Sunflowers for Oonapalooza

At first I wasn't quite sure what made me think of using this Tessuti remnant for another pair of Esthers. But I realise now that I was catching Palooza vibes, shot at me from afar by the great Oona of Kalkatroona. And I'm very glad I had my radar out, because just look at those shiny, polyester sunflowers. They might not make the coolest shorts for summer, but they most certainly make me smile!

 

I'm not going to say much about these shorts, because let's face it, you've already heard enough. This is my fourth pair of Esthers. I'm smitten with the fit. I've worn my first pair to an early grave and the other two are alternated daily. I'm positioning this new pair for winter, most likely paired with a pair of black tights and a neoprene top, and I'm dreaming of making a leather pair next. I would have loved to match those flowers better, but with the small length of fabric I had, pattern matching was simply not an option.

 

So let's talk about the neoprene top then. It's simply a rehash of V8840. You've seen it before here and here. I did make a few changes to the pattern:

• skimmed a few inches off the neckline and introduced a deep front V
• ditched the back closure and the back seam
• added a few parallel stitching lines along the CF as a design feature
• cropped the length to my natural waist
• drafted a graduated pleated peplum

Now some might say this outfit should have stopped with the shorts, and normally, it most likely would have. The shorts are fabulous on their own. I could have paired them with a simple black top. Leather would have been nice. But no, I just couldn't stop. I had to fish out my sunburst neoprene, add faux leather sleeves, and big dramatic ruffles. Yes, this top is a little over the top, especially paired with shiny sunflowers. I blame Oona.

 

I will say though, that I think it perfectly matches my shorts. It will also be a great layer in dressing for my first Kansas winter, particularly when paired with some more sedate looking jeans. And you know what, if I get lost in the snow, I will always be found. So perhaps I've gotten the voices confused. I've been confusing the wicked Oona with a most safety-conscious version of herself. For the sake of Oonapalooza, I amped up the camp in this photo shoot. Miss Six was most amused!