So here's the deal: Cathy will model the Seventies pantsuit, Simplicity 7295, but she isn't willing to freeze her a** off in the cold.
Which got me thinking...
Who doesn't love a Seventies coat? I happen to have a few Seventies coat patterns in my stash (surprised?) -- one that's strictly for faux fur and another that could have faux fur trim.
I love Miss Vogue 8144, but I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle fur. How do you think it would look with the pantsuit? I would have to make the longer of the two versions to cover the jacket/top. It may be too casual.
The other -- and perhaps better -- vintage pattern option is McCall's 2979, which dates from 1971 but I think it could pass for 1975 (the date of the pantsuit pattern), unless there was a style trend I missed. I love the long purple version with the buckle, and I could make it even longer, or add fur cuffs or fur border at the hem.
Of course, the easiest option is two buy 2-3 yards of faux fur and turn it into something cape- or poncho-like, like Version B of this Very Easy Vogue 7641 from 2002.
WWLD? (What would Liza do?)
To be honest, I'm not sure I'm up for making a coat, unless I find some really wild fabric -- paisley velveteen! -- at the right price (cheap). I may go hunting later today, we'll see.
Of course, easiest of all would be to buy a vintage coat at a thrift store. Tomorrow, Wednesday, is "Family Day" at my local Salvation Army, meaning most clothes are 50%. I'm not sure how often these coats show up these days, though. I also looked on eBay and found this in oh, so beige.
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| Yea or Nay? |
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| This coat will take 10,000 years to decompose. |
Given that MPB is a sewing blog, however, I feeling like I should make whatever I need with my own two mitts. Shoes I can buy, outerwear I should make.
I was also thinking about maybe whipping up one of these stretch headbands, like the green one with the buckle on the lower left.
Friends, did you ever own a Seventies maxi coat? Did it have faux fur trim? Ultrasuede details?
I think it's time to channel my inner Mary and Rhoda. (I'm gonna make it after all... Is that my answer?)
Happy Tuesday, everybody!
PS - Kimberly sent me a photo of
;) The seventies coats predate me, since I was born in '78. And McCalls 2979, made in the right fabric, is a classic trench. 'Course, if you go with fur lapels and crazy patterns, it's 70s!
ReplyDeleteSecond pattern, Long a-line trench in camel- universally 70s. You could make a detachable fur collar for special occasions.
ReplyDeletealso-
I WANT that turban pattern!!!
Thoughts: I love the seventies coats, and I agree this outfit needs one for a winter photo shoot. I think you would be pardoned for thrifting one rather than sewing one (at least for now, I mean don't stress about finding the right fabric if the right coat is somewhere waiting for you). There is a long, purple, leather or faux leather, vintage 70s coat at a local thrift store here, for $20, that's just been sitting there since last fall. I think it's waiting for me.
ReplyDeleteJanuary 2, 2012 6. "I will stay off eBay"
ReplyDeleteI didn't BUY it, did I? ;)
Deletesounding a trifle defensive there Peter LMAO ;)
DeleteSince I was born in the 70's I remember having a white fur jacket with a muff. I loved that thing.
ReplyDeleteIn high school I remember the 70's coats that unzipped in panels ... you could unzip it from maxi to midi to mini...3 lengths in one coat!
ReplyDeleteCathy will look disco-ready in a longer jacket; i'd love to see her in faux fur collar and cuffs. As far as the head-dress goes, I'm leaning toward the white turban or the green band.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to the photo-shoot!
And the Pfaff 30 really does look at home with Kimberly :)
Hi just discovered your blog via article in sewing mag. I LOVED the seventies (my era) Now my older sister had a coat just like the second, she cut down my mums old fur coat and made a short edge to edge style jacket which she used to wear with her maxis and midis she looked great.
ReplyDeletelouise
I still think Cathy would look terrific in the fake fur jacket in the longer version- and the headband is mighty cool. Back in the 1970's I made a Kenzo (I think that was the designer's name) reversible wool coat with plaid on one side & plain yellow on the other) wore it for many years.
ReplyDeleteI have a black corduroy maxi coat, I call my "Huggy Bear" coat-love it! Found at my local Goodwill; so I say, off to the thrift store with you!
ReplyDeleteI had the coat at the top in 1973, in teal wool. Fantastically warm and I felt very chic in it.
ReplyDeleteI loved 70’s coats. They were very warm. I had one that was ultrasuede-ish, similar to your purple trench, but with faux fur collar and cuffs. I still have a faux fur that is very similar to the long version of your pattern. It closes with hooks. I always feel very “ritzy” in that coat and I think it would be great on Liza … I mean Cathy … with a fabulous scarf. But with that amazing glitzy outfit, don’t feel any pressure to make a coat vs. thrifting. If you find something that you think would work, I think you should go for it.
ReplyDeleteThough I like the green headband, I think the buckle would give me a headache. I really like the two pictured at the top. Maybe add a fabulous pin on the outside that wouldn’t be directly on the head.
I do think the Pfaff looks happy!
Maybe I could borrow YOUR coat! ;)
ReplyDeleteCathy's shoulders may be more athletic than mine, but I COULD take measurements
DeleteI LOVE that vintage McCall's pattern. But I can also understand not wanting to make a coat (they are a lot of work), especially if you are close to finishing your project and want to get to the photo shoot soon. That Ebay coat is NOT the answer though. I like the headband though - can't wait to see the whole outfit all finished!
ReplyDeleteI had a pretty velveteen teal mini-coat that I loved.
ReplyDeleteThe eBay coat is wrong for the pantsuit. Vogue 8144 is a much better choice, especially with the headband. With Cathy's figure, I like it in the length shown in view A.
My 70's maxicoat was fake suede with fake fur collar and band at the bottom, and gold ball buttons. Just the description makes me cringe. The maxi I loved came from the early 50s, was calf length navy wool and was shaped a great deal like the purple coat in McCall's 2979. No buckle, no belt. Short fur jackets are so Eighties.
ReplyDeleteThe Pfaff looks content. I like the ebay coat. And the pantsuit cries out for a cape. I'll look forward to seeing what you decide!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, the first pattern looks exactly like a beige faux fur coat my grandmother gave my mom a few years ago. lol I guess classic is always chic lol
ReplyDeleteI have a hounds tooth black/creme wool maxi cape from the 80s. does that count? I love love love it and still wear it as it acts as a blanket. I can have my arms free to move without all the bulk and sew, sew, sew. It covers my feet and I stay nice and warm. I looked hot in it 30 years ago...today I just look warm!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love 70s coats! But then again I seem to like everything from the 70s hee hee. Trench styling, full skirt bottom, faux fur - I'm THERE. Don't make the cape! Cathy will look like a super hero with bad taste.
ReplyDeleteSince we're having a mild winter, couldn't Cathy glam around in something fuzzy and cropped (to make those runway gams appear even l-o-n-g-e-r!). I'm thinking Virginia Slims or "Charlie"-girl chic.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link to what I think: http://decadesinc.blogspot.com/2008/08/fuzzy-wuzzy.html
Metallic/reflective faux fur (silver, or with a mid 70s twist of color, like cinnabar), for volume and luxe.
You get to sew using faux fur, without having to find too much yardage. Plus, it will help direct all eyes onto Cathy's famous face while "in transit".
How much more Liza can you get?
My coat from high school (1973 - 1976) is in my attic, one of the few things I just can't get rid of. It still looks great and I love it. But I weighed 85 - 90 lbs then.
ReplyDeleteIt was similar to the coats in the Doctor Zhivago movie. I've never seen the movie but everyone always commented that it was just like the one in the movie. Maybe you should rewatch that movie before you choose your coat?
My best friend's mom gave in to her daughter's pleading for the (we thought) more stylish brown one with mottled shaggy lambswool collar and cuffs. My mom wouldn't give in and insisted I get this one, which is a cream canvas type fabric trench with wide black fake fur cuffs, and wide black fur trim around the bottom which continues up the front on either side of the zipper and goes around the hood. It is extremely classy looking even now, unlike the one my friend purchased which looked dated and raggedy quite quickly.
I think in another 10 years or so, I'm going to start wearing only 70's styles till I get too old to dress myself!
I think you're in my head sometimes. Just last night I dragged out a 70's coat pattern from a pile of patterns given to me by a friend some years ago. It has a wide rounded collar and I'm thinking it will do me for a great 'statement' coat this coming winter. I was thinking of adding a detachable faux fur collar. I think a faux fur coat over Cathy's outfit would be perfect, but then I adore faux fur. Looking forward to seeing what you do.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite coat ever was a rosy orange twill denim, full maxi skirt, steel D-rings and hood, completely lined in orange polyester (silky, classy texture). I may still have it 40 years later, I loved it so much! It could layer over sweaters and jackets and dresses and pants, walked anywhere, buckled up was warm in the wind, looser was very hot, I thought, and very comfortable too. I bought it at Saks Fifth Avenue on sale and always felt quite the fashion ticket when I wore it. Sporty or formal, day or evening, always one of a kind (in a good way, I hope!) But I don't miss all the 70s polyester... I say thrift the coat, Peter. Coats don't have to be a lot of work but if that's the kind you like, thrift it, and bring back its beauty. Ecologically.
ReplyDeleteLove the headbands! So Biba!
ReplyDeleteI had a 70's maxi coat, it was blue denim. Double breasted, wide lapels, and there were gores in the back that almost pleated, to give a fish tail sort of sweep. No fur, and the buttons were denim blue, no belt it was princess style. Loved it. It was comfortable and covered me up, but kept me stylish and not bundled looking like winter wear today.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite coat EVER was my deep forest green wool Melton 70's coat. I wore it OUT! It looked very much like the first photo up top here. Except it had a hood (I lived in upstate NY). I looked like Maid Marian when I wore it. Only wish I still had it (and could still button it!)
ReplyDeleteWarm, warm, warm.
Love the headband, don't love the ebay beige coat. Yuck!
I hope you're outbid on the Ebay coat! That's just too icky for Cathy. I'm partial to the Vogue wrap thingy. Wouldn't that be gorgeous in a winter white wool. Can't wait to see what you whip up.
ReplyDeleteI just love the turban pattern - would love to see that one.
ReplyDeleteOh make a coat Peter... you'll find some funky fabric!
ReplyDeleteI graduated from high school in 1971. I made a coat so similar to the McCall's 2979 that it could have been the same pattern. Fake leather and long wavy fake fur at the collar and cuffs. Stylin', I thought. Gives me shudders at this point in my life
ReplyDelete