Cold Weather Tip for Butterfly, Bisht, Isdal, and Milhafa Overhead Abaya-Wearers

The abaya trend right now has been all about the butterfly and bisht styles, which often don't have defined t-shape arms, and we all know milhafa style overhead abayaat don't do too well with a coat. For those of us that don't live somewhere warm, coats are necessary since abayaat fabrics tend to be lighter (and if they are not we die indoors anyways). My solution in the past has been too wear a tonne of sweaters underneath or don't them at all when it's cold of wet out. Well, if you can find or sew yourself a good updated version of the 1920s cocoon coat, you have the perfect coat to layer on overtop of the wider fuller cut abayaat. Burberry was selling some practical and mod takes on the cocoon coat but they were out of my budget so I got a pattern like this one http://www.fabric.com/notions-patterns-sewing-patterns-by-category-coat-jacket-patterns-macphee-workshop-cocoon-coat-pattern.aspx. and this one http://www.voguefabricsstore.com/store/catalog/Patterns-Folkwear-260-Sunburst-Cocoon-Coat-p-1695.html. I'd love a cocoon coat made in a light weight denim. There also some pretty light weight cocoon sweaters floating around, perfect for layering. So in the winter I will wrap myself up in a little warm cocoon coat, and in the spring emerge a beautiful butterfly. Also, cape coats are good combo for outdoors excursions for those butterflies that don't like to go into hibernation.
And here are some links for cape coat patterns http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/F1405.htm?search=cape&page=1 and http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/F9653.htm?search=cape&page=1.

Comments

Stephanie said…
That's a really good idea Pixie. A nice heavy wool shawl or cape would work nicely too until the weather got really cold. Right now its starting to warm up quite a bit here, so I'm on the hunt for light shaylas that aren't see through and still give coverage. Not an easy task sometimes.
ummu qais said…
love the grey one. and the last coat, such clever cover up for butterfly abaya. though i not often wear butterfly, not practical if goin' out with the kids.

-ummqais-