This is going to be a mercifully short post – promise.

This colour odyssey that I am going on has me also thinking about shape. I am generally of the view that one should wear whatever one likes, whatever makes one feel good. Sometimes, however, speaking for myself, I think I lose sight of how things actually look on me. Taking photos of myself in various things is giving me some perspective. I highly recommend it as a way to evaluate one’s sewing.

Last year, still experimenting with sewing, I made up this vintage pattern in one of the three shades of linen available at my local sewing shop at the time. It’s not a terrible colour for me – veering towards green – but it’s a bit wishy-washy (see photos below). It works for when you are going for that feed sack look. I don’t have much jewellery so I am wearing a simple purple Murano glass necklace that I bought in Venice one year. It’s a dress that definitely needs jewellery. My favourite features are the slightly-gathered skirt and sharp pleat, as well as the long, angled French darts, which I’ve always liked. I remember that I sewed them a bit short to avoid the pointy-bust look given that I’m not wearing boned undergarments.

I do feel good in this dress, as it is a better shape for me, at least around the waist, and it has that nice, loose baggy linen feel to it (which also explains the wrinkles and dissolving crease, which I’m not crazy about). All that said, pants and more fitted items possibly suit me better:

Thanks to my “after school” photographer, C.! I wore heels with this dress while at work, while here I’m wearing green ballet flats. I wear flats often, and short heels some of the time. I generally look better in heels, but I’ve become less interested in wearing them in recent years.

Accessorizing with a nice green park is always a plus! Thank you, summer.