Runway to Reality
DIY fashion: Try the season's hottest looks with help from Do-It-Yourselfexperts
Plaid Cape DIY by P.S.- I made this...
Color-Block Pants DIY by Honestly...WTF
Leather Wrap Bracelet DIY by I Spy DIY
Unless you're an A-list celebrity or have an easily disposable income, most of us don't have the ability to purchase those highly coveted runway looks and hottest pieces we see each season.
While we are fortunate to have stores such as Zara and TopShop that offer stylish pieces for less, you often have to dig deep to find items of great quality. A niche in the blogging world that is quickly becoming a favorite of mine is a group of those that dedicate their editorials to creative do-it-yourself (aka DIY) projects.
With their help, you too can wear the season's "it" pieces for half the price. It's a fun way to test out new trends while also adding your own unique signature to them. Below are my favorite DIY style blogs and some projects to keep you entertained and fashionable during the holidays.
P.S.- I made this...
Probably the most famous of the DIY blogs, P.S.- I made this... writes solely about do-it-yourself projects. What's great about P.S.- I made this... is how it provides a collage of the trend so you can get an idea of how to use it, and then follows that with a graphic containing detailed instructions on how to complete the task.
One trend I've been wanting to try out is a plaid cape, but I don't feel like spending a fortune on such a random piece. Thankfully, P.S.- I made this... recently wrote a feature on it! Instead of spending upwards of $300, I'll only be spending about $10-20!
One trend I've been wanting to try out is a plaid cape, but I don't feel like spending a fortune on such a random piece. Thankfully, P.S.- I made this... recently wrote a feature on it! Instead of spending upwards of $300, I'll only be spending about $10-20!
All you need to buy are two yards of plaid wool or cotton flanel in your favorite color combo. To make the cape, fold the fabric in half and place a hat at the top of the fold halfway down (see picture #1). Use a pair of scissors to cut a hole around the hat which will serve as a neck hole.
Keep the scraps from the neck hole and any you may have cut off to shorten the length of the cape and use it to create a thin belt for the cape. Feel free to attach a variety of pins and buttons to add your own flair to the cape.
For more DIY ideas visit P.S.- I made this... - you can also purchase an archive of her projects in the book she recently published. Click here to buy it.
Honestly... WTF
Color blocking has been a major focus this last year and will continue into 2012. Designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Camilla & Marc and Alexander Wang are all contributing a variety of color-blocked pieces for Spring, but most are at least $350.
If you're not sure about spending a ton on a two-tone piece, try out Honestly...WTF's color-block pant DIY! Grab an old pair of khakis or boyfriend jeans, a flat paint brush, roll of masking tape and a fun hue of fabric or craft paint. Place the tape where you want the color-blocking to begin, and then paint the pants below that line (see picture #2).
Once it is completely dry, turn the pants inside out, place more tape in the same spot and paint. After the inside is dry, remove the tape and voila! Color-blocked goodness at your fingertips.
Try it out with your favorite colors - I think white jeans with a red or blue block would be incredible. If you'd like to show a little skin, try this same technique on a skirt or pair of shorts - the options are endless!
For more DIY ideas from Honestly...WTF, click here to view their archive.
I Spy DIY
With Man Repeller Leandra Medine coining the Arm Party, everyone is stocking up on beautiful bangles, bracelets, wraps, watches, etc. Make your own leather wrap bracelet with I Spy DIY's instructions.
Head over to Michael's or Hobby Lobby and get a foot of leather (or whatever other fabric you'd like to use), a gold or silver ring, superglue and a pair of snaps. Cut the leather two inches longer than the circumference of your wrist, wrap the leather around the ring and sup glue the end down (see picture #3).
Next place the wrap onto your wrist and measure out where the buttons snaps will go. Glue the snaps on opposite ends of the leather. Finally, let the leather dry and then you're good to go! Experiment with different widths or add some edge by attaching a row of studs.
For more from I Spy DIY, click here.
Beck is the editor of fashion and personal style blog, The Style Scribe.
