Knock Out Knickerbockers

Knit Top, Belt and Knickerbockers: Emmy Design Sweden | Shoes: Midas

Knock Out Knickerbockers in brown salt & pepper by Emmy Design Sweden.

Like so many small-scale designers this year, Emmy Design Sweden experienced a delay in releasing their Autumn/Winter 2020 collection. Having seen these knickerbockers in a couple of teaser images – on a postcard they sent out from their last sale and later on their instagram account – before the collection Lookbook was released, I had already decided I simply had to have them and had started saving. Who wouldn’t want a pair of smashing early 20th century style knickerbockers in their vintage wardrobe?? The styling potential! Argh!

Alright, I am a little keen on newsboy style and traditional ‘menswear’ popular in the early 20th Century. In case you had not noticed.

The delightful and endlessly helpful Valerie of Melbourne’s Call Me Valerie organised a Special Order from Emmy for me, and as soon as the knickerbockers were released, she had them on their way and delivered to my door in record time. They were mine so quickly I hadn’t received my dark knee high socks I’d bought specifically for them, so please enjoy the cinnamon goodness of these old socks I bought to protect my legs while working in Dungatar eons ago! (I don’t think Tilly Dunnage would have approved. Molly though …)

As always when we’re talking Emmy Design Sweden, the quality of both the design and construction is excellent. I was excited to see there are six buttons on the inside of the waistband allowing me to wear their Sassy Suspenders (or any button braces) with the knickerbockers when I want to take my styling game to the next level! The two pockets at the front are functional and generous in size. They angle in towards the centre of the body and I have been told by the resident backseat driver that it looks mildly inappropriate with my hands in them… so I’ll just use them for face masks.

I ordered the knickerbockers before the sizing information was available, so I opted for a Size 36 and crossed my fingers (scroll down for my measurements). In terms of fit, this design is the most versatile of all Emmy garments I own. They are fastened with two ‘antique metal’ -look zippers on both sides of the waist. Hopefully this improves accessibility for people with mobility issues, and if this feature is not necessary for you, the zips are long enough that you can get into the pants using one. There are two button tabs on each side of the waistband which pass over the zips and secure the waist at the back. These can easily be adjusted by moving the buttons in or out to give you a perfect fit. There’s also a tab with two button options on each leg securing the cuff below the knee (I don’t have to undo the first button to get the pants on and off if I’m not wearing shoes). I am planning to move both the waist and cuff buttons a smidge so the waist sits up higher and the leg cuffs sit tighter. I appreciate Emmy adding these thoughtful little details that add functionality and beautiful points of interest to their garments.

The knickerbockers have a generous rise and can sit high up on my waist comfortably. I am wearing a Size 36, which has a 70cm front + back rise. This may be an issue for petite folks, so be sure to check Emmy Design’s very detailed garment-specific Size Chart in the picture carousel of these pants. In terms of general fit, 36 is my usual size in most Emmy clothes and there’s plenty of room in the waist and hips. It is designed to be a slightly looser fit, so I’m glad I didn’t size down, but there’s definitely more room.

Knickerbocker, Cardigan & Blouse: Emmy Design Sweden

The brown speckled look fabric has flecks of silver throughout and is woven in Bulgaria. It isn’t thick or heavy, but the seams are a smidge scratchy against my skin if you have sensitive skin or a condition like Fibromyalgia. It’s spring here (around 16 to 25 degrees celsius) so I can’t speak to how warm it will be during winter. Warmer weather wise, I was very comfortable when these photos were taken, on a day of around 18-20 degrees. The fabric composition listed on their website is 38% acrylic, 32% wool, 12% silk, 12% polyester, 5% viscose, 2% spandex. In my experience it does pill fairly easily, so be careful when rubbing up against coarse surfaces like exposed brick walls. I always prefer a 100% wool fabric option, so if they bring knickerbockers back for future collections I’ll be keeping an eye out for wool! (The pine green colour option is a 59% wool / 39% polyester fabric.)

I love these knickerbockers. They are so much fun to style and my mind is bursting with cute outfit combinations to try in the future. The Knock Out Knickerbockers are part of Emmy’s new Autumn/Winter 2020 collection and are currently available in brown salt & pepper and pine green wool (unsubtly hums ‘Santa Baby’ …).