New Look Trousers or Shorts N6289

When it comes to summer style I’m a fan of long and floaty rather than short and skimpy. I’ve been in love with high waisted palazzos for a long time, as they remind me of one of my style icon Grace Kelly. There’s an elegance and grace (pun intended) to the high waisted trouser that I adore. I bought my first pair from primary back around 2010, but they became worn very quickly (that’s what you get from cheaply made clothing!) They were navy with a floral pattern, and not only did I live them but they fit me, both round the waist and over the hips. When they were no more, I couldn’t find another pair to fit my body shape. I eventually got a pair from New Look with an elasticated waistband, but they sat on the hip rather than the waist, which made me look an odd and unflattering shape.

When my best friend and seeing teacher went on holiday to Dubai, her now home, I had only been sewing for a few months but had never completed a project alone. She set me the challenge to make an elasticated waist skirt and elasticated waist trousers on my own. The aim was to try and build my confidence in my ability to decipher patterns, and to commit thread to fabric without running things past her first. I went for New Look 6354 for the skirt New Look 6289 for the trousers.

The trousers were a revelation. Not only are they an incredibly simple sew that can be completed in under an hour, but they only take 2 metres of fabric. I find cheap polycottons are ideal as they are nice and light, and at my home from home Exeter Fabric Centre are usually only £5.99 a metre. A pair of trousers for £12? I’ll take that. Fit wise, they are also a win because I can make a large size to have lots of room around my thighs and hips, and have the waist sit nice and high whilst using the elastic to pull the waist right in.

I currently have four pairs! My lovely sister-in-law and I took some photos of one pair last summer, which epitomise my summer style. Because an elasticated waist isn’t the most stylish element of an outfit, I always wear a belt over the waistband to hide it. I like to wear a floaty camisole on top – you still get the shape of the nipped in waist, but it’s much more relaxed. And I feel ready to walk out on to the veranda in High Society to greet my ex-husband, Bing Crosby. ?