I succumbed to the dress that has been appearing all over the place - the Named Inari Dress. I have seen countless versions of this dress on other blogs and on Instagram, and have admired its simple, stylish shape. I spent ages reading about it, to try and determine the best type of fabric to match its distinctive shape. And this is what I came up with:
The first thing I did was to swap the sleeve for the kimono sleeve of my beloved New Look 6217 (Inar-ono, geddit?). I had read a few posts about the odd/low armscye shape on the Inari so decided to remove that potential difficulty altogether. Secondly, I added 2 inches to the length, as I know it is short.
The fabric was from Mandors, a cotton print with a distinctive 90s feel. It's not stiff but I wonder if something more drapey would have been better. But maybe part of the point is that you can see the shape of the dress, and a drapey fabric would surely hide it? Choosing fabric for this dress was one of the issues I found tricky.
I haven't received any positive feedback from my Current Husband about this dress, he is not a fan of the shape and the nightie-like quality it has. But I'm not really a fan either. While the shape is much looser than I'm use to, I really feel that the whole thing looks so homemade, in a bad way. I think it's the neck facing that doesn't sit well but also perhaps my substitution of kimono sleeves with the loose shape that makes me feel like I am wearing a pillowcase with a neckhole and armholes. Even though I like the curved hem and side splits, I still can't get past that feeling.
Have you made something in a different style that you really wanted to love - but didn't? Are there any patterns that have caused you similar puzzlement?
K x
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI think it looks nice on you. In the photo with your arms by your sides, (which I'm guessing is how you probably stand most often!) it looks lovely and there is plenty of shape through the side seams. The colour is pretty and your pattern placement is spot on.
That said, I understand why you are not in love with it, although the pattern hides the less than perfect facing, which I didn't notice until you pointed it out. If you add an elastic, or any waistband, it will pull the skirt much higher. Do you have enough hem to let out to compensate? Depending on the back closure, you could consider some front waist darts, or under bust tucks, to give shape through the front.
Or you could leave it as is, and wear it on holiday and on the one day every five years that the temperature in Scotland gets hot enough to need a loose summer dress ;)
Thanks for your comment and helpful suggestions, Cathy :) I will have a think about it for a while (and keep my fingers crossed for sunny weather)
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI like your dress too. I think sometimes we are over critical about how things look on ourselves. I have had similar experiences with patterns that I think look brilliant on everyone else but just don't work on me - the Trapeze dress by Merchant & Mills is one. I love it's simple elegance in examples I've seen on the internet but on me it looks awful: neckline too high, maternity vibe, etc. I've chalked it down to experience albeit an expensive mistake and to concentrate on what is my style rather than succumb to the latest trend in patterns. Not always easy though.
Lisa
Sounds like a similar experience to mine, Lisa! Thanks for sharing it
DeleteI am having the same experience you have looking at this on others -- on you I think it looks elegant and chic and I can picture how great it would be on a hot day. But I know I would just feel frumpy in it even if people told me it looked great.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel, sometimes you just feel uncomfortable in something and it doesn't matter what anyone else says
DeleteI've read a few other bloggers complain about similar issues they've had with Inari - I think I would be tempted to add shape such as nice long fish darts in the back to pull it in a bit - maybe just adding an elastic type belt around your hip? I actually love the material you've chosen!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your suggestions, darts may help,will have a think about it
DeleteI have the same neckline issue with a dress I made from a Japanese pattern book - too thick interfacing & I didn't understitching properly or use hidden stitches to keep it down, I wear it but it annoys me every time!
ReplyDeleteI think this looks nice but I do think the reason I wear mine so much is partly because the drapy fabric I used makes the shape less exaggerated.
I don't think adding a waist would work because of the shaping of the side seams but that's just based on my instinct, no real knowledge of fit!
it's gorgeous fabric!
Yes I'm reluctant to mess about with the waist in case it throws the whole thing off. The fabric choice makes such a difference for this pattern!
DeleteHere's my thought - cut off the sleeves and bind or face them to make a sleeveless dress. I think that a nice gently curved line up near your face would help. : ) That said, I think this looks like a lot of shifts and is the point of the style - it's boxy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brenda, the idea of making it sleeveless is a good one, and would help break up the pillowcase-y look
DeleteI think you're being too hard on yourself, but I know the feeling as I had a similar reaction to Vintage Vogue 2787 (aka 'The Sack'). Fortunately after going through the wash a few times the cotton softened up a little, and it now has a bit more drape and generally hangs better. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteThanks, we are always so critical of our own creations!
DeleteI don't think it looks as bad as you think it does! But I do get where you are coming from - if you don't get a good feeling about something, you are very unlikely to wear it much. I am the same with my Washi dress - I love how it looks on others but on me I think it looks like a maternity dress and it makes me feel fat! I'm wearing it now only because I'm pregnant again - but I know I won't wear it again afterwards and I'm gutted as I was obsessed with the pattern before I actually made it... I hope you can either come to like your dress or alter it so that you're happy with it x
ReplyDeleteThat's really how I felt about this dress too! I looked at so many versions online. So frustrating
DeleteHijacking this just to say HUDE CONGRATS Sabs x
Delete*HUGE ;-p
DeleteWell that was clever, Ma'am - I was squinting out of one eye expecting a horror from the title and image in my reader but hey, it's fine!
ReplyDeleteif the neckline bugs you, why not cut out the facing and do a bias neckline. It will hang more softly then, although it is not really noticeable in the patterned fabric, the interfacing will soften with repeat washes anyway, and so will the whole thing.
I went to see the inspiration photos on the Named site and it is far more form fitting on the model than anyone seems to be making it up. Interesting!
Thanks MrsC, I think that neckline is really key to making the whole thing feel 'homemade' and fixing that would really help. Cheers!
DeleteMy first thought was,"Oh, that looks nice!" I didn't notice the neckline until I read about it. Wearing something is different from looking on the outside. Anyway, I think you carry off a shift well. But I am yet to meet a man who likes that shape!!
ReplyDeleteIt's true, there are some types of garment that men just think are completely ugly but women like...am sure there's an interesting article to be written about fashion and gender!
DeleteI think it just needs a little tweak or two. Maybe try shortening it? Although then you'd lose that good print placement at the hem. Wearing it with a belt would make it slightly shorter without the same problem.
ReplyDeleteI didn't notice the neckline at all!
Ha, it's one of those situations where I probably shouldn't point it out! :) I'm reluctant to shorten it as it already feels quite risque for my tastes, due to the side splits, I'm sure that's very puritanical of me!
DeleteHi there! I wonder if the problem is the horizontal stripes? You are tall and slim, but the width of those stripes is making you look shorter and wider. Try imagining it in a plain dark colour...? Photoshop it! And if you like how that looks, you could always dye it :)
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that but you're right, the stripes are definitely contributing to the overall effect
DeleteI don't think it looks as bad as you think it does :-) But I do agree that the original sleeves add a bit more structure to the design that helps it look a little less like a pillowcase dress. I'm decidedly pro-Inari, so I think you should give it another go as designed and see if you like it that way.
ReplyDeleteYes I think I took my love of kimono sleeves too far here - dammit!
DeleteHi Kerry
ReplyDeleteInteresting....you know I'm a big fan of 6217 but I think it's the kimono sleeves that are throwing the 'look' off and I'd be tempted to do set-in sleeves. It needs the structure of fitted shoulders and sleeves to give the structure to hang the dress off and the definition to balance the out the looser lower half. If you know what I mean.
I bought this fabric in the black/cream colourway from Mandors earlier this year and made it into an Onyx top. I ran into the problem of there being too much stiff fabric at the front and added hem to bust darts in the front. Helped the look of it no end.
Yeah I think this was not the right project to add a kimono sleeve too, unfortunately. I've had so much helpful feedback here about how to make it save-able, it's fantastic!
Deleteoooh this is hard. I like it, but I can see where you are coming from. I think maybe the fabric is too crisp - so it emphasises the cocoon shape. And it's a different shape to your usual style, so I suspect it just feels odd because of that. I put off making this as a dress because I couldn't decide on the right fabric, and I just wasn't sure if I would love the finished version - that said, I'm tempted to make a wool crepe one to wear with tights, over long sleeved tops for autumn/winter - I don't mind the sack-look when it's cold!
ReplyDeleteI made the t-shirt version of this and I absoultely hate the facing. I used a drapey fabric and a superfine interfacing, but it just doesn't sit that well. I like the shape, so will bias bind the neckline if I make it again.
I don't think I've ever agonised so much in choosing a type of fabric for a project! I tried to find a balance between not too stiff like poplin but I thought viscose might be too drapey because then you lose the cocoon shape. Kind of ironic that it turned out wrongly after all the thought I put into it :)But yes, the facing is a flipping nuisance
DeleteWhat if you add a belt and a long necklace to spruce things up a bit?
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely suit a long necklace but I think a belt might be hard to style it with, as the widest part of the cocoon shape is at the waist. I will be trying all options though! x
DeleteI had the same issues with the Inari and I couldn't stand mine. I would recommend lowering the neckline and bias binding it, and adding some fishtail darts to the back, if you are keen to salvage it. I felt completely stupid in mine and didn't bother with the fix...too much work.
ReplyDeleteThanks begonia. Now we're getting into Autumn I won't be able to wear it for a while so will put it aside and see if I want to make changes next year - fixing the neckline is definitely first on the list
DeleteI like this, although it is quite different to your usual style. I also think the kimono sleeve works TBH. Re fabric, I think it comes down to personal preference. I think it's designed to be made in a more stable fabric to emphasise the cocoon shape, but it's probably more flattering in a drapier fabric. I love both my rayon and my denim version, but they do feel like quite different dresses. I'd say it's worth trying again, in a drapier fabric (start cheap!) and maybe a bias bound neckline instead? I didn't interface the neck facing on either of mine - I forgot on the rayon and the denim didn't need it - and they both turned out fine, so that's another option!
ReplyDeleteI should also add that I sized down. It's tight on the upper back, which might not work on you (I think you are broader than me), but you could try grading down from the bust? Again, less cocoony and therefore less intimidating.
DeleteThanks Helen. I will definitely try to fix the neckline with bias tape as the facing is what makes it feel the most homemade to me, and after that I think I would be ok with the shape. I can't see me making it again though - too much faffing required when there are so many other patterns I want to make! X
DeleteJust asking but do you like the blog photos of you in the dress? I had a dress which I didn't really like much, I wore it out and lots of people said it was a super dress and then when I posted about it on my blog I saw it from everyone elses' perspective and really started to like it more and more - now it is one of my favourite dresses. What about a Skinny belt ?
ReplyDeleteI like the fabric you used and think the dress looks nice on you, though I do think you could use a narrow chest adjustment. Like others have mentioned, maybe you could add some darts for some waist definition or maybe a skinny belt. If a belt pulls it in and makes it too short, maybe you could wear it as a tunic with leggings. And if you decide that you really don't like it as a dress, maybe shortening it to a top or tunic would work for you. I say wear it a few more times and mull over options before deciding to scrap it or keep it. I've seen patterns on others I really liked but didn't like how they looked on me. It can be disappointing but I tell myself that not every pattern looks good on every person.
ReplyDelete