It’s odd because I never used to wear shorts. Like never. I also rarely wore dresses. I don’t even know how I managed to survive summers. But hey! I don’t give as many fucks about my lower extremity imperfections. I wear shorts now, so I sew shorts now.

I made many a pair of Hey June Vero Shorts last year (the year we do not speak of), and I recently tested the Stay Stitch Patterns Soline Shorts. Both shorts have encased elastic waistbands and I picked the same fabric (tencel denim) for Soline as I had previously used for a pair of Veros so it’s a nice set-up to compare them.

Format

Layered PDF downloads for both, US Letter/A4 and A0

Price

Vero $12; Soline $16 (discount code SOLINELAUNCH20 gives 20% off, valid during release week)

Size Range

Vero- 0 (35” hip) to 24 (54” hip). My pre-testing sample is size 6, made for 38” hip measurement (note- 1” difference, smaller than current measurement). (Final draft was adjusted during testing.)

Soline- 0 (35” hip) to 34 (64” hip). I made size 8 for 39” hip measurement.

Views

The Vero shorts have a single view, with a woven hoodie pattern included in the set(!) as well.

There are two different length options (shorts and culottes) for Soline with three different pocket styles.

Waistband

While both patterns have fully elasticated waistbands with drawstrings, they do have a few differences. Vero’s band is designed for 2” wide elastic, while Soline’s band is made for 1.5” elastic and has added height for the “paperbag” effect at the top.

Rise

Vero‘s fit is midrise. I measured the front rise as 9” on my pair. The rise on Soline is high. I measured 14” from top of the band to the crotch seam.

Pockets

Soline’s sexy gusseted front pocket is the feature that enticed me to apply for testing the pattern. A simple patch and inseam pocket are also included. Vero’s front pocket has slash construction and there’s a back patch pocket option.

Hem

The bias bound tulip hem is where Vero shines. Making bias and attaching it is a wee bit labor intensive, but the end result is, what are we saying now?, *chef’s kiss!* The hem is straight on Soline with an allowance of 2 1/4”.

blind hem on Soline (personal preference)

Note the darts for shaping at the back waist on Vero.

Ultimately, the fit and style of the Vero and Soline shorts are rather different. Seeing the shorts side by side in the same fabric (albeit different sizes) certainly obviates that! The lower price point on Vero which also includes a top pattern may be the better value, though the size range is limited to a 54” hip. I was drawn to the gusseted pocket option on Soline and the opportunity to try a pattern by a new company, and there's a culotte length to make as well.

Tough call. You probably need both patterns in your arsenal as well, eh!?