Friday, October 31, 2014

Burdastyle Magazine 11/2014

Here we go again!

Some of you actually told me they were missing my reviews, which made me feel so warm in my heart! I have a lot of fun writing them anyway, so I just had to get back on the horse!

Disclaimer: this issue of Burda was given to me, but I can assure you I'm still unbiased.

As I usually do, let me start with the patterns in this issue I actually did like:
Of course, a pretty, pretty dress!
This looks spectacular on the model (love the fabric), the draped panel of the bodice looks pretty great, and that little cape! So dramatic, but not too much.
Stamp of approval: earned. Will I make it? Probably not, unless the perfect occasion for it rises up. Definitely more of a Summer dress, tho.

I said many times I'm partial to Burda's outerweat and to big, dramatic collars, and this little coat is no exception. The fabric choice and the styling are definitely helping here.

Again, outerwear I like. Once again, I really love what they did with the fabric choice here, and it shouldn't be too hard to replicate this print-mizing...
Also, the minimal silhouette is very chic. Love!

Mmh... I'm very torn here. On one side, I like the poofy shoulders and the way this t-shirt looks on the model... On the other... I can't help but think this looks a bit weird. Help me decide, you guys.


You know what I think of Burda's array of rectangle patterns... I thought "this could almost look cool", but not really. The fabric is quite beautiful, but it still looks like she's wearing a blanket (a look that so few women can make work, imho). So... no.
And let me reiterate my usual point with these patterns: do you really want to spend time tracing a rectangle from an intricate sheet and add seam allowance to it?

Mmh... Again, no thanks. I once again almost thought this looked pretty, but the folded napkin hem and weird sleeves just defeated me. No.

And finally, we have a few gowns inspired by movies.
I really, really loved the idea, but I'm not very happy with the execution.

This red number is inspired by the one worn by Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman". Well, it does look like it belongs 24 years in the past. The neckline is a bit vulgar for my taste and the knot "right there" is just a huge no-no for me.


Again, so tacky!
This gown is inspired by Bérénice Marlohe in "Skyfall". I found this video about the original dress, and you can really tell the difference. The lace used here looks so cheap in comparison... It's a great costume for a 007 character, but I don't think it translates too well in real life.

And this... this is the worst of all. It's inspired by a gown worn by Leslie Caron in "An American in Paris". I don't really like the original look either, but I get it as a ballet costume. This just looks like the skirt was caught in a shredder (and the non-color is terrible)... Nope.

The issue contains three more "diva"- inspired looks, and tbh, I don't like any of them.
There are also some forgettable plus-size patterns and some ADORABLE baby patterns.

All in all, not the best issue for me personally, but not the worst either. At least, I liked the styling in most photos and some of the ideas.

Did anything tickle your fancy?


31 comments:

  1. I like the tee shirt, but it would be too easy to just modify a raglan shirt pattern I already own. Anyway, with the puffed sleeves it's very 2005.

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  2. I actually loved a couple of the pieces that aren't in this review.
    The tee shirt is giving me flashbacks to the early 2000's when I was a teen and rocking the 'fake tee over longsleeve' look. Not good.

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  3. I think the black lace dress is pretty, not tacky! True, it doesn't hold a candle to the original, but what home sewer has hand embroidered lace smothered in crystals on hand? The t-shirt is a no. That's a kids pattern. The pink coat at the top is beautiful...you should totally make one!

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  4. I really like that first dress, but not too keen on the cape. I love your reviews, glad you're back at 'em again.

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  5. I love your Burda reviews. It gives me an opportunity to see the patterns again from someone else's perspective. I wasn't too crazy about the evening gowns. Not my life, so probably not going to make them. The Tshirt idea? Well, it is a little different. Looks juvenile to me, but I think they will be made often (not by me). I agree with you about Burda's outerwear - for years it has been terrific. Thank you for making me look again at the first dress. It is beautiful. My pick? I like the high waisted legging pattern (114) - as a jumping off point.

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  6. I totally missed your reviews! I love that first dress and would make it in a second. Everything else to me is meh or downright tacky! Ah Burda, always keeping us on our toes :)

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  7. I missed the reviews too! :)


    I skipped November and am a Burda coat/jacket lover too. I want them to do a release full of their fantastic jacket pieces! Swoon!


    I say no on the tshirt. It's too weird and not weird enough - like 2/2014 and the crazy drape top - weird, but cool/interesting weird.


    oooh and I thought the same thing on the dress. Like, that's pretty! But...well...those little flounce things look odd...

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  8. I LOVE the Ginger Rogers inspired black dress. The collar is so cute. I like the big collared coat better as a short jacket. I love the sectional coat. And I really love the cute little knit blouse with the puff sleeves.

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  9. I'm glad you're doing this again - I've always really enjoyed your Burda reviews! This ones got some lovelies in it :)

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  10. For some reason the leggings weren't included in the online preview (at least on the Italian site) and I totally overlooked them! Thanks for pointing them out! :)

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  11. Oh yeah, I remember that... I guess this t-shirt brought some nostalgic memories... :-|

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  12. I love your Burda reviews and been expecting this one from the moment you got it! What I find puzzling about Burda mag. is that, at least for me, it's very difficult to see an image and think: "this girl is cool I want to be this girl"! Maybe I'm not their target, I don't know - from hem lengths to styling it all seams a bit "mature" and I'm not a teenager! Their outerwear is nice and I like (except the blankey - even the model has trouble keeping it on her shoulders, see the awkwardly raised elbow). The gowns are just insane!

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  13. I too love your Burda reviews. Have you seen the autumn/winter Burdastyle vintage special about the 1950s? Please do review this special edition! Would be so much fun to see your perspective on these gorgeous frocks.

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  14. I really like the first pattern. It's definitely a dress I could imagine making. Not sure about the cape though. What's the pattern number?

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  15. it's my least favorite burda of the year, and the only one i probably won't buy (and if i do, i'll buy it for baby patterns only).. the only pattern i like is one for color blocked pants (and even there, i like the idea better than the execution).. i agree with sasha, burda almost never makes me think "this girl is cool i want to be this girl" (which is funny, cause 95% of patterns i use are burda patterns, so i actually 'am' a burda girl.. it's just that what inspires me and makes me chose a pattern is a technical illustration, not the actuall photo of the garment).. also, i'm really glad you're back to writing reviews :)

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  16. I like the knit shirt with long sleeves. I think it could look cute with two different colors!

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  17. I like the coats. The Pretty woman dress says just one thing to me: penis envy.

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  18. I haven't seen it! Is it a special edition magazine? I'm running to gather information, thanks for sharing!

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  19. Yup, you summarized it perfectly. And it's one of the issues I have with LMB as well: sometimes the patterns themselves are fine, but the execution (from fabric choice to styling to shooting) is terrifying.

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  20. I personally didn't mind that dress, but like the rest of the diva-inspired gowns, I find a bit too costume-y...

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  21. I am banning myself from buying Burdastyle until the baby is here - except for the grey coat (they really chose the perfect fabric) - I think I am not missing too much..


    www.made-inhome.blogspot.com

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  22. I've missed your reviews too! I love that first dress - so pretty, but I would probably never make it either, because where on earth would I wear it? Love those coats too!

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  23. Oh yay, I'm glad you're doing reviews again! I have to admit that I like both the drapey evening gown and the Skyfall gown...I wear cheongsam to the ballet, so this could be a fun alternative. I do dress a bit on the costumey side, so I don't mind that aspect =)

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  24. first issue this year I haven't brought! admittedly on a finance streamline due to the festivities at the end of the year, but was just very down on this issue x

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  25. Oh dear, I actually hate all of these! Oof!

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  26. I'm just going to say it...I really love that last dress (not the color)! I have no idea why and I would have nowhere to wear it but I want to make it anyway (oh the shame!!).

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  27. As for that tee-shirt, I think you'd like Zoe's Dolores Batwing pattern much better: http://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/p/dolores-batwing-pattern.html It has a better balance with similar features. Maybe it's the baby pink that's off?

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  28. Squint and see that pink t-shirt in green. "Hulk not like poofy sleeves! Hulk SMASH". I love the peacock print!

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  29. Finally ...i found someone that questions the taste level of some patterns in Burda :-) now i always check the patterns before buying. Sometimes is not worth it....i discovered your blog recently and decided to read it from the start ;-)

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  30. ciao Anna , come stai?
    il primo vestito mi piace tantissimo!!! (per lo meno alla modella sta proprio bene!!!)
    Noemi

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