One week, one pattern - my bread and butter Style Arc Elle trousers

The challenge - to wear a version of the Style Arc Elle pants every day for a week. Lets be real here. With 9 pairs floating around Chez Tragic this was never going to be hard.

 



For me OWOP started with a beautiful spring Saturday morning. I was feeling lazy, so mooched around for a couple of hours drinking coffee and looking stylish wearing my wool leggings adapted from my Style Arc Elle pants pattern. This fabric contains no lycra or elastane, so it does tend to bag out at the knees - an important characteristic to look for in leggings fabrics I've learned! Worn with a wool gathered raglan Burda top and Miami beach chic leopard slippers.



Later that morning, we went out and about doing some shopping so I changed into my Shar-Pei Elle Pants. They still wrinkle, and due to the 200% synthetic component of the fabric don't feel the nicest on, but I still love them.


And can you believe I had yet another costume change for the day, into a third pair of Elle's - this time a brand spanking new unblogged pair of exercise leggings, further adapted from my original leggings pattern. To be honest I've had zero interest in making exercise wear up until now - firstly because I didn't really need it, but also because it's hard to find good fabric for this purpose. But I busted out the backside of an old pair of exercise pants, and within a few days happened upon a lovely cotton-nylon-spandex fabric at Darn Cheap, so felt motivated to make myself the ultimate stretchy-wear and took them for a test drive that afternoon:



Sunday morning was Father's day here in Australia, and another gorgeous spring day. I snazzed up my cord Elle's with my Salme cropped blazer, a striped dolman top and my gorgeously wonderful brand spanking new Hasbeen clogs. Is it wrong to be in love with a pair of shoes?



Monday saw me in a brand new pair of Elle work pants, made from a charcoal grey bengaline bought on sale at Spotlight a few weeks ago. It just goes to show how important it is to compare the stretch content of the different fabrics used for a pattern such as this - the bengaline is a little less stretchy, so these are a bit snugger than my older black versions - I could probably have done with maybe another 1cm of ease in this pair. But they're comfy and the fabric's great. Worn here with a striped Mandy Boat tee.


Tuesday is my RDO, and I spent it sewing. I had absolutely no need to leave the house, so went for comfort and spent it in my ponte Elle pants. These are my most comfortable. Sadly the ponte is starting to ball up so they're not great for outside wear. Next winter I'll definitely be making some in grey and I think investing in some wool ponte would be well worth it.


Wednesday was a work day, and I was unable to get more than this for a photo. Grey bengaline Elle's worn with another Mandy Boat tee.


Thursday - work again! This work caper totally gets in the way of my sewing time..... Anyway I battled through wearing a pair of black bengaline Elle pants, and my Swoon Scarf Neck cardi.


And finally the last day - black bengaline again, worn with my striped Plantain and Style Arc Fiona cardi. 



So thats my OWOP roundup. Drearily similar to most of my MMM outfits I believe, but thats what happens when you find your perfect work pants! I've no profound insights here - if you've been reading my blog for a while you'll now how much I love these pants. And if you're not into the super-slim cut like these, Style Arc has a couple of other pull on stretch woven styles with different leg shapes..... easy to make, easy to wear!

Comments

  1. I've been thinking of making these pants too Sarah!

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  2. They all look great! Love your striped Mandy tee too :)

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    1. Thanks! Poor Mandy is looking a bit tired close up, but I can't bear to get rid of the stripes!

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  3. Wow, you've really made this pattern your own! That's so handy that you can do yoga in them too, that's really making the most of your collection :)

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    1. Thanks Carolyn! My cost per make is approaching the cents with these!

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  4. So many lovely versions and you look very comfortable in them. I've yet to venture into trouser making, but will keep this brand in mind.

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    1. They're extremely easy to make - highly recommended!

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  5. How wonderfurl! Thanks for sharing. It is great to see the ready version. I have already pepared the pattern for this pants but was not sure about it ... now I will look for a fabric to make a proof model.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed! Just make sure you follow the instructions on fabric choice and get something nice and stretchy!

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  6. All your versions look great...and it's great you've found the perfect pant pattern. I'd love to find a good pattern for Ponti pants...I've tried the Anita pants from Tessuti but they need a bit of work. I'm hesitant going the Style Arc route as they only send one size.

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    1. I know, it's a bit of a risk but remember vintage patterns only used to come in single sizes! The girls at style arc are great at answering questions - I sent my measurements to them as I was in between sizes and they were very helpful. This is such a simple pattern, but very tight (on me at least -haha!) so maybe the wallis pants might be better? Thornberry recently just did a great roundup on the style arc stretch woven pant range - she's made them all!

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  7. Three outfits in a day!! Impressive stuff.

    A very versatile pattern, I've never made leggings, but maybe I'll give some a go. yours are great.

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    1. Ridiculously easy! Hardest part is finding nice fabric lycra!

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  8. Love your photos. And your pants. Obviously.

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  9. Nothing like a go to pair of pants in many variations - I like the cut and fit on you and you pair them so well with your top halves. I love skinny pants but have also been swinging toward slouchy styles which I need to investigate pattern wise. Yes, its completely normal to be in love with a pair of shoes!! Where did you find your Hasbeens? I am in love with this brand and such a shame you can't get the full range here unless you pay crazy Scandi prices and have them shipped.

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    1. Thanks Lexi - have you been to Finland yet? I'm planning on trying a slouchy pair next, also a Style Arc pattern. Ive realised its been months since put I a zip in something, so I've got to get back on the woven trouser horse. And OMG! Hasbeens from Amazon! I couldn't find an Australian retailer. The postage from Amazon was most civilised. With the end of summer sales in the northern hemi I got these for about $115 posted! I was DELIGHTED!

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    2. Back from an amazing time in Helsinki - will share the deets on the blog soon! And hasbeens for $115 - OMG - off to Amazon now!

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  10. Snazzy! I just bought the pattern and bengaline package, so I can't wait to give it a go!

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    1. Oh that's a really great idea - hope they work out for you.

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  11. They all look great! ... I love the length you made them ... especially with the wingtip shoes I find the combination to be very modern!

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    1. Thanks Sasha - moderninerty out of necessity!

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  12. What great pants! These look perfect for everyday wearing and I agree that you look very comfortable in them. I love these photos - you really look at ease in them.

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  13. Great that you found "your" slim pants. Such a great, well fitting basic, no wonder you have a whole collection!

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  14. Great OWOP! Even though it's "nothing new," I still like seeing the outfits because I love your style!

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  15. Well, you pretty much knocked this challenge out of the park! Three in one day?! Nice going :) PS: getwoolpontegetwoolpontegetwoolpontegetwoolpontegetwoolponte!

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