Hey everyone! I'm kinda excited about this post...this little top has pulled me waaaaay out of my comfort zone! I started to make McCall's 7133 top on a whim, knowing that I would also make a VERY high waisted skirt to wear with it to hide the fact that it is a crop top. I just thought that I certainly couldn't pull off a crop top at my age.
So I did just that, made the top and skirt. As you can see in the pictures below....meh.....
So I did just that, made the top and skirt. As you can see in the pictures below....meh.....
Yeah...not really loving it. Too much of this pattern, maybe? In hindsight, I think that a high waisted pencil skirt would have been better. I just find the whole ensemble overwhelming.
Anywaaaays....moving on...
I thought, why not (for kicks) just try the top with my high waisted nautical jeans. Bam! I was surprised at how much I liked it and what surprised me even more was the confidence I had while wearing it! Who knew!? Another surprise was that my typically conservative hubby preferred the trousers over the skirt. He thought the skirt was too matchy matchy.
well paaardoooon me....call the fashion police
(ok....he was absolutely right!)
So on to the pattern.... and my review.
Pattern: McCalls 7133
Fabric used: A tropical print cotton sateen.
Instructions: The instructions were great. This is rated as easy and I found that to be true. It isn't lined which was nice for a summer top and much easier to sew.
Changes I made: I removed the center back seam. I keep making this change to my makes lately...I REALLY don't like unnecessary CB seams. I used an invisible zipper in the side seam instead of the back. I can easily pull the top on and off and it just made much more sense to move the zip.
Repeat worthy: Yes! I am already planning a navy blue one!
The skirt is McCalls 6706. Any of you following me for a while, know that I have made this skirt many times before and can head over to my gallery to find one and a review for it.
After I tried the jeans, I thought I would try my wide legged, high waisted, off white pants. I think this outfit would be perfect for our next trip south. It has a tropical vibe to it and I can totally see myself wearing it to dinner in a resort setting.
So...may I ask... pants or matchy matchy skirt? What if I remade the skirt into a high waisted pencil skirt? Would that be better than the full skirt?
I like the jeans and hubby likes the white pants. What do you think? I'm also open to more styling ideas if you have any! I'm thinking...my lace Copy Cat skirt or maybe I'll really go all out and pair it with culottes like the pattern! Now we are really stepping outside the comfort zone!
What kind of garments would be outside of your comfort zone?
I like the jeans and hubby likes the white pants. What do you think? I'm also open to more styling ideas if you have any! I'm thinking...my lace Copy Cat skirt or maybe I'll really go all out and pair it with culottes like the pattern! Now we are really stepping outside the comfort zone!
What kind of garments would be outside of your comfort zone?
I think a high-waisted pencil skirt is a great idea! I vote for you to re-do the skirt that way. You look great but I totally understand the worries that this would be "mutton dressed as lamb" territory. I recently bought myself a bikini, after years of one-piece bathing suits, even if I still feel self-conscious about my belly not being flat enough. But I wore it in public and brazened it out, LOL! Have fun on your vacation! (Take both pants!)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I figure in years to come, I will look back and think I look great right now despite how I may feel in this moment. I think a pencil skirt is a good option.
DeleteWow! Super hot and very sophisticated look with both pair of trousers. Probably worth trying with a high waisted pencil skirt, but might be hard to beat your slacks! Also love the tropical print fabric. Loving all tropical fabrics this summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks Noelle! I love the trousers too, they just feel right. Not to exposed.
Deletepants for the win! however, i wouldn't say no to a matchy matchy over the top fest. especially if you had some crazy pink shoes. or a hat!!!!!
ReplyDelete(tell your hubby: you're welcome ;)
LOL! Thanks! I do love green and pink together. And a hat? Well I have a large selection to choose from. I'm a secret hat hoarder. As far as hubs is concerned...he has been fore warned that my style is only going to get crazier the older I get! And he is totally fine with that! I think it amuses him ;)
DeleteI love the white pants! I recently made a similar crop top and pencil skirt in a cougar print I love. Pencil skirt would be great, too,to keep that head to toe print from taking over.
ReplyDeleteThanks Justine!
DeleteLooks great with either pants! I would probably keep the skirt to use with something else - changing it to a high waisted pencil with the top would look very sarong-ish, which could be fun though!
ReplyDeleteOooo Beverly, you could be right...too much like a sarong! Never thought of that. Thanks!
DeleteI like the dark pants! Can you do a dark pencil skirt as well?
ReplyDeleteMy fav too! A dark skirt would work too, Thanks!
DeleteAnother idea is to make the waistband on the skirt narrower so the crop top shows your tummy, breaking up the line. Just turn it down and stitch.
ReplyDeleteGood idea! Thanks!
DeleteLove it with the white pants -- very tropical! And the pencil skirt does sound like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kyla! I do like the white pants too.
DeleteLove either pants. Show off that lovely flat stomach. I think I'd like a pencil skirt, but in solid. Find a top to wear the skirt on its own.
ReplyDeleteI will be sure to to try the skirt with a different top before chopping it up! Thanks!!
DeleteOMG...you make me almost, nearly, possibly want to take up jogging again. You are super toned and trim!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite look is with the white pants. I like the fullness of the skirt, and I'm totally on board with matchy-matchy...but I do think a peep of midriff showing would be awesome. Any chance you could lower the waistline of the skirt a little?
LOL thanks Sue! You are sweet. I was very hesitant about posting these pics. I think you are right about lowering the waistline...I do really like the top with the pants, I think because there is less skin showing. All in moderation?
DeleteYOU LOOK AMAZING!!!!! Whatever age you are, it's the right age for this top. Fabulous! I really like it with both pairs of pants. Now you've cracked the world of crop tops, just think of all the fun patterns you can try!
ReplyDeleteDang Gillian! I am blushing! thanks.
Deleteyou go girl! I like the top paired with the white pants best. What if you tried it with white skinny jeans?
ReplyDeleteThanks Carmen! Hmmm...white skinny jeans. Something to think about,=.
DeleteA lovely summer make!
ReplyDeleteThanks Faye!
DeleteWoo hoo. Use your great shape with this top Margo. You look better than most people. I'd be thrilled with this top and pants styling too. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maria!
DeleteI think the skirt is just too full, and a slim skirt will work better with this top. And I like both the blue and the white pants - probably slightly more favouring the white pants.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah Liz! I feel the same way about the skirt.
DeleteGorgeous with the pants, but I do like it with the skirt too though not in tha matching fabric. It does look great eith the slimmer silhouette and I think a high waisted pencil skirt would be fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I agree that maybe this print would be best in smaller doses.
DeleteMuch better as a cropped top with trousers, You look GREAT!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Merche!!
DeletePretty top and it looks great with the high waist jeans. You look great, Margo! Can not wait for the second top.
ReplyDeleteWish you a great vacations :)
Thank you Hana!
DeletePants all the way! I also think the top would look great over a sleeveless bodycon dress in a darker solid if you wanted midriff coverage. I wonder if a high-waisted skirt in the same print would still look like a lot of that print.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right. I think this print is too much to wear all over. It's not even a color I waer much of. Thanks Morgan!
DeleteI totally think you can pull off the skirt combo, but I love it with the wide leg pants! You look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather!
DeleteDefinitely with the pants looks best!:) Pfft! "your age"??! I dare say most women (myself included) wouldn't be able to pull off that look half as well as you!:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rikki. I feel great in the outfit and hubs likes it so it a definite win!
ReplyDeleteI had totally passed this pattern by. You gave it a wow moment with the white pants! They're my favorites! You look great!
ReplyDeleteHubs has great taste then....the white pants were his fav too! Thanks Erica!
Deletegahhh! the white pants outfit is what summer dreams are made of! You look bomb Margo!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tasha! :)
DeleteWow you look totally gorgeous and I completely agree with Rikki, Pfftt! (About your age). You look hotter than any twenty year old wearing that. I did kinda like the matchy, matchy combo too though. Maybe it's just you, cause you make anything look hot.
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks. I'm still not loving the skirt..
DeleteIt looks terrific, and fab with both pairs of trousers, I agree! And it would look nice with a plain high-waist pencil skirt too. But I totally would NOT toss that flared skirt, it's a gorgeous thing too! maybe just wear it with a simple white top :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Carolyn! I haven't found anything I like with the skirt yet...I thought it would be best to step back from it for a while.
DeleteA question about the construction... you inserted the zipper in the side seam upside-down: is it separating or non-separating? I'm making this top right now, and I'm going to go buy a zipper today. Also, did you leave the collar separated in the back or did you extent the collar pieces and sew them together? Thanks! (I'm making mine out of some extra fabric I had from a circle skirt I just made; we'll see how they look matchy-matchy.)
ReplyDeleteHi Brooklynn! I used and invisible separating zipper and did insert it upside down. I left my collar pieces separate...although I do suppose you could sew them together. Good luck with your top! I'd love to see yours when it's finished!
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