Much to cover so let's get started!
If you haven't seen Yves Saint Laurent His Life and Times/5 Avenue Marceau 75116 Paris -- two separate documentaries on one DVD -- you must. I loved them and I'm not even that into French haute couture. The two films are completely different but they both give you an idea of who Saint Laurent was and how he worked -- fascinating.
I found my copy at the library, but it's available on Amazon and, most likely, Netflix.
Last weekend we visited friends who live near Millbrook, NY. I've been wearing my anorak and my parka almost every day. And speaking of parkas, look what I saw at The Gap today!
Yesterday I got to meet yet another MPB reader -- Aussie Jen, who's visiting New York from Melbourne. She brought me four vintage issues of Australian Home Journal, a women's magazine that included actual dress patterns in every issue; I'll have to photograph them and show you soon. Jen also gifted me a travel-size container of Vegemite -- thank you, Jen!
Today I went to the flea market for the first time in weeks. I saw a variety of sewing machines but thankfully no must-haves.
I found a marvelous coat for Michael, who will be celebrating a birthday at the end of the month. Now, you may be wondering why I bought him a coat instead of making him one. The truth is that he actually wanted (and still wants) a cape, which I'd intended to make out of this gray wool check:
But I couldn't find a cape style that didn't look costumey and I just couldn't bring myself to work on a project I wasn't fully committed to. So this birthday he gets ready-to-wear (Filson). Wait till you see the coat -- it's very well-made (and is full of sewing inspiration for me).
Oh -- I've added one more vintage(ish) coat pattern to my collection -- a Burda. Can't have too many men's outerwear patterns.
And that's it. I must say I'm on the fence about the whole men-in-capes thing. Unless you're Batman, of course.
Have a great day, everybody!
How about The Inverness cape/coat?
ReplyDeleteAaaw….your doggies are so cute.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of men in capes - they are so dramatic. Like Darth Vader (if you go long), Sherlock Holmes (if you go cerebral), or The Pope (if you go religious). I think the grey would look incredible with Michael's coloring.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the vegemite. :D That stuff's disgusting!
ReplyDeleteThat's what everyone says first time - it's just a matter of persistence :)
DeleteSpud.
Vegemite tends to polarise people! For those who don't know it is a savoury yeast spread which needs to be spread very thinly! There is a chain of ice cream parlours in Australia who make Vegemite flavoured ice cream. According to the salesperson of the store we were in they sell about one Vegemite ice cream a week but hand out heaps of taste tests. We sampled it - it wasn't too bad but a whole scoop would be way too much.
ReplyDeleteI prefer Marmite ...
ReplyDeleteAnd that's when the fight started,,,,,,,, we're Vegemite all the way! As a discussion it rates way up there with Pepsi or Coke....
DeleteThat check was make for micheal!!!
ReplyDeleteFrankie
Www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.co.uk
X
That grey pulls out the beautiful blue in Michael's eyes.
ReplyDeleteA cape was once part of a Navy dress uniform, that might be a good jumping off point. This vintage photo has a good view of one and the braid is gorgeous! http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_02_2010/post-6492-1266702545.jpg
ReplyDeleteHi Peter -
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the email I sent you a month or so ago about capes? Well it included a link at YouTube for the fall collection of Ermanno Scervino, at the finale he showed poncho styled capes and those guys were gorgeous in them! I'm very conservative fashion wise...but I decided that I must have one myself - take a look and your doubts will disappear - trust me!
I love that red coat from The Gap! The color really pops. Capes are marvelous, too, but I see the dilemma of picking a suitable style.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.memorialhall.mass.edu/activities/dressup/notflash/1860_man.html
^ ^ That Victorian style men's cape may look too "Houdini", but this contemporary matching charcoal suit/cape combo by Dolce&Gabbana looks, well, incredible.
http://thefashionreporter.com/blog/?p=32672
Someone mentioned the "Inverness", perhaps you could construct a half-cape to match the new coat, too.
http://lynoakes.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=74
I just don't know which pattern I'd use for something like the Dolce & Gabbana...
DeleteIn my opinion a simple square cut poncho style is the easiest and most familiar shape to wear for a man.....when you get into anything circular things get tricky!!
DeletePhantom of the Opera, anyone?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pinterest.com/pin/405605510162530012/
What you want to avoid is the "Phantom of the Opera" look!
DeleteHere's cape inspiration: the official portrait of Pierre Elliott Trudeau which hangs in the Parliament buildings in Ottawa. A very dapper dresser, and PM of Canada for 14 years.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.parl.gc.ca/About/House/collections/PMPortraits_brochure/PMPortraits_15-e.html
Issey Miyake Coat Pattern could give you the same look as the RTW Runway look. I have it and have made it, came out outstanding. His patterns are easily adaptable for men, as you know when you did your printed coat.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/197772877/issey-miyake-vogue-2736-designer-xs-s-m?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_search_query=issey+miyake+vogue+&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery
Salko of Austria use to make capes for men, very classic. Looks great ontop of dress clothes or jeans and a white shirt. I had one in the late 80's navy blue loden cloth, even came with a fake fur lining.
Lutterloh Patterns from the 30-50's use to feature austrian menswear and capes. Again very classic. You can download the torrent and get the files including how to make a lutterloh ruler. That way you can make the pattern to the size of the person who it will be for.
-Corey
That's a good option, but Peter should find out what his preference is.
DeleteYes it is alway individual preference.
DeleteI do think the Issey Miyake pattern comes very close to the RTW look.
For a classic cape for men, Lutterloh from the 1940's is a great option that gives you that Austrian look and feel which to me, is never out of style. Beside the Lutterloh is priced the best, its free when you use a torrent to download the files.
Has anyone taken a look Ermanno Scervino's fall show? Here is the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/eJfPxF6t5Fc?list=PL8rCw-5Rmo5QFsKMlNgllGrqdEmedQzdx
The models all come out in capes and wraps at the finale!
I was planning on doing something similar. I am going to use a vogue pattern;
Deletehttp://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v9038-products-48762.php?page_id=265
I was going to do the cape/wrap in navy blue polar fleece (have 12 meters of blue polar fleece) was also going to make giant turtleneck, big coat, hoodie, and pull on pants/tights .. i did something similar all in black polar fleece and bundle up when i have to walk the dogs.
-Corey
It could be very elegant with the right pattern. Good fabric for it.
ReplyDeleteIf Peter does it anything like Ermanno Scervino did it there's no doubt it will be chic!!
ReplyDeleteMillbrook? That is my neck of the woods. Next time plan brunch with little old me. I probably know your friends, especially if they go to any of the restaurants out my way.
ReplyDeleteYour parka looks great. Just in time for fall. St. Laurent was brilliant. Can't wait for your next project
ReplyDeleteI really like this kind of Cape Coats for Men.
ReplyDelete.http://www.pinterest.com/pin/477381629225832300/
or this one from Dior
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/477381629225091694/
This one from Wang looks pretty cool about the Materia l Mix
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/477381629225091676/