Inspired by Street Fashion: Sadie’s NYC Dream Dress

I recently took a family vacation to NYC. Since I lived there for almost ten years back in my 20s and we have been back several times with the kids, we didn’t feel obligated to do much of the touristy stuff. Instead, it was a trip that consisted of a food tour in Brooklyn, thrift shopping in the Lower East Side, old favorite restaurants, enjoying the street fashion, and long walks through Central Park and our other favorite neighborhoods. It was just what my creative soul needed and a good break from our busy year.

One of the things I was explaining to my teenage daughters as we walked around the city was how the sidewalks are like fashion runways. I think people who live (or have lived) in NYC will get this. Whether they are heading off to work or making a run to the corner bodega, it matters what you wear. It is like stepping onto a fashion runway right outside your door every single day. Of course, I know this is an overgeneralization, but I was so inspired by all the fantastic street fashion that I saw that I immediately came home and started making a sewing plan!

I think that fashionable people in NYC are often ahead of the curve when it comes to what is trending. It takes these street styles a bit of time to make it to other smaller cities, like Denver, where I live. During our visit, I kept seeing a new and interesting silhouette as we toured around the city: A drop waist, sleeveless, tent-like dress in a rainbow of colors. It was everywhere and worn by people of all shapes and sizes. I must have one!

I looked in the boutiques and the thrift stores while there to see if I could purchase one as a souvenir but to no avail. So, I headed over to Mood Fabrics in the garment district and purchased yardage of this green poplin that will make a perfect dress. (I found another good fabric option on Amazon.)

Bringing Street Fashion Home

When I got home, I created a mood board on Pinterest for my new dress, which is part of my sewing project process that I love to do.

I find this style to be a bit retro. It references 1980s fashion with a bit of a flapper 20s vibe thrown in. The modern differences to me are in the weight and structure of the fabric used. I’m going to make the proportions of the dress’s main body, the size of the ruffle, and a more generous A-line or tent-like cut to the dress.

Then I found a great pattern that almost perfectly matches my inspo: The Mocha Milly Sleeveless Dress from a new-to-me pattern company, ithinksew. I sewed the dress right away without any modifications to the pattern, so I’ll be looking to ithinksew again soon!

It turned out exactly how I envisioned it! I am delighted with my souvenir NYC dress and see myself rocking it on Denver’s streets, bringing this easy style to the Western US.

Are you inspired to sew garments by the street fashions you see in your town or city? Have you stitched any up? Share your street-style creations in the comments below.

Happy sewing,

Sadie