10 Fall Ready-to-Wear Looks You Can Sew
Fall is one of my favorite seasons for sewing because there are so many opportunities to play with layers, texture, and interesting silhouettes. This year’s ready-to-wear collections are filled with wide-leg jeans, barrel-leg pants, cropped jackets, detailed button-up shirts, and polished matching sets.
I pulled together 10 ready-to-wear fall looks and paired each one with sewing patterns and fabrics you can use to recreate it. Some are very approachable for newer garment sewists, while others include simple pattern hacks that let you add the details that made the original outfit stand out.
Several members of the TomKat Stitchery team are even bringing these looks to life, so be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel to see how our finished versions turn out. Read on or watch here:
Look #1: Boiled Wool Jacket + Wide-Leg Jeans
This first outfit immediately made me think of late fall and the transition into winter. I love the combination of the mustard boiled wool jacket, attached scarf, and relaxed wide-leg jeans.
Pattern Pairings
- Jacket: Style Arc Wren Jacket
- Jeans: Style Arc Carlisle Jean
The Wren Jacket is an excellent match for the inspiration. You could make the attached scarf wider for a more dramatic look, but the original proportions may be more wearable if you are petite or have a shorter neck.
The Carlisle Jeans have the straighter, wider leg that is appearing everywhere right now. You could also substitute your favorite straight-leg or wide-leg jeans pattern.
Fabric Recommendations
- Turmeric boiled wool blend coating from Style Maker Fabrics
- Bleached blue midweight denim from Style Maker Fabrics
The lighter denim balances the rich mustard beautifully, while topstitching around the jacket edges adds detail without requiring a more complicated finish.
Look #2: Gathered Knit Top + Dark-Wash Jeans
This is a great fall outfit for someone who is newer to garment sewing. The colors feel seasonal, the silhouettes are current, and Itch to Stitch patterns have thorough instructions that help guide you through the construction process.
Pattern Pairings
The Soller has a flattering V-neck and a grown-on sleeve, so you can get the pretty gathered sleeve detail without setting in a traditional sleeve.
For the Eddystone Jeans, I would choose the demi bootcut option rather than the slimmer girlfriend cut. That will give you the straighter, slightly wider leg shown in the inspiration.
Fabric Recommendations
- Grape Leaf solid jersey knit from the University of Sewing*
- Indigo Kaihara cotton denim from the University of Sewing*
Use code TOMKAT for 15% off regularly priced fabrics from the University of Sewing.*
If you are just beginning to sew clothing, try my free class, Top Tips to Get Started Garment Sewing. It is filled with practical tips to help you begin making garments with more confidence.
Look #3: Textured Knit Shirt + Leopard Barrel-Leg Trousers
Marissa is recreating this look, and I cannot wait to see the finished outfit. The oversized shirt has the feel of a cardigan with its large collar and textured knit, while the printed barrel-leg trousers make the whole outfit feel current.
Pattern Pairings
- Shirt: Style Arc Kennie Woven Shirt
- Trousers: Daughter Judy Coe Trousers
The Kennie is drafted for woven fabric, but I would size down once and sew it in a stable sweater knit. The Coe Trousers have the structured barrel-leg shape needed to recreate the inspiration.
Fabric Recommendations
- Oatmeal cable jacquard sweater knit* from Surge Fabric Shop
- Animal-print denim from Open Studio Sewing
The denim has enough body to hold the curved shape of the trousers, while the sweater knit gives the shirt texture without making it too heavy.
Look #4: Striped Polo with a Ruffled Collar
My daughter chose this look, so I will be recreating it for her. The combination of the polo placket, gathered collar, puff sleeves, and soft stripes makes a simple knit top much more interesting.
Pattern Pairings
- Base: Love Notions Frankie Polo*
- Sleeves: Love Notions Arlington Sweater*
Start with the Frankie Polo and replace its collar with a gathered woven ruffle. Finish the neckline as instructed for the original collar, sewing the gathered strip into the placket. To capture the puffed sleeve from the inspiration, use the puff-sleeve pattern pieces from the Arlington Sweater.
Fabric Recommendation
- White and watercolor-blue striped jersey from the University of Sewing
The watercolor stripe is not an exact match, but it gives the finished top the same playful striped look. Use code TOMKAT for 15% off regularly priced fabrics.*
Look #5: Cropped Denim Shirt + Floral Track Pants
Liberty-print track pants have been everywhere, and I love the way this outfit combines them with a cropped denim shirt. It is sporty, colorful, and surprisingly easy to recreate.
Pattern Pairings
- Shirt: French Navy Atlas Overshirt
- Pants: Pattern Emporium Coco Wide Leg Pants*
For the Atlas, I would combine the cropped length with long sleeves and the full button placket. The Coco Pants have an elastic waist and a wide leg without becoming an extremely full palazzo pant, making them a great starting point for the track pants.
Fabric Recommendations
- Medium-blue 7.5-ounce denim from Style Maker Fabrics
- See You at Six floral twill canvas from Style Maker Fabrics
Add stripes down the side seams of the pants in bright red, orange, or white. Pulling one of the smaller colors from the print will help that detail stand out against the dark floral background.
Look #6: Boxy Sweatshirt + Pleated Trousers
This outfit is more minimalist, but the interesting pleats and pockets keep it from feeling boring. The combination of an oversized sweatshirt and polished trousers also makes it very wearable.
Pattern Pairings
- Top: Closet Core Mile End Sweatshirt
- Trousers: Closet Core Mitchell Trousers
For the top, use the straight, boxy sweatshirt version of the Mile End. For the bottoms, choose the wide-leg Mitchell Trousers. The pleats and pockets give them the subtle design interest seen in the inspiration.
Fabric Recommendations
- Anthracite organic French terry from the University of Sewing*
- Dark khaki linen-rayon-spandex bottom weight from the University of Sewing*
The rayon in the trouser fabric adds drape, while the linen provides enough body for the pleats. Use code TOMKAT for 15% off regularly priced fabrics.*
Look #7: Cropped Mustard Jacket + Barrel-Leg Pants
This outfit feels very much like my personal style. The mustard jacket is bright without being difficult to wear, and the simple black barrel-leg pants create a strong, modern silhouette.
Pattern Pairings
- Jacket: Viki Sews Hayden Coat
- Pants: Pattern Emporium Making Moves Pants*
The Hayden is much longer than the inspiration jacket, so I would shorten it to the high hip and reposition the welt pockets if necessary. Its raglan sleeves, simple collar, and clean front make it a good base for this cropped style.
The Making Moves Pants have a subtle barrel-leg silhouette and several pocket options. I made a streamlined pair without the patch pockets, and I love how easily they fit into a handmade wardrobe.
Fabric Recommendations
- Mustard Japanese cotton Oxford bottom weight from Style Maker Fabrics
- Black washed linen from Style Maker Fabrics
For another ready-to-wear-inspired detail, line the jacket with plaid shirting or a plaid lining fabric.
Look #8: Liberty-Style Shirt with Contrast Trim
This shirt looks simple from a distance, but the contrast trim along the seam lines makes it special. It is a great example of how small sewing details can transform a familiar button-up shirt.
Pattern Pairing
The Bluegrass offers plenty of seam lines where you can add piping, lace, or picot trim. Leave off the main collar and finish the shirt with only the collar stand. You could also use the western-style yokes to add even more contrast detail.
Fabric Recommendation
- Italian Liberty Poppy cotton lawn from the University of Sewing
Add dark navy or black trim to emphasize the princess seams, cuffs, collar stand, and other design lines. Use code TOMKAT for 15% off regularly priced fabrics.*
Look #9: Floor-Length Polka-Dot Shirtdress
A long shirtdress is such a chic option for fall. The silhouette is simple, but the dramatic length, long sleeves, and waist tie give it plenty of impact.
Pattern Pairing
The Ladera includes ties that are integrated into the dress, so you get that defined, belted look without having a separate sash to manage. I would use the long-sleeve option and lengthen the skirt close to the floor.
Fabric Recommendation
- Red-and-white polka-dot rayon challis from Style Maker Fabrics
Rayon challis gives the dress beautiful drape and keeps the ties lightweight enough to knot comfortably at the waist.
Look #10: Cropped Quarter-Zip Athleisure Set
This is the look Jenni chose to recreate. She is a crocheter and immediately loved the crochet details, but we found ready-made trim so you do not have to crochet your own.
Pattern Pairings
- Sweatshirt: Seamwork Amari Sweatshirt*
- Pants: Seamwork Palmer Knit Pants*
Shorten the Amari to the high hip, omit the sleeve cuffs, and finish the sleeves with a regular hem. The Palmer is a comfortable knit pant with pockets, making it a great choice for loungewear that can still be worn outside the house.
Fabric and Trim
- Sage bamboo French terry from Fabric and Flow
- Black floral crochet-style trim from Walmart
Apply the trim along the pants’ side seams and down each sleeve before completing the main construction. The black trim against the soft sage French terry will make the details stand out beautifully.
Create Your Own Fall Ready-to-Wear Look
Ready-to-wear inspiration gives us such a helpful starting point for planning a handmade wardrobe. You can begin with an outfit you already love and then choose the patterns, fabrics, colors, and details that will make it work for your body and your style.
Some of these looks can be recreated almost exactly with the suggested patterns. Others require a little lengthening, shortening, or mixing of pattern pieces. That flexibility is part of the fun. I still have not decided which outfit I am making for myself, but I cannot wait to see Marissa’s, Jenni’s, and my daughter’s finished looks come together.
*Affiliate links included—thank you for supporting my work! No extra cost to you, but I may earn a commission. Offers may change.
