Sport Skirt Origins

It's really amazing that I was finally able to release my 1st PDF sewing pattern -- a design I dubbed the "sport skirt" for some reason. 

I think it's because it reminded me of ready-to-wear "sportswear" and I didn't have any other creative names at the time, but it stuck. 

I have long had this skirt (shown below) which is a skirt from NYC brand, Brooklyn Industries. I used to work for them long, long ago and it was a fun time. This orange skirt has been a favorite of mine for many years -- I loved the ease of it and all-season wearability. It was great with graphic tees and even dressier tops! 

So really, with my Sport Skirt variation which I created in about 2016-ish I sought to re-create the body of this skirt (super simple design) but adding another favorite of mine, these crazy contrast slash pockets. 

The pocket design came off of a dress pattern that I called "The Mix n Match Dress" in which I was going to have various pieces for the body of the dress -- different sleeves, pockets, collars.... That never came to full fruition, but these pockets did! (Below.)

Of course, I ended up shortening the pockets proportionately for the Sport Skirt, but the idea is basically the exact same. 

I really think this skirt can be done in SO many different colors, prints, etc. I would love to see someone somehow incorporate a stretch cording between the contrast pieces. I am not good at cording at all, so I will let someone else try that out!

The testers who tried this skirt out had some really beautiful makes. The best part of all of this has been seeing everyone else's interpretation. One of my core beliefs about fashion and design is that it should be fun and it should always feel like YOU. 

That, and it's more than ok to break the rules. Long ago when I was in fashion school, I had teachers who mentioned that pockets should NEVER go on the front of a skirt because then the ladies would look "lumpy and bumpy".  Ever notice how many times women's clothing doesn't have pockets at all? This is (or was) done on purpose, especially in the early 00's! 

But I know that ladies tend to love pockets. That's why this skirt has pockets and even better, the pockets have a stylish contrast design. I love that the slash pocket is more or less hidden until you have your hands in your pockets. 

So, yeah I placed giant pockets on the front of a skirt! Rules are made to be broken. 

Make sure if any of you make it, you hashtag #manicpopsportskirt ! I would love to do a feature of all the makers of this skirt out there. It's a fun one! 

Oh yeah, buy the sewing pattern here!!!