this is a little after the event, but I did want to record my analysis of the clothes that I took on my recent trip - for next time.
I spent time making dresses for this trip and in summary, it wasn't the most successful endeavour. One dress I had to abandon altogether, and the other 2 were not 'cool enough'. I have never been to anywhere anything like as humid as Santo Domingo and of course I was out on the streets all day everyday. As my notes say, the fitted lined bodice of the blue and white dress was not very comfortable ( if I had been a good girl and had less scones before I went away, this might have not been just an issue)
I would like to live in dresses all the time, but they do take up more room than separates and require more washing effort. BTW, I hand washed my outfits each evening, gave them 10 minutes with the hair dryer and despite the humidity were ready to wear (if needed) 24 hours later. The secret pockets which I sew in between the box pleats of my favouirte dress pattern works like a treat. I also temporarily sewed inside pockets into my two skirts and these worked too- though it was a "I am accessing a money belt to get my credit card out" type of procedure to access. (Unlike my dress secret pockets which was so easy to use.)
My skirt was a bad decision As my notes say, it was my favourite skirt from my fat days( 4 years ago I weighed 22 kgs more!) and as my favourite skirt was a little fitted so sewing in an inside pocket, and I didn't have any other skirts quite suitable, I made a last minute decision to modify it(take in with multiple darts in the yoke) I used to love this skirt so much, but it feel way too full, and too heavy for the humidity- plus the modification made the ruffle go haywire. I do have plans to cut it up and make a slim-Liz version - and A line version just below the knee (my favourite length at the moment)
I have lots of ideas swimming in my head for better outfits for hot humid weather (looser fitting but still with shape, bias binding edging (no lining, no facing etc)... but if I go to a cooler climate next year (like the UK) I will have to think a little more to make it adaptable for different temperatures. I also want to sketch my ideas for the 'perfect' sketching outfit and then of course I have to start sewing again. How about make some dresses for summer?! rather than sewing them in winter and have the first wear on a trip.
