Spring 2021 Vogue Patterns
I like the big four patterns. There. I said it. I’ll sew up some Simplicity. I’ll mess with McCall’s. Catch me busting out some Butterick. Vrooming with Vogue? Okay, that one was weak. But seriously, despite all their problems and eccentricities, I like ‘em. I even wrote a post about them.
Mostly, I like to keep up with… well not just them, but all pattern companies. It can get hard to keep up with indie pattern companies because they tend to release on a weekly or monthly basis, but the big four gives us seasons. It feels very fashion-y.
When I saw Vogue’s announcement saying their Spring line was out I knew I wanted to analyze it. My back is still out so I’ve been embroidering and knitting but I’m still thinking crawling around on the floor assembling patterns and cutting fabrics isn’t a good idea right now. Maybe dreaming about cute things to sew will speed up my recovery?
It’s important to note that Vogue is atrocious for sizing and literally none of these patterns will fit me, but it’s good to check out what styles there are.
V1773 Misses’ Jacket and Dress
I honestly don’t have much to say about this one. It’s… fine? There’s some interesting seaming on the dress, and the flowy piece at the side gives us something to look at. I suppose the entire ensemble would be good for a professional but creative workplace?
I get that the jacket’s asymmetrical but there’s something in the way it falls that’s throwing me off.
V1775 Misses’ Dress
In the interest of revealing my biases, it should be noted that I have a soft spot for Badgley Mischka.
I like the idea of this dress, and I like that it’s made in black. I feel like if someone sewed it 100% as is they’d find multiple places to wear it and it’d last a good long time.
If I were to make this I’d do two versions, and change both slightly. I think the bow doesn’t really “go” with the straight skirt so I’d remove the bow on the version I made with the straight skirt, but also keep the bow on a version with an a-line skirt.
V1776 Misses’ Dress
Another Badgley Mischka! Again, I like the idea of this dress. I love the drape detail and I’m always looking for a way to wear fringe that doesn’t scream disco, 20’s, or western. I’m a bit concerned about the shaping on the waist- in the line drawings you can see that the waist seam does a dippy thing that would be really hard to fit unless you 100% knew what you were doing. I don’t think it’s so weird that a belt couldn’t tame it, but the drape might look weird with a belt. Regardless, I want this dress in reserves for when we can go out dancing again.
V1782 Misses’ Dress
I get that they were going for a “fashion” moment here, but I think it’s just too much going on. They’re doing some interesting things with the princess seaming, then a godet skirt… does it really need a leg o’ mutton sleeve as well?
I also can’t get over that icy blue fabric. It just looks so… uncomfortable.
That isn’t to say I dislike it. I like things that are much too much. If I were to make it for myself I’d want to find a fabric that drapes like the long one. If I were to do it short I might make a waist seam and do just a plain half circle skirt. I feel like godets just sit better on longer skirts. I’d also definitely drop the neckline. I feel like it might make it look a bit less stuffy.
I don’t know, I think it’s the fabric but that short one just gives me Anne of Green Gables goes to the club vibes. Honestly, she might be the only one who has a hope of pulling that dress off and I would want to be there that night hitting up the raspberry cordial that isn’t raspberry cordial.
V1791 Misses’ Jumpsuits
I just… don’t like this. I still haven’t figured out how to do a jumpsuit on my body and this just doesn’t look like one that makes me even want to try. I appreciate they were trying to do something with the cape but it looks like sports shoulder pads. It’s a bit better when the flare leg balances it out but I just don’t know who wants this body shape.
V1790 Misses’ Jumpsuit
I think this is definitely a better jumpsuit than before, but it begs the question, “who is wearing this? Where are they going?” Is it office wear? A nighttime look? A super high profile business executive who goes on holiday because her company forces her to use her vacation time and goes to the first place that comes up on whatever mock google search engine this movie uses and when there meets the laid back man who teaches her there’s more to life than business?
I’d watch that movie.
It’s not bad- If that top were longer I think it’d go great with a pair of jeans. I’m just confused as to the whole ensemble.
V1777 Misses’ Dress
Okay, so, you’re in Nice. You’ve spent the morning walking around and decided that you want to do something daring in the afternoon so you go parasailing*. You dry off and decide it’s time for a nice apéritif at a cafe. But what to wear?
You literally throw on this dress.
Can you tell I love it? Dresses like this are pretty standard for European companies and I’m glad to see the big four is catching on. They’re easy to wear, can be belted so they suit many body types, can be made in lots of different types of fabrics, and, I mean, pockets. I can almost taste the pastis.
*The parasailing is done by that watersports stand beside the public beach (if memory serves me right it’s to the left of it?) and it’s 100% worth it. I didn’t do it the first year I went and spent 358 days mad at myself for it.
V1781 Misses’ Dresses & Belt
I think, more than anything, this dress shows how fabric choice can make a big difference. The long version’s pockets blend perfectly into the pattern and look great. The short version has a higher contrast and those stripes make her hips look… well, not the way I’d want my hips to look. Even the bust pocket placement kind of… flattens things.
The good news is, they’re patch pockets so you can decide exactly where you want them and what you want them to look like.
Strange pocket placement aside, I like this pattern. I think it’s a bit vintage-y and still basic enough that you’d get a lot of use out of the garments made from it. I also like the high necked collar while still making it a low neckline. It also appears there’s a back zipper and those buttons aren’t exactly functional, so no buttonholes, or buttons optional.
Interesting.
V1780 Misses’ Dresses
I like the idea of this dress. I can’t believe how much I’m liking the longer versions of things. I’ve always considered myself a short dress girl™ but that handkerchief hem is calling me.
The issue I find with this circular waistline is if you have even the tiniest belly pooch or if you just had a big meal, they can read really maternity and don’t always look the greatest belted.
I wonder how putting ties in the seam where the oval panel meets the other one so you can get some waist definition would look?
Imagine it’s night time at your resort in Cuba and you’re ready for dinner and the nightly entertainment in that long dress and everything swishes while you’re dancing, and yes please another mojito….
V1783 Misses’ Dresses
When I saw this, Jane Lynch in The Marvelous Mrs Maisel popped into my head. Then Meryl Streep in Julie and Julia. It’s just tall girl 50’s housedress vibes. I’m intrigued by the short version with tights and boots as well- with the white shirt it might look like, young creative professional.
This is definitely one of those patterns where fabric choice defines the vibe.
V1786 Misses’ Shirts
Notice that this is described as shirts, plural. This is something pattern companies do that bugs me a bit. Simply shortening a dress, or in this case, sewing the same shirt but you’re supposed to contrast the colours of the lower arm in one is not a separate pattern. I feel like it makes you think you’re getting a bit of a deal because yay! two patterns! So cheap! But… no. Same pieces, just a fabric choice.
To the point, I’m not sure if I like this shirt. I like the idea of it but I’m in two minds about that back butt-covering. It would make the shirt look good with leggings, but I also feel like the high/low thing is a bit dated and would rather have just a one length top. I think the sleeves/tie combo is really cute as well.
V1784 Misses’ Shirts
I knew this was a Marcy Tilton pattern right away- there’s always at least one in a Vogue collection.
I am 100% not the Marcy Tilton customer, so while I’d never wear it I know someone will. It’s very like, high school art teacher vibes.
V1792 Misses’ Jackets
There’s also always at least one Today’s Fit pattern. These ones tend to be a bit more size inclusive. While this jacket might not be the most exciting thing ever I firmly believe there’s always space for a basic princess seam jacket. I’d definitely lose the contrast collar though.
V1787 Misses’ Skirts
I love these skirts. The line drawings shown them folded out so a part of me wonders if I could make a pattern like this but I’m also worried about getting the curves wrong and the bias cut not right.
I feel like the model in the blue one is wearing it a bit closer to the natural waist and I like that look better, but the colour combo in the brown one is amazing.
V1789 Misses’ Pants
So, you’ve taken the train from Nice and ended up in San Remo- specifically Arma di Taggia. You’ve spent the day at the beach and it’s time for an aperitivo, dinner, and hunting down that gelato shop that serves violet gelato. You throw these pants on with a cute matching crop top and live your very best beach pyjama life.
These, I mean, they’re straight-up beach pyjama’s. I’ve been searching for a great pair, but I’m still not 100% I can pull off this style.
I am, however, 100% sure I can pull of the Aperol spritz drinking that I’m doing in my little fantasy world here.
So, what have we learned?
Well, this is an interesting release. There’s a lot less formal wear than I’m used to with Vogue. I think that’s definitely an aftereffect of covid and people not needing formal wear, like at all. It’s also interesting that there’s no menswear or accessories. I’m also getting a lot more of a vintage vibe from a lot of pieces, which I like.
A lot of the pieces also feature a looser silhouette which, I mean, there’s been a lot of body changes for a lot of people this year. I’m confused as to why they haven’t taken now to jump into the incredibly underserved plus-size market and make some serious money. Now would be literally the perfect time.
Vogue tends to try to follow trends, especially high fashion trends, more than any other pattern company. A lot of it ends up in the unwearable or just plain confusing camp, but it goes to show that it’s good to have options.
And, I think, more than anything, we learned I really, really need a well-dressed vacation.
