Newsflash: Summer Simplicity and New Look Patterns Announced

The Simplicity website has posted the summer collections for both Simplicity and New Look.  My overall impression - there are a lot of expected summer basics, but there are also a few patterns that I am really excited about, for various reasons.

First up, let's look at Simplicity:

S1353 - It's been a while since we had a new pattern
 from Project Runway designer Leanne Marshall.
I think this design is cute (and it has pockets), but I don't know
if I love it enough to add it to the collection.

S1371 - This crop top/pants/shorts pattern from Cynthia Rowley
is certainly not boring!  I am not one to go bare midriff,
but I could see this being cute on others.

S1372 - Very on trend pattern!  I see so many people wearing similar things right now.
Don't really need a legging pattern (I have some stashed), and the top looks really basic, but I predict this will be a popular make on Pattern Review.

S1366 - Ummmmm, what?  How did Cynthia Rowley go from
super on trend to this rumply mess?  That skirt has so much going on,
yet it covers so little of the body...

S1354 - I haven't made any AmazingFit patterns,
but they always look fantastic when I see them done up on Pattern Review.
The design is sort of basic, but it would look good on a lot of people.
Also, pockets.

S1356 - This reversible dress looks like a vintage re-print?
Not sure if I am a fan of the actual dress though.

S1357 - Normally I really like the Day/Evening mash up designs,
but this dress is a rather boring style.

S1358 - These knit dresses aren't super exciting,
but I predict that easy of sewing and easy of wearing
will make this a popular pattern.

S1364 - A vintage reprint blouse pattern.
Fine, but not overly exciting.

S1365 - This re-print patten is much more exciting.
I rather like the plain green halter version myself.

S1362 - Oversized blouses are a thing.
There are a million patterns for them,
but I have yet to be excited by a one.

S1363 - More large blouses.
These at least have a few details about the neck and shoulders.

S1375 - This Easy-to-Sew pattern isn't overly exciting,
but this is another dress that would be lovely to wear during summer.

S1373 - This top/pants combo has an interesting
cross over detail on the back of the top.

S1367 - Knit pants and maxi skirts.
Perfect for lazy days in the house? Yes, I think so.

S1368 - A Learn to Sew skirt pattern.  Basic, but that is sort of the point.

S1369 - A nice skirt with pockets!  Love pockets.

S1370 - A short/skort pattern.  Not a fan of the back zip,
but it shouldn't be too hard to move it to the side, right?
I am liking the look of the shorts and the lime skort.
The pointy one photographed on the model?  Not such a fan.

S1376 - This wardrobe pattern is a bit... meh.

S1377 - Not really loving this one much either.
Actually, the grey top sort of reminds me of the recent Burda
linen space-football-cheerleader outfit top.

S1359 - A maternity pattern.
Nice to see one with options for tops and bottoms.

S1360 - A maternity dress pattern.
Actually, the knot detail reminds me a lot of
the maxi dress from the 02/2013 Burda.

S1361 - An Equestrian top pattern.
You guys - I AM EXCITED!
Simplicity is totally stepping up into the area of active-wear patterns.

S1374 - A bathing suit pattern by Patty Reed Designs.

Hmmmm.... the wrap on view E looks a lot like the wrap from last July's Burda.

S1391 - Civil War era designs for 18" dolls.

S1392 - Steampunk fashions for dolls.
I wish some of these styles were for adults!

There weren't a lot of really interesting New Look patterns this time around, especially since we already got a smattering of large blouses and basic skirts from Simplicity, but here are a few of the new selection:

NL6280 - I actually rather like the neckline options on this dress pattern.

NL6281 - I appreciate the idea, but the dress is just too voluminous for my taste.

NL6282 - Basic scoop neck maxi dress.  Meh.

NL6283 - I am sorry, I don't care how fantastic your legs are, this is NOT a dress.
It would be rather cute as a top though.

NL6285 - Basic tank pattern.  Could be a nice wardrobe staple.

NL6286 - A few flowy summer blouses.
Cute, but not quite doing it for me.

NL6291 - I suppose if you are going to make a jumpsuit
it might as well be as comfy as possible.  Knits are a good way to go.

NL6288 - The photographed maxi skirt isn't exciting,
but it is the type of pattern that catches on like wildfire on Pattern Review.

NL6289 - Elastic waist shorts and pants.
Not entirely impractical during summer -
especially to slip on over bathing suits.

NL6290 - Can't go wrong with a nice basic pencil skirt.
Those shorts look really really short though.

So, a few thoughts... (1) YAY YAY YAY for the equestrian pattern.  Kwik Sew recently retired a ton of their active wear offerings, leaving Jalie as the only real option for athletic patterns at the moment.  But between the dance pattern in the last release, and the equestrian look this time around, I am really excited to see Simplicity taking advantage of these sorts of specialized patterns.  (2) I like the bathing suit pattern, but I just have to comment - Patty Reed Designs?  Am I the only one whose brain immediately jumps to cannibalism?  Just sayin'.  (3) I feel like a lot of the designs are very on-trend, though I also feel like I have gotten a lot of them in recent Burda magazines as well.  Doesn't make me feel the need to buy the patterns, but I do really want to sew up the patterns I already own now.

So, what do you all think?  If you don't have any interest in sewing activewear, does this release hold anything exciting for you?  What do you think about the new designer patterns - boring?  Crazy?  Or are you totally inspired?  Does anything from New Look catch your eye?  Or is it all rather derivative?  Feel free to discuss your thoughts in the comments!