DIY is everything

Here’s a funny thing. Over the past 6 months or so, a subtle DIY element has found it’s way into my wardrobe- to the point where the other night my whole outfit was pimped (or modded, or updated, or remixed). The boots were re-laced, the jeans cropped, the sweater dyed black, the blazer buttons moved about, the bag had a leather wallet and charms attached by me.

It’s a lack of money, and websites like the phenomenal Stylelikeu that have inspired all this. Previously, I had this idea that the designer’s hand should not be messed about with, but when it’s crazy old lady clothes from a charity shop or boot sale I couldn’t care less. The best thing about DIY is, even if you’re clumsy as fuck (like I am) it’s a lot easier than you think; and the more you do it, the more it comes, influences your wardrobe. So some ideas or suggestions of things I’ve discovered recently, so you can P.I.M.P your own wardrobe:

-Cropping trousers- by hand, this takes about 20 minutes in front of the TV and is unnoticeable if you use a similar coloured thread.

-Turn a jacket upside down and put your arms through the sleeves (this works especially well with a big or long, lightweight jacket like a long blazer or overshirt). Voila- you have a deconstructed, draped jacket that’s slightly reminiscent of something like this Damir Doma one. Another tip from the fantastic Stylelikeu.

-Re-lace old shoes: amazing if you, for example, put flat cotton trainer laces on a pair of suede bucks or smart suede shoes, or ribbons in DM’s (courtesy of Carolyn Massey AW 08).

-Use the old laces as a bracelet or, again, Damir-Doma style, thread through jackets and trouser waistbands and leave hanging.

-Paint-splash your shoes or cut-off denim jeans for that Alexander McQueen SS 10 look. Even better, create an action painting at the same time.

-Obsessed with Lanvin’s zip-off sleeve trench from their recent AW 10 show, I’m taking my own vintage trench to the tailor’s to get the sleeves hacked off and zips added around the shoulders.

-On a similar note, I’m dying to mix-up the sleeves on an old bomber jacket by finding knitted sleeves from an old jumper and sewing them on.

-Cropping and re-working t-shirts is an excellent starting point (especially if, like me, you prefer your t-shirts oversized). Buying some much larger than your size and cutting them to make a cropped shape is easy; making them into a custom, raw-edge vest is hardly breaking into a sweat. Then there’s shredding them, picking out holes, and cutting fine lines into them for a ‘ribcage’ cutaway effect. Buy two similarly-coloured tees (ideally one mesh), cut one in half and layer over the other to emulate Tim Hamilton’s rather lovely SS 10 show.

-Cut out sections of a pair of old loafers to create a Prada SS 08 effect, as shown by Alex Chapman on Stylelikeu (no, I’m not on their payroll)…

-Sew (or fabric tape) some nice fabric like velvet, polka-dot, denim or corduroy to the collar of a shirt for a contrast effect.

-Dyeing clothes. It’s much, much easier than it sounds, a TON of fun and can make things look like new. Dylon are, of course, the best dye-makers and it’s worth getting the one that you put in the washing machine. For about £5-6 you get 10 or so items in bold new colours. Works especially well with denim (I recently did a sleeveless, very stonewash denim jacket), cotton knits, and slightly past-it t-shirts and vests. The boring old clothes go in and, as if by magic, emerge as something heart-stoppingly exciting.

-Cut the arms off an old jumper and throw it over your neck as a snood; replace the buttons on a jacket or cardigan (a classic, but always worth it), cut the sleeves off a blazer and add a zip fastening; use a bow tie as a lapel brooch; belt a coat using a piece of rope or even a tassel (for the daring); wear cardigans and sweaters inside-out for a raw edge deconstructed look.

-And one for summer- tying pom-poms, straw and ribbons to rope sandals, a la Telfar SS 10.

Today listening to: Broadcast, Corporeal from Tender Buttons

Today’s outfit:
military surplus boots re-lace with green laces
generic black socks
pleated navy trousers borrowed from flatmate
primark striped navy vest and grey marl t-shirt, extra large, cut cropped
vintage hand-knit blue and white wide stripe cardigan
necklace made from shoestring and my door key
vintage alexon grey astrakhan-effect long coat with shawl lapel
DIY fingerless primark gloves
vintage grey felt scarf
large green nylon satchel, found on the street at an office clearance in Covent Garden