Monday Makes & Finds: Decades of Style 1940s Empire Waist Trousers

Trousers.  

My jeans just are not enough anymore, and I can't bring myself to wear my work slacks while hanging about the house working on projects and entertaining the corgis.  Even for running errands I was feeling a bit formal & over-dressed.  I needed some practical, yet stylish pants.  

 

I put it on my to-sew list for Spring/Summer, but just didn't get to it--and probably a good thing too.  I originally had this Simplicity pattern ear-marked for a pair in green linen:

Looking at it again a few months' later, I've realized that it is totally the wrong size and that grading that up would cause more pain and suffering than I am willing to go through right now.  Also, I fell in love with this inspiration:

I 💖 Vivien Leigh.  So sassy.  So cool.

 Wide legged trousers would be the way to go to satisfy my 1940s wardrobe needs. 

These are similar to Vivien's, but a *little* too pricey for me.

 But, lo!  In the pattern stash is this gem:

   

 

It seems simple enough, cozy enough, stylish enough, AND is close enough to my size that alterations shouldn't be an issue.  Re-assessing my wardrobe for Fall/ Winter, I find that my trusty black wide-leg pants are looking rather sad & need to be replaced.  It is decided: I will take one in green linen & one in black gabardine.  House elves, start sewing.  

Sadly it doesn't work like that. 

That said, and despite the fact that I have not previously sewn many pairs of pants-let alone attempted a cuff!--the first pair came together pretty easily & quickly.  Sadly, they do not have pockets, but I may adjust & add some in future. 

 

There are things that I could do better & may do a little differently for the black pair (like a longer zipper for a smoother back closure), but honestly, these are comfy and check all the right boxes.  

I am pleased.

I do apologize for the terrible lighting & blurred photos.  I blame Mercury.