Austrian Fabrication Love

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I'll try and explain this point as succinctly as possible and it is probable that not many will get this post to the same degree but here goes anyway…

At my secondary school, the attitude towards school uniform was pretty relaxed… you could wear docs with trousers, change up the shirt a bit and wear different styles of skirts etc so long as you wore the cardigan or jumper with the school stripe.  I'm not sure whether it was a peer group thing or the way the jumpers were fitted but with their slightly too-long sleeves, I developed a nervous tick of always pulling them over my hands, with the thumbs digging into the cuffs so that eventually they'd cut through the knit and develop holes.  I think on days when I was stressing out about grades, homework and generally feeling like a dumbass mediocrity when compared to the other geniuses in my year, the holes got particularly big and so by the end of each year, the sleeve ends would resemble something like one of those purposely shredded t-shirts. 

Nowadays, I watch out for my thumbnails lest they're in danger of damaging a perfectly good long sleeve t-shirt but the prerequesite of having slightly too long sleeves for me to protect my hands with their cosiness is still of the utmost importance.  Lately, I've acquired two tops that I think remind me of everything that was good about sleeve dragging/stretching and why by nature, I'm particularly prone to doing it.  They also happen to be in fabrics that I've never really come across and are perfect sleeve stretching material, which is part of the reason why I'm so glad to be reacquainted with my slightly odd school habit.  The first is a Day Birger et Mikkelsen sheer-ish long-sleeved black dress/top that I've been layering with a lot and has already succumbed to my fidgety fingers due to its delicately soft weave.  It's made from a fabic called Lyocell also called Tencel, which is produced by an Austrian fabric group called Lenzing.  Sleeve dragging ability – 10 out of 10.  Expect holes in this one by the end of the year after the stress of fashion week…     

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DSC_2608(Boudicca white dress, H&M holey top, vintage lace trousers from Urban Collection, Fannie Schiavoni chain dress, LD Tuttle shoes)

The second is an Omar Kashoura cardigan that is actually the boyf's new A/W 09 purchase.  It landed on my desk sometime last week and I couldn't stop putting it against my cheek because it's seriously the softest fabric I've ever touched.  The fabric is also another Lenzing product called MicroModal.  I spent a good half an hour or so reading out everything from the website out loud in a really poor German accent until the boyf told me to shut up.  It's even more sheer than the Lyocell and my thumbs are itching to dig into those cuffs but alas it has a sleeve dragging ability of 0 because Steve would probably throw my shoes out into the gutter if I made even an inkling of a hole in this beat of a grey jersey cardi…

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DSC_2635(Michael Angel top, Jens Laugesen trousers, Luella Shoes)

37 comments

  2. Ha, I know the exact feeling – I went through a similar phase as a teenager though not wearing anything very stylish. We didn’t have uniforms at school so I lived in oversized sweaters – also very good for dragging over your hands. My mum used to go crazy at me – all my jumpers/sweaters had grubby cuffs that were full of holes! 🙂
    CJJ

  5. I really love the second outfit, the cardigan looks all snuggly. The colours of the top are amazing, and the Luella shoes are just fabulous! Gorgeous.
    Florrie x

  8. I just got a cardigan from M&S that is perfect for snuggling and have to recommend it – I have pretty much lived in it since I got it!
    It is a similar colour and fabric to your boyfs cardi but it is an unusual shape as the front of it drapes lower than the back making outfits look extra slouchy 😀 perfection for A/W!
    x

  9. the cardigan really looks super soft&comfy, but can something that see through really be warm?
    i’d love to hear you doing a german accent 😀

  10. This is why I love blogging, nowhere else will you find someone to discuss the importance of fabric and sleeve length!!! One of the hardest things is finding the perfect layering fabric tops, I have two vests that are 65%polyester 35% cotton and are the softest, warmest yet thinest vests ever. I also have the habit of pulling up my knees under my jumper which I did since school! Though I went off doing that for a while when attemted on my office swivel chair and got stuck, in a heel / jumper situation!
    x

  13. I absolutely love anything modal/micromodal/viscose/rayon (and all those spun cellulose fibers). They basically make the softest, most comfortable garments, perfect for layering. I buy vests/cardis/tops made of the stuff in bulk if I spot them at stores like Zara and the like…definitely a staple!

  14. I love the second one, it looks very soft! And I love it more because the of the trousers and shoes it is paired with! x

  15. My secondary school was fairly strict on uniform…I’ve not managed to wear a blazer since. But our crappy school jumpers had the long baggy sleeves and mine were always grubby and full of holes.
    That first outfit…the mind boggles at the different layers. I don’t know how you do it Susie! I’m pretty sure I’d look fat and frumpy if I tried something similar. The photos of the second outfit doesn’t look like you for some reason. Something about the hair and your direct stare in the second photo. Boyfriend cardigans are the best 🙂

  17. I haven’t quite grown out of my cardigan pulling habits. Mine would end up with only a thread or two holding it together.
    Second outfit is lush!

  18. Tencell is an amazing fabric! I can understand the urge to tug and stretch. I’m with the boyf, though; don’t ruin that cardigan!!

  20. I can’t help but notice that you look ekstra good lately. Your hair is so thick and nice and your face looks very fresh. Have you been on a spa or something?;)
    Love all your new photos by the way:)

  21. Yup, I’ve just had my hair cut…not dramatically so of course!
    Hek: I’m not really a fan of spa treatments but thank you for saying so…. watch as I progressively look worse and worse throughout fashion weeks…

  22. Sometimesi Really want to do the holey thing but sometimes it really bugs me when my sleeves are too long. It really depends on the garment. I really love both these outfits, especially the 2nd!

  23. Gorgeous outfits, Susie (of course!)! I’m so jealous of your Fannie Schiavoni chain, and LOVE the Luella’s!
    xx

  32. lyocell – seems to rule. how interesting to read about this highly advanced fibre, and its use in avantgarde fashion, on your blog. always good for a stopover (or more…)

  35. Bloody love the shoes.
    Colours of that top are awesome
    And the pants are genious.

  37. Nowadays, I watch out for my thumbnails lest they’re in danger of damaging a perfectly good long sleeve t-shirt but the prerequesite of having slightly too long sleeves for me to protect my hands with their cosiness is still of the utmost importance.

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