Mad for Madras

Living is Southern California at this time of year, it is always a challenge to be inspired by fashion. September is usually our hottest month of the year, and when the rest of the country is waiting for even the slightest drop in temperature so they can break out their fall attire, we are desperately trying to find anything to wear that will keep us cool. As I am writing this post, it is 100 degrees in LA today, meanwhile I just spoke with my mother and stepdad in Ohio, where they said it is 55 degrees. They complained that they are “freezing”, and they just poured themselves a glass of bourbon to warm up! I think I will be sticking with rose’ around here this weekend…

Often tired of my favorite summer clothes and ready for a change, a few years ago I implemented what I refer to as my late summer closet edit. Usually around Labor Day I like to pull forward anything in my closet that I have not had the chance to wear during summer, particularly items that are a little darker in color, or have a fall looking pattern, but can be comfortable to wear in the soaring temperatures. That late summer closet edit allows me to feel like my clothes are new again in September and October when it is the hottest in LA, but the rest of the world is ready for fall.

Recently while conducting my late summer closet edit, I noticed a few items that I had not worn this summer, and they all happened to be madras pieces in rich jewel tones. I believe these pieces got lost in my closet earlier because I was focused on all the brightly colored stripes and patterns that took center stage in my wardrobe this summer. I have always been pretty obsessed with plaid, but traditionally it is mostly reserved for fall and winter clothes. It occurred to me that madras is like summer’s answer to plaid. The deep rich colors of these madras looks, combined with lightweight cotton fabrics are the perfect late summer wardrobe choices.

Pulling together these madras looks brought me back to my childhood when I was first learning to sew. I remember one summer when I was probably about 12, going to Jo-Ann Fabrics with my mom. I found an entire section of cotton madras that was just 50 cents a yard. I bought yards and yards of this fabric in so many beautiful color combinations that I could have probably opened my own fabric store. To top it off, this colorful collection of fabric was so cheap I could buy it with my own allowance money! I made several dresses and skirts out of this fabric, and it was my uniform that summer.

This childhood nostalgia, along with the desire to reinvent my late summer wardrobe for LA’s dog days of summer are the reasons why I am currently “Mad for Madras”.