This outfit I made back in September to wear to my brother's wedding, and only recently finally got pictures of it. I found the mallard blue cotton online at a cheap price per yard, and loved the color and drape of it so much I got enough for three different outfits – this is the first.

It is cotton, but it drapes and hangs more like rayon, which poses a bit of a problem for a more structured outfit like the jacket. Fusible interfacing was my friend.

I used elements from three different patterns. The jacket I've made before – I wanted something with a pointed collar, 3/4 sleeves, and not too many details which would get lost in the fabric and dark color.

This one has princess lines which made it easy to adjust, and triple graduated darts in the front are pretty much the only detail.

However, I had major problems with the fit. I thought since I'd done it before I wouldn't need a trial, but I should have. I kept altering it when I should have just recut it, so I'm not completely pleased with it even yet – and it looks kind of messy on the inside.

I decided to do self buttons, because that is often what I see on vintage suits and is one reason they look so upscale. I didn't have the right size, so I quickly ordered some covered buttons online – and didn't order the tools to make them with, because I was sure I'd have some extras.

Well, I didn't. So I had to kind of cobble the buttons together without the right size tools. It didn't work too well, and they keep coming apart, so while they lasted long enough for the wedding, I'm going to need to take them off, redo them, and put them back on before I can get a lot of wash and wear out of the jacket.

I do love the overall style lines, though!

I used a different skirt pattern to make a wider, flared skirt – I was going for more of a 1950s cocktail suit outfit for the wedding, and this outfit is very similar to the one I wore then. I think an indoor background, with light and shadow and a pillar or two, would do it more justice and make it look more Dior – but I really wear my vintage styles at real events, not to get the perfect staged shot, so a cheerful autumn outdoors backdrop is more similar to real life and will have to do. 🙂

Incidentally, my Royal Vintage Zella shoes are so comfy and classy, perfect for dancing or being on your feet. The satin and lovely strap detail make them the ideal shoe for a dressier outfit like this, and they work for 1940s or 1950s.

I paired it with black accessories and touches of silver and rhinestones, for an evening cocktail style

But I also made a second skirt, this one more of a traditional suit skirt with a narrower width. That way I can swap them out depending on my preference, and get two different looks.

I did find a pattern (this one was taken from a dress pattern) that had some cute button detail on the front, and some pretty lines in the back. Because why make something plain when you can make it pretty???

To show its versatility, I paired this combo with mostly chocolate brown accessories instead, suitable for street wear rather than fancy dress. Because of doing self buttons, I am able to use any color to accent without feeling held to whatever color the buttons are. 

And teal blue like this can go so well with either black or brown.

I had wanted this to be perfectly made, with leisure to spend on making the construction beautiful. It ended up a little more slap-dash due to time constraints – but that's my fault for not starting it early enough! At least no one need see the inside, except me. 🙂

I do really love the concept of mixing and matching – especially with an outfit like this. I can wear the jacket with other skirts, and pair other blouses with either of the skirts. That gives it a lot more versatility, and I can get multiple outfits out of one sewing project.

Three-piece ensembles are a lot of fun, and I always am glad to add more to my closet.