Sunday, July 26, 2009

Black Drapes, White Sky



This black knit cardigan drapes.

(Yes, I left that sentence intentionally short.) It seems ironic that such a simplistic function like draping allows the cardigan to be aesthetically stunning. Although I had an array of colored knits to choose from, I chose black. I believe it most closely identifies with the simplistic sense of lines and the classic identity that draped material has had throughout antiquity.

I have seen unending variations of this cardigan in stores and always have found it to be an interesting design. Even so, I never bought one and was never compelled to make one: I rationalized that it was simple enough to make, but I also thought that there were more interesting projects to make--well, at the time.
I was reintroduced to the cardigan on Couture et Tricot and was amazed by the linked video. The video illustrates the amazing versatility of a similar cardigan, the DKNY Cozy. The talented Tany of Couture et Tricot used Simplicity 2603, so I decided to give it a try. Wonderful, wonderful pattern!

As a mini dress, pictured with a vintage leather belt.





Five other variations, although certainly not all of them








If viewed as a reflection of art history, the perfect topper for this embodiment of drapery would be YSL's caged boots. Even what is ethereal is ephemeral, and the ephemeral state of things makes life seem like a caged slideshow of images, sensations, feelings.




(This wasn't much of a pattern review, so see my actual review for Simplicity 2603 here.)



14 comments:

  1. Thank you for visiting my blog and your comment! I love all of the different ways you styled this piece! Great blog! :)

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  2. whoa
    i rally like it! especially the first dress version, it is lovely!

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  3. Wow! Really cool. I love that you can wear it in so many different ways! I love the first one especially!

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  4. what lovely pictures, i love your outfit <3

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  5. these are beautiful. you should post more of your adorable look! :) and you have lovely pictures, I love them.

    ps : thanks for coming to my blog! stay in touch :))

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  6. It turned out FABULOUS!!! I love it in black and you styled it beautifully! Congratulations!

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  7. I just bought this pattern and I am so excited to try it out. I love how you styled it. It looks like the perfect piece to pack for travel.

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  8. I would never guess the minidress could also be the cardigan. They look so different! Cool piece, cool styling.

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  9. What an awesome cardi. Well done!

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  10. Appreciate versatile pieces too! Great buy!

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  11. that's such a creative piece! i love it

    http://www.littlemissdressup.com

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  12. I love the simplicity and elegance of each look; especially the first one with the contrasting belt.

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  13. i wish i could make this one too. but i know i probably won't reach that level of dedication to sewing. beautiful.

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