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Cocoon dresses have become one of the fashion trends of 2021. Partly thanks to the fashion for everything comfortable, cozy and not like bandage dresses, partly thanks to the movie images of 2021, in particular the cocoon dress from the movie “Cruella”. In this material we will tell the history of this dress, modern variations of the model, and also provide a step-by-step plan for beginners for sewing a cocoon dress and the exact pattern of the product.
What does a cocoon dress look like and what are its subtypes?
A cocoon dress is a name for voluminous dresses that widen at the waist and taper towards the bottom, hiding the model’s figure, and also most often have sloping sleeves. Most often these are autumn-winter versions of dresses that are made from wool, cashmere and knitwear. It is believed that this shape helps to hide figure flaws; evil tongues say that there is a direct correlation between the weight gain of the majority of forced recluses and the 2021 trend for this practical dress model.If desired (or in bad weather), you can complement the cocoon dress with leggings or trousers, turning the voluminous product into an impromptu tunic. But this move is more suitable for shortened versions of the cocoon dress.
History of the cocoon dress
Disputes about the first period of the appearance of the cocoon dress are still ongoing and different sources give different names. According to one version, designer Cristobal Balenciaga was the first to bring the cocoon dress to the big catwalks in the 1950s, who in the same period created many other models, “inventing a new female silhouette.” In 1957, several variations of dresses with a loose cut appeared on the catwalks: a cocoon dress, a sack dress and a barrel dress. They differed in cut details, which today can only be named by professionals working in the fashion industry; for the average person, these are different names for the same model. One of the logical continuations of this 1957 Balenciaga collection was the cocoon coat, which surpassed the success of the cocoon dress, as it was regularly worn by actress and future Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly. However, after several seasons the trend began to fade and soon the loose cut of the wide cocoon dress was replaced by tight-fitting silhouettes with a pronounced waist.
The second unexpected appearance of the cocoon dress on stage was the Yves Saint Laurent show in 1965. Unexpected, because it was a haute couture collection and it was... a cocoon wedding dress. Until now, some people are perplexed when looking at it: the fact is that Yves Saint Laurent was inspired not by a butterfly hatching from a cocoon, but by a Russian doll, matryoshka, and sewed a dress that would completely hide the figure of the bride, leaving only visible face, shoes and hands.
Much less noticeable, and therefore perhaps more effective in terms of popularity with ordinary fashionistas, was the return of the cocoon dress in the 1980s. From now on, wide dresses with slightly dropped shoulders and blurry silhouettes can be found in, perhaps, every wardrobe. These minimalist dresses, along with the classic little black dress, have become a must-have for every woman.
Cocoon dress as a trend 2021-2022: where and what to wear it with
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In fact, the trend for voluminous cocoon dresses did not come directly from the 1950s, but from the relatively recent autumn-winter seasons of 2014-2015. It was then that models wearing wide dresses, whose hems were slightly narrowed, and some models even had pockets, appeared on the French catwalks. In parallel, the increasingly popular Scandinavian lifestyle of hygge has gone beyond its definition and set a parallel trend for voluminous and cozy things, including voluminous products. The cocoon dress regularly returns to the windows of fashion stores, including due to its versatility: this form suits almost everyone, regardless of their type according to Kibbey and Larsen. You can wrap yourself in a cocoon dress on an autumn day to go to the office, for a walk or to meet friends. These dresses usually do not require additional decor and carry the concept of minimalism and multifunctionality: if desired, they can be used as an elongated pullover or tunic, wearing leggings or jeans under the bottom of the trousers. The average length of the dress is considered optimal for almost any type.Perhaps the only thing for which a cocoon dress is not entirely suitable is for a special event, although (in addition to the shocking public wedding cocoon dress from Yves Saint Laurent) there are versions of these models, including for festive occasions.
What do you need to sew a cocoon dress?
A cocoon dress is one of the most convenient to sew, as it does not involve numerous undercuts and additional decor. If desired, such a dress can be sewn literally in one evening.
- A piece of thick fabric. Knitted fabric, cashmere or wool are suitable. If you are afraid of experiments and are not sure that you will wear the product, you can even choose polyester.
- Sewing kit (needles to match the dress, scissors, pins, chalk or pencil for marking, ruler or meter, etc.).
- Pattern.
Step-by-step master class on sewing a cocoon dress
Despite the versatility of the pattern, it is important to adjust it to the parameters of the model. We recommend paying special attention to the length of the product. The potential versatility of the future cocoon dress will depend on this, so it’s worth considering the option of a mid-length dress. But if you don't stick to this concept, the length of the dress can vary from mid-thigh to ankle length.
- Create a pattern based on the parameters of the model and your wishes for the length of the product.
- Fasten the already corrected pattern to the fabric with pins, guided by the position of the grain thread and retreating 1.5 cm from the edge.
- Cut out the resulting fragments. Pay special attention to the sleeves.
- Sew all parts to be tried on using a fitting stitch. At this stage, you don't even have to process the edges.
- Try the resulting shape on a model. If desired, you can make the silhouette semi-fitted.
- Finish the edges of the product and stitch over the backstitch.
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