When Tessuti Fabrics released their Sydney Jacket pattern a few weeks back, I unexpectedly fell in love with it. I had downloaded my pattern within minutes. I had the perfect fabric languishing in my stash... a fire engine red boiled wool knit.
Then I saw a few being made up (Kirsty, Helen) and quickly realised that perhaps I'd be able to get away with the petite size with the XS length (only 1cm longer) which might juuuuuuuuust squeeze onto my fabric. It did. Huzzah!
For the record I am almost 168cm tall and the measurements for the XS more closely matched my body measurements. Let me tell you though, this is plenty big enough. Any bigger and I'd be totally swamped. It seems to run a bit large, so be warned.
It's a quick make, if not a bit fiddly with those lapped seams. I wasn't sure I'd like the effect, but I really do! The cut out darts were a bit tricky and I'm pretty sure you could do a regular dart, just wish I'd tried that first.
Sydney has perfectly low slung pockets, cropped sleeves and a beautiful drape. It's fabulously drafted and everything came together like a perfectly formed jigsaw puzzle.
Cropped sleeves on a coat confuse me. In fact they've always been a complete turn off. I don't get it... if I have need for a coat, surely I'm going to want some sleeves. But this style is unexpectedly perfect for Sydney autumn/winter where temps below 15 degrees happen infrequently and the sun actually has a significant warmth to it.
That's something my poor brain could never adjust to when I lived in Canada. It would be a gorgeously bright and sunny winter's day and my brain would expect to be able to bask in the warmth of the sun. But it's total inability to take the edge off the literally frigid conditions always came as a surprise no matter how long I'd been there.
Then I took a step away for a week or two and tried again. And somehow I made it work. I think it needs layers, accessories, a beanie. It just doesn't work for me slung over a long-sleeved tee and jeans. I love it with my over-the-top red boots, my precious pure silk scarf (gift from hubby) and my me-knit beanie. Oh and a good slash of red lipstick never goes astray.
And if you hadn't guessed by the sheer volume of photos I'm sharing, this has become a decided WOOHOO! Thank goodness Sydney didn't let me down. Not that she ever could...
This is freaking amazing! I like that your sleeves don't stick out like some other versions I see. That turns me off because I already have wide shoulders and don't need them emphasised. This colour is so you!!! You should do red more often.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteI like that it has pockets! I found when I lived in Sydney I didn't need a winter coat at all, so these sleeves are perfect... I would walk to work in July and be way too hot in my Melbourne jackets! Yours is just fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy this turned into a woohoo make. I completely agree - all about the layers and your scarf is stunning!
ReplyDeleteLovely red fabulousness. The entire ensemble is marvellous.
ReplyDeleteGorgeously styled, Sydney is always a bit striking, best to let her embrace her role as the star ;) And I hear you about the restorative powers of Australian winter sun, it's magical.
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely layers! xxx
ReplyDeleteSo wooohooo. That is quite possibly the best red ever. Fancy having red shoes to match too!
ReplyDeleteYes Sydney is a spectacularly gorgeous city! Love the jacket and your styling! The fun thing about having a blog is you get to dress up, experiment and see what combinations work :)
ReplyDeleteNot just a WOO-HOO, I'm giving it a Ka-POW! for the amazing red. I just love a blue based red. And as a sydneysider, you couldn't do a black or grey, then it might be a Melbourne ;-) Excellent work as usual Jillian
ReplyDeleteNawww thanks thanks Kat! I hadn't noticed the sticky out sleeve thing on other versions. It could be a factor of the fabric chosen. As this wasn't too thick and had a lot of drape as a knit it sits really softly. You should try it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christy x
ReplyDeleteThe pockets are a winner - they're nice and low, where your hands would naturally sit. I feel the cold terribly so a coat has always been essential for me on Sydney winter early mornings. But this works perfectly for daywear.
ReplyDeleteIt was a surprise to me that I made it work! I'm never sure how to accessorise so just chucked a few things on and what do you know!? Hubby was so chuffed to see the scarf out again, I've haven't worn it in ages.
ReplyDeleteAwww thanks so much Sarah. It's a pretty great red :)
ReplyDeleteOh winter sun, it's my only savour with my terrible tendency toward feeling freezing ALL. THE. TIME. I'm terrified of Canberra Frocktails. Brrrrr!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kirsty, layers might just be the thing :)
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty intense, huh? But my camera also just wanted to hyper-colour the red elements. Didn't help that it was a full glare, overcast grey day. And yes, the boots are a winner. They are weirdly worn through the toe on the right though so they'll be shortly meeting their demise I suspect :(
ReplyDeleteI think you're right! We want to make our blog shots interesting too and they can start to look same same very easily. It does tend to push me out of my normal comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteYou're just giving me a Ka-POW because of the Wonder Woman boots, aren't you? Bwahahaha! And I definitely couldn't do Melbourne, what a defection that would be. And thanks goodness - grey and black look absolutely dreadful on me.
ReplyDeleteToo awesome.
ReplyDeleteI also had misgivings about the Sydney, but this looks terrific on you. I totally agree about our weather - where is winter anyway? How clever of you to match a coat to your boots and so much fresher than black!
ReplyDeleteThanks Louise :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lesley! Truthfully though, I never planned the coat with the boots in mind. It was simply a happy accidental outcome :)
ReplyDeleteI don't like saying OMG a lot but Oh my God you look amazing!!!!!. Astonishing red, love the boots and the styling is spot on. love it. Now with all the excitement from "seeing red" toned down I maybe should remark the very interesting cut of the jacket ;)
ReplyDeleteLovely drape on the collar and body of your jacket! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great jacket! Love, love, love the color. I need to remember this pattern when fall comes back around... uh, hopefully not for a while though. Red can be such a tricky color to match, how perfect that it goes with your red boots!
ReplyDeleteWell OMG thank you!! ;) It is a really interesting pattern, I really liked the lapped seams suprisingly!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. It is lovely and drapey, a style I'm quite partial to :)
ReplyDeleteIt's such a bright red Lisa! I think that's why I just had to go all out and team with the boots. And it was an accidental colour matching. I never actually considered wearing it with my boots. In fact I originally bought this piece of fabric with a red riding hood in mind for my little one. She hates the feel of this fabric though and hence it became mine :)
ReplyDeleteIf jacket envy is a thing then I have it. The drape, the colour - wow!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Alex! It's a great piece and would suit you fabulously :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Melanie. It's such a happy outcome it matched the boots as the boots didn't fuel the project . And sometimes we just need a little distance from our projects so we can see them in a totally different light x
ReplyDeleteSo stylish! The fabric looks very cozy too, and this jacket does sounds perfect for the Sydney winters you described. Your post reminds me of my mom's favourite saying to my sister and I when we dress for school in the Canadian winters: "Don't be fooled by the sun!":-)
ReplyDeleteIt's just too fabulous for words, especially with those boots! And you look amazing in red :-)
ReplyDeleteAw thank you Gail. I know red is a good colour on me, but rarely pick it, preferring slightly less garish warm tones. But it is certainly fun to wear!
ReplyDeleteThank you! So funny that your Mum felt the same way I did! It's so very true, my perceptions went straight out the window. I was always freezing :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks AMAZING. I love it. I got some navy coating for my Sydney... I'm concerned it's going to be too dull.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really nice looking jacket on you, and as you say styled well it looks sensational. Well done. I love red (and red boots are such fun too).
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing dull about your Sydney Coat! I thought the blue was rich and lovely x
ReplyDeleteThank you! Red boots make everything better ;)
ReplyDelete