Fall Trends

Looking at some 2021 fall fashion trends that weren't outrageous, I found a few that were worth mentioning as modest in design and style.  The lengths on skirts are short or long and with patterns one can adjust to a modest length fairly easily.

Dresses

This dress found here.  This is a simple design but made to look great by the fabric choice.  

A simple shirtwaist dress pattern such as N6551 could be adapted by leaving the collar off and finishing with a bias band or a facing and making the sleeves long.  Use another pattern for the sleeve to make a little pleat on top or leave plain and to get the length you like. It also has 2 square pockets on the bodice which are up to you to make or leave off.  Make the skirt as long as you like.  The waist looks like a self fabric belt with ornamentation.  It also looks like a heavier fabric--maybe a denim weight?

Dress from this site.

Belt for sale here.  I liked this dress because it was different.  It is not a style everyone would like or could wear easily.  However, it is sporty and has interesting details.  It would take effort to make one similar to this and perhaps Simplicity 9260 would work.

Or this might inspire also:

Outfit found here.

There are simple dress patterns that can be adapted any body style. Just figure what you are comfortable with and that enhances your  modest presentation of who you are and who you represent.  Knits are more difficult to sew with and may follow lumps and bumps you would rather not show.  

Blouses 

The outfit below is basic classic style with a simple shirt and a flared skirt.  This could be made in any combination of fabrics you prefer.  Heavier cottons for blouses and skirts work for cooler climates.  Bright or fall colors would be appropriate for fall and winter.

Outfit found here.

Skirts

Skirt found here

The above skirt is priced at $1190.00  It has interesting lowered side gatherings.  To make a similar model using a commercial pattern, try Simplicity 9180.  You could sew the pockets to the skirt if  you want a similar look.

Here are a few more skirt patterns for a different look.

Estuary Skirt Pattern by SewLiberatedPatterns

There is a cute make of this skirt on this site where there is appliqued design on the pockets and it looks very professional and stunning!

Classic with a twist!

Serendipity Studio has entered the circle of shirtwaists worthy of putting together.  Kay Whitt has taken the classic and made it with a new twist:  The Sally Shirtdress.  Rather than sewing the bodice to the skirt as in most shisrtwaist patterns, this is a one-piece front and back with tucks/pleats to make the waist indented.

I like the idea of being able to use a border print.  The dress looks very comfortable and I hope to be able to have the pattern to work with soon.  I have several fabrics waiting for "the perfect pattern."

The Classic Shirtwaist

Here is a site that explains shirtdresses and their popularity.

This is one of the many  shirtdresses available at Shabby Apple .

It seems that styles return (retro-to those who haven't lived through the earlier fashion) in similarity with adaptations of the present mode.  When the off-shoulder styles were in, one could find shirtwaist dresses in a variety of pleated, gathered, flared, gored, straight, and A-lines with a standard two-piece collar, or simple collar, notched collar, mandarin collar, Peter Pan collar, and lace collars.  Sleeves were flowing and loose or close fitting and made to all lengths.  It was a very comfortale dress to wear.  The fabrics were endless and it made one feel feminine.  Those were the 80's.

The shirtwaist has returned again and this time with a variety similar to the past.  The tops are more closefitting as were those constructed in the 50's and 60's. The lengths are shorter now and the tops have deeper necklines and the buttons don't go as high.  Here is a site that shows a variety of styles of the past at least from the '30s - '50s.

For the home seamstress there are many patterns that will lend themselves to a nice, comfortable shirtwaist.  McCalls, Simplicity, Butterick, and others have usually have some shirtwaist style available in their catalogs.
There is really quite a variety available. If you don't like the sleeve style, use another pattern with something you are more comfortable with. The same goes with the skirt style or any other detail that you would like to change.
There are vintage pattern sites that offer shirtwaists, too. It is fun to look at those older styles to see the uniqueness of each one.

 

Very Easy Vogue 8785

Vogue 8577

McCalls 6279

Marfy Dress F1663

McCalls 5847

Vogue 1233

McCalls 4769

Kwik Sew 3488



Here are a few that are some of my favorites along with McCalls 4769 that I have had success with.

Vogue 8021 (out of print)

                                                          Vogue 8028 (out of print)

Everyday Dresses pattern book is  sometimes listed  on Amazon.

Nothern Lights by Dana Marie


One final comment, if you don't find the shirtwaist dress pattern you like, you can always use your favorite blouse and add a skirt to it and it becomes a shirtwaist with some adjustments. You could make it button all the way down to the hem of the dress or put a placket in or a side zipper or make a loose waist and gather it in with elastic or a belt. Just be sure to allow yourself room to get in and out easily.