several of the tops I have been lusting over on Net-a-porter while looking for AW2013 style inspiration.
Dolce & Gabbana Lace Top | Via Net-A-Porter
Chloe Lace Top | Via Net-A-Porter
I drafted my pattern using my basic block and tinkered around to create a loose fitting but not completely shapeless silhouette that was free from any darts- I wanted to be able to use this pattern for lace, crepe and some wool jersey in various lengths and all of these fabrics look a lot nicer sans darts in my opinion.
Despite being mostly inspired by the black lace around at the moment I decided to make a prototype with some left over cream lace from my stash. I had a piece just big enough to make a slightly shorter top that I plan to make in black and ended up pretty pleased with it. I’m quite a fan of cream as an Autumn/ Winter colour and think this will be great under some big, cosy knits.
I’m wore my top over a Topshop cami on a lovely little trip to Sloane Square in London this weekend with some old faithful Topshop Leigh jeans, a Kate Spade bag and some yummy new Jeffrey Campbell boots from Shopbop- chunky and comfy and perfect for kicking around the Autumn leaves!
Can’t have a shopping trip without a caramel cappucino! Also I am loving my OPI nail varnish at the moment, its a really intense cherry red.
Aside from this project I have also been working on a grey-blue winter coat with big lapels and dreaming of the various ways in which I can jump on the velvet bandwagon trending at the moment.
What styles and fabrics are getting you excited this season?
31 responses to “AW2013 | Lace top, new boots & frothy coffee”
That is just beautiful, Ami! I think this cream color may be even more versatile than black!
Thanks Gail! Yep I think you may be right!- the cream seems more day-wear-esque! 🙂
I love this top!!
It fits you so well, good job 🙂
Thank you Maude- love your mustard jacket!…wish I could wear that colour!
I LOVE this top on you. How wonderful to be skilled enough to whip up sthg like that from your own pattern.I agree with the others about the colour; I think black might be too harsh in the daytime on your fair skin, always good for evenings though. Loving those nails too!!
Thanks Angela- yep black and I do far better in evening light! Hehe! 🙂
Lovely top!
I love autumn too. I don’t keep up with the seasonal fashions so much now I am in the back of beyond in rural France and am more often in jeans and boots but I do try. I bought some lovely plaid cotton fabric in the U.K. when I was there last and I am attempting to make the Colette Zinnia skirt but, although my muslin turned out well, I am on my 3rd attempt with the pleats on the actual garment. Also, I didn’t know velvet was ‘on trend’ at the moment but, having made a couple of the Lady Skater dresses, I bought some dark blue stretch velvet as I thought it would be a luxurious, yet comfortable dress to wear at Christmas and, being stretchy, there would be room for expansion after the turkey and pud.
Ah just had a snoop over at your blog- I love your lady skater in the viscose jersey! I didn’t know Liberty made jersey in viscose- will def be checking that out! That dress is going to be AMAZING in the velvet! Would also be gorgeous in some wool jersey for the colder weather!
Oddly I actually made the Colette jasmine in that exact same Liberty Nina, and I have also just toiled the pleated zinnia- planning to make it in some black georgette. Great minds eh…! 🙂
Ahhhhh your posts make me want to sew sew sew!!! Just the inspirational kick up the back side I needed! 🙂
Lovely lace top!
Gemma
fadedwindmills.blogspot.co.uk
Ah thanks Gemma!- really glad to hear that!
Gorgeous lavender bags!! 🙂
Great job on your lace top! Love reading your blogs! What style & color is your Kate Spade purse? Have been searching for a perfect everyday purse for fall. Do you like it?
Hi susan! Ah thank you 🙂 My bag here is the Kate Spade cobble hill Leslie- I think there may have been two sizes and mine was the small. She has a bag called cobble hill little minka and i think that might be the new version of the style (it’s more or less identical) as mine was from last Autumn. I LOVE it! Perfect size and so handy to have the accross body option, plus her bags are such amazing quality it looks exactly as it did last year despite a lot of wear- definitely worth the investment in my opinion! 🙂
such a pretty top, i’m sure you’ll be wearing it a lot! and i received my pattern last week, thanks again!
Thanks Joelle! Glad you got your pattern okay! 🙂
Just lovely. You make it look so effortless, and I’m sure it’s not. I’m currently on the velvet bandwagon and ready to move on to a project that doesn’t have to be treated with kid gloves. Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
Ah thank you! Oooo what are you making in the velvet- it is tricky fabric to contend with isn’t it!- my last velevt project involved tears! Hehe!
What a perfectly lovely top! The color is so flattering, as is the style. You have welcomed in Autumn in beautiful style!
Ah thank you Karen! 🙂
Gorgeous lace, the edges are so pretty.
Thanks Katherine- yep I love this eyelash lace 🙂 Plus no hemming- whoop!
Love the cream lace, especially the scalloped finish. Great job!
Ah thanks Elena! 🙂
Cute, love the top! You could also extend it out into a dress if you wanted 🙂
Ah thanks Zoe! Yep I think I will do exactly that for a black lace winter dress! 🙂
Hi, love your new top and the cream lace is just so pretty. Love your boots too. Will be checking out Jeffrey Campbell for sure.
Ah thanks Ann!- oh yep do, they are super comfy! 🙂
WOW! That top looks stunning 🙂 I really love how those boots go with the jeans and the creamy white. It’s so simple, but yet really interesting and inspiring.
Ooh and Jeffrey Campbell has always been making great shoes, right? 😉 Love them!
P.S: The red OPI nailpolish rounds up everytghing nicely and gives the whole outfit that little pop of colour 🙂
Greetings, Lorelei
Ah thank Lorelei! (that is one of my favourite names btw and on my future hypothetical baby girl names list!)
Look forward to seeing some of your fashion illustrations- I wish I dedicated more time to this part of the design process- mine always seem to end up as half finished pencil scribbles! Hehe!
His shoe are gorgeous- and this particular pair of boots is super comfy…bonus!
Love red nails at the moment 🙂
Hi Ami,
I just discovered your Blog and read every Single Post. You make such beautiful clothes, it is so inspiring for me. I Love your perfect Interieurs, I wish I would be able to Achive that too..I am trying.
Hello Ami,
This is such a cute look for autumn – the cream balances out the black jeans. Have to say though, I am also a little bit in love with the black lace tops and brightly patterned pencil skirts showcased by D&G for AW13. When will you be moving onto the black lace option? Also, where do you buy your black lace from?
Melissa x
The cream looks outstanding with the black jeans…..great look.