FRIDAY STYLE DIARIES with Cordi | @shakespeares.cordelia

In this blog post, we are sharing the wonderful maker Cordi, from @shakespeares.cordelia , who's style we really love. We set Cordi with the challenge of making a Friday Pattern and to show us how to style it.

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

Minimalistic
Suitable
Special

Not too much and not too little – that could be the credo of my wardrobe. I like the idea of a “Capsule Wardrobe” with garments that can be combined with each other and fit well together. That´s why I always mentally include my wardrobe before I sew a new piece of clothing.

Everything I wear has to fit my everyday life: in the fall I love multiple layers to feel comfortable outdoor and indoor. I want to be able to move easily and still be smart enough to be well-dressed for a meeting.

Beautiful, unobtrusive details make an outfit perfect for me. This can be a different seam, a pocket, a special cut, a small label or a little mix of materials. It just has to have that certain something.

Where are you finding inspirations these days?

I gather most of my inspiration while traveling. It gives me time to absorb everything in a new environment: buildings, signs, logos, moods, exhibitions, encounters. I usually photograph more things and details that interest me appeal as sights!

This creates mental mood boards that, over time, come together to form a look.

What Friday Pattern have you chosen to make and why?

I picked the Ilford Jacket because it is a great addition to my wardrobe. It`s perfect for layering and has the potential to turn a simple outfit into something special. I immediately knew I would love using a thin coat fleece.

The “analog pattern configurator” that is included in the instruction was really fun! It helped me to concretize my ideas.

Where would you wear these looks?

Look number 1 is a cozy everyday outfit. This is what I wear to work, shopping, or just taking a walk around the block with the dog. I've paired the Ilford jacket with wide-leg jeans, sneakers, a shirt, a scarf, and a bag. In this look, I feel just as comfortable outdoors as I do indoors: without the scarf and with the jacket open, you might find me in a café with friends.

Look number 2 is a bit more understated. I wear this when there’s a meeting or conference at work, or when I'm hosting or attending a dinner. The monochrome color combination of black, white, and grey adds a touch of elegance without looking overdressed.

What is the inspiration behind your styling?

The inspiration for my Ilford jacket is autumn. The days are getting cooler, and I have a desire to surround myself with cozy materials. The marled gray color and soft fleece fabric are perfect for that. The oversized, loose cut works well as both a jacket and a shirt. As a standout detail, I added some seams with black wool. Wool is also a typical autumn/winter material that evokes a cozy feeling.

This clothing expresses a sense of comfort and coziness while remaining stylish and elegant. It conveys the impression that one is well-prepared to enjoy the changing autumn weather and shows a preference for relaxed yet thoughtful fashion. The combination of soft materials and a casual cut creates a balance between functionality and aesthetics, making it ideal for various occasions, whether in everyday life or at special events.

Do you have any tips and tricks for styling?

My best advice is to listen to your gut feeling. You have to feel comfortable in what you wear, then you will radiate that too. Simply copying someone else`s look rarely works. You need your own, authentic bit that creates your personal look.