I can’t remember a time when I’ve raved about both the June and July issues of BurdaStyle Magazine. Since I’ve started these reviews (in 2011) I’ve often found one of the summer issues to be outstanding and the other to be a total disappointment. But 2018 seems to be the Year of Burda, because even though I gave June a favorable review, the July issue is similarly great! There’s a lot to look at this month, so let’s get started:
There aren’t any coats or jackets this month, so let’s start off with the selection of summer dresses:
These twist-tie top dresses were all the rage a few years ago. I do really love how Burda styled this here – I want to wear all of the variations! The straps look like the can get quite bulky in some of the stylings, but, overall this looks like quite a versatile style that could easily go from summer picnic to summer wedding depending on fabric and top placement. I’m curious to see how much fabric those top ties are going to eat up though.
I also really love this dress! Another style that could easily go casual (as shown) to formal depending on fabric choice. Love the bodice gathers – super cute!
This isn’t my favorite style of dress, but I do like how the shaping prevents it from being too much of a box. The trim on the skirt is also a super fun addition.
Another boxy dress that isn’t much of my style, but the seaming and pockets are pretty cool.
This looks like a super breezy dress to wear on a summer vacation. The loose sleeves and fit are probably really comfortable for a humid day. Not sure how easy it would be to raise your arms though.
This month is full of great separates, so let’s start with the tops:
I think I prefer this pattern as the dress, but I do love the look in this solid blue fabric. Perhaps I need this as both a dress and a top in my wardrobe.
I’ve made this sort of twist-tie top before. It wasn’t my favorite to wear, so I’ll likely give this a pass, but I do think it looks great on the model.
I really like this top from the front, but I feel like it would be difficult to keep in place with such a low back. The little ties on the sleeves seem to be a popular trend this summer.
I’m not really in love with the scrunchy belt, or neck and sleeve openings. I think the Burda archives have similar tops with details I prefer, so this is a pass for me.
I feel like there is a lot going on with this top; the shoulder ties seem really disproportionate when compared to the rest of the top. I think there is potential here, but it might take a little modification to get this to look less messy in the shoulder area.
Another top I like from the front, but not so much from the back. For some reason the collar and relaxed fit are really speaking to me, but the gathered fabric in the back isn’t my favorite feature. Easy adjustment though.
Another loose summer top. The neckline looks a bit closed off and stifling for summer, but I could see this being nice for the transition to fall.
To round out the selections this month, Burda has included a wide variety of bottoms:
I’m becoming a sucker for a jumpsuit, and I really like the asymmetric top on this one. I might play with the shape of the trousers if I were making it for myself, but overall I really like this look.
Burda gave us a swimsuit too! The top looks quite low, but the bottoms have an interesting detail.
We also get a vintage reprint skirt this month too! Love the super wide skirt – such a great look!
I’m not sure how I feel about these culottes – perhaps I would be more intrigued if they were not shown in that floral print. I feel like this would be the perfect summer PJ for around the house laziness though.
These short trousers have an interesting ruffle detail on the pockets. On the one hand I think it is too sweet of a detail for me, but on the other hand I can think of a few sewing bloggers on whom the detail would be super cute! So I’m going to give the nod to Burda for doing something interesting with an otherwise pretty basic summer pant.
These culottes look like a pleated skirt from the front. I’m actually really excited because I’m totally going to use this as a starting point for a cosplay I’m planning to make. As is, the pattern is pretty cute and has a nice vintage flare.
Aside from the waistband smocking, this looks like a pretty basic skirt pattern. It looks great for summer – light and airy. I’ve never done smocking, but I’m intrigued to try it, perhaps on something simple like this.
This pleated skirt is a nice way to utilize fancy fabrics. This could be a great piece for a summer work wardrobe.
The Burda Plus section has some nice options this month:
I wasn’t sold on the under-arm ruffles or the back tie opening, but that Burda model is sure selling me on this jumpsuit. She looks fabulous!
The neckline of this dress is going to require some precision sewing, but it is a nice detail. Quite subtle in a monochrome, but it could really pop with some pipping or print or color blocking.
I can’t decide if the rick rack trim is too happy hands at home or totally summer chic, but I do really like this dress in the print fabric. It could be really nice in a lightweight rayon challis I think.
Were this in the smaller size ranges I would totally make this. As is, I may need to figure out a way to grade down, because this looks like the most comfortable summer dress ever.
I also love it as a top! Super cute.
I think these culottes look super chic, but still very summery. I’m sort of wondering what stripped fabrics I have lying about…
The kids section is all for the boys this month, and the options are pretty great:
I really love that little hoodie – so cute! The rest of the designs are perfect for a summer vacation at the beach.
And that’s it! Overall I think this issue is full of lots of summery goodness – easy, loose summer looks with lots of mix and match separates, plus a few elevates looks for those special summertime events.
Which means it is time to decide the top and bottom looks for the month. It was close, but I decided to give Best of BS July 2018 to:
Burda’s twist top dress! I think this dress is really versatile, and super chic. Burda’s styling is perfection, and though I’ve never been overly intrigued by these in the past, I’m really inspired to make this version for some summer events I have coming up this year. Plus, this gorgeous blue color really isn’t hurting my opinion much either. Love it!
The BWTF for the month was a bit more challenging to decide, but in the end I’ve given it to:
The puffy cotton shirt. This really isn’t that bad of a design, but it just looks so bunchy. I mean, who wants that much fabric shoved up under their armpits in the middle of summer? Not the best summer look.
And there we have it – another month in the books! What do you all think? Is July full of yummy summery goodness? Or are these looks too basic to be exciting? What are your top and bottom picks for the month? Feel free to discuss in the comments!
Doctor T Designs 
that 2 piece swimsuit is really cute!
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The dress with the seaming and pockets that you say is boxy is adorable. It has kind of a sixties vibe. I don’t read it as boxy.
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I totally agree. That sixties vibe is my only reason to buy this magazine. I’m pretty sure I’m going to sew this dress!
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I probably say it every month, but I love your reviews so thank you for doing them and showing so many photos. I’m not as crazy about this issue as I have been for the last few months, but it’s still pretty good (as you say, especially for a summer issue which can often be a bit dull or odd). I like lots of the dresses, the pants & culottes. The bikini is great though I don’t know if I’ll ever make it. Unusually I’m not liking any of the tops this time around – I initially liked the one with the tie sleeves, but it would definitely need a strap across the back to keep it on. Still, lots to like here and in any case my 2018 list is already almost overwhelmingly long!
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Lots to love here!
And – always appreciate your reviews..
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First, has it really been since 2011 you’ve been doing these reviews? What a cool archive of Burda you have, then!
That first dress is actually really nice – the styling reminds me of those cover-ups you find at Bikini Village, the ones that have like six ways to wear (love them). I’ve never really an occasion to wear a dress like this but if I did, I’d try this one!
The second dress however, I REALLY like and looks relaxed enough to merit wearing pretty much anytime. On my to-try list. The breezy dress with bat wings is another I’d like to try eventually. What can I say. I’m built for comfort. The second dress as a top is a complete winner for me, so much so that if the magazine arrives early enough, it’s on my do-it-yesterday list. We’re visiting New Orleans (25 hr drive from Quebec) in late July so this top would be perfect for the humid weather my other half keeps telling me about. Love the top.
You inow, maybe that scrunchy top could be nice in one of those super-drapey fabrics that you never know what to do with? The line drawing is nice, but that stiff cotton looks horribly uncomfortable, as you say.
Another winner (for me) is the top with the silly shoulder ties – should be fairly easy to replace those with spaghetti straps. Who in the world would want those long bulky straps falling into their martinis all the time? The top itself is really nice, imho.
Sorry for being so chatty, one last point (oh, and I want to try making the swimsuit, eventually) – those floral culottes? My daughter got herself several pants in fabric similar to those style of pants/culottes. I was like what? Be they actually look great and apparently are super comfy to wear in summer! She has a black pair with a white side stripe – I could easy see a pair of these culottes done like that. Super cool.
Great review! 🙂 Lots of love for this issue as well… ♥
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Totally agree! Even the crazy stuff has good bones! I had to really knit-pick to critique this issue. I think everything could be great with a few modifications.
Thanks for your comment!
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Big fan of your reviews here… even though we have slightly different styles 🙂 For example I have been looking for a pattern similar to the “boxy” one with seams and pockets for ages since I have a RTW one like it which I love! So that’s definitely on my to do this.
Also, please share your wisdom if you manage to grade down the plus size dress with gathered / elastic waist… perfect for our summer heat here!
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Also… the plus size culottes jumpsuit… ❤❤❤
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I got one of those twist top dresses when they were all the rage. I love asymmetric styles so I thought it would be great. I was very disappointed when I tried it on and realized that pretty much all of the variations involved a bare back or sides, i.e. impossible to wear a bra with. I never once wore that dress out of the house.
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Aww, that’s really disappointing. I know anyone who sews had had those sorts of makes, but thanks for sharing so we will know what to look out for on the patterns.
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Going to disagree I’m afraid; I was really disappointed when my July magazine finally arrived. The twist top dress is what I know as an ‘infinity dress’ and there are free patterns for that all over the internet. Burda’s is a little more sophisticated than most with the pleats I’ll admit.
I like the pleated culottes and the batwing dress, but he rest is a definite pass. Oh well, two good patterns is still super value for money! And I suspect I’m only disappointed because Burda has been so good lately. Normally the summer issues are a complete miss for me 🙂
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Agree! I think I’m usually so unimpressed with the summer months that I got really excited this year, because I actually found patterns I liked.
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My local Tesco has stopped selling the Burda mag – boo hoo – where’s the best place to order online?
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I subscribe from GLP news.
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This is a very late (very late) comment but I am currently sewing the dress no. 124 in this issue and am mystified as to how to construct the unusual pleats in the front bodice. Burda says to pin each pair of pleat lines together and stitch pleats between arrows. It doesn’t say where the stitching line is meant to be (or at least it isn’t clear to me)! I am unsure how to find answers or how to contact Burda .. does Burda have a troubleshooting person/s for this type of query? In other words, SOS anyone!! Save Our Sewing :):):)
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I would sew that about 1/4” inside the stitching line? I’m not positive since I’ve not made it, but that’s generally how I’ve basted pleats in place during construction. As far as I know Burda doesn’t have a sewing help line… I know we all could have used it at one point or another if they did!
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Thank you for replying so quickly, I’ll try that on a spare piece of fabric. If it’s not right I expect I could take it in a little more. This is my first attempt at sewing since my shoulder fracture and I should have probably tackled something more straightforward! Thanks again, I appreciate your help. :):):)
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No problem!
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