Article

 

Timely Fashion Tips Using ELD's Designer Patterns!
By Veronica Hollingsworth

This article is reprinted from our newsletter, "Nursing Classics™ News", Volume 15. No1.

Tessie and her two daughters help show off a very pretty formal dress fashioned from Nursing Classics #302. This dress was fashioned from a beautiful black velvet with gold accents. We cut it off at knee length to give it a very fun look that is perfect for holiday events or black tie parties.

A vivid array of trendy looks have graced the runways of Paris and Milan this year. Anything from woodsy casual to frilly romantic is in. There is something for everyone's level of comfort to fit every occasion and every mood, and this smorgasbord of styles promises to continue through the upcoming spring and summer season. Whether you're attending holiday events or spring-time weddings, you can feel confident you are dressed in the style of your choice as you breastfeed your baby discreetly and comfortably, thanks to ELD's wide variety of patterns.

The following tips can help in planning your wardrobe for the coming year and ensuring you achieve the look you want. Opposites are being paired up, such as sharp, tailored jackets worn over flowing, feminine skirts; fancy, luscious fabrics applied to simple patterns, and flouncy romantic shirts worn with slim, no-nonsense skirts and pants. Contrasting textures are played against each other to create a new dimension in fashion. Leather and lace, faux fur and denim, suede and silk, anything goes. Accessories provide the final touches to any look, so go through your jewelry box and see what you can use this season that has been neglected in the past, such as chokers, delicate dangling earrings, and yes, even lapel pins. Just be aware of those little fingers reaching for them! Earthy shades such as taupe, moss, and mustard, and bright jewel tones in reds, blues, and oranges are in, and you will find no shortage of these colors at your fabric store. Black is the essential foundation color, but don't feel tied to it. Think soft-natured pastels, washed-down earth and caribbean tones, and animal prints for spring. In the end, any color that makes you feel good will make you look good, as will the style of clothing you choose. Your own creativity is your hallmark; wear it proudly!

Look to NC#209, the Ultimate Mother Cover, to be the quintessential breastfeeding top to wear beneath the little riding jackets, short hip-length jackets, and bolero jackets so popular now. Keep the fabric simple and toned down if the texture of the jacket is what draws the eye. For fuller busts, choose a jacket that buttons below the bust point. To draw the eye upwards and keep the proportions of your ensemble in tune, wear these short jackets with long skirts or pants.

For many, holiday time is synonymous with parties and special get-togethers with family and friends. Spring and summer promise memorable weddings and graduations. ELD's newest design, NC#302, will enable you to rise to these occasions and still provide your baby with the best. Designed for any drapey fabric, such as woven rayon or soft slinky fabrics, this dress will be your top pick for both glamour and comfort. Try it in a glittery slinky fabric, or go for the modest little black rayon dress that can take you anywhere. A great foundation dress made up in a solid color, NC#302 becomes a versatile element in your wardrobe when you make up several sparkly cover-ups for an endless variety of looks for all your special occasions, no matter what the season. The slim profile of the dress lends itself well to be worn with jackets, and the gentle sleeve is perfect for those who prefer not to go sleeveless. (also pictured above)

NC#301 is just the thing for the romantic in you. Its simple design is perfect for fabrics such as sheers, chiffon, and lightweight silkies. By using the armhole and sleeve pattern pieces from another ELD pattern, such as NC#307 or NC#205, you can turn this dress into a long-sleeved dream come true. Picture NC#301 view 3, made in a silvery, smooth, nylon tricot underlayer coupled with a sheer overlay the color of moonlight. Add a sparkling shawl to throw over your shoulders, finish the ensemble with delicate sandals and matching purse, and you're ready to go in splendor and style, with Baby in tow! For more casual wear, make it in a butter-soft earthy batik and pair it with a tailored jacket and city boots, and you'll be ready to go from the PTA function to your church's potluck event without missing a beat. For spring wear it in a white chiffon over a pastel pink in anticipation of nature's bloom. Add a strand of pearls, and you are ready to attend that spring wedding in style and comfort.

NC#210, our sheath dress, calls for a wide array of mid-weight fabrics such as velveteen, wool crepe, wool blends, polyester crepes and blends, moleskin brocade, and lighter-weight fabrics such as washable satins, silks, linens, rayon, and challis. The options are endless. This dress is the ultimate in nursing comfort and design. It will carry you in style no matter where you go. Made in a black crepe, it can become the little black dress essential in every wardrobe. Lengthen the hem, color it red, and you have a simply elegant dress that will make you smile with confidence as you nurse your baby, with none the wiser. Try widening the skirt a bit, make it in a microfiber twill, and wear it with riding boots for the equestrian look gracing the pages of magazines this season.

The twin set look featured in NC#307 is proving to be a symbol of true classic styling. In velvet or velour, a twin set will foot the bill for any special occasion. Pair it with a matching skirt, and you're ready to go from the office or home to a night out on the town to celebrate a family reunion. A truly soft, romantic look can be achieved by using flowing fabrics such as slinky or rayon on any of the views in this pattern. View 4, with its tulip overlay, would be especially romantic in a delicate rayon, paired with view 6, the skirt. Taper out the sides of the skirt to achieve a look that says you glide into a room, even when chasing after your busy toddler.

Let's talk necklines for a bit, and you will see they echo the softness and femininity designers are striving for this coming year. From flounces of lace to mock turtlenecks to cowl necks, this season's emphasis can accentuate your lovely face and set the tone of your wardrobe. Evoking visions of gypsy romance and inspiring the poet in all of us, NC#109, with its ruffled collar and elegant variations, fits the feminine ideal for today 's fashion trend. Make it as a shirt or dress, either way, you are guaranteed coverage and ease for nursing. Pair the shirt with a slim skirt, or jeans and boots, for a look that is classy and in style. NC#101 features a fashionable cowl neckline, perfect for a soft knit dress with a bit of attitude. NC#207 has the mock-neck option, and can be interchanged with any of the views in NC#107B and NC#307.

NC#208 is another timeless classic that looks great with boots. Make it in a practical denim and wear it with whatever you like. Or go for a lightweight wool blend in a subtle shade of gray for view 2, the button front, and wear a poet shirt underneath made from NC#109 in a lightweight, silky woven for a sophisticated yet soft look.

Of course, we can't forget NC#206, the cozy coat pattern designed to keep you toasty as well as fashionable while you nurse your baby. Try these season's trends by making the body of the coat in a faux leather and adding fur trim to the cuffs. Or go with a wool and accent with faux leather trim or fur. Mix and match to your heart's content, comfortable in the knowledge that the big designers are doing just that.

We hope these ideas have helped to inspire you to try something new. Creativity is an essential part of life, as well as the desire to look good. And this season, you can give free rein to your creativity to achieve the look you want. Let us know what you have sewn; as always, we love to hear from you!

 

This article is reprinted from our newsletter, "Nursing Classics™ News", Volume 14. No 1.


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