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Los Olivos, California, United States
You can reach me at fool4fabric (at) gmail (dot) com

Saturday, December 5, 2015

PORTUGAL WARDROBE REVIEW

Well, I DID change my mind... I went from this



back to this
and I never for a moment regretted it. My brocade jacket was stylish, comfortable and layered well. I wore all three of the jackets a lot, and layered the raincoat over them as needed.


I added one of my vests if it was cold.
The only vest I didn't use was the black and white ikat one.





Pants? well of the five I took, the Eileen Fisher and the gray chinos got only one wear a piece...

and that was due more to shoes than anything else. I wore my new Stuart Weitzman boots most of the time (they were fantastically comfortable) only switching to the Cole Haan when it really rained.

and because I wore the boots so often, the pant lengths were more important than I realized...so the black jeans and the red jeans got worn the most.

And...because I didn't wear the Eileen Fisher pants, I also didn't wear the tunics I took...so I could have left those at home!

Live and learn!


I wore all my tees and turtlenecks. Yay!

I wore my hat a great deal of the time...not the rain hat, and the scarves and purse were in daily rotation


 I think this was the most cohesive wardrobe I've ever put together, and I enjoyed and felt good in my outfits.






 So glad I had my red raincoat!






I got into the studio this last week, made a wadder and gave it away. I need to get back into my stride!

One  thing that happened recently was that I was chosen by the BurdaStyle Sewing Community as one of the 2015 Top Blogs for Fashion Sewers", and it was a lovely surprise. For those non-sewists reading my blog, Burda is a publishing company that was started
in 1898. It has been publishing a fashion magazine based on sewing since 1949, and designing sewing patterns  since the '50's. I'm honored to be in such august company!

TTYL

Edited to add: off to Visible Monday at Patti's blog...come visit!


52 comments:

  1. You need to write a book entitled, "How to Look Chic Wherever You Go."

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  2. You have the most beautiful wardrobe. Truly inspirational!

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  3. You are my fashion and sewing goals! You make some truly beautiful garments that compliment you very well!

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  4. That shot of you against the columns looking off to the left is AMAZING.. so elegant, Mama! Love you AND the clothes you wear!

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  5. All of your ensembles are just fabulous.

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  6. Nice overview of what worked - I applaud all the thought that went into your wardrobe. Was it checked luggage? With all the weight/size restrictions these days, one has to plan carefully.

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    1. Thanks, Georgene! Yes, I check a 25" case...I can do smaller, but why?

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  7. I simply loved your fully coordinated travel wardrobe. I try to copy your guidelines when I travel but I never look as chic as you.

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  8. I'm going on a big trip to Europe next summer and you've inspired me to start planning my wardrobe sooner than later. I really enjoy reading about your travel and sewing adventures! Shari

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  9. We're going to Rome next week, and I'm just copying your plans. I know I can't do better--many thanks!

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  10. Just beautiful, Margy! This post is worthy of study and reference. And it's doubly interesting to hear what worked and what could have been left behind! Thx!

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  11. I love your travel wardrobe post and have them all bookmarked for reference. Planning for my longed-for trip to the UK in three years time has commenced with what else but sewing a coordinated travel wardrobe inspired by you! Thank you so much.

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    1. Thank you, Margaret! Good luck on your travel wardrobe...and your trip!

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  12. All fabulous garments that coordinate so well. A very well planned wardrobe that is also very stylish! Inspirational.

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  13. Blown away. When are you going to start your own line? Sign me up.

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  14. Replies
    1. I don't consider myself grown up, yet...Material Lady! Thanks!

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  15. Margy, what is the pattern of the red raincoat? I love it!

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    1. Hi, Jane...that raincoat is Vogue 9070, a Marcy Tilton pattern. I love it too!

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  16. This is a great resource for travelers! Thank you. I was wondering why you chose to wear the boots most of the time - were they most comfortable? Was it related to your activities? And did you find you wanted pants over the top of them? Were some of your pants too narrow or too short?
    I think the vests were a great alternative to the tunics - were they warmer? Or the pants you did not wear were slimmer so the tunics did not work with the other pants? Sorry for being so technical - your results will help so much for us travel planners. Thank you so much

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    1. a lot of questions, Unknown! I bought the boots specifically to walk the cobblestone hills of Lisbon...especially the lug soles, as I knew it might be rainy and slippery (it was, a little). They are astonishingly comfortable and I love the look of them. The pant length and narrowness was definitely a factor...the black jeans were "mini-bootcut" and the red jeans I had made a little longer than usual, so those two got worn the most. The black and silver jeans, which I also made, were too narrow at the bottom and didn't play well with the boots. The vests weren't really an alternative to the tunics...I added them for warmth, or when I wanted a lighter layer, or to spark up an outfit. The black Eileen Fisher pants are very narrow...about as close as I get to leggings. They are the pants that look best IMHO with the tunics, so since I didn't wear the EF pants, I didn't wear the tunics. That's a look I wear often here at home, so I assumed I would as well in Portugal. I hope I answered all your questions!

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  17. And you look so good too.....you look like you're enjoying your clothes.

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  18. Amazingly cohesive capsule travel wardrobe - love all the colours and the looks you did (your accessories really worked well).

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    1. Thanks, Sheila. It helps that I've been wearing the same colors for years!

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  19. I love the color scheme. You look so chic and pulled together. It's so nice to be able to relax and not worry about your wardrobe. Packing for a trip is a real art and you are a true artist. I'm nuts about your Arche red flats.

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    1. Thanks, Connie...You would not believe how old those shoes are and the many places they've been! I've had them resoled and re-dyed several times!

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  20. Wonderful ensembles, Margy - and it's always true for me too that a few items remain unworn. Congratulations on your Burda honor - so well deserved. xox

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Thank you, Patti! Do you think we'll ever pack "just right"?

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  21. So inspiring Margy! Both the locations of your trip and your wonderful wardrobe. (That includes the wardrobe of fabulous glasses!) I always look forward to your travel wardrobes!

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  22. You are a true packing master. You look fabulous in all these photos. The number of unused clothes is remarkable, there are so few. I've always adored your black glasses frames but that photo of you in the red...mmm, I think I may need new specs soon.
    Congratulations on your Burda recognition!! You deserve it. Hugs!

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    1. You're definitely one who could carry those glasses off, Mel...Thanks!

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  23. Beautiful way to represent the U.S! If I'd seen you in person I would have stopped you to give a compliment. Every outfit was beautiful.

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    1. What a lovely comment, Michelle! Thank you so much.

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  24. Congratulations on the Burda recognition. You are a wonderful blogger and a source of all kinds of inspiration to all us readers in cyberland.
    I enjoyed seeing what you ended up using and wearing on the trip - I have been traveling a lot in the past few years and have been trying to take less and less as time goes on because I hate schlepping a big suitcase. But it can backfire, like my recent trip to Italy. We went to the Trento - because of the cold I spent an extra $300. on clothes to keep me warm, which unfortunately I have not reached for once since I'm home. Live and learn :-)
    Mary Taylor

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  25. Thank you, Mary! I learn something new every trip I take! I choose to take a 25" suitcase...I hate all the hassle of trying to carry on a suitcase! I hope you get to use your "emergency" clothes!

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  26. Congratulations Margy on the honourable recognition from Burda I am a sewer and am always inspired by your stitching...look forward to a continuation in 2016.
    Lyn, Australia

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