My inspiration came from this layout in a recent InStyle magazine featuring a pair of Isabel Marant silk trousers worn three different ways. I love the idea of an easy pair of lightweight pants for summer, and this elastic-waist pant by French designer Isabel Marant, known for her "insouciant elegance" (Net-a-Porter), caught my eye in a big way.
On Net-a-Porter, I found the Isabel Marant pants for sale in crimson (left). Coincidentally, I had 2.5 yards of crimson 4-ply silk just sitting there in my stash (bought about three years ago when Fabric.com or Fabricmart had a sale on 4-ply silk and the whole sewing community grabbed it up).
The pattern: This McCalls pattern (5889) features an elastic-waist pant with a tapered leg (view D) and is perfect for a starting point to knock off the Marant pants. I added about 2.5 inches at the top to mimic the ruffle at the waist, and I reduced the width of the pants through the waist and the thigh. I have
Once I got the fit down these pants went together in an evening. I made two pairs: one out of the 4-ply crimson silk, and one out of a poly charmeuse print I found at Chic Fabrics in the Garment District. For the crimson pants I added a black cord drawstring; with the print pants I just did a regular elastic waistband.
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| (Apologies for the photo quality. My photographer is a co-worker who is gracious with her time, so I feel guilty about asking her to retake the photos when they aren't sharp.) |
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| Technically these is my muslin version. I see from the photo this pair looks a little MC Hammer-esque; I may still take the thighs in a little. |
If I were to make these again I might consider slimming them a tad more in the thigh area, but I'm keeping in mind these aren't supposed to be close-fitting. Two things I recommend to those wanting to make similar trousers: One, make a muslin first out of a cheap poly fabric and really work out the fit before you cut into your fashion fabric. For most people this pattern is going to be too balloon-y. Two, if you want to roll up the cuffs as shown in the InStyle layout, make sure you finish the inside of your pants so the seams look decent when they are exposed.
Bottom line: Super-easy to make once you tackle the fit part, and a nice alternative to jeans in the summer. They work well with both flats and heels.
34 comments:
Love them, so chic! I hate wearing pants to work in the summer, but these are a great alternative! Nice job!
I'm with you on the fit...silk is just so wonderful, especially in the summer. And if these pants ever get ripped, torn or stained, they're loose enough you could wear 'em to bed.
Very modern chic! Love the fabric choices too - great job :)
The silk ones look gorgeous. And no doubt would feel wonderful to wear.
I have been waiting for you to post your pants. I already bought the pattern! They look great! Perfect for spring and summer!
Fabulous job. You should have entered this in the Pattern Review Knock Off Contest. An excellent recreation!
I like! I never think of silk for pants. But since I've just discovered silk is machine washable, I will have to give some a go. And every gal needs a pair of red pants in her closet, IMO!
These are great on you. Tres chic!
Very nice! The silk must feel so yummy. Are they lined?
They look great and I bet they feel divine to wear.
Bunny, no, they aren't lined and don't need it either. Thanks!
They look very comfortable and very simple chic.
They look fabulous!
Great pants -- personally I like the wider one as-is!
These are so chic !!!!! Of course you have those l o n g l e g s that look so good these pants.
In my next life.......
Beautiful! You have interpreted this look perfectly for you!
These look great. I would never have looked at that McCall's pattern and seen the Isabel Marant pants in them.
Very nice! Super chic! Love them!
You are so styling in your new pants. Great job.
I love your pants. The red silk is beautiful.
Ooooh, they look just like the inspiration pants! Very chic! They must feel divine as well.
Very nice - I LOVE the red ones!
Meg, the crimson pants are just wonderful!
Those are very fashionable, and edgy! They look terrific.
Very chic! You certainly have the right height to pull off the look perfectly.
Great looking pants - love the crimson pair!
Cute! And I'm sure you appreciated them earlier this week in the heat!
I (heart) these trousers so much. Great project. How funny that you had a red silk in your stash perfect for these.
Your wardrobe must have passed your daughter's in the cool quotient by now, right?
I think we do have quite similar tastes. I love the red pants and have a dozen items in the my wardrobe to team them with!
These are so incredibly chic. I love them on you.
Those pants look awesome on you! You have just the right figure for them.
The silk must be such a pleasure to wear, and so chic!
Those are some seriously awesome pants! They look fantastic!
I never would have thought print pants could be anything but loathsome, but yours are styling! Great look, both of them.
Very stylish...good fit.
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