I know it’s time to get sewing on fall fashions and I’ve been trying to find some inspiration, but this year, although I’ve perused the fashion magazines, runway looks and store offerings,  I’ve come up with few ideas.

As I’ve shopped, I’ve made a vow not purchase my “go to” items–things I seem to resort to over and over again. I have enough:  khaki pants, cardigan sweaters, jeans, t-shirts and tanks. My closet is full of these pieces because I don’t find things that say “buy me” and I just want to buy SOMETHING new! (This is one of the disadvantages of being able to sew, most RTW clothing seems boring compared to what can be whipped up according to one’s desires.)

It’s always a challenge for me to purchase new styles because I want clothes I love and I want to keep them in my wardrobe for a long time. Especially the things I sew because I put a lot of thought and time into them. My taste is basically classic, but I want some punch, some edge, something I don’t see everywhere.

Enter 3.1 Phillip Lim for Fall ’08. I looked through Lim’s RTW runway show and I liked what I saw, then I went directly to his site and, oh my! I love it all. I found so many looks I can use as inspiration for my sewing, that I’ll have a loooong sewing list. My to-do list starts here:

 

These outfits are perfect for early fall (now) when the day starts and ends with cool temperatures but can be down-right hot in the middle. The blue jacket in the first photo is made with a cotton blend, but I can really see it in a soft, fine wale corduroy.. It would be something I’d grab for endlessly. The pants in the third photo are a nice compromise to the current baggy on top/narrow hem look–they have the new silhouette, but in a classic,

Okay, this is “jacket” is worth the tailoring time. This is what I love–clothes that are classic AND current looking (love the dark colored shirt!).

 

 

This jumper and these dresses will be quick and easy to whip-up using one of my favorite (easy to find) fabrics–wool jersey. They will give me countless ways to wear scarves from my collection.

These are great casual looks and so urban looking with their cropped jackets, long, sleeveless sweater, narrow pants, wide leg jeans, layered tops. The colors also make them look sylin’–greens, grays and browns (not a bit of black!).

Although this looks like a v-neck sweater, I’d make a jersey wrap top, shirred at one side. I think that’s a great modern look and creates an hour glass figure–so forgiving (go ahead, have dessert!).