Denim Jacket Revival

I've had a denim jacket for years, and I almost never wear it. Sometimes I get jacket envy when I see cool girls wearing denim jackets on street style blogs, which is totally irrational because I happen to have practically the same jacket these girls are wearing. What I really envy is the fact that, unlike me, they actually wear the jacket. I appear to lack this ability. When I see these girls wearing flannel and denim it looks great, but somehow, standing in front of the mirror in the morning, the pairing doesn't quite have the same flair. On me, it looks plain and easy. I'd rather wear flannel and my leather jacket if I'm going down that route, because at least leather has a bit more of an edge. So the jacket hangs from its hook (or, to be honest, lies crumpled on my floor somewhere) and is rarely taken out for a spin.

What I'm getting at here is that I think I need to make some changes to my denim jacket in order to actually wear it. My first idea on the subject was studs - I mean, you know I love me some studded denim - but that feels so done these days. I see that everywhere. Ditto chopping off the sleeves and making the jacket a vest. Ditto bleaching it. So what's to be done? I dipped into my inspiration folder and emerged victorious! Check out this lovely little jacket:

I believe the model is actually wearing a patched vest over a torn up jacket, but it's the combo that gets me. I love the ditzy florals and the way the rips temper the girliness factor. I think something similar could even be done with lace, although I really am partial to the floral prints.

However, if I lose my nerve when it comes to making such a feminine addition to my jacket, I think I could make a slightly punkier compromise.

Now don't get me wrong - the jacket is staying a jacket. I can't quite tell what is going on in this picture - it appears that either there is some kind of denim corset or the denim is actually cut into strips and attached to a blazer - but I'm not really concerned with the details. I like the ragged, contrasting strips of fabric and even the lopsided stars.

I've been home from school for about a week, and I'm getting fairly bored. I think it's about time for a new project. Denim jacket resuscitation time, perhaps?

The Torn Identity

Street Style photos from Garance Dore and Style Sightings. Runway photos from Style.com. All other sources are linked to below.

Torn jeans are hardly unusual. In fact, I'm wearing a pair with rips at the knees right now. I know that in the past, hole-y clothing was considered a sign of poverty, but these days it's much more of a norm. I don't feel comfortable wearing ripped jeans to a nice restaraunt or party, but for every day I even like the look.

Quick semi-related joke: Why did the rabbi get wet? Because his umbrella was hole-y! Har, har.

Back to the point - I'm used to jeans with the knees worn out, with frayed hems and threadbare bums (well, to a point). I wear 'em til they're no longer serviceable, and then out they go. But one thing I'm not used to is the kind of jeans that we saw on a recent Maison Martin Margiela runway (See above on the top right, second from left on the bottom). With decisively tattered legs, these creations barely cover more than a pair of shorts. They look like someone ran them through the paper shredder, and while they intrigue me, I'm not such a fan. For now.

But a toned down version of the look? That's something I could really get to like. The Urban Collection jeans (worn by the red-haired model above) are slightly less ripped up, and as usual, the styling is impeccable. I find the torn black jeans worn almost as leggings to be quite appealing. The Rick Owens leggings (top left) are also pretty sweet.

Mr. Margiela may have had the idea, but I'm sure you could come up with something a lot nicer and way cheaper on your own by taking a pair of scissors to some old skinny jeans. From the examples above, I've decided I prefer black jeans (which I don't actually own) for the project, but I think any color would do very nicely. Also, tighter jeans look pretty good, and the jeans work just fine when cropped, even if I prefer them long. Also, should I get my act together and actually find some jeans to work with, I plan to wear them under dresses and tunics. I will carry a fake squirt gun and call the look "The Torn Identity." Tee hee. Oh, puns. You know you love it.

Thoughts? Ideas? Puns to share? Bring 'em on!

I Spy a DIY

I think my laziness (let's say it's summer-induced laziness, to save face if nothing else) has been compromised. The universe appears to be kicking my butt into gear.

Summer courses, the responsible things I really should be doing instead of sprawling on my bed with a stack of glossies, and a few exciting extras to be shared at later times have raised my stress level a bit. I mean, I'm not hugely busy, but if I didn't procrastinate so much, I would be. But such is life.

That's why it's so unfair that I've been itching to do some DIY projects. I don't really have the time, damnit! But I hope to do them just the same.

Firstly, the new denim issue of Nylon had a fairly easy DIY for these adorable denim romper shorts. Want 'em, must have 'em, will make 'em! The article isn't on Nylon's website, so you'll just have to trust me on this one.

Then, there's this picture of a blazer on the Urban Collection website:

Isn't it stunning? I'd like to think I can make one like it. A trip to the thrift store and craft store should do the truck, and I honestly think it shouldn't be too hard. It would be a piece of cake if I could use a glue gun to attach the silver buttons, but then I wouldn't be able to wash the blazer. I may suck it up an sew by hand; it should be worth it. A garment like that will definitely draw the right kind of stares!

I know, I know. I rarely do DIY projects on this blog, which is kind of strange considering I was ultra-crafty as a kid. I'm a nightmare with a sewing machine. But I'd like a chance to redeem myself, please!

Do you have any neat DIY ideas? Have you made anything really smashing lately? And more importantly, who wants to buy me the Urban Collection blazer to save me from ruining a thrift store one I attempted to spiff up when I should have been doing homework?

A Nylon-Inspired DIY

After the floral glory of those Nylon photos from my previous post, it became clear to me that I needed to find some way to wear flowers in my hair.

So I did a little DIY.

I used a glue gun to stick together some flowers from a worn out lei. Then I glued beads to the center and a stiff piece of paper with 2 slits to the back.

I made 2 flowers.

The point of the slits on the back is that I can slide a hair clip through them:

Or I can use them to slip the flower on a headband:

The flowers were so simple to make, and delightful to wear. I'm happy.

DIY: Fabulous Gloves

Did anyone else fall in love with the Armani Prive gloves featured in the Fall 2007 couture collection? I certaintly did. I'm a sucker for anything that mixes tough and girly, and badass fingerless gloves embelished with sparkling gemstones surely fits the bill. With this image swimming around in my head, as well as some other images (such as some gorgeous Betsey Johnson gloves adorned with bows on the backs), I resolved to make my own pair of embelished gloves. My project was decidedly a success.


Since I was attempting to complete my project using only things found around the house, I found some black knit gloves and cut off the fingers. I then riffled through my drawers, searching for jewels, cheap abandoned jewelry, and other sparkly things. I revved up the glue gun (okay, If you must know, I quietly plugged it in) and pasted everything on as I saw fit. The result? These beauties:









Okay, so maybe they're a bit rough around the edges, but I feel fantastic wearing them.

For the curious, the objects I used were:
♥ 1 pair of gloves
♥ 9 pink gemstones
♥ the leaf charm and chain from a Twelve by Twelve tag
♥ 2 gold buttons with an anchor design
♥ 1 broken earring
♥ 1 heart pendant
♥ 1 sequined bow patch

And the tools:
♥ scissors (to cut the gloves)
♥ wire-cutters (to cut the chain)
♥ glue gun (for the obvious)

The gloves only took me about 15 minutes to make, and I think the look fabulous. There are so many things you can embelish gloves with, like jewelry, jewels, chains, buttons, feathers, beads, patches, ribbons, lace, fabrics, etc., so it's easy to give them a personal touch. This is an excellent DIY project for anyone who lacks sewing skills (I'm working on it!) and has a lot of stuff lying around (guilty!). So go forth and embelish!

My First Sewing Project

Before I reach the point of this post, I want to say that I almost didn't include the picture on the far left because I was a little worried it would end up on Daddy Likey's Don't Show-cha Your Chocha. But then I thought, to hell with it. I stand by my decision to wear the shirt as a dress. My tights are opaque and my intention is pure! Take that, Winona! (P.S. Love the chocha-showing series, brilliant idea)

Anyway, this post is about my plaid top/sort-of-dress. It used to be this horribly baggy button-down tunic with slits on the side and long sleeves. I think my mom wore it in the 80's. I've been wearing it as pajamas, but yesterday I pulled it out, looked at it, and decided I could make it wearable outside the house.

This was easier said than done, because I am not a sewer. The extent of my sewing abilities have been gleaned from hand-stitching a lavender pillow at summer camp when I was about 10 years old. But I pulled out the family sewing machine, taught myself how to use it (which would have been easier if the instuction manual hadn't been misplaced), and got to work. I gave it a babydoll shape, a bit of pleating, and short, puffy, cuffed sleeves. I got rid of the old buttons, stitched most of the front shut, and sewed on some new buttons. And I stitched up the slitted sides. It's not great, and the inside is a mess (but no one's gonna be inspecting the inside of my shirt, right?), but I don't think it's too bad for a first-time sewing project. Especially since I had to teach myself how to use the sewing machine and do the pleating and all. I'm very proud.

A Successful DIY & One in the Making

A while ago, I made a post about DIY runway accessories. Yesterday, I got a comment from one of my readers (Just My Cup of Lady Grey) that totally thrilled me.



"I finally created the stunning carolina herrera sunglasses that I saw on http://www.modernmagik.blogspot.com/. As suggested I searched for a pair of clear sunglasses that I found for six dollars and then with some borrowed lace I created the look. Instead of using mod podge though, I went crazy with an old bottle of clear sally hansen's hard as nails and glued the lace down. it worked perfectly and even though I can't see out of them, they look amazing on top of my head!"

Didn't they come out fabulous?! If I didn't have to wear glasses (I'm practically blind without them), I would so make myself a pair.

And now, in the spirit of DIY, I'll let you in on the DIY project I plan to undertake. It should be pretty easy, and I'm excited to do it, whenever I get around to it.



My inspiration is the corset belts that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen wore to the MET Costume Institute Gala, especially Mary-Kate's. I think the belts are ultra-flattering and cool, and I think that they'll work well with a girly dress and my motorcycle boots, or a girly dress and my shiny black leggings. Also, I haven't been seeing them around a whole bunch, so they would make for a somewhat unique look. My plan is to buy black faux leather at a fabric store. I'll cut a rectangle out that is as as long as the circumferance of my waist, and I guess I'll decide on the width at the time. Then I cut off the corners, put three holes in each end (I'm planning on using a hammer and nail to make the holes, although I'm not sure how this will work...I may need to cut out small circles with a exacto knife instead), and use a string or ribbon to lace the holes together. Woosh! A belt is formed! I'll clarify this explanation with a badly drawn picture (It is SO hard to draw on the computer).


The red shows where you would cut the faux leather and make holes.


This is how the belt would look on a waist.

Feel free to make one too. I would feel tres cool if I started a trend. (No one else has to know that the Olsens actually started it.)

DIY Runway Accessories

A few days ago, I was browsing through all the old DIY posts on Style Bytes, and was inspired by the way Agathe found ways to recreate certain runway accessories on her own for a fraction of the price. So, I headed to style.com, determined to find my own DIY projects, and here's a few of the things I came up with:


The Carolina Herrera sunglasses on the left aren't very practical, but I think they look amazing perched on that model's updo. And I think they could be easily made with a pair of old sunglasses and some lace or even a paper doiley. Just glue on the lace or doiley with modge podge or some other gloss, cut off the excess, and add an extra coat to seal it. I also like the Karl Lagerfeld lace arm warmers on the right. I plan to look for an old lace shirt and cut the sleeves off to make some of my own. Both the sunglasses and the arm warmers would look fantastic with a black leather jacket or vest, no?


If you look at the Anna Sui fall collection, it's bursting with DIY projects. I especially like the necklace on the left, which could be made with a small picture frame. Cut a piece of construction paper to fit the frame, cut some aluminum foil or gold paper to make letters, and glue them to the paper. Put it in the frame, and glue a wire loop on the back. Use the loop to attatch the frame to a necklace. I also like the waist pouch on the right, which could be created by sewing a piece of fabric to act as a belt loop on the back of a pouch and threading a chain (which you can get at the hardware store for very cheap) through it.

Let me know if any of you attempt these projects, or if you come up with some of your own. I'd love to see pictures! Email me! If I manage to find time to get the supplies I need, I'll post photos of my own projects. I'm not very crafty, but I did recently sew sequins on a somewhat drab trapeze tank and add a ribbon around the waist. I was very proud, since it turned out pretty well. You can see it here.

Why Don't You...

1) Mourn the end of Gilmore Girls (and celebrate the fact that the last episode was absolutely perfect) by renting a few GG dvds and having a marathon. Extra points if you do this with your mom or daughter.

2) Host a Naked Lady Party. (Thanks to Painfully Hip for the idea)

3) Make Winona from Daddy Likey (and a needy kid too, of course) happy by volunteering for Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

4) Celebrate your inner woMAN with Queen/King Michelle from Kingdom of Style.

5) Prepare to book a June flight to Arnhem, Netherlands to visit Fashion Biennale. (I so want to go to this one. What could be better than "the longest catwalk...a spectacular fashion parade through the heart of the city" and "clothing, accessories and photos in all sorts and sizes hang like laundry on washing lines above the city" Now that's what I call fashion for all.)

6) Get your face ready and glowing for summer by making a homemade aspirin mask.