On occasion an MPB reader will ask me for fashion or sewing advice. It's flattering!
A few days ago, reader "Mouse" emailed me the following:
I recently purchased a quantity of white denim with the intention of making summer pants with it. However, any time I bring it up my mother says "Really? Do you REALLY want to make white pants? White fabric? Are you sure?"
She seems to think that they are evil incarnate because they will show dirt and stain easily, but I don't have much trouble with white shirts, and I don't see how white pants could be all that bad. As far as practicality goes, what do you think of white pants? Could you perhaps consult your readers?
***
***
I love white pants, especially in the summer. I've sewn my own white pants twice: first, in denim (above) three years ago as part of my jeans sew-along, and last year (below), in linen.
Both pairs have gotten a lot of use, though I no longer wear the denim pair often as there's too much lycra in the fabric for my taste. I just wore the white linen pants to the beach (!) last Thursday, and again on my Sunday vlog. They're lightweight, fit nicely, and are super-comfortable.
I was carrying a black waxed canvas bag the day I went to the beach and (not for the first time) they stained my pants a bit. (The pants, in turn, left linen fuzz on the bag -- grrrr.)
One of my methods for removing stains from white fabric is to sprinkle baking soda on the stain, pour white vinegar on the baking soda (which results in a fizzy paste), work the area with an old toothbrush, and then launder as usual (generally without bleach; I hate bleach). I learned about this online, and it's especially effective on light-colored or white shirt collars (as in, ring around the....).
Coincidentally, I laundered my linen pants this morning and the stains all came out.
But are white pants practical? Well, not if by "practical" you mean something that you can wear day after day, toss in the laundry once a month, and not look like you spent the night in an alley. But in my opinion, nothing looks as cool and summery and, yes, elegant.
In closing, readers, for Mouse's sake (and my own), what are your thoughts about white pants (and white clothes in general)?
Are they too impractical to bother with, especially if you're going to sew them yourself?
Any additional hints on keeping white clothes white -- or dealing with mothers who quash our enthusiasm?
Thanks!
Both pairs have gotten a lot of use, though I no longer wear the denim pair often as there's too much lycra in the fabric for my taste. I just wore the white linen pants to the beach (!) last Thursday, and again on my Sunday vlog. They're lightweight, fit nicely, and are super-comfortable.
I was carrying a black waxed canvas bag the day I went to the beach and (not for the first time) they stained my pants a bit. (The pants, in turn, left linen fuzz on the bag -- grrrr.)
One of my methods for removing stains from white fabric is to sprinkle baking soda on the stain, pour white vinegar on the baking soda (which results in a fizzy paste), work the area with an old toothbrush, and then launder as usual (generally without bleach; I hate bleach). I learned about this online, and it's especially effective on light-colored or white shirt collars (as in, ring around the....).
Coincidentally, I laundered my linen pants this morning and the stains all came out.
But are white pants practical? Well, not if by "practical" you mean something that you can wear day after day, toss in the laundry once a month, and not look like you spent the night in an alley. But in my opinion, nothing looks as cool and summery and, yes, elegant.
In closing, readers, for Mouse's sake (and my own), what are your thoughts about white pants (and white clothes in general)?
Are they too impractical to bother with, especially if you're going to sew them yourself?
Any additional hints on keeping white clothes white -- or dealing with mothers who quash our enthusiasm?
Thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment