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
you have been very busy! i haven’t check out that site you referred too, will be doing right now
re Cropping trousers, is there anything better than wonderweb really? It’s like glue from the gods. X
I KNOW!
I’m off the the 99p store to buy some now. Once you crop you can’t stop.