May 29, 2014

A rather exotic Colette Moneta maxi….


If you follow me on Instagram, you can’t have failed to notice the fact I spent the past few weeks inhumanly sweaty, bright red in the face, scoffing Pringles and mangos, and cuddling Vietnamese babies. Yep, I cycled 350 miles from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City in 100 degree weather for fun, as you do.
Most of the time I was squeezed into joyfully padded cycling shorts and wicking jersey tops (I will never badmouth synthetic fabrics ever again), but occasionally more modest attire was called for. A highlight of our trip was Angkor Wat – but it was quickly pointed out to Nina and I that our skintight lycra wasn’t suitable for visiting the temple (in fact, just the top level representing “heaven”, which is holier than the rest).
Luckily for me, I had another Colette Moneta maxi up my sleeve (cycling bag)!
Before I left I whipped up this up in about 2 hours, going for the short sleeved version this time, using my maxi skirt hack, and scooping out the back more. I imagined I would wear it under a rotating fan on a verandah, sipping a cocktail… but no, instead, it went on my ridiculously sweaty body and over the top of my padded shorts, having just cycled 20 miles in the heat.
Hence my err… “shiny” appearance! (I heard models have to use Vaseline for the same effect). Please also excuse the crazy sweaty hair, lack of makeup, or any other resemblance of my normal self!
Of course my Moneta TNT didn’t let me down – it’s just the right blend of comfy and swishy, and paired with my raw leather belt nicely. Only downside is that the weight of the jersey pulled the waistband down a bit (despite the fact it has elastic in it) – next time I’ll either use a lighter weight jersey, or shorten the bodice by an inch.

The dress did just the job for covering me up and helping me to narrowly avoid heatstroke that day. It also highly pleased our cycling guides, who seemed to think that I would *usually* wear cycling gear to do sightseeing, and remarked that “in their country” my dress would be seen as much nicer on a woman. Yep, dear sirs, in the US and Europe too.

Here are some final shots of Angkor Wat for you – a truly stupendous site. Did you know it’s the largest religious building in the world? Crazy. The other temples in the area are also phenomenal – some with massive smiling faces, others with miles of bas-relief carvings.

I’m thinking that I must stand a chance of being the most exotic Me Made May participant this year! How about you dear readers – do you make things to take on vacation? Where’s the craziest place you’ve worn a me made outfit?

32 thoughts on “A rather exotic Colette Moneta maxi….

  1. Yes I think you do have the most exotic MMM post this year! And the dress is amazing!

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks! i’m hoping once it goes through the wash it will recover from its Cambodian adventure!

  2. gingermakes says:

    Wow! What a trip! That is so cool! I really enjoyed What Katie Sews’ MMM pictures in Quito, but this is even more amazing! Well done! I’m off to Iceland in July, so I’ll be carefully choosing some me-mades for that trek!

    1. Jenny says:

      Yes, I want to see Iceland photos!!! Something dramatic – jumping into the blue lagoon, maybe?! I’m planning on heading there in September, so can’t wait to see your pics..

  3. Jane says:

    Beautiful! You’ve really made this pattern your own, you look fab! x

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks Jane!

  4. Michelle says:

    I love the photos! Yes the most exotic MMM location I have seen! I am about to embark on my own Moneta adventure. I can only hope that it is as nice as yours.

    1. Jenny says:

      Go for it Michelle! It’s remarkably easy to put together and I’ve loved all my versions so far

  5. LeahR says:

    You look amazing! The maxi is a perfect fit. And even sweaty, you made it glam.

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks Leah! Hopefully I’ll be a bit less sweaty in future photos 🙂

  6. Squidgy says:

    Wow! Gorgeous dress and gorgeous setting!

  7. Wow. Wow. Wow. So gorgeous! I love the print. It looks great on you. You look fabulous and positively glowing. The surrounding are beyond breathtaking. You definitely win most exotic MMM shots! 🙂

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks! The jersey is from EmmaOneSock, she never fails!

  8. “It also highly pleased our cycling guides, who seemed to think that I would *usually* wear cycling gear to do sightseeing, and remarked that “in their country” my dress would be seen as much nicer on a woman. Yep, dear sirs, in the US and Europe too.”

    Oh my gosh, TOO FUNNY!

  9. LeahR says:

    A question for you – do you know much many meters you used to make this? Trying to gauge how much fabric to buy 😉

    1. Jenny says:

      This comment has been removed by the author.

    2. Jenny says:

      Hi Leah – I squeezed an XL out of 3.5 yards

  10. tanyamaile says:

    Simply beautiful and most exotic indeed!

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks Tanya!

  11. I am jealous of the glow, I will admit. I’ve never tried Vaseline, but it sounds a lot less appealing than a 20-mile ride in 100-degree heat. (What? No amount of easy glow is worth clogged pores.)

    On to your maxi. It. Is. Marvelous. I especially love that you kept the hem swoosh instead of making a rectangle. The movement must be great. If it looks this fabulous over a biking jersey, can you imagine what’ll happen more ideal circumstances? Would humans be able to process the level of fabulous?

    1. Jenny says:

      “I’ve never tried Vaseline, but it sounds a lot less appealing than a 20-mile ride in 100-degree heat.” I think that may be the first time anyone has ever said that – congrats!

      It is delightfully swooshy. I am a woman of many swooshes. More planned. PREPARE YOURSELVES, PEOPLE.

  12. Megan says:

    How fun! The dress looks amazing, as do the photos! I hope we get to hear more about the trip. I took me-made shorts, a skort, and a dress (all quick dry poly) on a 7 day river trip through the 100-Mile River of No Return wilderness in Idaho last summer, and they definitely enhanced my trip. I hope to add a me-made bathing suit to my river trip packing list this summer, I’ll be going to the Smith River in Montana. Making clothes for adventures was one of the reasons that I started sewing to begin with since (as you may have experienced yourself), finding well performing AND cute active wear in larger sizes is VERY frustrating.

    1. Jenny says:

      Both trip and wardrobe sound amazing!! And yes it’s bizarre and frustrating that curvy women are both encouraged to do exercise and then provided with nothing to wear to do it… I went to Athleta before my trip to get a long sleeved wicking top and there was much huffing and rolling of eyes when they had to go in the back to get en XL for me. Needless to say I’m going to try activewear soon!

  13. Marjie says:

    Cycling 300 miles is amazing! I love the first picture, in the old doorway. Looks like some kind of picture you’d find in an advertisement. Your maxi dress is really amazing. Hooray for being able to pack it compactly!

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks Marje! Just ignore the crazy hat and water bottle 🙂

  14. That second photo is amazing. You’re like a carven caryatid.

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks! Though I did have to google that 😀

  15. Absolutely lovely, Jenny! I am digging the lowered back on this version. It’s such a subtle, pretty variation. Incidentally, I don’t think anyone else would look half so glamorous after day of cross-country biking. You’re gorgeous and glowing!

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks m’lady! I was a bit conservative on the scooping because I didn’t want my bra to peek out, but I like the look. I was actually on the verge of sunstroke and passing out that day, but glad it didn’t come across in the photos !

  16. You look beautiful, and those curves – wow! I’m just lumpy, but console myself by saying, well you are 68, you are entitled to be carrying some extra weight, lol! But you, my dear, look fabulous! X x x

Let me know what you think!