Sew News: The Fashion Collection
Fall 2006

By Susan Voigt-Reising

South of the Border

McCall's 5185 (Misses'/Miss Petite sizes 6 to 20) journeys to the South American grasslands of the 1900s for its inspiration: the upper-calf-length pants worn by gauchos or cowboys. Today, gaucho pants have shed their rugged roots to become refined, as these three urbane incarnations prove. All sit low on the waist and feature a fly front and wide belt loops. Map out your best look, choosing from a straight leg with or without cuffs or a slight flare. Then have a field day with fabric. Any bottom-weight will work: cotton, denim, wool or a specialty fabric designed to set you apart from the crowd.

The pants' wide belt loops give you plenty of room to play with accessories.

From the September 2006 issue of Sew News magazine.