Was it just me who didn’t realise the sheer joy in looking for jumpsuit/romper/playsuit inspiration images online? It’s a treasure trove of joy! If you would like to go down that same rabbit hole, I highly recommend our Durban Pinterest Board or; you can read on for our favourite inspiration & ideas for the Durban Jumpsuit & Romper pattern. When we designed Durban we specifically wanted it to be a pattern you could mix and match to suit your style. You can change the sleeve, the neckline or the leg length & shape depending on what you’d prefer and honestly there are SO many other tweaks you can make to your Durban to make it even more unique! Let’s take a look!
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Durban can be worn with or without a belt, but adding a belt is a super simple way to add a little more variation and a little more shape to your make!
- Sew a belt into the side seams and tie at the front or back to reduce bulk.
- Add some belt loops to keep that belt in place and create a little bit of visual interest.
- A simple wide self-fabric belt is what we have included with the pattern! Tie the belt in a simple tie, or why not add a D-ring or O-ring as a closure?
- You don’t even need to sew a belt! Find a beautiful statement belt and make it stand out!
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Boilersuits are not just for cool girls, they’re for all of us! Super comfy, very warm if need be (depending on your fabric choice) and a real statement piece of clothing! Why not try making a boilersuit with some topstitching? You might prefer to use lightweight linen for a cool way to cover up from the sun in summer; or pick a thick cotton or corduroy to make a suit you can use to knock up some DIY’s at home!
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Such a lovely thing to put on in the warmer months, there are endless options for summer styling of your Durban Jumpsuit as well!
- You don’t have to convince us that linen is a wonderful option for a jumpsuit in the summer!
- Try a tencel in a light, bright colour to make your jumpsuit stand out in the summer.
- The length of the leg on the Durban is completely up to you! If you’re after a breezy, cool playsuit that still protects your shoulders from the sun, bring those legs up a little shorter but add longer sleeves; if you want a little more coverage, you can always crop the leg around the knee.
Durban is designed with a button placket, but there are a few other options that would work just as well. Using a zip instead adds an industrial touch (and certainly makes the ‘on and off’ process much quicker); or you could create a closed placket to cover up those buttons for a seamless finish. Another option is to add some elastic to the waistband and use buttons from the waist up only. Just be sure your bodice is blousy enough to allow you to pull the shoulders up and onto your body.
A block colour romper or jumpsuit is going to be an easy go-to piece of clothing. Whether it’s a safe neutral of black or natural linen or a colour like burnt orange, olive or navy it’s a safe bet you’ll love and wear that make a lot! But…don’t you think there is something so special about a gorgeous printed fabric? Gingham, stripes, spots, checks, florals (the list goes on) in a super cute pattern like the Durban jumpsuit will turn your make into something really unique and could be your favourite piece to wear for a long time to come.
I know playsuits and rompers are a little in the ‘warm weather’ camp, but jumpsuits are absolutely an ‘all weather’ item of clothing. Let us show you the ways!
- Adding a jacket. Simple, effective. Why not try the Hovea? ;)
- Layering with a turtleneck or t-shirt is a perfect way to add a little warmth.
- Making your jumpsuit out of a thicker fabric like heavyweight denim or corduroy is a great way to make it a little more insulated.
Looking for even MORE inspiration? The Durban Sewing Pattern Pinterest board is full of so many ideas for your Durban make, be sure to check it out! Here is a sneak peek!
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Here’s the full list of Durban posts and tutorials:
- How to Choose Between Durban & Durban Curve
- Inspiration & Ideas (this post!)
- Durban Tester Roundup & Durban Curve Tester Roundup
- Prep, Stabilizing & Darts
- Bodice Seams & Sleeves
- Sleeveless Facings
- Inseam, Patch & Back Pockets
- Combining Bodice & Pants (this post!)
- Placket & Inseam
- Placket Tips
- Closures, Hemming & Belts
- D-Ring Belt
- Durban Maker Roundup
We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNdurban and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!
