Thank you for the warm welcome you gave our new Richdale Tap Shorts pattern! I hope you are having fun sewing them.
Now let us dive into the world of designer lingerie / pyjama shorts and see what fun bits of inspiration we can gather.
1. BAROQUE HIGH CONTRAST
photo credit Marjolaine
This black and white color combination reminds me of Christian Lacroix's designs in the 1990s. With the technique of the lace cutouts, you can truly create rococo flair by choosing a lace pattern that mimics the scrolling curves of late baroque architecture, and pairing high contrast, vibrant colors.
2. SIDE SLIT + MINI LACE HEM
photo credit Fleur du Mal
Side slits are cheeky and add more room for movement to the standard shape of tap shorts. Here I thought the narrow lace trim all around the edges, including around the slit, was particularly cute. You can also pick a lace that is the exact same color as your main fabric, which will give a really interesting 'raw edge' impression if you use lace that has little threads sticking out at the edges.
3. STRAIGHT DIAGONAL CUT LACE HEM
photo credit La Perla
This is a really interesting way to assemble lace and main fabric. Instead of trying to create a seamless impression by cutting out around the lace pattern, it is a strong statement about the geometric piecing together of two different textures. The assembly seam draws a straight line, and is even reinforced visually by an outward facing french seam topstitched in the center.
4. LARGE PATTERN + SPORTS SIDE SEAM
photo credit Violet & Wren
Love this so much! The choice of this big floral patterned silk is dreamy, and the pattern has a sportswear style - the front and back pieces are rounded and overlap at the side seam, with a neatly rolled and stitched edge that goes up the side seam. This style is also called Dolphin shorts or Dolfin, from the name of an American company that was making this style of shorts in the 1980s. The drawstring helps complete the athletic look!
5. RIBBED JERSEY + SHINY WAIST
photo credit Fleur du Mal
Look at this fabric: it is a super soft, stretched ribbed jersey (I advise getting 100% cotton for better comfort and breathability). The waistband is the only part made of silk, which is a nice play between shiny and matte. Note how there is also a play on the Dolphin style mentioned above, with the back pieces coming more forward than the side seam, creating a diagonal lines from waist to bottom edge and the feeling of an A-line skirt.
6. FUN PYJAMA STRIPES
photo credit Violet & Wren
An all-time favorite: find yourself a gorgeous striped silk, and go all in to create the cutest, most colorful pyjamas! This is such a classic, yet remains surprisingly fresh. I really want to try very wide stripes as well. Note that the fabric direction for the waistband is in the horizontal direction in this example - you can experiment with fabric orientation for the waist, custom drawstring made from the same fabric, and side trim. I also like the pairing of lace and stripes in the camisole, which you could also use in the shorts.
7. KHAKI / OLIVE TONES + DRAWSTRING
photo credit Princesse TamTam
Color allows to shift the style of a pattern completely. Using khaki / olive / earthy tones to create your tap shorts will bring them toward outerwear. It is in a way, a different kind of black, as these shades of greenish browns are a standard of outdoor and military clothing. Note the great texture of fabrics in this example - and the cute twill tape bow. By the way, have fun with bows - using ribbon, playing with width, etc.
8. GIANT SCALLOPED EDGE
photo credit Marjolaine
I had shown you the camisole from this collection already, and had to share the shorts again - they are just too cute. The giant scallops add an unexpected, whimsical look, and create a floating movement around the legs. Have fun with the scale of things - bigger means more theatrical, and why not?
Have you already started making your own Richdale Tap Shorts? Don’t forget to hashtag your makes with #RichdaleShorts and #OrangeLingerie so I can find them all! I can't wait to discover your creations!
