LOVING - COLLAR NECKLACES

Collars have been having a moment. For a looong while now.  Remember my collar DIYs here and here? Seems like an eternity ago. I absolutely loved this colourful post over at Frockshop's blog, and it's clear that now its all about the statement collar necklace. I recently bought this black beaded one from a local Hong Kong designer - and I've hardly taken it off!

 

Wearing: Beaded collar necklace, A Pair & A Spare silk tank, A Pair & A Spare knitted high-waisted shorts, Anniel ballet flats.

Psst... You might be seeing a little DIY collar necklace here in the coming weeks!

Images: Top collage images sourced from here.

Blogger DIYs

So I've been so busy making dresses and earrings and working on a few other little projects that I haven't had the time to post some of my favourite DIYs from other creative bloggers. Shame on me! I'm drawn to DIYs like a moth to a flame, so here are some of my favourites.
This gorgeous T strap bra by Ivania of Love Aesthetics is amazing and soo simple! Ivania also made a great wrap skirt using a grey marl long sleeved sweatshirt.

DIYs jewellery using fluro/nautical rope are very popular at the moment - with good reason! This one by Andy of Style Scrapbook is amazing. Being a rock climbing enthusiast it the clasp particularly appeals to me. Check it out here.

Another perfectly executed DIY by A Matter of Style - why buy (from Zara) when you can DIY should be my new motto.

Another great DIY clutch from the adorable MJ of Dreaming Spires and Old Car Tyres - made using a thrifted leather skirt. Perfect!

How amazing is this beaded collar from the lovely Alexandra of She is Red?

DIY Black Collar w Gold Collar Points

Cut a black collar off a shirt, add gold paint for the collar points.

Image: US Elle April

Shop my closet here!

DIY Collar Point Embellishments

Ok so if you guys look at as many blogs as I as do you will have seen this little idea around the traps  (Outsapop amongst other places), collar points that look like they are off a cowboy belt. I have been seeing it over and over and haven't posted it because sometimes I worry you guys will get sick seeing things on this blog that are you've seen elsewhere. To be honest, I often feel this way about so many things I see - it often holds me back from posting. Arrgh. But I loved this look so much I just had to post about it.  I think you could also get this affect by simply painting the collar points of a shirt with paint - silver or gold or really any colour you like, I'm seeing neon yellow maybe?

Image: Vogue Russia

By the way, one of my best friends has started a blog all about classic English style called South Molton Street Style. She is a true English rose herself so who better to educate us? If you've read my Wardrobe Rehab Posts you'll remember Step 3 was all about Basics and Essentials, and my friend's blog is one amazing homage to the importance of key items in your wardrobe, which I love. Head over and check it out yo.

DIY bow top

One of my favourite DIY bloggers, Phosphene Fashion, has done a collaboration with the amazing  online store M&J Trimmings (the only place to buy all your DIY bits and bobs online). I am soooo in love with the top, the bow and the nailhead studded collar. To. Die. For. A little bit of Jason Wu AW11 no? Head to M&J Trimmings blog for the tutorial - its well easy innit?

DIY on the Runway - Jason Wu AW11

Yay! Fashion week has arrived along with all the amazing DIY inspiration. Whats not to love about this Jason Wu show? Have been inspired on so many levels to DIY - thought I would share a few of my ideas with you!

These gorgeous bow ties are amazing - take some black ribbon and tie a bow around the neck of a collared blouse. Use velvet ribbon for an extra luxe feel.

Love the lace applique - take some lace fabric and cut out some individual pieces - glue or stitch onto dresses, tops and skirts.

Glue some scalloped lace onto sleeves of a blazer or sweater.

These silk bubble skirts are to die for! Make one using my DIY tutorial here that I did for a maxi skirt, cutting off into a mid length skirt.

DIY Safety Pin Collar

Was looking for a safety pin project (as I bought about a million last week). This image taken by my lovely friend Jill of London Street Style has completely inspired me. Go check out Jill's blog for gorgeous pics of blogger friends from London (miss you guys) and her hilarious sense of humour. Safety pin DIY to come soon I promise.

DIY Leopard Fur Cape/Collar

You can make a collar like this using any patterned fabric. Perfect for keeping warm. The beautiful and talented Paulinemma has killed it with this DIY. If you haven't checked out her blog, you definitely should. A small number of very well executed DIYs hiding in her archives too!

DIY Embellished Collar

Love this gorgeous embellished collar that I found being worn by Mia of Vintage Traffic. Perfectly done - part disco ball part sparkly diamonds. Gorgeous! And Easy.

DIY Carven Collar

Soooo I'm told that this Carven collar sold out of Colette in about 25 minutes flat, and I can see why, it is incredibly cute. Annnnd practical. I know I have been banging on about collars for a while, and I have provided ample inspiration for you to go and make your own by cutting them off thrifted shirts. Next time you do it cut part of the shirt too like this collar, which will help the collar to sit flat against you neck. Love!

Image: Collette

DIY Leopard Collar and Love Heart

Leopard print collar and loveheart back inspiration from Bitching and Junkfood.

Images: Bitching and Junkfood

The Best DIY Trends of 2010

What DIY trends rocked your socks in 2010? I have gone back through my archives and had a look at the DIY trends that got a whole lotta of airtime. But don't think for a moment I'm saying these DIY trends are passe. Not at all! I'm not a trend hunter and I don't really buy into the 'new trend of the moment throw everything else you own out' attitude to fashion. Feel free to take these trends from 2010 through to 2015 if you you feel like it. A good DIY never gets old.

Collars
Miu Miu and Carven inspired a wave of collar DIYing, with most of us recessionistas preferring to DIY rather than buying for an arm and a leg. Why not cut a collar off a thirfted shirt or make one out of leather? Embellishment such as beads, studs, sequins, buttons and fringing added to collars on shirts was also seen on blogs, editorials, online stores and designers alike. A very satisfying DIY trend indeed. Check out all my posts on collars here for a bit of inspiration and some tutorials to make your own.

Images: Le Chic Muse / me

Shorts
All eyes have been on shorts in 2010, and they were (and still are) the bum cover of choice for festival goers and picnicers alike. Those of us not wanting to splurge on such tiny items went in droves to thrift stores and set about customizing denim, leather, linen and cotton shorts or trousers. Cutting off and making highwaisted is an easy and cost effective way to get amongst it. The adding of scalloping, lace, studs, rips and a whole host of other embellishments took the DIY a step further. As a rule I didn't buy shorts from anywhere but thrift shops as they are just so easy to DIY. If you don't have a sewing machine, a double fold over of the hem and then a light hand stitch works just as well in taking them up. Check out my shorts posts here if you feel you didn't get amongst it enough and need to get some inspiration. I know all the southern hemisphere peeps will be thinking about getting into shorts right about now so why not pop down to your local thrift shop and DIY your own?

Images:Transient Expressions,  Internodiciotto , SRC783, my own, The Velvet Bow, my own

Chain Harnesses
A very easy DIY that has been pretty popular for a while now (don't hate me if some of these trends have roots back earlier than 2010 - I'm definitely no fashion historian!). I think Rumi from fashion Toast and I Heart Norwegian Wood had a hand in the popularity of these body embellishments. So incredibly easy to make - basically all you need is some chain, jump rings and some small jewellery pliers. Check out this tutorial from Monoxious here for some inspiration. Don't buy when you can DIY.

Images: Fashion Toast 

Shoulderless
Just about everyone who saw this gorgeous picture of Hanneli Mustapata was inspired to make a shoulderless shirt. It helps that she is so utterly adorable and makes it look so chic. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have a feeling that it was this image that sparked a whole series of designer copies, and millions of DIYs. I was very happy with a similar one that I made, and it was incredibly easy. Check out my tutorial here.

Images: Hanneli Mustapata, my DIY, Sophia from Owl vs Dove

Turbans
Channeling the 50's vibe, who doesn't love a good turban? The blogosphere provided a multitude of great tutorials for all of us to copy this past year. The Man Repeller and Honestly Wtf did a great job in showing us what to do so we could rock some great bad hair day headwear. Head here for some inspiration and a few tutorials.

Images: Man Repeller, Honestly Wtf, Frassy, Studded Hearts

Mouse/Rabbit Ears
Again, not going to bother to go back and analyse where this trend surfaced (I'm sure that Marc Jacobs and Madonna weren't the first to get amongst it) all I'm going to say is that ears as headwear is fun. And DIYable. Totes. Check out this great tutorial here from Carolines Mode. Its well easy to do, innit.

Images: Vanessa Jackman, Carolines Mode, me, Asos, Studded Hearts

Embellished Shoulders
Shoulders were big in 2010 (and 2009? I can't remember), both physically and metaphorically. Eager DIYers added embellished shoulder pads to cardies, blazers and plain tops. Fringing, sequins, studs, buttons and just about everything else was added to shoulders. Truly easy and always cute. Still loving this look.

Images: Anywho, Style Scrapbook, LFW day 2, Gary Pepper Vintage

OK there are sooo many more DIY faves from the last year, what were yours?