Readers,
News of the passing of Hubert de Givenchy reminded me that I have a pattern dating from 1960 for a suit he designed, as the envelope proudly proclaims, “exclusively for McCall’s.”
I bought it in an eBay auction about fifteen years ago, and while I don’t remember what I paid, it couldn’t have been more than $10.
I have never sewn this pattern. The waist definition and neckline are flattering for my figure type; the “sleeves in one with jacket,” not so much for my sloping shoulders. 
Maybe the right shoulder pads would remedy the problem. (Or is that wishful thinking?)
Whenever I happen upon this illustration, rifling through my pattern stash or leafing through my pattern catalogue, I imagine myself in this chic ensemble. It’s funny–I just realized that when I look at many of my other patterns I look at them more objectively as projects, as construction challenges, as units in outfits and capsules.
But without fail, when I look at this suit by Givenchy I am transported to a smart restaurant that’s worthy of it. I imagine feeling well dressed but not upstaged by what I’m wearing.
Best of all, I always imagine feeling wonderful in this outfit.
I can’t explain why, but this design captured something special for me when I saw the pattern, and it still does.
That’s staying power.
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You may be surprised at how well those kimono style sleeves fit you, especially with the gussets that give them more definition. Part of it is getting used to a slightly different kind of fit. However, when you look at the styles in older movies with these shoulders, they just look so classy! This is a wonderful pattern – aren’t you glad you own it?
Thank you for the encouragement. Since I was “diagnosed” with sloping shoulders and told that raglan and kimono sleeves were off-limits I’ve considered letting go of such patterns. But now I’m inclined to test my favorites in muslin and see for myself. I think that some garments with shoulders like this could work for me because of other elements: waist definition, neckline, vertical lines, etc. I know nothing about gussets, but they appear to be in my future. Yes, I love this pattern, and I owe it to myself to give it a go!