Dear readers,
When I was working on Estelle, I imagined it as one of those dresses that feels elegant without trying too hard. The softly draped cowl neckline, the fitted waist, and the gentle flare of the skirt all come together into a clean silhouette that you can style in many different ways. And once I started wearing my own samples, one question kept coming back: to belt or not to belt?
Why Estelle Works So Well with Accessories
Because Estelle has a smooth, uninterrupted front and a defined waist, it lends itself naturally to experimenting. A belt instantly changes the dress's mood. For one of my samples, I tried a seventies belt I found in a vintage shop. It added structure without fighting the drape of the neckline. Belts are an easy option if you want to highlight the waist or change the proportions.
But if you feel adventurous, you can go one step further and try a scarf tied at the waist.
The Scarf Trend I Still Do Not Fully Understand
I enjoy following styling trends. I have clearly moved from the half-tuck to the side-tuck for all my tops and shirts. But one trend that has left me puzzled is the scarf tied at the waist. I do not dislike it in principle. I just cannot manage to make it work on me. Either the knot looks awkward, or the proportions feel off, or it simply refuses to stay in place.
Still, I wanted to give it an honest try with Estelle because the smooth waistline seemed like the perfect canvas. So I experimented with different scarf sizes and placements to see what could work and what definitely did not. Let us say that the results were mixed, and I am still deciding how I feel about this particular styling idea.
Inspiration from Testers
One of the joys of releasing a pattern is sharing how testers interpret it. For Estelle, the range of fabrics and colours they chose was truly inspiring. Bold prints, vibrant solids, soft neutrals, lightweight drapey knits, more stable jerseys that give a bit more structure, they all work beautifully in different ways. If you are on the fence about fabric choices or styling, looking at different interpretations of Estelle is a great way to spark ideas and see how the design behaves on a variety of bodies and in different fabrics.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer your Estelle simple and unadorned or styled with a belt or even a brave attempt at the scarf trend, the dress adapts easily to your personal taste. Sometimes trying a trend, even one you are not entirely convinced about, is part of the fun and a low risk way to play with style using clothes you already love.
If you decide to sew Estelle, I hope you will enjoy the process as much as I enjoyed designing it. And if you find the magic formula to make the scarf at the waist work, please let me know. I am still open to being convinced.
A quick reminder that the launch sale for Estelle is on only until tomorrow, so this is a good time to add the pattern to your sewing plans while it is still 15% off.