I think I've mentioned on this blog before that I'm into sporting fashion, and, even though I'm only a tennis fan by marriage, tennis my favourite kind of sport - the kind where people are interested in seeing what the athletes AND the spectators are wearing. There are a lot of cute articles out at the minute like this one in Marie Claire, which plots the history of Wimbledon fashion -- definitely worth a read.
Every year when June rolls around my sports mad hubby's eyes start to light up at the prospect of two weeks of non-stop tennis on the TV, on the radio, at the breakfast table... He's especially keen to get day passes on the first Saturday of Wimbledon, which requires getting up at 4am and joining The Queue, and gets you into the grounds by mid-morning. I usually oblige because they have Pimms and prosecco and strawberries and cream I love to watch a good game of tennis.
This year I decided I had to make it a little more interesting by whipping up my own "lawn tennis dress".
I made this Burda Retro Top 07/2013, and sewed a panel of leftover fabric from my Bianco dress to the hem as a "skirt". (And a scrapbuster - yahoo!)
The only problem was, despite arriving at the club at the indecent hour we usually do, this year's Murray Mania meant The Queue for morning entry was already full!
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| Entry gates to the All England Lawn Tennis Club |
So we did what any hardcore tennis fans woud do and headed to Wimbledon common with our breakfast picnic. Actually, the day in Wimbledon was nearly as fun as being inside the tennis club. The excitement in the village was palpable and the sun shone nonstop. Being up and out at crazy o'clock meant we had the whole day to enjoy.
Besides, I had to take my new minidress for a spin...
About the dress - it's ultra simple, but for me the cut was perfect for the day. I used the Burda pattern as a starting point because I loved the retro silhouette. Since the weather's always a toss up I had to be prepared for heat or rain, so loose short sleeves it was, and I didn't want to sit for hours in something tight.
I used an organic white cotton that was more of an ecru colour compared to the stark white of my Bianco dress fabric, and finished the short hem with white pom pom trim.
Maybe next year it will make its debut on Centre Court!
Anyone else out there into sports for the fashion?
Go Andy!
This is really cute! Great idea! Sorry you missed Wimbledon but it sounds like you had a great day anyway!
ReplyDeleteThank you Helen! If you haven't already, definitely worth a visit to the village even!
DeleteI love the dress! I am sure I have that burda magazine, will take it out again! Nearly went to Wimbledon last week but with the little one it was a bit too much... You had a gat day for it!
ReplyDeleteThanks! That would be a long day with a little one, but imagine the photo ops! ;) Maybe next year!
DeleteReally, really, really cute! I love this dress! I'm a tennis nut, and the fashion is an added bonus! I love the drama of tennis-- it's such a great sport for large personalities and emotions!
ReplyDeleteThanks! You're so right...when it comes down to it I'm watching through my fingers and shouting with every point...my poor neighbours ;)
DeleteIts lovely, very Wimbledon appropriate. I love the simple silhouette and the pom pom trim :) gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katy! My first time using pom pom trim on anything... totally satisfying!
DeleteWow! I love your tennis dress! And what a great post and photos! You make me want to make one for myself...oh, no,no, I promised that I wouldn´t sew any more dresses this summer.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the retro top your dress is based on ,I thought it was kind of blah, but what you´ve done with it is genius!
Ha ha - gosh you are strong! I should follow your lead - I have so many dresses hanging around that I haven't worn yet but can't stop thinking about what else I want to make! Thanks for the nice comment!
DeleteThe final result is stunning! Great! Perfect summer dress - not only tennis...
ReplyDeleteThank you! Love your blog!
DeleteLove this dress! Simple silhouette but with some added detail for interest and shape. Just great!
ReplyDeleteThank-you Meg!
DeleteI have just found you on BurdaStyle (schnui is my name there) and I have just spent an hour looking at all of your blog posts. I love your sewing creations and all the beautiful photos. My daughter and her husband are having a 5 week holiday in France and the UK and they have attended the French Open and Wimbledon and had the most wonderful time. My daughter went to great trouble to find the perfect white dress to wear to Wimbledon and she looked so lovely. I think it is great that you and others like my daughter are keeping the white tradition alive.
ReplyDeleteI also read that you enjoyed reading 'The Paris Wife'. I too enjoyed that book and last year when in Paris, I tried to find as many of the places described in that book. Had a wonderful time!!!
What a lovely comment, thank you so much for your kind words.
DeleteI'm also happy to hear your daughter was also in traditional whites AND made it into the grounds - wonderful! French Open too - wow!
I loved the Paris Wife but read it from my home in Canada - you've given me a reason to return ;)
Thank you again for stopping by and really looking forward to following your creations on Burdastyle!
Beautiful dress!
ReplyDeleteThank-you!
DeleteAdorable! I'm suddenly feeling inspired to watch more tennis. ;)
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Thanks!
DeleteYou look cute as a button. And a little like Andy Murray's girlfriend hmmm. I do find it entertaining what professional golfers wear. At the US open one was wearing octopus print trousers! They were amazing!!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, thank you for the compliment! Octopus print - oh my gosh, amazing!
DeleteLove your dress, perfect for summer but I think it would look great layered for winter too. Even though I'm an Aussie I'd love Andy to win :)
ReplyDeleteTHanks Robyn! I saw your mention of winter whites - can't wait to see what you do!
DeleteI can't imagine the euphoria if Andy does make it. On a side note, my husband is convinced he's a distant cousin of the retired Australian player Pat Cash...It doesn't help temper his enthusiasm for the game..!
Such an adorable dress! I love the band and the pom pom trim. I took up tennis as a kid because I loved the cute skirts -- unfortunately I had no talent for the sport so I haven't picked up a racket in years!
ReplyDeleteThank-you Jean! ha ha - I fell into the same trap with figure skating :)
Deletelove your tennis dress! totally awesome, and you look lovely in it.. my brother is nuts about tennis, so tennis is on my tv all the time.. and wimbledon is my brother's favorite tournament, so nowadays it's like i'm living at those green courts.. i wish those tennis ladies (or whoever is making their dresses) are more inspired by your dress!
ReplyDeleteha ha...yet you almost miss it when it's gone, don't you?? What a sweet compliment, thank-you. It's certainly short enough (As I was walking out the door I realized I really had to wear shorts underneath!)
Deletelove love love this dress!
ReplyDeleteThank-you Charlotte!
DeleteWow, this so cute and fresh! I love the elegant yet simple shape and fabric of the dress. The dresscode is the only thing that really interests me in sports :)
ReplyDeleteha ha, Thank-you Pauline!
DeleteCute dress! I love the hemline is soooooo sweet! The truth is that I'm not like very much the tennis ... I like other sports, but I would love to sew a lawn tennis dress!!! ha, ha, ha! It´s so flattering but I think that my chalky legs don´t look very well with that deep white!
ReplyDeleteThank-you Masustak! I was very bad and got a sunburn that day (guilt!) Not the best fashion accessory! ;)
DeleteOooh I love it, so very cute :) Really loving the scarf too, gorgeous contrast with the white ;)
ReplyDeleteThank-you Bec!
Deletelove the tennis-inspired dress! the two tone/texture look is a great way to keep it simple and interesting all at the same time. so, so cute--looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa!
DeleteI love the mix of ecru and bright white! Also, did you try those tennis ball-inspired treats in that bakery window? Do you know what they were made of? yum.
ReplyDeleteI didn't and I wish I had! I was already thinking about them when we get home. I think they were cupcakes but now I shall never know..... :(
DeleteYour tennis dress looks absolutely wonderful! I love the Wimbledon-tournament, I prefer grass over gravel any day, and I love the tradition of the white outfits, I think they always look so much more classy than the neon-colored outfits that I sometimes see at other tournaments! Your walk and picnic around town looks really fun too, too bad you didn't get in the grounds for the first day...
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy! Since we didn't get in we were lucky to have such great weather so I could actually wear my dress, or I might have cried into my sewing machine... No just kidding :) I agree about the grass, something really elegant about it!
DeleteOoh, I love your dress - it's stunning on you!
ReplyDeleteI'm not very keen on watching sport but I do get inspired by sporty fashion. I really like some of the vintage tennis looks and vintage skiing outfits, and I also fancy modern cycling tops - not so much the shorts though :*!
Aah I love vintage skiing outfits too!
DeleteWhat a beautiful dress, I love the combination of the two different fabric!
ReplyDelete