I’m glad you’re as excited about the Copenhagen Wrap Dress as I am! It’s a fun and unique style, isn’t it? I’ve really been enjoying wearing it and can’t wait to see you how sew and wear it, too.
Whenever I’m developing a new style I like to do a lot of research, and as I’m working on the pattern I also collect images to inspire you. For this style I found a lot of images that I really love. I always save these to a Pinterest folder so I can share them with you. Remember, these photos d0n’t feature the Copenhagen Wrap Dress itself–they are intended only to inspire you can get you thinking about ways you might sew and wear this style. So please don’t take them literally (someone always does…), but instead use them to get ideas for yourself.
Regarding fabric, my favorite fabric for this style is linen, like the blue dress below. But my second favorite? Definitely bold prints in a moderately drapey fabric, like this terrific one, below right. Look for Merimekko-type prints, especially, because they’re the perfect scale for this dress. More about fabrics below.
But for now, back to that linen. Aren’t these lovely? The colors and the texture are wonderful for this style.
I’ll tell you what I like so much about this style: It’s that blouse-y silhouette of a tucked-in shirt worn with a sarong-style skirt. Both of the images, below, reminded me of the dress itself even though they aren’t actual dresses. And I suppose there’s no reason you couldn’t sew the top and the skirt in two different colors to get a similar effect, if you wanted.
Here are more examples, with clear differences from the pattern itself, but only to help you visualize the feeling and silhouette of the dress. Note, also, that this dress doesn’t really require a lot in the way of accessories, but a chunky bracelet, some statement earrings, and a great pair of shoes add a lot!
I made just the skirt from this pattern using an unbleached linen and wore it a lot this summer, and I’ll tell you more about how I did it soon. And just look at that gorgeous green linen in the photo, below right. Doesn’t that color inspire you?
With regard to other fabric ideas, in addition to linen or printed cotton I love the long-sleeved version I made using a tropical wool. The fabric itself makes it almost a year-round dress, were in not for the fact that I can’t wear long sleeves in Spain in the summer–it’s simply too hot here–but the fabric itself is ideal for year-round. That’s what I love about wool.
I would also recommend chambray (the short sleeved dress on the pattern cover is what I would call chambray linen, but chambray cotton would also be great). Shirtings, soft poplin or twill, or even sateen would work well. I’m curious what a flannel would look like for winter. Wouldn’t it be interesting to try this in a buffalo-plaid flannel for winter? I think it would be so cozy and unique!
What else could you use? Viscose, rayon, crepe, drapey silk, or other drapey fabrics will give the dress more flow, so you could also consider them for a sleeker feeling that would be really elegant. So there are lots of possible fabrics to try! Do you have something in mind yet?
Our testers had a great time with this style, and I’ll show you their sewing very soon as well.
I’ve made a Copenhagen Wrap Dress Pinterest folder if you’d like to see more of the photos I’ve collected. I’ll keep adding to it as I find other ideas, too.
In the meantime, you can pick up your own copy of the Copenhagen Wrap Dress in paper or in digital format. As always, I’m so eager to see what you do with this pattern. It’s so fun to see how you make it your own! We hope you’ll tag us #lieslandco and #copenhagenwrapdress so we can see what you’ve made. I can’t wait!
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