This peplum blazer is made from this gorgeous Carolina Herrera "woven fabric. Stone-colored, it combines black threads with graphite, gray with soft silvery strands, in a textured weave that can scarcely be described as medium-weight with the prettiest subtle sheen", from Mood Fabrics.  And it was perfect for this collarless jacket!

When I think Carolina Herrera, my first thoughts are elegance and sophistication.  So I wanted to create something that would do this beautiful fabric justice.  I chose New Look 6231. Even with the pleated peplum, the lines of this jacket are simple and uncomplicated.  A perfect way to highlight the fabric.

But in order to get a garment that I would be thrilled about, I had to make some alterations and modifications.  First, I lengthened the body of the jacket by an inch.  I made a 1 inch FBA.

The shoulders are drafted really wide in my opinion.  I had to shave an inch off of them.  

And since I'm not a fan of one-piece sleeves on tailored structured jackets, I swapped them out for a two-piece sleeve in a full-length.  Here's a post I did previously regarding sleeves:  "One-piece Sleeves vs. Two-Piece Sleeves".

And I added 7" exposed zippers at the cuff.  I like the bit of "edge" this detail gives this style.

Show me yours, and I'll show you mine:  Don't you love seeing the inside of a garment?  I do!  It reveals A LOT about one's construction skills!

I also lightly tailored this jacket by block fusing nylon tricot fusible interfacing to the fabric.  I added a back-stay made from muslin and I stabilized the neckline with a strip of silk organza.  And I added a full lining.  The jacket is held closed with a hook and eye closure.

Note:  Here are previous tailoring projects with lots of pictures and descriptions.

As lovely as this fabric is, it does not take kindly to having seams ripped from it.  You can easily catch those loosely woven threads.  I learned that the hard way!  So try to get it right the first time!

I'm already planning additional outfits in my head incorporating this jacket.  This is going to be such a fun piece to dress up or down this season!

So, I made another pair of slouchy track pants.  This time, I used sequined fabric.  And I can assure you that I'm officially over this trend.  I had planned to make a third pair in leather.  But two pairs are enough for me.  And plus, I'd feel like I'm wasting perfectly good AND expensive leather hides on something so trendy.  

For this pair, I used this sequined fabric from Mood Fabrics.  I omitted the pockets and used black rib knit for the waistband and cuffs.

"Before I Die" in Birmingham, AL

I was sent this great great necklace from Onecklace.

Mine is the 18", 24K Gold Plated Alegro Name Necklace.

I use to have a necklace like this back in the 80s, when I was in high school.  I've not a clue as to what ever happened to it.  In later years, I fell in love with Carrie Bradshaw's necklace and always said I was going to get another one.  And I've finally had the opportunity through Onecklace to make that happen.  And I think I'll probably be getting my daughters one as a stocking stuffer this year.

Wearing:  Vogue 8815 - long-sleeve peplum top; Vogue 8909 pants; Prabal Gurung x Target sandals; 3.1 Phillip Lim x Target bag; Markus Lupfer initial brooch.

When it comes to dresses, I usually have a preference for a fitted sheath.  That's been my go to style for years.  But lately, I've been noticing how effortlessly adorable shift dresses are.  On me, I find shift dresses to be a flattering and forgiving garment.  And what better form than a LBD!

One I can wear and not be encumbered by foundation/shapewear garments and I can feel free to actually eat while I'm wearing it... and still look chic!  And I've decided this season, they are a welcomed addition to my wardrobe.

This dress is self-drafted.  It's based on the same pattern I used for this dress.  With only minor adjustments.  But for this one, I added lantern sleeves (with a 1/4" elastic hem) and an invisible zipper.  And also, instead of using a jersey fabric, I use a black viscose crepe that I've had in my stash for many years. 

I wanted a low back, but I wanted it to be "bra-friendly".  Not too low this time.  

It's amazing what the camera flash will reveal.  Notice the sheen of my black interfacing for my zipper showing through.  It reminds me of when celebrities are caught braless on the red carpet and all of their "bits" are shown on paparazzi pictures.  I guess the next time I wear this, I'll have to avoid step and repeats and flash bulbs!

I'm pretty pleased with the way this dressed turned.  I wanted something with a simple shape, that looked just interesting from the front and the back; and with dramatic sleeves.  And that's just what I created.  I plan to make a couple more of these dresses  since they're so easy to wear.