Arch Creative

Circular fashion

The entrance to a circus big top

Circus is one of my tippety-top favourite aesthetics. I drool over big top stripes and tassels and sequins and feathers.

I just sketched an idea for a two-piece set I want to make that’s very circus-inspired. Striped satin, red velvet, ribbons, sequins and lace.

Honor's sketch on her Remarkable tablet, showing striped hot pants and a velvet bustier, attached by diamante appliques

I thought I’d pop into the charity shop to have a look at how available circus-y fabrics are and I was MOST inspired.

Once you change your perspective from ‘clothes’ to ‘fabric’ you see things anew. Yes, this is a very ugly dress – but such yards of fabric! This upholstery trim…could adorn some hot pants!

Pink lurex material
A light lurex knit that’s perfect for making hot pants because it’s stretchy, so very easy to fit (£1 rail)
A bodice missing sequins
You see – the missing sequins are a POSITIVE if you’re trying to mimic a vintage costume! In another two weeks, this will be on the £1 rack too.
An acrobat costume-shaped tunic top?!
£1 ugly tunic top. But do you see what I see? This is gymnast costume-shaped and could be converted to a bodysuit. I may go back for this so I can take it apart to make a pattern.
Haberdashery: metallic cord and pink tassels
Haberdashery delights – perfect for embellishment

None of it was exactly what I was looking for but that’s showbiz, baby. We keep our eyes open and what we need will come to us.

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