diy: that old t-shirt

Bonjour,

Do you ever blatantly stare at your closet, wondering what you are going to wear? At these times, we feel our closet has nothing! Well you, my friend, are in need of something special!  A simple makeover to a basic garment can do wonders. It can be complex or really simple. It can be easy or difficult, depending on what you choose to sew onto your piece of clothing. This is a lot quicker than sewing an entirely new garment, but still looks great and is your own!

How to do it:

Embellishing and adding your own twist:
1. Find your garment. I used a solid t-shirt, but jeans, a skirt, or pretty much any garment works
2. Choose your embellishments: beads, fabrics, patches, trim, ANYTHING
3. Pin your embellishments on (very important), folding them under as you go
4. Sew it on--- zig-zag the edges on, so the raw edges stay put!
5. Cut loose threads and wear proudly.

Painting:
1. Find your garment, then get out the paints (fabric paint works the best, but acrylic also works well) and brushes (make sure you put newspaper or a cloth beneath you)
2. Figure out your design: draw it on a separate piece of paper, so you are sure you like it
3. Start painting
4. Let it dry overnight
5. Wear it proudly.

Hemming:
1. Find your garment (it doesn't have to be a skirt; shirts, dresses etc. work well too)
2. Try it on and mark how short you want it
3. Cut garment to designated length
4. Fold them hem over twice, to get a nice clean hem and pin
5. Sew-straight stitch about an inch above the end
6. Cut loose threads and wear proudly

Adding:
1. Find your garment
2. Try it on and measure how much longer you want it
3. Cut the amount of fabric you need
4. Take your garment and the piece of fabric to add on, and pin the right sides together
5. Straight stitch the right sides together
6. Cut loose threads
7. Hem the other end of the fabric by double-folding it and pinning
8. Straight stitch it about an inch above the bottom
9. Cut loose threads and wear proudly.

notes and considerations:
***remember NOT to use your favorite clothing piece. Pick one that in your opinion could use a makeover***
*right sides: the right sides are what you look at (the opposite of "inside-out"), the side that you see when you wear your clothing.

 

I made these:

xoxo,
Chantal

the random outfit

Bonjour,

I decided to do something new, a "random outfit" blog piece. I have found all different garments and put them together. This is one of my favorite outfits - the only problem is that I don't own any of these clothes...too bad - a girl can dream; can't she?! So this is what my dreaming looks like. Hope you like it.

Credits: Viviane Westwood (blazer and skirt), Isabel Marant (wedge sneakers), Topshop (blouse), Justin Giunta (necklace)

Why I think it works / why I chose to put this together: the blazer is a classic, but Vivianne Westwood puts a twist on your classic blazer to make it more interesting. The color is also great because it isn't as formal as some black blazers can be, but it isn't a sweatshirt either. The navy works with everything. If you look closely, the top has beads on it, which adds texture to the outfit. I think the stripes vs. polka dots in the skirt and top make the outfit more funky and less expected. Having two prints can actually make an outfit a lot more interesting, this doesn't over-do it. I like how the top and the skirt are in similar colors, which creates a transition between the two patterns.  Your eye connects them.

Now, the necklace (drumroll....) This necklace is amazing. It adds necessary color to the outfit, and the three primary colors go great with the basics. It really pops and fits in well with the neckline of the blazer. The sneakers make the outfit more casual - they dress the outfit down. You can wear this outfit to school (you could do that before too - if you're me:), the sneakers add lots of funkiness to the outfit, but the wedge element makes it more sophisticated.

Please let me know what you think, or if you want, you could give me a garment (any piece) and take a picture, and then post it - then I could put it into an outfit.

xoxo,
Chantal

Baroque

The days of minimalism are over. In with baroque, embroidery and anything else artistic and intricate. This may not be the most wearable fashion, but it isn't only for the runway. Right now, right there on the runway, baroque and anything intricate is the big thing. So if you want to be on top of the trends, remember: don't be afraid to over-do it, eventually you will get the right balance.

This is from Dolce&Gabbana's 2012 fall show.WHY THIS WORKS:

on the left: The top has gorgeous frills and layers with sheer in-between them, and it has a high neck.The high neckline adds a lot to this outfit, it adds more craftsmanship. It is paired with a black pencil skirt, which balances the outfit perfectly....but that is because it isn't your average pencil skirt; it has EXTRAORDINARY embroidery on the sides. This is good because it doesn't make the shirt seem out of place, it makes the pieces work together as one. If you haven't noticed, the model is wearing sheer socks with embroidery - on the runway you can't wear normal socks?! Can you? Well, obviously Dolce&Gabbana did a good job of noticing every tiny detail, because I really love those socks. You may not notice them at first, but once you do, you can't take your eye off them! They add an amazing element to the outfit by adding to the styling (old fashioned becoming new-age) so perfectly. Besides the socks, the jewelry is my favorite part. The headband is another part where this trend comes in - it is intricately woven together, and the earrings also have a lot of detail. Right now, in case you haven't noticed(:D) DETAILS ARE IMPORTANT! whether it is just your jewelry or the beading on your shirt...you can easily become just as fashionable as these gals if you add the right details.

on the right: This is my favorite (as of right now)... The long, sheer black vail with the baroque detail on the end, the golden flower embroidery/artistry done on the dress and the "egyptian earrings" are ALL the necessary  details to make this the new FAB! Dolce&Gabbana has added to the max, but it works, and of course many other designers have also been trying to do it...maybe you can give them a "run for their money"?

A few tips from moi: First things first, you don't have to own a hand embroidered runway dress to be on top of this trend. Fabrics are key! Do you own anything with an interesting texture?velvet, corduroy, tulle, sheer, lace, baroque, vinyl etc....

Even if you are a cotton-lover you can make this work: take a look at your jewelry! Who says you can't wear 2 necklaces, or a scarf and a necklace with bracelets? Nobody, that's who...you are in charge of putting balance into it.

If all else fails, pick up a thread and needle and buy cheap buttons, beads, or other fabric, and sew it on to your shirt, pants, skirt, dress (well, any garment really). Good luck!

Before I forget: Is there any trend, idea or ANYTHING you want me to blog on? Let me know!

xoxo,

Chantal

one last image to enjoy-BAROQUE TO THE MAX OF GORGEOUS_NESS!

Edgy/tough Ballerina

Bonjour,

Contrasts are big in the fashion world. Opposites attract. Even very subtle contrasts make an outfit perfect, whether its a simple accessory (the styling of the outfit) or a hairstyle or a garment. It makes the outfit interesting, maybe unexpected but thats exactly what fashionistas like me live for..Unexpectedness.
The edgy ballerina or the tough ballerina (however you prefer to call it) is a contrast I love to play with....whether I am just wearing a soft pink tank with a black puffy full skirt and sneakers or go all out by zooming in on edgy or the delicacy of a ballerina.

The models dull black hair and bangs and her "hard checkered bun" contrast with the puffy feminine soft dress, giving it an unexpected twist on your classic ballerina.

I love this outfit! It is styled absolutely perfectly! Normally, most people wouldn't expect a black leather jacket (this one isn't any jacket - it takes the wrap style from the classic ballerina outfits and plays with it, and it adds a broad shoulder) over a gorgeous pink soft dress. The shoes are also perfect (I have been dreaming about shoes like this forever :) they are ballerina-esque but black, adding edge.

Another outfit which is completely and utterly fabulous!  It is styled to perfection...the white pasty hands add delicacy, providing a perfect contrast to the black fabric leather, which seems to have some vinyl or raincoat coating on it (the arm shape is the perfect edginess because the fabric doesn't move gracefully; it stays in its place, adding a twist on motion).  The feathers on the collar poke out, which also is edgy. This is a form of motion and fabric choice (stiff), but the soft subtle colors are perfect. The skirt is gorgeous! I love the play on the 3 different types of fabric: tulle, fleece or wool and a feathery fabric. It is pure genius.The nude color of the skirt is perfect. It isn't quite as feminine as a soft pink, but is very soft nice and subtle.  The shoes are of course great...and very similar to the ones above (photo cuts of the differing bottom).

How do I do this? That is completely up to you...you are the artist and it is fun to play. "You can never hit a home run if you are afraid to strike out", meaning take chances...who knows what will come out of them? A few tips: Light pink is great, but maybe you don't have any garments that are light pink. Don't worry: this look can still be achieved! Look for subtle and calm colors like: nude, tan, a grey pink (like the skirt above, sea foam blue). Most of us don't own leather jackets or studs, but edginess is very simple to achieve: broad shoulders, black, dark brown. It isn't all about the colors - edginess or a ballerina look is useless without a play on fabrics and textures! Sheer, stiff fabrics, flowy fabrics, wool, synthetic and many more can help achieve your look!

xoxo,

Chantal