It’s good that the Fall 2017 collections will be starting in about 10 minutes, because I’m fairly underwhelmed by the Pre-Fall ones. Not surprisingly though, Joseph is once again at the top of my list of exquisite knits (alongside incredible woven pieces with all the giant patch pockets I love). Just look at those incredible long layers up top, the exaggerated turtleneck and impeccable cardigan in the middle, and then the long rib-knit tunic and pants paired with that exceptional pink coat. Nevermind how unwearable those pants are, I want it all. But especially that army sweater-coat.
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PREVIOUSLY in Pre-Fall 2017:
I agree. It’s making me wonder if I should knit Emerson by Veronik Avery.
After looking at the collection, I’m in love with the colorwork sweater.
I’m in love with the red dress, but that sweater’s winking at me.
That red dress is like a toned-down version of the one from the previous season, which I still haven’t gotten over!
Oh, to be tall and lithesome and able to pull off these styles! This collection is elegantly comfy.
It’s a little too bathrobe-esque for me.
I’m with you. What’s with the Schmoo-like pants and sweater arms?
Sure you’ll moderate me away, but one of the great things about hand-made wardrobes is that you don’t have to tolerate the excesses of “high fashion” and its insistence on a young, tall, skinny (skinny skinny) aesthetic. These clothes might be attractive (& that’s debatable in my view) on a 6foot plus, very slender, flat-chested, girl-child but I imagine they’d look horrid on an averagely tall, averagely fleshed woman. The ‘averagely’ there is key – women can be tall, or thin of course, but on average they are my height – 5 foot buggerall, and around my dress size (UK 14). What does it say about an industry that does not design for the majority of women? The fashion world is an industry that breeds self-hatred and over-consumption in my opinion. I love your page, dig your personal design choices and your ethical approach to clothing and wonder how your occasional forays into Vogue-world and its emphasis and swiftly moving fashion trends sits with that? I’m genuinely curious.
I’d like to voice enthusiasm for the attention the blog pays to current fashion (including both street photography and various designers’ runway work). I think the joy of handmaking your own stuff is that you can have the best of all possible worlds. In spite of some of the fashion industry’s worst aspects (including the strict and unrealistic physical standards you mention), there’s wonderful and inspired design to be found there (some would call it art). There are so many supremely talented people and great ideas in that world; I love folding those into my inspirations for what to make for myself and my loved ones. And I love seeing what inspires other knitters and sewers, and how a concept or set of design principles morph into what they actually create. In a more intellectual way, I also think the history of fashion (the cyclical nature of trends, the semantics of clothing, etc.) including the vagaries of contemporary fashion are fascinating to grapple with for those of us who make our own clothing. For all these reasons I love posts like this!
Thanks, Genevieve — and I don’t think I could have said it any better than that!
I simply cannot agree that using very (?worryingly) slim tall models who do not reflect womanity (at all) and the appalling waste documented here and elsewhere are just a kind of unfortunate side consequence, but y’know the clothes are lovely. The best way to combat bad practice is to vote with your feet – buy less and better and don’t promote fast/exploitative/ruinously expensive fashion. Your page Karen, has inspired me to make – but your links to Vogue have not.
Hmm…
Which body type reflects Woman? Mine, which is short and pear-shaped? My daughter’s, which is naturally like those models in this blog post? My mother-in-law’s, which is akin to Marilyn Monroe? The athletic Williams sisters? Keira Knightley? Beyonce? Helen Mirren? A Victoria’s Secret model? Rebel Wilson?
Woman comes in all shapes and sizes. There is no one body type that defines us. There is no body type that makes us less womanly, more womanly, or a truer Woman than the Woman standing next to us whose shape is different than our own.
I understand your concerns, but to say–at the very least, to infer–that a tall, skinny girl is less womanly than a curvier one, or that she does represent her own sex because she is tall and/or thin, is to deny that Woman is more complex, more varied, and more diverse than any body type.
Hear, hear!
I think you’ve misunderstood the point I’m making – which is not to skinny shame, but to call for a wee bit more diversity on the catwalk to reflect the actual diversity of womenfolk which you – and I for the record – both celebrate.
It isn’t the clothes exactly, jocolumbine, it’s the details and the aesthetic of the clothing. I’m 5’2″ and 100# overweight but I’d love a sweater or jacket with the band around the opening and the big patch pockets–in a length, color, and size to suit my shape. It took me a while to look at the pictures she posts, then read what Karen says about a designer’s line and then translate features of it into something I might like and not get snagged by the tall, skinny women they’re displayed on. That’s like criticizing the hanger the garment is on. Women need to look upon designer clothes as fantasies and glean the trends, colors, and silhouettes that work in the real world. Yes, I agree, the fashion world breeds self-hatred, always has always will, but that’s how yarn colors and fabric designs change and evolve. Put that gray jacket in the middle photo on a “regular” woman and it’d be a classic just the way it is.
My main criticism of these photos is that the clothes all look too big for the model – if I had knitted these I would be berating myself for getting the gauge wrong! However, one thing I have learned in my short knitting career ( largely from reading this blog) is to look at patterns with a view to modifying them to suit my body shape. I have found that incredibly empowering. I would venture to say that most of us , whatever our sizes, could adapt these looks and end up with some MORE aesthetically pleasing than what went down the catwalk so I welcome these posts as inspiration.
ikr??? why would you want sleeves extremely longer than your arms???
Danielle, I knit my cardigans with longer than necessary sleeves because my wrists get cold and I like the comfort of extra long sleeves. I like pulling my sleeves out of coat sleeves and have them function like handwarmers sans thumbs. It is just a preference, like not liking to wear raglans.
As I’m quite lanky I’d be delighted to find sleeves longer than my arms Danielle!
LADIES… it is a TREND… intended on you spending your hard earned dollars on lustful desires… and giving all your current clothing away. Is it any wonder the landfills are burgeoning?
Think I will just knit mine… make it fit me AND MY style… save a fist full of dollars… enjoy the process… and pat myself on the back after blocking and it truly FITS.
Have a great day… KNITTING!
I love these looks. I also love those big pockets. I have long arms, so I like sleeves that go long. They feel too short if they are right at my wrist. The color story is so great. I love that slightly pink coat. These fashion posts are one of my favorites. It shows me that this medium is “not my grandmother’s knitting.” And then I love the “knit the look” posts that show us how we can achieve a fashionable street look! (I’m 56. I’m no spring chicken.)
That powder blue jacket is divine! Such a great shape.