I went to Berlin and all I got was more sewing inspiration...
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
A weekend in Berlin has left my head is spinning with ideas of the sewing variety - I knew it was only a matter of time before something threw off my seemingly good progress with my #2019makenine. The effortlessly cool style of the native Berlin crowd is truly something to be admired, whether out and about in the day, or enjoying the latest of late nightlife the city has to offer. Whilst making conscious plans to dress like a Berlin-er is the exact opposite of effortless and discounts all cool points, I can't help but want to draw inspiration from the city's style and impart it into my sewing.
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| Berlin style |
The trousers:
I never thought I'd wear flares again after the teenage discovery of skinny jeans, but now I'm talking about sewing a pair, who'd have thought it? After my success with the Trend Patterns Utility Trousers - which could also be pretty 'Berlin' in a more neutral fabric/colour - I'm encouraged to try out the TPC10 Wide Leg Flare. Other flares suggestions welcome!
Style notes: The coolest of casual looks paired black flares with DMs not too dissimilar to the ones below.
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| The trousers |
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| To make: Trend Patterns Flares |
The shoes:
Some things from the 90s should not have been resurrected in my opinion, including clompy Sketchers and Spice Girl shoes, but 'ugly trainers' are where it's at. I've never been a big trainer fan, but the shoe I definitely can do is also a Berlin staple: a solid Doc Marten Boot. I already have a pair like the ones below (the Jadon I think?) and always feel 10x cooler the minute I put them on.
Style notes: To wear with anything and everything (especially flares), day or night.
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| The shoes |
The (bum) bag:
I'm torn by my interest in the bum bag - is it just too fashion?! Nevertheless, a modern-times version of the accessory of my childhood was on my #2019makenine in the form of the Fennel Fanny Pack, and across the body of every other young Berlin-er we saw.
Style notes: the bum bag is no longer just for bums or waists and should now be formally recognised in it's primary function as an 'under armpit bag'.
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| The bag |
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| To make: Sarah Kirsten Fennel Fanny Pack |
The coat:
Long, bold in silhouette, yet neutral in colour and design: the people of Berlin really do love an ankle-skimming, oversized jacket. Whilst I could always be tempted to make more jackets (I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to coat inspo) in this case, I think my Named Clothing Isla Trench is already pretty perfect. Now just to work on some toned down styling.
Style notes: to be worn open, and layered - Fall Turtlenecks and Paper Theory Olya Shirts could work!
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| The coat |
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| To re-style: Isla Trench |
The shop (if I shopped):
My boyfriend said 'they're your kind of clothes' as we passed the window of the Corvera Vargas shop in Kreuzberg and he was absolutely right. I went in to admire them and spoke to one of the members of staff who told me that all garments were designed locally and produced in Poland using only production leftovers and remnants - my kind of brand! - with the aim of reducing waste from the fashion industry.
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| Corvera Vargas, Pflügerstraße 70, 12047 Berlin |
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| The Tanger Jumpsuit |
We've been to Berlin before and will definitely go again - the fashion inspiration is just a fun aside to such a great city (which also has a Stoff & Stil if you needed any more encouragement)! But for now and before next time, it's back to sewing, with a few new plans.
2 comments
Your post was provocative in the most exciting way! I never thought of a city having that style character and what fun to analyze that style to bring its features into our own style. Thank you for this inspiration and a little peak at Berlin - a place I'll likely not see anytime soon! - and for sharing YOUR fabulous sewing and style goals as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kathleen! I've just been on another trip to Germany - this time Hamburg - so I'm brimming with even more inspiration :) Can't wait to actually get sewing some of these ideas up now! xx
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