Our Uniform, Vol. 5: Prints and Patterns to Brighten our Cold Weather Blues

With a collective interest in aesthetics, of course, some of the strongest bonds for us have come from sharing fashion we love. Our styles vary, without a doubt, as we each have our own histories, proportions, and even color mood preferences, but it’s not uncommon for us to gravitate toward the same pieces over time, and even wear them at the same time. Every coven has a uniform, after all. In this series, we discuss our forever pieces, and how we wear them. Think of it as a “How To Dress Like The Attic.”

Photography by Olivia Gündüz-Willemin.

Patterns! What’s not to love about them?! While the concept of multi-colored, lively textiles might usually spark the thought of spring florals or summer stripes, there is something to be said about the deceptively simple depth of an autumn or winter design. Printed, woven, knit, we can’t live without these fail-safes that bring us the feeling of warmth and a pop of joy amongst the darker days of a year already bogged down by so much. The bleak days of winter may be almost behind us, but we would be remiss to ignore the beloved pieces of cocooning that helped us through. 

Yes, we live in our black and white outfits, our camel coats and chunky hermit funnels, but even we know that a monochromatic winter uniform is nothing without a plaid scarf, fair isle knit, or dark floral to break up the monotony and bring a bit of brightness on an otherwise overcast or snowy but-not-in-the-way-you-like day. Just last month, the world was in uproar as unexpected style icon Bernie Sanders made the best of a simple presidential inauguration ensemble with the addition of a classic yet attention-capturing pair of mittens. How many of us can say we didn't suddenly feel the need for our own invigorating fashion moment? And so we too, here at The Attic look at our own cold weather printed and patterned wares, and wonder what unexpected yet comforting article will get us through our own continuingly repetitive winter days.

Below, Attic editors Olivia Gündüz-Willemin and Zoë G. Burnett, along with contributor Annie Jo Baker share their prints, patterns, and the ways they wear them all season.

Olivia Gündüz-Willemin

I’ve grown to absolutely love patterns over the past few years, and the cold seasons of autumn and winter are my favorite time of year for them. From dark, William Morris florals to all kinds of tartan to polka dot turtlenecks and stripes that are maybe brown and navy rather than the summer blue and white… I love them all.

Every year has its favorite piece — 2018’s infatuation with my William Morris skirt especially stands out to me — and this past year is no exception except for the fact that I have two great pattern loves. One is a green and white plaid handbag from my beloved Frances Valentine. I lusted over it in 2019, falling head over heels with the idea of a wool bag, and finally succumbed to it this past September. It kept me great company on my few autumn outings last season (mainly, to therapy), not by just being a gorgeous piece I can clutch and turn my eyes to when being out and about in these times of COVID proves to be too much, but also because it’s been a very practical pandemic companion with comfy straps and practical pockets where I can reach in and grab my hand sanitizer or a fresh mask with minimal fuss. 

My second pattern love this season are my navy tartan nap dresses. I love tartans but usually prefer it on scarves and pajamas as I haven’t figured out tops I love in different tartans. Like so many this past year, I gave into nap dress madness, and lucky for me, many of their winter offerings came in different tartans. Aggressively pretty and aggressively comfortable, they’ve given me the perfect pieces to lounge in intentionally and are letting me live out my period drama aesthetic dreams. Puffed sleeves, ruffled straps, ruched necklines… there’s a little bit of everything and I love to wear mine when drinking tea (or even bingeing Netflix) by candlelight.

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Photography by Zoë G. Burnett.

Zoë G. Burnett

Less bold than its cousins tartan and gingham, tattersall is a subtle brushed cotton shirting pattern that’s excellent for layering under wool sweaters and wax cotton jackets. Its thin warp and weft check is usually composed of two colors in the same family on a light background. Examples of the cloth can be found as early as the eighteenth century, when it was used for horse blankets in the Tattersall market from which the pattern takes its name. As such, these shirts are favored by British fieldwear enthusiasts and avid viewers of The Crown. Oddly difficult to come by Stateside and especially so in the women’s section, my favorite tattersall shirt is an old J. Crew men’s tricolor. The cuffs have started to fray, and somehow that makes me feel all the more gentlemanly. 

Corduroy isn’t exactly a pattern, but when the temperature drops, only flannel-lined chinos can better warm my legs. Long associated with scholars and workers, corduroy sport coats and work shirts are wonderful against indoor drafts. Corduroy gained its ridges in the eighteenth century, when it was developed by Lancashire textile manufacturers from the Egyptian cotton liner fabric fustian. The name’s exact origins are contested, ‘corde du roi’ having been a clever marketing move, and it’s still known as ‘Manchester’ fabric in the UK today. Available in multiple widths from pincord to wide wale, corduroy fabric can be thick or slim. Last year I Depopped a vintage pair of high-waisted Eddie Bauer wide wale cords, and I’ve recently become enamored of embroidered critter cords that cause people to ask themselves, “Is she serious?” Yes I am, absolutely. 

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Photography by Annie Jo Baker.

Annie Jo Baker

I used to wear multiple bright, clashing patterns every day in a gaudy, purposefully over-the-top parody of femininity. Now, I dress in a much more subdued, androgynous style, favoring dark colors and looser clothing, often from the men's clearance section. But my love of patterns remains. I just stick to one at a time.

A year ago, I fell madly in love with a long-sleeved, black and white paisley men's button down in a fast fashion store. I wore it constantly until it got too hot in Kentucky to wear long sleeves (i.e. back in March), but now that colder weather has returned, it's back in rotation. I often wear it tucked into black bootcut jeans with a light blue denim jacket, a belt, and either heavy boots or shell toe sneakers.

My other love is, like that of everyone else on the planet, tartan. Some weeks ago, I went to the fabric store and went crazy for a beautiful blue and black tartan cotton, knowing instantly what I was going to do with it. Now, I have a homemade vest that is structured but still comfortably loose, unlike the store-bought men's and women's vests I've owned before.

Basically, I'm saying my goal is to dress like the goth version of a '70s record executive. I just need a black leisure suit and platform boots and I’ll achieve it.

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Olivia Gündüz-Willemin is Editor-in-Chief of The Attic on Eighth. She is dedicated to reading her way through the world and trying to stay as calm as possible.

Zoë G. Burnett is a writer, film enthusiast, and ad woman based in Massachusetts. A lover of all things spooky and sparkly, she is currently working on her first book about witchcraft and classic style. Zoë is a Contributing Editor and The Attic on Eighth’s Film Columnist.

Annie Jo Baker is a 22 year old undergraduate in Kentucky, studying biology and chemistry, but has a myriad of other passions, especially literature and activism.