Flirtini print capri pants

The trees are in full bloom, so beautiful and smelling sweet!

Why not treat yourself to a nightgown or pajamas with a cherry blossom print to herald warmer weather? The Flirtini print in dark pink, brown and green on white  is as fresh and optimistic as spring. The 100% cotton lawn fabric is soft, slightly sheer and will be cool and comfortable once we get into those hot and humid days of summer.

The shirred cup and ruffle detail at the hem are feminine and youthful, yet the slight sheerness of the fabric makes it a bit saucy, too.

In the world of retail, designers have to plan at least a season in advance in order to have time to bring the products to market. So that means I am now working on the Winter 2010/2011 line. And no, I don’t mean a polyester fleece sack with sleeves. That contraption make me shudder! If anything was designed to work as birth control, it’s that Snuggly thing. And by the way, if there ever was a fabric designed to create static cling–it’s polyester fleece. That stuff is a pet hair magnet!

No, I am talking about a set of pajamas that is soft against the body, in warm colors and fabrics that make you feel really pampered. I’m using thermal underwear as a place to design from. Why thermals? Well, they hug the body’s contours and don’t allow cold air to sneak in at the ankles and wrists. I have a pair of flannel pjs that in theory would be warm, but every time I sit down a puff of cold air comes up from the bottom through the neckline. Brr. Plus those buttons do get rather cold.

I wanted something that was long enough to cover my ankles and wrists, because I find that purchased pjs always shrink enough that the pants and sleeves end up about 2” too short.  But I haven’t forgotten the petite gals, because these are designed in a way that allows the cuffs to be folded back and actually look good. I’ve designed the legging bottoms to have a deep cuff, much like on thermal underwear but about 5” long. When it is folded back, it looks quite natural. But it can be rolled down over the ankle bone and even a bit onto the foot to keep your legs and ankles toasty. The sleeve cuffs are designed in much the same way.

I’m hoping to use either a rayon blend or silk blend jersey on these items, either of which is very soft and of course washable. I want something with just enough spandex to hug your body and provide slight support for all your jiggly bits. For you teeny boppers who don’t know what I’m talking about, just wait. Gravity is a harsh mistress! It’s nice to have something that fits and gently supports the bosom, butt and thighs…so you feel comfy but sleek and catlike.

Let’s talk about another issue I have always had with pjs and sweatpants, which I sometimes wear around the house in the winter. The waistband! I hate the big, bulky waistbands. I don’t particularly want to have a corrugated tummy after having worn a pair of sweats or pjs bottoms. Why do they have to dig into me like that? The answer is, they shouldn’t. My leggings have a nice smooth waistband using the gentle stretch of the jersey and a soft drawstring. No more corrugated tummy.

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Designer’s Note: Establishing a Mood

When I design,  I start with a mood.  How do I want to feel when I am wearing this? How do I want others to perceive me when I’m wearing this? What’s the context?

Sure, it sounds a little extreme for lighthearted, flirty sleepwear. But you have to remember, my background is in costume design, so I tend to characterize my designs a bit more than other fashion designers. Let me give you an example of how a particular style came to be.

A few years ago I took a trip to Ireland, and of course we did the required shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills. I bought a nightgown, and proceeded to fold it and store it for an “occasion,” whatever that might be. Finally I thought: this is silly, I should just wear it.

The nightgown is fairly simple: an unshaped, a-line calf length gown of soft white cotton, with a few rows of cotton lace and a deep ruffle at the hem. The straps have long satin ties at the shoulder. It doesn’t particularly fit my body (it’s pretty much just a sack), but it makes me feel cute and feminine. Therein lies the magic, and it inspired me to design the Spring 2010 line of cotton lawn pieces for Sweet Revenge Lingerie.

Photo by Polina Osherov

Here is what I was picturing as I designed, for example, the Flirtini print camisole and Capri pajama set. It’s a hot July evening, the windows are open and crickets are doing their thing. I’ve got a bottle of nail polish open as I’m finishing off the last few toes. I don’t think my husband (or anyone else, for that matter) cares if my toes are painted or not, but it makes me happy.  I’m halfway through that Nevada Barr mystery that‘s sitting next to me on the couch, and the cats are busy watching for rabbits out the windows. I’m wearing a very lightweight cotton camisole and Capri pants–with ruffles–and I feel comfortable, cute and relaxed. There is no elastic to bite into me, no scratchy lace to make me itch. I just feel cute.

This is how the Flirtini print camisole and Capri set came to be.

Capri back waist drawstring detail

Capri pants hem detail

Photo by Polina Osh

Pictured at right is the Flirtini pajama set in 100% cotton lawn. We are offering the pieces for sale separately, so that you can buy the best size for your top and bottom.  Fit is very important, so we’ve added in adjustable straps and adjusted the cup size and shape to fit the larger sizes just as well as it fits the smaller sizes. (No more empire line that hits at mid-bust.)

The capris are cut roomy at the waist, but you can adjust them to fit just right with the back waist drawstring. Side seam pockets and a button fly front add just the right details to make these cute pj pants a hit.