Saturday, July 11, 2009

Pants: I Wear Them!

You might get the impression from this blog that I only wear skirts and dresses. Ha! I am, in fact, a big fan of pants.

I've gotten really into sewing them lately, actually. And so far, I've made several versions from the same basic pattern: the pants from Vogue Wardrobe Pattern #1042. (I actually bought the pattern for the dress and top, but haven't made either of them. Yet.)

The pair I'm sporting here are made up in a black stretch cotton twill, which was a bargain at $5 a yard at A.K. Fabrics, one of my favorite stops in the Garment District. I added a 1-1/4 inch waistband, and sewed big buttons along the front darts for a sailor look (though my husband calls them my 'matador pants').

The legs, which you can't see here, are rather wide. I like the high-waist, wide leg look, though I know not everyone is into it. I feel it's my personal duty to counteract the current pant movement that's going on here in New York: low-rise jeans that are so skinny that they look like they're cutting off the wearer's ankle circulation. Eeeeek.

And, obviously, while we're singing the praises of pants, we can't forget the ultimate pants-wearer:

Damn, that woman could wear a pair of pants.

12 comments:

  1. I LOVE those trousers on Katherine Hepburn! Know of any patterns cut like that or should I search actual patterns from the 40s for those?

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  2. I do know of a Simplicity reissue with Hepburn-style pants:
    http://simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=3688
    But I would also try searching vintage pattern sites. Let me know if you find anything great!

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  3. Great pants!! I love the button detail.

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  4. Very cute outfit! I sewed one pair of pants which are now shorts. I love this pattern because of the "matador"/sailor feel and sweet that the zipper is on the side. haven't quite mastered the fly zip!

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  5. I think you should be a full time blogger! Great Job!

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  6. Hi Gertie, For the real Katherine Hepburn look, try Folkwear's retro trouser pattern #250. As you say, "She could wear pants." I didn't know of any chic "grown-up" in the 1940s who didn't copy her every look. None made it. She was one of a kind. Cordially, Nehmah

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  7. Thanks for the tip, Nehmah! Those patterns look awesome. I haven't tried Folkwear, but I've heard good things. I've also had my eye on some Decades of Style patterns, so I'll have to give those a go as well.

    Joan, I think I'd like to be a full-time blogger! Alas, it's back to work this Thursday. I hope my sewing time doesn't suffer too much!

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  8. I recently tried out a vintage Hollywood pants pattern similar to those hepburn pants (though Betty Grable is on the front) and I think the number is 4963. But it didn't work out well for me, so I'm going to modify it (super tight waistband and unflattering pleats). There are some great patterns from the 40s, you can even try looking for vintage pajama pants as they seem to pretty much be cut the same way as far as I can tell.

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  9. These are awesome! I have a couple of high-waisted-wide-leg pants for work and they're awesomely comfy and easy to wear. Methinks I need to learn to sew some =D

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  10. WOW These I really really liked!! Looks good! *Caroline wants a pair of her own* hehe

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  11. That pic of Katherine Hepburn is my favorite.... best pants pic of all time! She rocked the "masculine/feminine" look like no other!

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Thanks for your comments; I read each and every one! xo Gertie

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