Everyday Poldark/Outlander? Is it possible? - YouLookFab Forum

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Everyday Poldark/Outlander? Is it possible?

Ket

Veteran

I really want to see if there is a way to make that British Poldark/Outlander style an everyday reality -- at least as 1-2 outfits to scratch my itch.

Without looking like I'm in full cosplay costuming. Or drifting into Ralph Lauren Preppy. OR... turning into frumpy 1980s outfits (oversized sweaters, with oversized bottoms, with Peter Pan collars).

I'm curvy, I'm heavier right now, I'm tall. How would this work without adding too much visual bulk? How would you go about this, dear, wise fabbers? Angie, do you have any insights?

I've attached inspiration photos. I foresee slightly narrow (not too full, despite Inspo photos) long skirts. A knit jacket. Shawls/cowls in rustic yarns. Tartan. Tweed or heathered wool. Even some slight military influence in the suiting/coats. Also, a knitted cabled "bodice" style vest. And three potential sweaters that feel I the spirit of things. (I have patterns for them.)

Note: I love the tartan culotte or split skirt trousers. Fitted through hip but wide in the leg. But it is something I would have to learn to sew, I think.

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Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

Anonymous

*carries off outfit 7*
Sweaters with texture like that are definitely going to add more bulk- so I'd keep to narrower skirts or pants. Personally, I prefer them in dark colors (after some trial and error- mostly the latter). The capes I'd throw over narrow bottoms too, like pleather leggings.

Corset style vests work well with full skirts- a la renfaire.

SarahD8

Veteran

Well, dang — now I want a pair of tartan culottes too!

Some ideas:
-bias cut skirts in substantial fabric (like a wool challis, we are not looking for little satin slip skirts here). That will give you lots of dramatic movement without a lot of bulk. Plus, bias cut tartan is soooo beautiful!

-keep skirts midaxi length for practicality.

-footwear: lace-up boot, like a granny boot or combat boot…or something halfway in between?

-love the idea of that knitted bodice. You could put it over your green Amazon dress — instant poldark silhouette, but still comfy!

-similarly a wrap sweater or cropped fitted cardi…you can pop that on with even a fairly shapeless dress and it at least gestures in the right direction. I’m thinking simple modern jersey pieces for the under layer and then you zhush them up with old timey knits. Maybe if you combine at least one modern cut/fabrication in each outfit it will keep you out of cosplay territory.

-I like that belted shawl look in 16-17. The belt will show off your hourglass shape, as well as rein in the shawl so it’s less fussy/more practical. Just have to avoid a too-voluminous shawl. I bet you could even experiment with a scarf or something you already have on hand?

-yes to knitted jackets, and slightly military details…like a cardi with epaulettes.

I think your dark autumn palette will serve you well here and help avoid the preppy.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

You could wrap a large plaid scarf over you like a wrap, and belt it. You can also throw a traditional yarn cardigan over a long skirt, and belt it. You can wear a yarn or plaid poncho over a skirt. Turtlenecks in jewel tones with wool pants and pearl hair accessories.

Volume on volume is a look that curvy young people seem to own lately. They don't seem worried by looking unflattering. So that is a consideration, too.

Dee

Veteran

For an everyday modern casual Poldark inspired outfit, this blogger went with corduroy jeans in a rich jewel tone, or perhaps do a skirt version. Add cable/fair isle sweaters, knitted scarves, leather or suede Chelsea boots and I think that you’d capture the vibe without looking costumey.

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RobinF

Veteran

Ooh big fan of Outlander (the books mostly, the series too but I haven't watched all of it) and Poldark.

Looks like lots of plaid. I love Sarah's idea of diagonal plaid, so modern and fun. And fitted knits which would work well with your style.

Ginger

Veteran

A lot of these components remind me of Emmy Design's Edwardian stylings:

https://www.emmydesign.se/en/w...../?72014805 (make sure the pricing is set to US, excluding VAT)

Lots of tweed and knits, autumnal colors in the fall/winter collections, midaxi and maxi skirts. Many different knitted cardigan/jacket and sweater designs, and a full knit dress. Some things are 100 years more recent than your inspiration but I think some of these could be remixed to fit your inspiration.

As for not adding bulk, I wear similar styles, am tall-ish and very curvy in a pear/hourglass way. I balance bulk with a close fit in other places, mostly my waistline. Sometimes the bulk of a skirt or cardigan actually helps make the waist looks smaller than it would look with a narrow skirt. The knit waistcoats in your inspiration will do just that! And belts. I like wide belts for me, since I am high-waisted and slightly low-busted; the space of the belt adds a lot of structure. (Narrow belts look like a string tied around a pillow sometimes...)

I love the idea of short laced up boots, too. For sewing culottes, I think the 70s did it best. You might look around for a vintage pattern with similar lines.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Some great suggestions here already! I'll admit that I have not seen either TV show, so please take my suggestions with a grain of salt, but have you checked out Seasalt Cornwall lately?

I know I know I'm a broken record about this brand lol, but I suspect they might help with the 'everyday' aspect of your intended looks. E.g. I'm thinking of their cable knit/ fairisle/ merino wool knit boxy but slightly cropped cardigans or sweater vests (if you wanted something less bulky but still flattering), fine-wale corduroy trousers they have in jewel tones (as someone else mentioned above), or the curved hem cotton turtlenecks that work great in something like #13 of your original post (search for the Tern Tide cardigan, Lamledra trousers & Landing top respectively - on phone so no photos/ links, sorry!)

They may not have the 'sharper' pieces in your looks above (like the tartan culottes or laceup corseted jacket), but as others have said you may have better luck secondhand/ vintage for those - I'm thinking something like Seasalt could help 'bridge' the dressy inspiration to your 'real' practical needs.

Even if you don't order from them specifically, I still recommend browsing their looks this season because they have some great colours for Deep Autumns (amongst all their usual blues & ditsy florals of course lol). I've seen some interesting colour combinations that could work with the multiple textures you like (teal, plum, rust, chocolate, emerald etc).

As for making this work with curves, the most important thing there is fit - like Ginger said, definition*somewhere* (like the waist) can offset bulk elsewhere. For example, Seasalt has trousers with an elasticated back but a clean front, or cotton with stretch etc. That sort of juxtaposition can be really useful for curvy, fluctuating weight. Another technique would be simple basics (or 'modern classics') that fit well, then adding your 'vibe' with the accessories instead (e.g. a turtleneck with a giant blanket scarf for drama, Victorian laceup boots worn with textured socks, etc). You get the idea

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Hey Ket, did you see today's blog post? The Weekly Roundup? Check out the Boden Canterbury velvet coat in emerald. It's perfect for this style. https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us.....-u0163-spt

Ket

Veteran

suntiger, yes to the narrow bottoms! I do think the way to keep it modern will be managing the volume. So I'm glad you reminded me of that. I have been wanting both a cape AND pleather leggings. So I'm taking this as the nod to get these... Outfit 7 is so wearable, isn't it? And the colors are just achingly good!!

SarahD8, gosh you extrapolated so many good things from my photos! Thank you I very much want to find and try some bias cut skirts and bias cut tartan. So I have some inspiration yet again for whenever I get to begin sewing. Belted shawls: I used to wear these a ton! I kind of lost confidence after health stuff. But maybe I will try again with a lightweight blanket shawl...

Carol, I actually have done the belted wrap/scarf though not recently. (Kind of regaining my confidence after a long season.) I love the idea for more turtlenecks. Those are my jam. Interesting you point out volume on volume trend. For some reason I have avoided it lest I look short and wide. I suppose I still have very much old ideas about flattering oneself in clothing versus not letting the clothes be the boss. ALSO! Yes, I just saw that coat too in the weekly roundup! It is KILLER! out of my budget at the moment, but I'm still keeping it in mind. I thrifted a very nice Liz Claiborne velvet blazer years ago. It was impeccably tailored, if a bit short in the arms for me. I still regret ever letting it go.

Dee, ahhh! Such a great example! I love knitting myself sweaters, and this is a great way to wear them.

Robin, yes to tartan and plaid!! I really need to get some more. It's on my (ever growing) list. It came up big for me when I did a new Pinterest board.

Ginger, That Emmy label is new to me! So I will be looking at their items. Thank you so much for the first-hand dressing examples!! I love having someone in a similar body shape to compare. That helps a lot! I will take a look at 70s vintage patterns. I used to have some but don't anymore. Really loved a lot of the styling rom that decade!

Zaeobi, you know I actually don't remember you mentioning Seasalt Cornwall! So not a broken record to me I very much love trousers with back elastic; it's much easier, as you pointed out. I love your idea bout jazzing up basics. I think I struggle somewhat because I actually don't have a lot of basics. I have had some basics in the past, but they have to be just right or I feel extremely bored and plain wearing them, no matter what accessories and extras I wear with them. But I am taking note of this so I can find/make some... because I know it could be good.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ket, I have little to add! The Fabbers have nailed it, and I know you will nail your everyday "Outlander Next Door" style with panache.

I vote get some stretchy waist cinching belts for big wraps, cardigans and the like. That's an easy and comfy addition - pic #17.

How about some felt hats?

Boiled wool toppers!

Vintage buttons!

Ket

Veteran

Angie, I love being here. It is such an amazing community of kindred spirits. ♥

That is a great idea re: stretchy cinching belts! I have one that I love but need and want more. I will add that too the list.

I didn't consider felt hats!! Do you mean like 70s floppy style? Or more like a felted, larger beret?

I love the idea of boiled wool toppers and vintage buttons! I've slowly began purchasing vintage buttons for my knits, and I'm enjoying them very much. I had a 1960s vintage boiled wool jacket once but rehoused it when we moved to the tropics. Wish I had it now! More for my to-buy list : D

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We love having you here, Ket

I was thinking of a cloche and floppy '70s hat. A beret sounds amazing too!

You can get great boiled wool jackets on Etsy. Check out Mod Cloth too.

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AJ

Veteran

All the inspiration photos make me swoon!! So excited for your style journey! Please keep us updated!

BlueJay

Veteran

Oooh! Loads of texture in all these photos! I can see you in lots of these outfits. I think the ladies have you sorted, but this post has given me some ideas for combining clothes in new ways. I will be following your journey with interest, Ket!

Indigoprint

Veteran

Just fer saying the costuming in both Outlander and Poldark are said to be quite authentic....so those clothes worked for them...

Ket

Veteran

AJ and BlueJay I’m so glad you’re both inspired too! I will try to put together some outfits soon. I rwalixe that I probably don’t have much to wear that’s even close to Poldark inspired ha! So it may take some time before I get there. But def going to try this all at when I can!

Indigoprint yes the costuming is very authentic! And I do hear what you’re saying. I’ve followed ladies who do dress like this everyday and it’s lovely. But I just want some touches of it, a whisper of the idea, for many reasons.

Jonesy

Veteran

Sure, these looks could be adopted for everyday! Plaids, tweeds, rich knits, full skirts, and a nice brown belt would go a long way, I'd think.