The Teddy jacket first appeared in the USA in 1940. Initially a sign of belonging to prestigious American campuses, this jacket with its wide cut, leather sleeves, wool body, and embroidered letter on the chest began to become more mainstream by reinventing itself, now featuring more fitted cuts and various materials.
It’s this trend that we’re exploring today in our PetiteMaisonCouture. As you can see, I also tried to play with this style by using a printed fabric, a print that’s… very printed! It worked out perfectly, as my friend Caro loves Wax prints. So when it comes time to sew for her, it’s pure joy! Taking into account the current trend, the fabrics I had available, my friend’s personal color palette, and of course the fact that she’s a woman of style (=timelessness), I immediately leaned toward a Teddy based on the Donnez-moi un M pattern by Aime comme Marie. Here are the 2 major modifications I made: 1. Shortened sleeves to make it a garment easily wearable in summer, and under a coat in winter. 2. Added a lining with a welt pocket integrated into the lining, large enough to slip in her phone, credit card, and lip gloss!
I think this Teddy suits her perfectly, which shows that Wax prints, often tagged as “Black fashion,” suit everyone—you just need color tones that flatter your complexion.
The Varsity Jacket Trend
It’s in the 40’s that the Varsity jacket appeared for the first time in the US. With its leather sleeves and woolen bodice, its large cut and embroidered letter on the heart, this jacket was a sign that one belongs to one of the country’s prestigious universities. Little by little this jacket started becoming like a trend as it became more and more accessible. The cuts and designs also started changing creating more fitted versions for women.
Today in our PetiteMaisonCouture, I have also tried to play with this trend using a printed fabric, kind of really printed! Actually my friend Caro’s birthday was coming, and one thing I know is that she loves African prints. So I usually have a global idea of her birthday presents, but I am never 100% sure of the form this present would take. So taking into account the current fashion trends, her personal colorimetric shades, and the fabrics that I had in my stash, I immediately went for this teddy pattern based on Aime comme Marie’s Teddy jacket. I therefore cut my pattern in size 36, and used a light wool fabric for the collar. Here are the main modifications I made: 1. Shortening the sleeves. 2. Adding a lining with a welt pocket cut in the lining for her phone, her credit card and her gloss!
I think that the fabric used here brings out the blues of her eyes and her blond hair. African prints are often tagged as “black fashion,” but in reality it can suit every single person. One needs to choose the type of colors that flatters the skin tone, hair and eyes.
