From the stash: Sleeveless floral blouse-skirt duo

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This floral cotton-spandex resided in my stash for several years, because I loved it so much I didn’t want to make it into something that turned out to be a disappointment.  …

Sleeveless blouse and skirt fabric RSR

I finally settled on a sleeveless blouse-skirt combo, i.e., a 2-piece dress.  The outfit is devoid of embellishment, and has no decorative features at all.  My plan was to start with the most basic garments and add to them as necessary for aesthetics or function.  To my surprise, the basic un-embellished duo became one of my favorite go-to outfits this summer.

Sleeveless blouse and skirt

For a pattern, I traced a simple, old linen blouse in my closet.  The only change I made was to slightly indent the side seams at the waist.

IMG_20180906_122905492_LL a

The blouse slips over the head, and has a button-loop closure in the back.  I used a reflective fabric covered button.

Back closure
Back closure reflection

 

The skirt is a simple rectangle, seamed up the back, slightly tapered at the waist, with an elastic casing.

Skirt

I lined the blouse and skirt with cotton percale sheet fabric.  The lining is super comfortable in hot weather, and adds just a smidge more body to the garments.

Lining

This turned out to be the kind of simple outfit that sneaks up on you and becomes the thing you wear everywhere.  I’ve worn this outfit when bicycling, to the office, to meet friends for dinner, and to the ballpark.  I wore the blouse to a big-time concert last month with a pair of khaki shorts.  (More on that to come.)  The outfit basically goes anywhere.  It’s been excellent for road trips and travel.  This simple duo is going to end up in my personal little dress hall of fame.

Here it is with a 10+ year old hand-embroidered Putumayo sweater that I thought was inching closer to the donation box.  Not anymore.  It’s part of the ensemble now.

Sweater2

With Autumn arriving in a week, I already miss wearing this outfit.  I’m considering making another version in fall colors, with simple 3/4 sleeves.

 

 

14 thoughts on “From the stash: Sleeveless floral blouse-skirt duo”

  1. Such a nice ensemble together with the cardigan! That floral fabric has an intricate pattern, so any fancy details on the garment would only distract from it. Sometimes simple lines are best. 🙂

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      2. I’m not surprised your sister had the album. I may be one of the very few who didn’t. It’s pleasant, and the songs so well written, but it’s just not for me. The ‘You’ve Got Mail’ song grabbed me immediately, though. I went straight out and bought the soundtrack CD.

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      4. It was certainly an iconic album cover. I’m sure I initially liked the songs more than I’m recalling now. It was just so overplayed in my region. That’s probably what turned me against it.

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