FRIDAY STYLE DIARIES by Tracy from @whattracymakes

Welcome back to another Friday Style Diaries feature, where we interview sewing community guests on their me made style inspiration and challenge them to make a Friday pattern and style it in 3 ways.

Meet the wonderful Tracy from @whattracymakes who has a wonderful colourful style that we really love! Let's get stuck in to the feature:

QUESTIONS:

If you had to use 3 words to define your style, what would they be?

Quirky, Comfortable & Me-Made

Where are you finding inspiration these days? This could be art, movies, music, nature, etc.

I’m inspired by nature in each season. Right now, I’m all about the autumnal colour palette and I want to wear cozy clothes (I know, cozy clothes for Fall…groundbreaking.) I’m also very inspired by the sewing & knitting communities online. I love to see what other people are making. Music is always an underlying inspiration too. I have been known to style outfits around songs.

What Friday Pattern have you chosen to make and why?

I made the Saturday Skirt Set in this beautiful Dobby Hearts Gingham Cotton from Blackbird Fabrics. I’ve had the pattern pinned to my cork board for a couple of years and the fabric seemed like the perfect fit. I knew the set would be really versatile and that it would incorporate easily into my existing wardrobe.

Talk us through the ways that you have styled your handmade garment. Ideally you would style the garment multiple ways and break down each outfit:

Outfit 1 is the full Saturday Skirt Set worn as is. I love the simplicity of letting the fabric and shape of the two pieces speak for themselves. My wet hair, chunky glasses and platform shoes add a funky edge to an otherwise simple look.

Outfit 2 is the top of the set paired with my red bull denim Flâneur pants. This is a casual outfit with comfy ballet flats. The punchy red colour of the pants add a fun twist to this outfit.

Outfit 3 is the skirt part of the set paired with a Dew Top & a hand-knit cardigan. I’ve been obsessed with knitting this year, so a big part of my styling now involves incorporating my knitting. I love the mix of prints, textures and fabrics.

Where would you wear these looks?

The full set I would probably wear out to a brunch or dinner date. The red pants outfit would be for running errands or meeting up with friends. The cardigan outfit would be practical and cozy for an outdoor concert or pumpkin patch visit.

What is the inspiration behind your styling?

It’s a mix of practicality and comfort, plus my desire to always add something offbeat to my outfits. I always try to have an unexpected element like a pop of colour, mixed prints, funky shoes or bright hair.

Do you have any tips and tricks for styling?

Make sure you are comfortable because if you aren’t you will be adjusting and fiddling with your clothes all day. Experiment with styling on short outings. It’s a terrible feeling when you try something new and don’t like it but you are stuck in the outfit for 8-12 hours.