Friday, August 16, 2013

Inspiration: Girly Leather-Accent Dresses

I've been communing with my inner Rock Goddess lately, and she really wants a dress with leather accents. But my inner Girly Girl is demanding a feminine retro shape.


The dress above is from Alice + Olivia and I love how it mixes a full lace skirt with leather raglan sleeves.

The styling above is super classic from the prim bun down to the nude pumps. But then check out this shot for an alternative:

Yes! Love the versatility.

I also really dig this DVF frock. The leather hip yoke is glorious.


My "band" is playing a music festival on September 7th, so I've been gathering supplies to make a girly leather-accent dress like this. I bought some stretch (!) leather at Mood, and I have some cool embroidered lace leftover from a past project.

 I also picked up some leather glue at Mood to hold down the seam allowances.
I'm thinking of making the entire bodice in leather with the Sewaholic Cambie pattern (which I've made before so I know it fits well), and adding a short full skirt in the lace.

I will keep you updated as I go! In the mean time, if you're interested, I recommend this post from Mood on sewing leather.

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24 comments:

  1. Anna | Mormor hade stilAugust 16, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    I say yes! So cool!

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  2. holly-madnessAugust 16, 2013 at 1:07 PM

    this is going to be interesting, I really like the third dress I might try to make something similar!

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  3. ElspethAugust 16, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    I didn't think I liked the whole leather-trim thing, but I just bought a dark blue/green tartan dress with leather trim around the neck/arms and it's amazing! (and also SO 90s, despite my previous comments about 90s fashion) So yeah... yay leather trim!

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  4. Jessica DeeringAugust 16, 2013 at 1:24 PM

    Looks great! I also love the new blog design. So classy!

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  5. ooobop!August 16, 2013 at 1:31 PM

    Fabulous inspiration indeed!

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  6. UnknownAugust 16, 2013 at 1:35 PM

    Awesomeness Gertie!!!!

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  7. MariAugust 16, 2013 at 1:50 PM

    I think I'm going to have to make something like the Alice + Olivia dress, I'm in love...

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  8. KelieAugust 16, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    Leather is not as bad as I thought it would be. I made an all-leather with lambskin accents for a rodeo queen a few years ago. I used binder clips instead of pins, and it turned out beautifully!

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  9. Annes MuscariAugust 16, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    I really look forward to see your new girly leather dress!

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  10. ColleenAugust 16, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    OH. MY. GEE!!!!


    I cannot WAIT!!!!

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  11. thequirkypeachAugust 16, 2013 at 5:26 PM

    That is sooo awesome! I love the second dress with the leather raglan sleeves and waistband - SO COOL!!! I think the cambie bodice in leather would be a-ma-zing!

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  12. AdrianeAugust 16, 2013 at 7:52 PM

    Can't wait to see your version!

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  13. AyanaAugust 16, 2013 at 9:36 PM

    I can't wait to see the outcome--I love how your style is developing!

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  14. SeracAugust 16, 2013 at 11:56 PM

    I can't wait to see how it turns out. I love leather mixed with something girly!

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  15. TwirlDesignsAugust 17, 2013 at 12:52 AM

    What an awesome dress! I've been dipping my toes in the water, so to speak, with leather. I really want to make a leather jacket for myself.

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  16. MertxeAugust 17, 2013 at 3:58 AM

    Dear Gerthie,
    For what you say, I gather the stretch leather you got is not real leather but a faux. Let me warn you, you're gonna sweat liters under that! I know, because I made this for me:
    http://mertxeshomesewing.blogspot.com.es/2013/05/little-black-not-leather-dress.html
    In that post, i explain about my resolution never to make that mistake again. I suggest you use your faux "leather" for some areas of the dress only, like the one in the picture. Otherwise, you will suffer, belive me.

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  17. EllaAugust 17, 2013 at 4:29 AM

    Daaang that first dress is gorgeous! I love the all lace back, too. How would you wash a dress with leather accents though? Can you pop it in the washing machine/hand wash it?

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  18. Jane EliseAugust 17, 2013 at 6:34 AM

    I was just admiring an Alexander McQueen LBD that Jennifer Aniston wore that has a leather corset belt. Love it.

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  19. Jane EliseAugust 17, 2013 at 6:36 AM

    http://www.fashiongonerogue.com/jennifer-aniston-wears-alexander-mcqueen-at-the-we-are-the-millers-premiere/

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  20. cup + pennyAugust 17, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    I love love love that combination of feminine lace and tough leather! I've been eyeing this Victorian-style leather jacket (complete with puff sleeves), http://www.burdastyle.com/pattern_store/patterns/puff-sleeve-jacket-082013?utm_source=burdastyle&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=bsawblog081213-puffjckttxt

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  21. UnknownAugust 17, 2013 at 1:39 PM

    Very cool combo :) I could also see it in a dress with a pencil skirt bottom :)

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  22. MichelleAugust 18, 2013 at 4:02 PM

    What timing, I have a bunch of pvc remnants and I was just thinking some accents on dresses and tee shirts would be the way to go. That and maybe a fringe bra.

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  23. lisa at twolooseteeth dot comAugust 19, 2013 at 2:07 PM

    I love this leather dress Emily Deschanel wore to talk about Bones at Comic Con. It's such a classic, conservative shape, but the leather makes it fun. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/20/article-2371596-1AE6FCB7000005DC-356_634x986.jpg

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

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