weekend links

Happy Friday!

It’s been a long time since my last Weekend Links post, so I thought I’d put a quick one out into the world, just for fun, today.

Here’s a collection of outfits for the week, just because blog posts need images…

• After my little essay/opinion piece the other day about the lack of quality clothing available at good prices I came across this article and wanted to share it with you: Fashion is Losing the Middle Ground. Absolutely agree, as the difference between rich and poor increases, middle-priced clothing options are also disappearing.
• On a related note: How to Know You’re Buying Quality Clothes. I think a lot of these points are useful for sewing quality clothing, too. But I’ll tell you, I’m not such of a stickler about disliking serged seam allowances. After all, if you look at couture, the seam allowances are often not so neat: either hand whip stitched or overcast. Serged seam allowances are much neater and are used in high-end apparel today, so they’re perfectly acceptable in my book, as long as you’re happy with them.
• Have you ever wondered how fashion trends happen? I’m sure it’s true; we’re all looking at many of the same things and being inspired by them. It’s probably similar to this thought piece from last year; we’re living in a small world and all being inspired by the same things. Maybe it’s time to get out there and look for individual inspiration, right? I think individuality is becoming more and more important as our tastes are increasingly homogenized.
• An auction of sketches by Hollywood costume designer Edith Head and the interesting story behind her success. So many fascinating people in fashion, aren’t there?
• How do you organize your clothing? I keep like items together and then organized by color: shirts together, jackets together, etc. Recently I  decided to start hanging jeans with my other trousers and skirts so they’re all in one place, and my reason is simple: I’ve been resorting to jeans far too often lately, so maybe I’ll be drawn to other trousers and skirts if I see them when I automatically open my closet, looking for the jeans…
• And one more on the topic of the clothing cycle: what do you do with your used clothing? Quality clothing has a longer lifespan and a better secondary market, but does handmade? I always try to find someone who wants what I’m not keeping, but it’s also a good reason to sew with natural fibers, so they can eventually be composted.
• And on a less clothing-specific topic: The Paris Opera Ballet has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. This stunningly beautiful feature has bumped it back up to the top of the list again. So beautiful!

Have a terrific weekend! I hope you’re inspired to sew or do something wonderful.