Dressing for Life in the Modern Highlands
Maybe one of the most difficult parts of trying to participate in any kind of fashion while growing up and living in the Highlands is that most of what is interesting, is not going to be practical for the type of life we live, and the always-changing weather.
Sure, there's plenty of practical outdoor clothing out there but we're in and out of cars and buildings in bad weather, not necessarily working outside in it all day.
It's uncomfortable to wear a fully waterproof, insulated hiking jacket just to get in the car and drive to town, then walk 5 mins in the rain to the coffee shop and maybe stop at a charity shop or two before heading home. And where's the incentive to dress up when it's all underneath a jacket anyway?
But trying to find something that will protect you from the weather while looking good or expressing yourself is very difficult too. Especially if you're on a normal kind of budget, which most people in the Highlands are likely to be.
High street brands offer cosy looking clothing but a lot will contain polyester, have a design feature that lets a breeze in around your waist or sleeves, stay cold and wet if you get caught out in the rain, or be endlessly static. I've not got any high street knit jumpers left in my cupboard, they all end up getting donated because they just don't keep me warm, or sacrifice my comfort in some way that stops me wearing them.
If you want to be protected from the weather AND express yourself or your love of fashion, it seems you'd better have some money.
So sewing becomes so much more economical when I start looking at it as a way to create exactly what I need for my life, in my own style, in my size.
I'm not someone who has to dress up every time I go out, far from it, I'm happy throwing on my comfy pink Adidas jogger set and a big jacket over the top and calling it good in winter.
Sometimes getting out in the minimal daylight hours to ward off the S.A.D just needs done and there's no brain power left for cute outfit creation.
But I like sewing & clothing too much to save all my dressing up for the summer months, so this autumn and winter I'm trying to step away from my trusty soft, warm jogger sets and make "secret comfies".
Elasticated waists for the realities of being a woman, deep pockets for all the things, warm & soft to feel good all day long. And in colours that will mix and match with my favourite winter jumpers, so the decision making is taken care of on those sluggish late winter days.
Plan: floral corduroy barrel leg trousers with adjustable hem for boots/trainers and weather changes.
I hate to say it but someone recommended using chatGPT to make mock ups of a garment before going ahead. I found it useful for envisioning the extra cargo pockets I wanted to add. I think they'll work! Kind of a blend of Grannies curtains and Grandpa's work trousers.
I'm still working on what to do for the hem but I think a tab with a metal popper might do the trick. I've not made these before but hopefully they'll turn out well enough to wear. I can imagine them being great outdoors, maybe with extra thermals on in winter, but then just as comfy and practical around the house, reading curled up in my armchair with a cat clawing at them.
And if I can wear them to the point of destruction, I think they'd take to some visible mending or patches pretty well ❤️🩹