La Mia Boutique 07-08/2013

Double issue of LMB! What does that mean? Well, basically nothing, there aren't more patterns than usual. Basically, it's just that in Italy everything shuts down in August, so nothing will come out next month.

But a double issue is a happy coincidence to start a double review, so Silvia of Sewing Princess and I decided to team up: we split the patterns in half and doubled the commentary.
Silvia actually wanted to post a video chat with our reactions, but I chickened out because I'm too self conscious of my accent... Sorry, Silvia!

Anyway, you can read Silvia's post here and her comments in this post are marked in Italic.
Let's dig in!

I like the top, but not those jewels… In Silvia's review you can see FOUR garments with jewel embellishments on them. What's up with that? 

But jeez, those pants are an eyesore. I just don't get pants that are so incredibly unflattering, and still people wear them because they're on trend or they're stylish (I have an ongoing battle with my cousin, a big defender of the harem pant). Just NO.

SILVIA: I really like the top... I have a thing for boat necks...

But those pants... are those wings??? And the ties around the calves would seem very uncomfortable to me... Am I missing something?

Mmh, a vest worn as a top with an exposed midriff… I don't really see anyone making this look stylish. And I usually love lace, but this granny trim belongs on a bedspread.

SILVIA: Well, at least the photoshot is nice! If you were looking for a princess-seamed vest this could be your pattern...otherwise I am all with Anna...I can't really find a way to wear it.

These are rather complicated patterns for such casual clothes. I personally don't like any of the two, they both remind me too much of the 90's and not in a good way.

SILVIA: I really like the blouse... though it's rated at only three stars (so somewhat intermediate) I don't think I will make it for now... the pleats you need to make plus the adding the inset would make it a lengthy project for me. As for the pants... they look nicer on the model than on the real pattern... I wouldn't dare making them as they are a complex project.

 

SILVIA: I won't dwell on the cleavage... I am not modest when it comes to dressing but I also don't want to flash my boobs while walking around or even worse at a meeting! Anyway... you can easily sew up the front to your taste. These dresses are very similar except for the length and bodice back I don't see any difference.

As Silvia, pointed out, this black dress is very similar to the white dress under it (which belongs to a photoshoot reviewed in her post). And yes, there's a boobage problem. If you like such a deep neckline, you probably might want to get some fashion tape or prepare for a wardrobe malfunction. 

I'm not a big fan of overalls, I've never even tried a pair on, but I think they look very very chic on the right body type. I almost liked this one until my eyes fell on the crotch. As I said before, I just don't get why someone would wear pants that make you look like you are wearing a diaper. Just ridiculous. There's also a dress variation (technical drawing only) and it could look much more interesting, with that neckline.

SILVIA: Why are these pants so baggy? I hope it's just the model and not the pattern... In any case I don't plan to make overalls... although they seem to be the trend right now. What I would do though is use the top part of the pattern. Actually there's even a variation pattern provided.

Coup-de-coeur of the issue! Of course the front is very similar to both the Macaron dress by Colette patterns and the Yoke dress by Salme patterns, but the back! Oh, that beautiful back! I would probably make the pieces overlap a bit more to make this bra-friendly, but other than that, I'm conquered.

SILVIA: What I like about this dress is that the skirt is just a rectangle! so actually it can be a fast project to fit and make. Is it just me or that lace is not the nicest? I actually like lace too but there's something about the amount or the design that makes me doubtful...perhaps it would be nice to add lace just to the bodice top? Any suggestions?

I refuse to say anything about those pants, I don't want to acknowledge their existence…

But the top is actually quite nice! I like kimono sleeves and this top is blousey without being too slouchy. Very cute and perfect to play with for variations.

SILVIA: The fabric choice and matching is terrible for me. Thankfully there are technical drawings... the flared pants could also be used as pajama pants. Although the top seems to have an inset, it's actually an appliqued lace.

La Mia Boutique has finally decided to include a wider range of sizes for the plus-size ladies (I guess by popular demand), so these garments go up to a size 60. I am so happy to finally see a beautiful REAL curvy woman modeling these garments, and not a model who barely looks like a size 44.

That being said, there's some good and some bad. The blouse and pant combo is extremely cute, flattering and stylish, while the dress looks too much like a uniform… Maybe a bit more interest in the skirt might have helped?

SILVIA: I have been very critical of LMB photoshoots but I really like this one. Maybe they should use real people over models more often... but I digress... The blouse/pants ensemble is nice but there's something unflattering about the dress...which I found surprising since it's from famous Italian plus-size designer Marina Rinaldi.

 

I had to share these because they're so utterly ridiculous. Can you imagine the male model refusing to wear this stuff because it's so ugly, so they ended up using a mannequin? LOL. I just did.

And can you imagine the face of your significant other if you made him these two… things? My boyfriend would probably be offended by these, and I couldn't blame him!
I don't like mandarin collar on men in general, but this just looks like a woman blouse. And don't get me started on the pants, which look like something my father wears when he's working in the garden...

SILVIA: My first reaction was like Anna's especially on the pants... and tucking in the shirt is certainly not helpful... However I think you could make the shirt work without risking to lose your partner in the making... Imagine removing the trim and chosing a blue chambray... or maybe linen. I think it could work for a summer beach outfit...either that or I need a holiday!

So, what are your impressions on the issue? And did you like this new type of review?
Please give us suggestions if you have any!