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DIY Fashionista
By
Law1sfab
Outfit details:
- Cardigan, hat and shoes - Charity shop
- Top - c/o Clothing At Tesco
- Jeans - New Look
- Necklace - Primark
DIY Spike Studded Shoes
Recreate the look with Laura's Spike Studded Shoes & Heart Patches tutorials:
How would you describe your style?
I'm like an Andy Warhol painting when it comes to clothing, you may see familiar things but in a different way it's bold and punchy. I like to keep my style playful, I don't like to take it to seriously, life is to short not to have fun with fashion. I love colour, so if it's bright and patterned it's going in my wardrobe.
What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?
A charity shop granny style cardigan, it's a massive chunky knit and multi coloured. It's so stupidly crazy and bold, but fabulous pieces it makes me feel like if I can make this work I can rock anything.
Who are your style icons?
There are so many, I love looking at photos of my mum in the 70's she had such great style back than. I admire so many people from mainly the music scene, No doubt (back in the 90's) Gwen's hairstyles were so cool and I love her ever changing clothing style. I adore Bjork, she's wears what she wants and I adore that. I also love Karen O from Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs again she has this bold, raw style. Grace Coddington is a fashion legend, she's so talented when it comes to fashion styling and was the reason I use to buy Vogue growing up! Cher in Clueless, I remember when it first came out and thinking that I needed knee high socks as soon as I finished watching it.
I'll stop there as I adore so many in fashion, music, TV and film.
Do you have any favourite designers?
I adore Christopher Kane, his first ever collection back in 2006 with the bandage dresses is still one of my all time favourites. His collections are alway playful and very creative. For classic it has to be Jean Paul Gaultier from his divine corsets, to making the breton top cool. His one of the greats and the costumes he made for the film 'Fifth Element' in 1997 are still to this day beyond cool.
Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?
I am a high street girl, so for me H&M, Primark, River Island and New Look. I also love ASOS for online shopping, but to be honest I'll shop everywhere. I think it's good to keep an open mind, I love vintage shops like beyond retro and also charity shops to mix it up a little.
Do you make or customise your outfits?
I have two young boys, so when I get time I do. Before the kids I would always be doing something creative to my clothing, this year I plan on working on more projects as it's fun and de-stressing.
Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?
You can wear things you have in a different way, I'm always wearing long skirts as dresses in summer by pulling them up and belting at the waist. Or adding a heap of brooches you have to a beanie hat for the new 90's trend. If you have old clothing that needs a new lease of life, go on You Tube or craft sites like this one and get inspired. Turn jeans into denim shorts, use a cool fabric and sew it down to one side of the shorts and why not add some studs (I stud everything). Easy, cheap and upcycling things you already have in the house. Plus when people ask 'where did you get that?' it's a great feeling to know you have made out of things some people would just throw.
Follow Laura on CO+K to keep up with her projects and check out her blog, That's So Yesterday »
Outfit details:
- Knitted sweater - H&M
- Shorts - H&M
- Shoes - Nine West
- Blouse - DIY (see below)
DIY Decorated Collar
Recreate the look with Victoria's Decorate Your Collar tutorial:
How would you describe your style?
What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?
Who are your style icons?
Do you have any favourite designers?
Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?
Do you make or customise your outfits?
Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?
Follow Victoria on CO+K to keep up with her projects and check out her blog at Victoriabrikho.se »
Outfit details:
- Embellished T Shirt - DIY (see below)
- Patched Jeans - DIY (see below)
- Jacket - Rugby
- Shoes - DVF
- Bracelets - Vintage
- Belt - Made from ribbon
DIY Embellished T-Shirt & Patched Jeans
Recreate the look with Cathy's Embellished T-Shirt & DIY Patched Jeans tutorials:
How would you describe your style?
Classic with a twist. But, it’s really hard to describe, I like to change it all the time based on my moods and current inspirations.
What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?
My jewelry. I have a huge collection of vintage jewelry (mostly from my grandmothers) and I also love all my DIY jewelry.
Who are your style icons?
I’m a huge Audrey Hepburn fan. I love her timeless style. I’m always inspired by movies from the ‘40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I love the over the top style of Rosalind Russell in Auntie Mame. I try to live by her quote “Life’s a banquet and most poor fools are starving!”
Do you have any favourite designers?
Diane Von Furstenberg, Anna Sui and Isabel Marant. I obsessed with prints, textures and embellishments. But, I look everywhere for inspiration for my DIY’s, street style, movies, vintage, art, everywhere.
Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?
ShopBop because they have everything. I love vintage shopping to find really unique pieces. I also shop for a lot if inexpensive basics to customize with my DIY’s at UniQlo, Joe Fresh, Target and H & M. Unless I know it’s going to be a classic piece I’ll keep forever, I don’t like to spend a lot of money on clothes and I prefer making things whenever I can.
Do you make or customise your outfits?
Yes, I really do stay true to my DIY. I always have on at least one thing I’ve made and/or embellished (usually jewelry). But I try to keep it to a 2 or 3 DIY limit, otherwise it can get a little scary.
Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?
Be true to yourself and go with what you like. Don’t try to please anyone but yourself. Be fearless!
Follow Cathy on CO+K to keep up with her projects and check out her blog, Trinkets in Bloom »
By
Josie D.
Outfit details:
- Sweater - Ralph Lauren (thrifted)
- Shirt - Gap
- Cords - Buffalo
- Necklace - Vintage
- Boots - Duck (thrifted)
- Socks - Target
- Bracelet - DIY (see below)
DIY Leather Bow Bracelet:
Recreate the look with Josie's Leather Bow Bracelet tutorial:
How would you describe your style?
My style seems to always be changing little by little, but in general I'd probably say something like vintage prep with plenty of masculine details.What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?
My khaki skirt! I could easily wear it everyday and not even be bored. It seems to go perfectly with almost anything, and I'd be heartbroken I lost it!
Who are your style icons?
Audrey Hepburn, Kate Middleton and way too many bloggers to name.Do you have any favourite designers?
Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?
Thrift stores. I worked in malls for years and got so sick of it! I would much rather dig through thrift stores to find those jems!
Do you make or customise your outfits?
Sometimes. I have a few ideas and plans for making bigger peices this year and using my sewing machine a lot more, so I'm pretty excited about that!Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?
Follow Josie on CO+K to keep up with her projects and check out her blog at Fine + Feathered »
By
Charley H.
Outfit details:
- Necklace - DIY (See below)
- Top - DIY
- Shorts - Miu Miu Shorts DIY
- Tights - Primark
- Shoes - Topshop
DIY Beads Of A Bird Neckacle:
Recreate the look with Charley's Beads Of A Bird tutorial:
How would you describe your style?
What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?
Who are your style icons?
Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?
Do you make or customise your outfits?
I customise whenever possible. Much as I love to sew, it’s ridiculously time-consuming and if you’re trying to figure out your own pattern that easily adds another few hours to each project. My time’s frustratingly tight so unfortunately sewing something from scratch is a rare treat. Another thing I will say is that there’s so much trial and error in sewing if you’re at a beginner or novice level. Generally you’re better off embellishing or reconstructing something that someone’s already gone to the trouble of making than trying to do it all yourself. If you aren’t absolutely 100% sure of what you’re doing, something minor - like the wrong choice of stitch or sewing needle, or neglecting to use something like interfacing when you’re machine-embroidering onto jersey, for instance – can completely wreck your work. I’d say customising, where possible, definitely trumps sewing things from scratch.
Don’t throw old clothes out; keep them and re-work them into something else, so you can mix them with newer, more on-trend items, for a cool, considered and totally unique look.
Outfit details:
- Sweater - loft
- Headband (tie from dress) & dress (as top) - charlie jade
- Skirt - loft
- Tights - target
- Booties - seychelles
- Bag - DIY (see below)
- Necklace & bracelet - gift & vintage
DIY Stencilled Tote Bag:
Recreate the look with Katherine's Simple Stenciled Tote Bag tutorial:
How would you describe your style?
What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?
Who are your style icons?
Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?
Do you make or customise your outfits?
I believe in wearing the same thing a lot more than twice, just in different iterations. If I have a dress, I try and think of at least 5 different ways to wear it. I do this when considering a purchase as well. Playing around with pattern mixing has really changed my ability to wear things in different ways. I also love adding different jewelry pieces to an outfit - a large statement necklace can create a completely different look than a small charm necklace for instance.
Follow Katherine on CO+K to keep up with her projects and check out her blog, of corgis & cocktails »
Outfit details:
- T-shirt - refashioned by me (see below)
- Black skinny jeans - Vero Moda
- Peeptoe heels - vintage from my Mother's yout
DIY Heart Cutout T-Shirt
Recreate the look with Hanna's DIY Heart Cutout T-Shirt tutorial:
How would you describe your style?
I think my style is constantly evolving, but I guess I do have some signature lines to my style, that haven't changed fo years and that probably never will. I like simple and classic pieces with a hint of retro and romantic to them. I love pretty dresses and cute cardigans, but I wear a lot of pants in my everyday outfits. Mostly simple skinny jeans paired with a cute top and a cardigan.
What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?
My favorites change constantly. I keep finding new things I'd forgotten about in my closets and then all of a sudden I can't remember what I wore before that. I think this heart cutout t-shirt is actually one of my current favorites. I'm not a t-shirt kind of gal usually, but the heart shape makes it just cute and romantic enough for my style. It's perfect! And, I acquired my first pair of skinny jeans a couple of months ago (yes, my first pair) and they've come my favorite pair ever.
Who are your style icons?
That's a hard question. I don't think I have style icons per se, but I do admire people who have their distinct style and can carry themselves gracefully. I love when a woman know her worth and is confident in her style.
Do you have any favourite designers?
I wouldn't say I have any favorites, I like a lot of designers' work. I like Estonian young eco-conscious designers who make their collections from cast off materials. That's very inspiring.
Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?
I rarely buy new clothes. Once a year I do the sin of going into H&M. I always feel guilty afterwards because of their production methods, but since I'm a student on a budget and I don't have time to make all my clothing myself, I have to get a few basics for cheap.
Do you make or customise your outfits?
Most of my clothing and shoes is thrifted and refashioned by me. I used to make a lot of my clothing from scratch, but I quickly became hoarding new fabric, which I didn't have time to turn into clothing. So I turned to thrifting and refashioning. I still make garments from scratch from time to time, but I mostly use materials I already have.
Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?
I have a series on my blog called "Wardrobe reinvention", which has taught me a lot about mixing up my outfits. I think you should have fun with your clothing and be really creative about how you wear it. A skirt can be worn not only as a skirt and you can mix up a dull outfit by putting your sweater on backwards. Accessories are great for adding some personality to any outfit. It's all about trying new things and having a lot of fun.
Follow Hanna on CO+K to keep up with her projects and check out her blog at Pearls & Scissors »
Outfit details:
- Dress - Shareen Vintage
- Silver robe - Thrifted and Modern
- Shoes - Swedish Hasbeens in Silver
5 Min Wreath
Recreate the look with Justina's 5 Min Wreath tutorial:
How would you describe your style?
Globoh (global/bohemian)
What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?
yikes. that's tough. Right now I'd say it's this dress by Free People.
Who are your style icons?
Frida Kahlo, Peggy Moffit
Do you have any favourite designers?
Right now I'd say Isabel Marant, Suno and Stella Jean.
Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?
Free People, Plumo, Pretty Mommy, Etsy.
Do you make or customise your outfits?
Not usually but sometimes I will cut things up a bit or add belts and things where they don't always belong.
Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?
I'm a big fan of mixing brights: I love to wear blue shoes, green pants, pink top, orange jacket--for example--so long as they are all solids, they'll never clash. I also love to mix prints, and layer layer layer. I like to think about the balance of my outfits as well--if I'm wearing something simple, I'll add a chunky necklace to add punch. If I'm wearing something crazy, I'll wear my hair pulled back in a bun to not distract from the outfit. I have been known to use scarves in all kinds of crazy ways too (as belts, head wraps, tops...) and I'm not afraid to wear more than one scarf at a time, either!
Make sure to check out Justina's blog at JustinaBlakeney.com »
Outfit details:
- Sweater - thrifted
- Skirt - thrifted & diy (see below)
- Scarf & tights - Old Navy
- Booties - Payless
- Socks - Steve Madden
- Earrings - c/o Sahara Jewelry, via etsy
- Rings - Forever21
- Nails - diy caviar manicure
DIY Fishtail Skirt
Recreate the look with Kym's DIY Fishtail Skirt tutorial:
How would you describe your style?
This question is always a toughie because I don't define my style by any one category. It's a rather eclectic mix that can be defined as relaxed, undone, and effortlessly chic, with a bit of whimsey thrown in for good measure.
What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?
Right now I'm mildly obsessed with my light denim chambray button up shirt. It's so versatile that I can usually figure out a way to work it into just about any outfit. Suffice it to say that I probably wear it more times between washings than is hygienically acceptable. I might even give it an update soon by adding some metal studs & large rhinestones to the collar!
Who are your style icons?
I have a pretty major girl crush on Zooey Deschanel. Her style is impeccable, from her clothing to her hair to her makeup; even right down to her beautiful singing voice. I totally want to be her.
Do you have any favourite designers?
This is going to sound crazy coming from a style blogger, but I actually don't pay much attention to designers (#shameful). I'm just not down with $8,000 dresses; it all seems a bit excessive to me.
Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?
Francesca's Collections and Anthropologie always seem to have shops filled with irresistible dresses, and I love to look for trendy pieces at Forever21. When I want to feel really cool, I shop at Urban Outfitters. Also on the favorite list: Target, Old Navy, & Gap for affordable wardrobe staples, with the occasional fun piece thrown in - all at great prices.
Do you make or customise your outfits?
I've tried my hand at sewing, but after a rocky 10 year relationship with my sewing machine, I have finally accepted that I'll have to leave the creation of clothing to the pros. Instead, I customize my outfits by adding pieces that reflect my personality, be it a scarf I knitted myself, a pair of handmade earrings, or even on the laziest of days - a simple swipe of bright lipstick.
Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?
My best piece of advice is to incorporate a little something unexpected into your outfits. Maybe your sweater has elbow patches; maybe you throw a cargo vest over a dainty lace dress to toughen it up a bit; maybe you mix flannel with sequins; or maybe you wear some patterned tights underneath your shorts...you get the idea. Try to do something slightly outside of the norm. To really personalize your outfit, add little bits of you into it. Do you love vintage? Add a cluster of vintage brooches to your jacket or sweater. Do you love bright colors? Throw on some purple tights or add a bold, yellow handbag to an otherwise neutral outfit. Any little detail that would cause someone to go, "hmm, that's interesting," is basically the goal.
By
Seonaid R.
Outfit details:
- Tartan scarf - H&M
- High-waist black jeans - H&M
- White t-shirt - H&M
Small bag - H&M - Chain bracelet - H&M
- Jacket - French Connection
- Heels - New Look
DIY Statement Lip
Recreate the look with Seonaid's Statement Lip make-up tutorial:
How would you describe your style?
Ever changing. I like basic, classic pieces in navy, white and black, but I also like splashes of colour. I am also frequently enchanted by glitter, sequins and studs.
What's your favourite piece in your wardrobe?
I have a couple of pieces I really love,mostly for sentimental reasons; my Issey Miyake Pleats Please coral minidress, that I wore to my mum's wedding; my white and blue sealife print Zara silk summer dress. I also love my practical, well-made basics - white t-shirts, skinny jeans, little black dresses.
Who are your style icons?
Julia Sarr-Samois. She is so effortlessly cool, without looking to try hard. She really knows how to dress up the simplest seeming of outfits, and knows how to wear colour well.
Do you have any favourite designers?
Alexander Wang, Mary Katrantzou, Elie Saab.
Where are your favourite places to shop for new clothes clothes?
H&M for basics, Zara for classics, Whistles, Cos, sometimes Topshop.
Do you make or customise your outfits?
Only in the sense that I will cut things up to see how they look - cutting tshirts shorter or changing the neckline, hemming skirts, cutting jeans into shorts. The occasional studding. I wish I had more time and better craft shops nearby, there are lots of things I want to try!
Do you have any great tips for mixing up and personalising an outfit?
Buy only what your feel comfortable in - if you're spending 10 minutes in the shop convincing yourself, it's not worth it. Pick colours, patterns, fabrics you like - just buy what you really want, rather than what you think other people do. Feeling confident and comfortable in your clothes looks ten times better and more individual than forcing yourself into trends you hate.
You can check out Seonaid's blog at Beauty & Baggage »