Last Outfit of 2016

Readers, having completed my tailoring and draping classes, this week I opted for a palate cleanser.

I decided to try a vintage men's convertible collar shirt pattern I've had in a my stash for a long time, McCall's 4723 (above) which dates from 1958.  It's very basic.  Sometimes you don't want to be overly challenged and this was one of those times.

My fabric has almost a paper-towel sort of texture that's reminiscent of seersucker.  It's branded Opening Ceremony.

You'll see the finished shirt in a few days but it came out looking exactly like the pattern envelope and, in the fabric I chose, surprisingly modern.

To accompany the shirt I wanted longish shorts -- yes, I know, it's December and cold outside, but I plan to wear this outfit on an upcoming trip to hotter climes, as well as here at home next spring and summer.  My inspiration are these Comme des Garçons shorts (below) which look like they're made in a wool or wool blend. 

You can see them being modeled below.  I will not wear mine with funny hat or asymmetrical jacket.

For my shorts, I used the cropped pants pattern from the Japanese pattern book, Men's Clothes For All Seasons, added a deep front inverted pleat and shortened the length.  Mine are made from a heavy cotton knit that's somewhat lighter than ponte but heavier than your typical jersey.

Rather than belt loops, my shorts have only a single gripper snap.  Since the waistband is knit, it holds the pants on securely. 

They're all done and ready for a glamorous photo shoot tomorrow (luckily we're expecting milder weather).  Picture something like this, sans wig, hat, and dead-eyed expression.

And that's it.  I hope your holidays were happy ones and, for those on a break this week, that you're sewing up a storm.

Have a great day, everybody!