I couldn't wait to try out some 1940s silhouettes and get sewing! So, I self-drafted an a-line skirt.


There are many tutorials online on how to draft an a-line skirt. What might help you if you are drafting your own, is to know how much ease you need. The fabric I chose has absolutely no stretch. Usually, you need at least 1/2" to 3/4" of ease at the waist. I increased this to 1", since I knew I would be tucking in my shirts.



I have plenty of buttons in my stash, so was easily able to find something good enough. The fabric is super cheap clearance I-don't-know-what, probably a polyester. It feels a bit like I'm wearing a table cloth for a skirt. Luckily, I have a 1970s slip I can wear and it makes it much more comfortable.

Step 5 of our plan is deciding how much of each item you actually need and build a capsule. Also think about what colour the items are and how they work together.

Tiffany Fall / Winter Capsule

Right now, I plan on using a lot of items I already have so that I can slowly transition my wardrobe to a 1940s look. Priority is going to be given to making clothes for work.

• Two pairs pants - Brown, Green, or Grey
• One pair denim pants - Dark Blue
• Short sleeve blouses - some I have already made fit the silhouette, but I'd also love classic ivory
• One long sleeve blouse
• Two t-shirts - Retro stripes and Plain Black
• One skirt - Camel or Burnt Orange
• One cardigan - Cranberry
• One vest - Fair Isle or brown
• My purple pullover
• One tea dress

For Step 4 of the Spiffy Wardrobe Plan, we look back to our Pinterest pins and see what accessories we need for our wardrobes.

Tara's Wardrobe, as we saw when looking at colours and textures, has lots of leather and plaids. Most of the leather was the accessories.

For accessories, she has chosen:

• Brown leather bags and purses
• Simple necklaces and earrings
• Some statement earrings
• Fedora hat
• Slouch hat for cold weather
• Plaid scarf for colder weather

We are getting so close to having our wardrobe plans done! I'm excited to see how my sister's wardrobe comes together.

Step 4: Shoes and Accessories

For this step, we have a look back at our Pinterest boards or wherever we have collected our inspiration to see what are the must have accessories and footwear to complete our looks.

Tiffany's Wardrobe

My 1940s inspired wardrobe makes it easy to see what kind of accessories and footwear I need. There are even helpful lists and style guides out there, like this one from the House of Foxy.

Going through my Pinterest board, I see the following items: 

• Belts (leather and matching fabric)
• Purses (clutches were popular, but I'm sticking to shoulder bags)
• Headscarf
• Hats 
• Scarves and mittens for winter
• Sunglasses

Now to do Step 3 of the Spiffy Wardrobe Plan for Tara's wardrobe. For this step, we explore colour and textures.

Looking at her Pinterest board, these are the main colours.

taupe-brown / navy / olive / black cranberry / emerald / pine / camel grey / ivory / periwinkle / khaki

Many of the colours are the same as mine, which is no surprise since we have the same complexion and look good in the same colours.

The top row is colours for pants, skirts and jackets. The middle row would make good skirts, dresses, blouses, and sweater colours or even for accent colors. The bottom row are the more neutral lighter colours for blouses and tops or lighter pants/shorts in the warmer weather.

For patterns, Tara has picked a small to medium florals, plaids, strips, and polka dots. All mostly with a navy background. Most of the larger pieces like pants and cardigans are in solid colours.


Textures are a mix of lightweight fabrics for dresses and skirts. Large gauge knitted cardigans and sweaters. Accessories and shoes are mostly brown leather.

One of Tara's Pinterest pins

It all makes for a nice almost preppy, school girl chic look. A nice easy look for a mom of two little girls. Stay tuned for the next step!

Step 3: Pick colours and textures. Explore prints and solids.

"Clothing Construction and Wardrobe Planning" by Lewis et al. (1957)

Look back at your Pinterest Board or Instagram Collection.

• What colours, patterns, and textures are common?
• What colours are the main pieces (like pants and jackets)?
• What colours are the blouses and other separates?
• What colours are good for accessories?
• What textures and fabric types do you see?
• Are there printed fabrics or just solid?
• And patterns the big and bold or fine and dainty?
• Are patterns floral, geometric, abstract, etc?

Tiffany's Wardrobe

These are the colours I'm going to mainly use for my fall, 1940s inspired wardrobe:

For Step 2, we are looking at Shapes and Silhouettes.

Looking at Tara's Pinterest board, you can see a pattern in the shapes she wants:

• A-line or soft gathered skirts and dresses
• Loose jogger style shorts/capris/pants
• Fitted t-shirts
• Looser blouses that are tucked in
• Pant and skirt waists are a bit below the natural waist (more typical today)
• Loose and long cardigans that reach below the hips

Step 2: Review Themes and Silhouettes

For this next step, look back at your Pinterest Board and/or existing wardrobe. What outfit combinations did you like? What silhouettes are common.

Tiffany's Wardrobe

It is easy to see the 1940s silhouettes in what I was picking. Here are some common garment characteristics:

• High waists
• Fitted waist
• Lots of ease in blouses
• Higher than what is now typical necklines
• A-Line skirts (not full, circle, or pencil)
• Wide leg pants
• Jackets are either fitted at the waist or boxy
• Most cardigans and sweaters are fitted at waist level or tied with a belt at the waist

Silhouette 3: Some more dressier pants and separates. I can easily mix and match this look with different style blouses. Some of the 1940s pants have a slight taper. Sometimes they have rolled cuffs. I would love to knit a cardigan or vest for colder months.

My sister is also taking part in the Spiffy Stitches Wardrobe Planning Guide! Here is her work from Step 1.

Step 1: What are you Wardrobe Requirements and Aspirations?

What are your inspirations and what are your realities? Think about what clothing gets you excited. But, also think about what tasks you do in your daily life. 

Having a practical wardrobe that is comfortable and fun! I need to be able to do every day things in my clothes- school runs, grocery store, etc.. without changing outfits!

What is your environment?

Cold and wet. Summer is short and hot. Being able to dress in layers is a must for me all year!

What stores do you like to shop at? 

Old navy - for the online ease and knowing my size. Value village when I have time to look for a bargain.

What people inspire you? They can be celebrities or just 'average joes' or how about your Aunt, etc.

Princess Kate. She wears both practical outfits and everyday outfits that are stylish, young and look comfortable.

What clothes do you currently own that feels good to wear? What kind or style of clothes are they? 

Dresses! I own two dresses that go to the floor, light and flowy for summer. My other dresses are perfect for colder days when worn with leggings!

What do you not like? What clothes or styles have you tried ended up just not being right for you? Maybe they look good on other people, but you just can't get them to work for whatever reason.

Jeans. I find them uncomfortable and very unflattering on my body type.

And here is Tara's Pinterest Board:

Introducing the Spiffy Stitches Wardrobe Planning Guide

Here we go! No time like the present to get started on planning my next wardrobe.

Step 1: What are you Wardrobe Requirements and Aspirations?

What are your inspirations and what are your realities? Think about what clothing gets you excited.
But, also think about what tasks you do in your daily life. What is your environment?

Source: Clothing Construction and Wardrobe Planning, Lewis et.al (1957)

What stores do you like to shop at? What clothing patterns companies do you like?

What people inspire you? They can be celebrities or just 'average joes' or how about your Aunt, etc.

What clothes do you currently own that feels good to wear? What kind or style of clothes are they?

What do you not like? What clothes or styles have you tried ended up just not being right for you? Maybe they look good on other people, but you just can't get them to work for whatever reason.

Start a Pinterest board and get pinning! (An Instagram or Polyvore Collection would work, too)

Tiffany's Wardrobe

I'm totally jumping on the 1940s retro bandwagon. I've loved the style for a long time and would love to make it work for me.

I live in a Northern climate and will be planning for a cooler fall/winter. I work in an office, but I also do a lot of outdoor activities.

I love pants more than skirts. But, I do love a-line skirts and dresses in the summer. I'll need some jackets and sweaters for the cooler weather.

With all this in mind, I've started a Pinterest board with what I really like.

There are so many good reasons to plan a wardrobe!

Save time and money

While it may seem counter intuitive, you can save a lot of time by planning a wardrobe first. Sure, you could run out to the store and buy whatever looks good. And yeah, you could sew that new hit sewing pattern in that lovely fabric you see at the store. But, there is a bigger chance you will end up with something you are just "meh" about rather than something you love.

Sewers out there - think about all the fabric you have stashed away. Did you really have a plan for it when you bought it? Or, you just couldn't resist, telling yourself that you would figure out something to do with it later.

For my retro wardrobe, I could probably just spend a few hundred dollars on Modcloth or something and be done. But, I'm guessing that I would end up with a lot of fails and clothes that just aren't quite right. Or you may end up with "floaters". Floaters are an item of clothing you love, but go with nothing else in your wardrobe.

This yellow sweater I made was nice, but I bought the yarn on impulse and the color was just not right for me. It ended up being donated, because I never wore it.

By spending a bit of time planning, you will avoid all these pitfalls.

It's better for the environment

Usually, if you put some forethought into what you buy/make/wear, you will probably consume less and waste less.

Some of my past sewing and knitting projects are still with me and part of my wardrobe today. Even though I sewed them over 5 years ago!

I made this shirt years ago and still love it!

Feel proud of what you are wearing

The times that I've planned my wardrobe, I found it really easy to get dressed in the morning. I had a sense of confidence in what I looked like. People around me notice and I often received compliments.

Proud me - I still love this jacket, too!

So, need help planning your wardrobe?

I've planned my wardrobe and sewing projects so many times, that I've decided to make a guide on what steps seem to work best for me. The process is broken down in easy to follow steps. More posts with all the steps to come!