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Giveaway: What Shall I Wear?
Quite a while back, I wrote a little review of the classic guide to dressing by Claire McCardell titled What Shall I Wear?
At the time, many of you bemoaned the fact that it seemed to be out of print. Well, that is no longer the case!
The lovely folks at Overlook Press have sent me a brand new edition of this lively little book to give away to one of you. The new edition is just adorable, with the same original illustrations throughout, along with photos of Claire McCardell creations.
The prize
We’re giving away a copy of this new edition, plus a $25 Colette Patterns gift certificate to go with it, good for anything in our shop.
How to win
To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment telling me about your favorite piece of clothing right now (could be something you’ve made, or not).
I’ll draw a random winner on Friday, Feb 8 at noon PST and edit this post to announce the winner. The drawing is open to anyone and I will pay for shipping (though you may be responsible for duties in your own country, if applicable). Good luck!
ETA: Congratulations to our winner, Ellen! Thanks for participating, everyone. There will be more giveaways to come!
Comments
Kelsey
February 7, 2013 #
It might be stretching the definition of clothing, but my favorite piece (pieces?) is a pair of mittens my mother knit for me. Fair isle alpaca/wool on the outside, lined in a mohair/silk blend on the inside… perfect for the cold winter months in NY.
Megan
February 7, 2013 #
My favorite piece of clothing right now is my new animal print pencil skirt. I didn’t make it but it is the exact type I’d like to recreate.
Tiffany
February 7, 2013 #
Right now I’m loving my cashmere sweater. I’m in need of a complete wardrobe overhaul as most of my clothes are many years old, no longer reflect my current tastes or lifestyle, and are just plain wearing out. I want quality pieces this time and hope to sew quite a few of them, but 2 kids under 3 make that a very slow process. My cashmere sweater is something I invested in last year and while pretty basic, it is warm and cozy for the long, grey Seattle winters and practical enough for everyday life chasing 2 little ones. :)
Mary
February 7, 2013 #
I’m in maternity clothes right now, and my favorite item of clothing is a beautiful black turtleneck sweater. The cut is slim and delicate, and it’s so soft it must be made of clouds and baby chicks (and also some sort of silk/cashmere blend). It’s the only piece of clothing I’m sad I can’t wear when I’m not pregnant!
JessieRoo
February 7, 2013 #
I have a couple favorites right now, including a soft grey t-shirt that doesn’t stretch out til i’ve slept in it a few nights running, my dark blue elbow sleeve gap hoodie that i would sleep in every night if i didn’t want it to stay clean so i can wear it all day too, a pair of dark, wide leg jeans that i wear cuffed like sailor pants, and last but not least, a pair of navy and white striped madeleine mini bloomers with a bright red anchor i made myself, which also are a favorite thing for sleeping in.
Sheyda
February 7, 2013 #
My FAVORITE piece of clothing is this awesome brown houndstooth cape, with a hot pink satin lining that my mother helped me make. I made a matching skirt with the same lining. When I wear both pieces, I look like I walked straight out of a Hitchcock film. I love the unexpected pop of pink when you get flashes of the lining.
Nancy Marie
February 7, 2013 #
My favorite piece of clothing is the tee shirt I’m wearing right now. I’m a beginner at sewing and have yet to make anything that I would actually wear. This is the first!! I’ve made bad pattern and fabric choices in the past.
I made this tee from a cobalt blue and lime green striped cotton lycra fabric. The fabric colors make me happy. I usually wear jeans and white shirts so this is very different for me. The shirt fits a bit loose but the stripes match (a triumph for a beginner like me) and it is wonderfully comfy. But it also represents the fact that my persistence has paid off and I’ve made something that fits. I created a wearable garment!!!
And now I have confidence that I can create more wearable clothing.
Kat
February 7, 2013 #
Ohh, I’d love to see this book! I have two current favorites, one me-made and one store-bought. The store-bought one is a polka dot chambray button down shirt. The me-made is my recently finished Chuck sweater (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chuck). It’s so warm!
Cathi
February 7, 2013 #
Right now my favorite piece is a purple hounstooth cape I bought last month. I have a feeling I’m going to wear it to death and then make a pattern from it. Lol
Ro
February 7, 2013 #
I have this dress that I got for new years eve. It’s blue, with a little lace, the fabric is very soft and it fit amazingly to my curvy body. I just LOVE it!
Maria
February 7, 2013 #
What a great giveaway! My favorite piece of clothing – handmade (not by me) – is a stunning 60s dress in a hot pink and gold fabric. Hard to describe but really gorgeous in person. It’s a simple sheath dress but the fabric is so unique I love it. It’s one of those items I will have for years and years.
Laura A
February 7, 2013 #
It’s winter in Minnesota and I’m really enjoying wearing skirts lately, so my favorite items right now are tights. I just need to be a little braver about wearing the brightly colored ones in my collection!
Lisamarie
February 7, 2013 #
My favorite piece is the most perfect pair of jeans I’ve ever owned. My MIL gave them to me and they have ended my decade long search for a pair of jeans that fits. People ask me if I’ve lost weight when I wear them, and I haven’t! I love them!
Amanda
February 7, 2013 #
Hmm, probably my pjs because that means my day is over.
Ali M
February 7, 2013 #
Ooh how nice of you! My favorite piece of clothing right now is a Johns Hopkins long sleeved shirt my SIL gave to my husband for Christmas. Any other time of the year it would be one of the shirts I’ve made, but they are all short sleeved and not as cozy so I don’t think I could make it through a winter week without borrowing it!
Melissa
February 7, 2013 #
My favorite top is a cowl neck green t-shirt I have. It’s getting rather old but I can’t part with it yet.
Lisa
February 7, 2013 #
Hmm…my favorite piece of clothing…I really love the black and white polka dot dress I made a few years ago, but it’s starting to show all that love in wear and tear!
Leanne
February 7, 2013 #
My favourite piece of clothing right now is a purple crocheted hat with a flower on the side that my Mom made for me, every time I put it on I think of her.
Liz
February 7, 2013 #
Oh man, my favorite piece of clothing at the moment is a pleated wool navy miniskirt that I bought years ago, but it’s such a versatile piece that I wear it all the time. =)
Amy
February 7, 2013 #
I’ve managed to find a way to wear a scarf everyday since the temperature has been below 70. My favorite right now is an olive-ish colored scarf with a black feather pattern on it. I’ve become know at work as the scarf girl, and I’ve even given impromptu scarf tying lessons to a few of my patients.
Laura
February 7, 2013 #
Oh, that looks great!
My favourite item of clothing would have to be a ’50s style dress, poofy skirt and all. It’s red with blue flowers. And ready to wear. I’m just getting confident enough with my sewing to try and make something of the same style. :)
Cailyn Culp
February 7, 2013 #
So far, my favorite piece of clothing is my prom dress that I just finished making. It’s a retro Butterick pattern from the fifties! It’s done in a midnight blue shantung with a really pretty organza overlay and sash.
Cynthia
February 7, 2013 #
This is going to sound so corny, but my favorite piece of clothing is the pair of pajama pants I made. Whether during the cold months of winter or warmth of summer, I feel soooo nice and cozy when I slip them on. They are easy to make and because they’re pjs, I can be as cheesy as I like in my fabric choice. :-). Thanks for the giveaway!
Cynthia
Elyse
February 7, 2013 #
My favorite piece of clothing is a burgundy Prairie Underground long cloak hoodie.
Amanda
February 7, 2013 #
My favorite piece of clothing is my brown wool princess cut jacket. It built in room for my pregnancy and its flattering wether pregnant or not.
Alexandra Kim
February 7, 2013 #
What a inspiring and beautiful book and great to hear that it’s being reprinted. Having just moved from the UK to Canada and getting used to the substantially colder temperatures here in Toronto my favourite piece of clothing at the moment is definitely the fake fur mittens which were a Christmas present from my mother. They might not win in the fashion stakes – I feel like I have bear paws when I’m wearing them – but with their fleecy lining they keep my hands warm and toasty and are helping me enjoy all the Canadian winter has to offer. They have also forced me to admit my sister was right. For years she’s told me that mittens are warmer than gloves and I never believed her .. .until now!
Alicia C.
February 7, 2013 #
My favorite piece of clothing at the moment is a new red, knee-length, wool-blend coat from Betsey Johnson with a pleated skirt and puffed sleeves. It has a vintage look, keeps me quite warm, and the color has elicited more compliments than I could ever imagine! Thank you for the fabulous giveaway!
Autumn
February 7, 2013 #
Hand knit wool socks…..necessary for a MN winter.
Véronique
February 7, 2013 #
Hello,
What a lovely idea! These days, I’m fond of dresses, I wear it with cardigans because of the cold winter. Fabrics cotton with flowers, I’m waiting for springtime…
Bye,
Véronique
Alejandra
February 7, 2013 #
My favorite article of clothing is a simple boatneck top that I have in black, white, grey, and emerald. They are great basics that go with everything and they fit great. Plus I could dress them up with vintage brooches.
Madeline Chard
February 7, 2013 #
I just finished making a cute pink and ivory polka dot shift dress. The fabric has a texture to it like seersucker and it is cut on the cross. I lined it with habitué and just love the feel of it. You cannot buy anything so simple and made of such a lovely fabric, and I was able to cater for many many different “body quirks” by adjusting it to fit.
Alexandra P.
February 7, 2013 #
My favorite piece of clothing is a dress I sewed myself. I’m not yet a experienced seamstress, but I’m working on it! Thanks for the chance!
Laura
February 8, 2013 #
Wow. I LOVE that book! Thanks for sharing it with us. I may have to get myself a copy.
Kelly
February 8, 2013 #
My favourite piece of clothing right now is… my jogging bottoms! I have just started an exercise regime and am teaching myself how to sew, so that I can lose weight and make myself some lovely new clothes!
Shelley
February 8, 2013 #
My favorite garment is a $245 deep burgundy med print paisley empire style v neck knit top with shoulder princess seaming in the front. The fabric cost only $4 a yd. at a fabric.com sale, so why this price?
I factor in the pattern making software for knits that I used to make it. The time it took to finesse the pattern pieces in the software’s CAD editor The 2 yrs. of prior learning I did with the software that it took for me to figure out ( and accept) what my upper body figure fit needs were. I’d say considering the man hours spent to arrive at this top, the top isn’t that overpriced.
Oh, and that $5 is the test knit I used to try it out the pattern first with a bit left over.
Here’s hoping for the giveaway. I feel like I’m just starting to get the of how to fit things, now to learn to better decide what things to apply that learning to.
: )
Frédérique
February 8, 2013 #
My favorite piece at the moment is a black shirt-dress, a hand-me-down gift about a year ago from a friend who lost weight. The dress itself was actually a copy of another dress she had, she had it made while living in China by a local seamstress – with a much better fabric choice than the original dress!
Hilde
February 8, 2013 #
My favourite piece of clothing is a black coat with double, wide collar and full skirt that my boyfriend gave me this Christmas. It resembles Gertie’s coat.
Janey
February 8, 2013 #
Favourite at the moment has got to be my mustard wool tights. I love the crisscross pattern on it and the bright colour and the woolly thickness of them. I will be sad when it gets too warm to wear them!
Kez
February 8, 2013 #
I would love to win! My favourite piece of clothing is still the first wearable dress that I made myself…the workmanship is a bit shoddy, to be honest, but I love it!
Brooke
February 8, 2013 #
I recently had a baby, so I am loving my yoga waist band skirt that I made for my changing waistline!
Melissa
February 8, 2013 #
I would say my favorite right now is the orange knit dress i made from the tiramisu pattern by cake patterns. it works for church, dressing up, doing housework, and I even fell asleep in it and found it to be a very comfortable night gown!
Nadine
February 8, 2013 #
My favorite piece is a big scarf my sister gave me, knit in big chunky yarn.
thanks
Mekeda Johnson-Brooks
February 8, 2013 #
One of my favorite garments is an Ann Taylor jacket I caught on sale years ago. Styled in a classic 40’s cut with dolman bracelet length sleeves and made from a good quality wool, it has carried me to galas, work, a night out and much more. Its timeless and elegant and I love it!
Stephanie
February 8, 2013 #
Oh, what a wonderful giveaway. My favourite piece is usually always the one I made last. And at the moment that’s a self-drafted, gray A-line skirt with a high waist, pleats and buttons down the front.
Laurie
February 8, 2013 #
My favourite piece of clothing right now is a simple denim pencil skirt that took only a couple of hours to make and fits perfectly!
molly
February 8, 2013 #
Old old old cashmere sweater. Was it my grandfather’s? So soft and thick and warm. I’ve been wearing it day and night. How come cashmere isn’t like this anymore? Thanks for the great giveaway!
Kim
February 8, 2013 #
My favorite clothing would have to be this red twirly skirt I made! I haven’t worn it lately because it’s been so cold where I live, but it’s really fun to wear in warmer weather.
Laura
February 8, 2013 #
My favorite right now is a lace scarf I just finished, but I’ve already made a favorite out of an as-yet-unmade skirt, so I’m easily swayed.
Katie
February 8, 2013 #
I love a new shift dress I made.
Katelyn Allers
February 8, 2013 #
This is a tough one! I think I’d have to go with a bright blue, red & green plaid dress I made using the “Heidi” pattern on burdastyle. This is one of those items that when I first made it, I actually didn’t like it and thought about just tossing it. I saw too many flaws in the fit and in my sewing of the garment. After a couple of years, I dug it back out, and now it is one of my favorites. I still recognize that it isn’t perfect, but I can now overlook that fact and enjoy the dress (which is actually very flattering). It’s a good reminder to me to stop being so critical of my work.
Amanda
February 8, 2013 #
Oh how exciting!!! I love books and this one would find a very welcoming home with me :D
My favourite piece of clothing right now is a large, elegant blue-black rayon scarf… dunno if that counts as clothing but I wear it with EVERYTHING… as a scarf or as a shawl, with tops, dresses, jackets, even hoodies… I love the way it drapes and moves and makes me feel :)
Audie
February 8, 2013 #
Maternity jeans are currently my favorite peice of clothing – now I just need to convince the world that elastic waisted jeans are OK so I can continue to wear them after April!
Clothilde
February 8, 2013 #
My favorite piece of clothing is a vintage white mod dress that I found in a yard-sale for 5 euros! thanks for the giveaway!
Karen
February 8, 2013 #
My favorite piece of clothing is a dress in blue linen that I made last summer – as a busty lady, it’s nice to have something that fits me like a glove!
Joanna
February 8, 2013 #
My favorite piece of clothing right now is a salmon colored shirt with white polka dots. The reason I love it so much is because of the awesome alteration job I did to make it fit perfectly! I’m so incredibly proud that I wore it the very next day and told everyone that would listen about my handiwork. It’s such a satisfying feeling when you can alter things yourself. I do have a small pile of other items that need altering, and this was just the confidence booster I needed.
Nikki
February 8, 2013 #
Ah! I just saw this giveaway, so I’m not sure if i’m late! My favorite piece of clothing is one that i’ve had for a few years now, a Vest that is tailored perfectly for my contours. I got it at a department store, but it’s the perfect thing to slim done a boxy button-down and mold to my figure.
Toni
February 8, 2013 #
My favorite piece is a double breasted denim jacket that has heavy, heavy geometric embroidery in many bright colors. It is light enough to wear on cool evenings in the summer, as an outer jacket spring & fall & as a jacket I keep on all day with a turtleneck in the winter. It is comfortable, fits well, garners compliments & is so very versatile. I got it some years ago on sale at Coldwater Creek but I’m planning to try to make a similar one from your pattern Anise pattern in linen & am now set up to do the embroidery!! Thank you for this opportunity….I just read about your pattern & don’t have it yet!!
Heather
February 8, 2013 #
My favorite thing right now is a sweater I bought in high school – still fits (20+ years later), colors are great, and it’s one of the warmest things I own.
Heidilea
February 8, 2013 #
My absolute favorite piece of clothing right now is a lace cap sleeve dress by Free People. It’s a pinkish taupe color, is cut in a way that flatters my board-like figure (sweetheart neckline, gathered bust, inverted triangle waist with an a-line double tiered skirt, cap sleeves). The color makes me look and feel more beautiful and the romantic style matches my personality. If I were a cartoon character, this is what I’d be wearing.
CC
February 8, 2013 #
My puffy winter coat — feels like a down blanket…
PetitePear
February 8, 2013 #
The piece of clothing I reach for over and over again is a blazer I made from a Burda pattern from stretch bengaline. It’s olive green, “shrunken” and goes with a surprising number of items in my closet.
K. Davis
February 8, 2013 #
Is it bad that I don’t have a favorite piece of clothing right now? As a new mommy, I’ve taken up sewing specifically to sew unique pieces for my daughter. I haven’t made anything for myself yet. Here’s hoping to create a favorite piece for myself soon!