Versatility

Pinafore

Pinafore

Pinafore

Pinafore

Pinafore

Pinafore

Pinaforedress: self-made, based on this one // top: Theory // shoes: Seychelles // tights: F21

Back when I was tiny, I absolutely adored Alice’s (as in Wonderland) outfit, especially the pinafore. I have no idea what was so appealing about a garment meant to keep clothes clean during playtime but I desperately wanted one. (I also desperately wanted a tail after I saw the Disney version of Robin Hood, so apparently tiny Ping’s mind was a strange place.)

Anyway, a few weeks ago, Katie over on Skunkboy posted this outfit and I nearly fell out of my chair. (Who am I kidding? I was snuggled up in bed like a lazy bum.) It’s so simple and kind of basic, but the possibilities seemed endless! I envisioned wearing it with stripey long-sleeved tees, with collared shirts, with a sweater over it..

It was pretty simple to put together. I started with the bodice, and just took a piece of paper smashed against my chest and marked where I wanted the top bit to sit. Then I cut two of that piece, marked where the darts should go, messed up and ripped, and re-marked them. Next I cut out 4″ strips for the straps, and a 5″ strip for the waistband (using the usual make-a-tube-and-topstitch-both-edges method.) For the skirt, I just did a regular pleated skirt and did an exposed jeans zipper in the back.

Since I didn’t use a pattern there was some trial and error involved, but I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out! I was actually kind of surprised that it worked with in a slightly dressier outfit since I was planning on styling it more casually, but I saw the pink top and had an idea and ran with it.

PS Thanks to everyone who shared their own stories of mental blocks! It’s so nice to know I’m not alone. :]

17 thoughts on “Versatility”

    1. Thanks! I was pretty excited to find one that didn’t look sickly sweet and twee and overly ruffly and that was actually wearable :]

  1. This is one of my very favorite outfits of yours. I feel like I’ve said that before. But I always mean it.

    I adore the skirt pleats.

    I love your pink top. It goes perfectly with this dress. I would have never come up with that color combination, but it is fabulous and I am jealous.

    I could never get behind the pinafore thing because I thought it would be too hard to try to match a top with it. One of the great things about dresses is that it’s your whole outfit – ya know? But then two weeks ago I bought this pinafore romper on ASOS, and I am totally converted: http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Playsuit-with-Bow-Front/10wgef/?iid=3098327&mporgp=L0Fzb3MvQXNvcy1QbGF5c3VpdC1XaXRoLUJvdy1Gcm9udC9Qcm9kLw..

    1. Ooooh that’s so cute! I love the bows!! It reminds me of a modernized version of those medieval dresses. Actually I just tried to find a photo of what I meant and I can’t so it’s probably not medieval.

      Anyway yeah this one was a bit of a fluke. The top had just come in the mail and I was thinking of returning it because I had no idea how to wear it haha.

  2. You pinafore is so cute! I made a similar one in summer and wear it all the time, it such a versatile and funny piece of garment. I like your blog a lot, by the way!

    1. Thanks!! That’s so awesome! I can’t wait to live in mine next summer. Somehow winterifying it doesn’t have the same effect.

  3. You are amazing!!

    I saw this on Katie’s site and desperately wanted to order it from modcloth but it’s so pricey for such a simple outfit ( not to mention shipping to Canada is horrendous). You’ve totally inspired me to attempt to make one! I just absolutely love everything you make!

    1. You should! It’s one of the less pricey dresses on Modcloth but I was still kind of “meh” about paying so much for what’s really a very simply structured garment. Curse my sewing skills!

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