FINISHED! Bubble Shorts

I really like the Colette Iris shorts. They are a great pair of classy shorts and the ones I made with my giveaway denim are on high rotation in my wardrobe. I plan to make another pair, but I also like a slightly slouchier, baggier short.

For ever I have had a pair of shorts pinned on my pinterest board from Hello Beautiful The problem is that they are for a little girl. Not a woman of substantial more years...but I didn't care and continuted to think about them. Oh who cares about age appropriate! 
I was down at the fabric shop on Saturday for no other reason than it was Saturday and they are closed on Sunday and I have a voucher so was looking for something to do (!!!?) and found some navy linen which reminded me that I wanted to make a pair of baggy/cuffed shorts. I then started flicking through the pattern books (which I never do) for shorts patterns and found Burda 7227 which I figured looked easy enough and sort of the same style.  So given all the patterns were half price I bought it and 1.4 m (as per pattern). By the way, I was surprised that these shorts would need that much fabric but there you go.
Once I got home I googled the pattern and  found the cheekychacha had made them for her daughter. Not sure what to say about my style icons! A 5 year old and a tween.. feeling a bit like a phoney making a burda 'young' pattern I continued. I wanted them to be slightly 'rounder' than the pattern picture, so cut out the 12 although realistically should have cut the 10 as there is a bit too much fabric around the waist which you can see bunching up a bit in the photos. 
The make is easy but seemed to take me quite a while to finish. I used elastic in the waist as per the pattern  but instead of putting elastic in the legs, gathered (not very evenly sadly) the legs and added the cuff on. 
There's not much more to say except that pocket sits pretty low so it's hard to comfortably put your hands in - I feel like I have to lean down.  Clearly made for someone with longer arms.
I think this is a semi success. I'm a fan of these shorts despite the fact that they might not be the most flattering thing I own. I feel very comfortable in the style.  It feels me. The only thing is that despite wanting a slouchy, casual elastic waisted short, I now feel that the elastic in the waist lets it down and I probably should have looked harder for a style with a  zip closure.

But will I wear them? You bet! In fact I'm going to wear this exact outfit to work tomorrow for 'casual' friday.

The shorts are of course paired with my Valentino Silk Scout tee and yes, I have to take those Christmas lights out of the garden this weekend!

38 comments:

  1. So few people could get away with this look - but you are one of those people!

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  2. The blouse and the shorts look great together! You have great style!!

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  3. They look very cute. I'm pretty sure burdastyle has a puffy short pattern that is a bit gathered at the hemline.....nice work!

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  4. You are so stylish! I like the risks you take, and I think this one totally paid off.

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  5. Cute! You can totally rock that style, but I hear you about the elastic waist. I tried to find another women's pattern for you, but I also had no luck! If you are super clever you could try grading up a children's pattern (you're pretty small). In which case there's Clever Charlotte's Finch Top and Shorts (though they only go a size 8). http://shop.clevercharlotte.com/product_p/p11101.htm They are super cool!

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  6. They are extremely cute - but not cutesy due to the linen. Love them, and their pairing with your silk blouse.

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  7. I too love bubble shorts and your pair has me thinking maybe I should try a pair for myself... :) While it looks great in the photos you're probably right in that a zipper and waistband instead of an elastic waist would make it read grown up. :)

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  8. Your style influences made me laugh as I quite often find myself admiring the clothes of young girls! I love the cuffs on these & like Rachel says, the linen keeps them out of super cutesy territory.

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  9. It looks good on you! You have lovely legs that can carry off this design. hmmm ... I have often thought that many of the best clothes around are kids' clothes and I often wonder why they don't have designs like that for grown ups :)

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  10. You look really cute and I love them! Navy makes them look really smart. I think in a suiting fabric they would be work appropriate on the other non-casual days too :)

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  11. These look great! I love them with the Valentino Tee, but I imagine they'd also look very cool with a casual t-shirt and flats.

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  12. Oh I LOVE a pair of slouchy, non-form-fitting shorts - the comfort factor is right up there. And I really like yours and disagree - I think they look fabulous! Maybe between you and I we can start a slouchy short revolution ;)

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  13. These look great on you Kirsty. Who says slouchy shorts should only be for kids? - you rock these ones :)

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  14. ^^ this exactly :-)


    If they feel a bit slouchy how about just dressing them down? I bet they'd look great with some sandals or converse or something. Rock the kid look :-)

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  15. I think when it feels 'you' it's possible to get away with almost anything. I loved wearing these shorts today.

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  16. Thanks Angela! That is such a nice thing to say.

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  17. Thanks Sarah. I did find one but it looked too tailored - which is funny because now I think these aren't tailored enough - but I still love them.

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  18. Thanks!!! Oh you should make another for her as they look great in the photo! They are pretty cute shorts.

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  19. Thanks Jo! Oh I"m so going to rock the kid look as well, in fact tomorrow I'll probably wear them again with sandals or sneakers. It still makes me laugh that I made a 'young' pattern when I'm so far from that - but not at heart and attitude and that's what matters!

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  20. Thanks so much for your research!! How cute is clever charlotte! I'd never heard of them - though I never sew cute girls things (:() . I really like those tonia shorts - with a little bit more width they would be great. I'm going to pin those for a pair of winter shorts!!I love shorts and stockings in winter. .. oh one day I'll have to dress age appropriate :)

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  21. Thanks Rachel. I wore this outfit today and funnily I actually felt pretty dressy!

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  22. Thanks Em, Jillian below just linked to a pair of burdastyle shorts which I think could be the next pair! You should try them too!

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  23. Yes, I can assure you that I do have other style influences but girls clothes can be so fun.

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  24. Thanks carolyn and I think so too now. I felt pretty smart in them today - this opens up a world of possibilities (with a proper waistband).

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  25. Thanks Suzy. The linen makes them feel quite dressy but yes, the next run they have will be with a more casual combination.

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  26. Thanks Melanie!! I'm so very happy to help with that revolution!!

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  27. You have definitely got the legs for this type of short - they look amazing on you. I love slouchy shorts too, but my current pair is a really poorly-made piece of RTW... nothing like this stylish pair!

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  28. Ooh those are super cute! I've pinned them so I can find them later!!

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  29. I like those pockets even if they sit lower than they should, and I like the shorts a lot. I was laughing when I read your "excuse" for being in the shop on Saturday. I should use that one.
    Oh! And there is nothing wrong with gathered, cuffed shorts, I own a pair too! :D

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  30. Okay...so I'm a bit surprised that I like these! When I read bubble shorts I thought..Oh no.... but they look so great on you. I like the low pockets. Fashion is not always functional or is it ever??? Great job Kristy for going with what you like.

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  31. Thanks Gabrielle! These are just so comfy I think there will be another pair in my future!

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  32. Merche, if you own a pair of gathered cuffed shorts, then I am in excellent company! I like the pockets too - I think the detail is right for the shorts and it also means that I can't walk around with my hands in my pockets all the time!!

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  33. Thanks Margo! I did wonder whether anyone would like them.. but I feel great wearing them so hopefully that shows.

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  34. I absolutely love these shorts. Good call on gathering and adding a cuff.

    I'm going up to london this week, and I'll make sure I buy this pattern. I'm also going to be making the victoria blazer by hand london.

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  35. Thanks so much Vittoria. I hope you enjoy making up this pattern and good luck with the blazer!

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