Today I am really excited to share my latest make (I guess I should say makes) and a new segment for my blog and YouTube channel: Babe Sewed My Look. I know a lot of us find fashion inspiration in so many places and think “I really wish I could dress like that!” So why don’t we? Well for one thing, just because you love a look doesn’t mean it fits into your everyday aesthetic, or your lifestyle, or even your budget. If I could, I would dress like Cher everyday…but a see-through sequined gown isn’t exactly practical for homeschooling my 3 year old and feathers aren’t really my thing, ya dig? That’s why I’m doing BSML. It’s a way for me to play around with the looks that inspire me and tweak them to fit me, while keeping the overall vibe of the garment intact. There’s so many different styles, genres, and icons I can’t wait to try my hand at re-imagining, but the one that started this whole ball a’rollin was this look worn by everyone’s favorite teenage witch, Sabrina Spellman:
What really struck me about this outfit was the wearability. I looked at it and thought “I wish I could dress like that everyday!” and immediately followed it up with “…wait, why can’t I?” There’s nothing all that out-of-the-ordinary about this look. As a matter of fact, it’s timeless and comprised of wardrobe staples – a fitted skirt, and a mock-neck top. Shouldn’t be too hard to find it for myself, right? Wrong! For some reason, when I tried shopping this look, it was actually pretty challenging to find these pieces. I’ve worked retail for years, so my leading theory is that, because this outfit is made of staple pieces, they’re not stocked through all seasons or in large quantities. Shelf space is usually reserved for what’s in now, i.e. trends. It didn’t take long for me to realize that if I wanted this outfit, I’d have to make it myself.
For the most part, I kept the overall look intact. In this article, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina the Teenage Witch costume designer, Angus Strathie, talks about how the town of Greendale is “in an eternal autumn” and that “we were informed by the ‘60s and this timeless, country America feeling.” Autumn aesthetics and 60’s fashion are all the way up my ally, so I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel right at home in this outfit. The biggest departure I made from the character of Sabrina (though not in this particular inspiration look) was ditching the color red- her signature. Weirdly, it’s actually my favorite color and one that I love to wear. However, red plaid or even red with plaid reads too “schoolgirl” for my liking. Which makes sense for the teenage witch to wear, but not for me- a 30 year old woman with a bodacious mom-bod. Mature, neutral tones are more my speed, so I decided to keep the overall outfit classic and rely on texture to add interest to the garments over color.
For the top, I immediately thought of the Freya Sweater from Tilly and the Buttons’ book Stretch. It’s a simple, mock-neck top (there’s also a dress option) with a classic silhouette that looks almost identical to the one worn by Sabrina in the scene, and I’ve had it in mind to make for a while so it was a win-win. I got this beautiful bamboo wide ribbed knit from StoneMountain and Daughter Fabrics in the color Redwood. This was my first time sewing with knit fabric, so it was a bit tricky, but not nearly as bad as I thought! I’m really please with how it turned out nonetheless, and I’ve already made a few different outfits using it and wear it all the time. Could not be more pleased with this one.
For the skirt, I’d originally thought of the Ness Skirt, also from Tilly, but changed my mind for the Arielle instead. What really swayed me was these buttons:
I found these vintage buttons at my local antique mall a couple years back and have been waiting for the perfect project to wear them with. When I saw how good they looked with the flannel fabric I’d picked out, it was just meant to be. I love that the skirt still holds a vintage feel, but with more added interest. I also like that this skirt runs a tad longer, which is perfect for me. I can bend down and play on the ground comfortably with my 3 year old without having my ass hang out of it, which makes it a winner in my book!
For the rest of the outfit, I used a few staples that were already in my wardrobe- black tights, Mary Jane heels, and a pop of red lipstick (snuck in Sabrina’s color where I could!). I actually ordered this headband in black to wear with it…but it hasn’t arrived yet, so I just used some black ribbon in the meantime. I actually really like how it looks! What do you think?
Overall, I am so happy with how this look turned out. It’s timeless, easy to wear, but also fun, cute, and perfect for my own personal eternal fall. Mostly, I love that it isn’t a chore to wear. The fabrics are comfortable and easy-to-move-in. I didn’t have to pull at my skirt to stop it riding up, or feel a tight pull across my shoulders whenever I lift up my arms. It’s a put-together outfit that feels like a second skin…exactly what I think our clothing should feel like.
Who’s outfit would you recreate for your everyday wardrobe? If you decide to try this little fashion experiment for yourself, make sure to use the hashtag #babesewedmylook so I can follow along and we can get inspired by your makes! In the meantime, I’ve already started making plans for my next BSML, and I am so excited to share them with you soon! What outfit do you think I should reimagine next? Let me know in the comments!
Happy making!
-XO-
C
