This Week in Patterns (16-Jan-2015)

Oh boy, so this week, Burda released one of the worst Plus collections I've ever seen. It's really, really awful. It's rare that a pattern collection actually makes me angry, but this one does. Let's take a look, shall we?

BurdaStyle Plus - January 2015

If you were to Google "passive aggressive fat shaming", I truly believe that the landing page for this collection should be one of the top hits:

Loft Life Collection (January 2015)

There's a whole lot of fugliness and unflattering sacks going on here.

Loose-Fitting Elasticized Athletic Jacket (01/2015 #134)

If you've ever wanted to wear an oversized, shapeless, silver sack jacket #134 is your pattern. For those who weren't following Burda back in the Burda World of Fashion (Burda WOF) days, looks like these are partially how Burda got the nickname "Burda WTF?"

BurdaStyle 01/2015 #134

Pleated Trousers with Hip Yoke (01/2015 #130)

Next up is a pair of trousers apparently so unflattering on the model that BurdaStyle used not one, but two different photos that completely obscure the supposed selling point (design-wise) of the pattern--the hip yoke and pleats.

BurdaStyle 01/2015 #130B

BurdaStyle 01/2015 #130A

Batwing Jersey Shirt #132

I have a hard time deciding what's less flattering here: the shirt itself or the fact that the Burda stylist decided to tuck an oversized, bulky shirt into a pleated skirt. This is just awful.

BurdaStyle 01/2015 #132

Mid-calf length Maxi Coat 01/2015 #131

Hey, at least the coat is nice.

BurdaStyle 01/2015 #131

HotPatterns 1185 Three-Piece-Sweet Jacket, Scarf, and Tank

Thankfully, we finish the week by cleansing our brains from that awful (and IMO, insulting) Burda collection with a set of fun layering pieces from HotPatterns:

HotPatterns 1185 Three-Piece-Sweet Jacket, Scarf, and Tank set

HotPatterns Three-Piece-Sweet Jacket, Tank, & Scarf

If you've seen how I dress in real life, then you know that I frequently dress in layers, and this pattern/set is right up my alley. I feel like HotPatterns designs are at their best when Trudy takes a current trend and builds an everyday-wearable garment around it. I like the split back on the jacket--a nod to the current huge cutout trend, but when paired with the tank, it's completely work-appropriate for the office. I also love that there's an option to line (or not line) the jacket.

Now, I live in a moderate climate in the PNW, so I have plenty of opportunity to wear unlined jackets, but one of my biggest pet peeves with patterns is when a recommended fabric for a jacket (or dress or skirt) is something like "wool tweed" or "wool crepe" that you'd always line, and then the pattern doesn't include lining pieces or instructions (I'm looking at you Colette Dahlia).

In any case, this pattern is an excuse to go fabric shopping for 2-3 coordinated fabrics. That's never a bad thing, is it?

Coat update

I feel like I'm so, so, close to finishing my coat. I've got the whole body constructed now. The fit is good, the shape is flattering, and it's looking very, very wearable (albeit a bit warm). I've started on construction of the hood. I'm kind of amused because the hood construction takes an entire page of pattern instructions, whereas they had you completely construct and start to bag the lining in a single step. I'm hoping that this last bit goes fast and then I can finally move on to another project. At the very least, I'll take a few progress photos outside on my dressform this weekend.

Final Thoughts

Hate the Burda, love the HotPatterns. Vogue sent out an email recently teasing their Early Spring collection, so hopefully, we'll have those to take a look at next week!