Leopard-print scarf: DIY (tutorial here)
Trenchcoat dress: thrifted and altered
Rings: Cartier, Tiffany, mocha, Forever21
Watch: Swarovski Citizen Eco-Drive
Rhinestone wrap bracelet: Target
Faux Fur Bag: handmade by me
Opaque tights: Hue
Wood-heeled booties: Fergie [from last year]
I’ve been hankering after a beige trenchcoat to wear in the months before it turns really cold here in Oregon.
I’ve seen a number of cute, flared trenchcoats in my favorite Japanese fashion magazines lately, and some are available from various retailers stateside, but I didn’t feel like coughing up the money for Burberry or anything like that, intended for longer wear. Trendy, cute, and could be worn as a dress – those were my basic parameters.
Unfortunately everything available at the thrift store, though serviceable, was ultimately pretty boring style-wise. Long, cut like a block of wood, with no feminine shape to them at all. So I picked up a piece that fit me at the shoulders but had a couple stains near the below-knee-length hem. The leather-covered buckles were also very worn and ruined from years of use.
It took me a very long time to find replacements for the buckles – and no, not even Etsy sellers stock them! I finally found them through AT Button, and after an order of buckles that were the wrong size because I had mis-measured, I finally got ahold of replacements that were correct for this trenchcoat. (If you ever need these type of buckles, make sure you measure the outside dimensions VERY carefully – and specify those are the outside dimensions when ordering!)
I cut off the hem, split the vertical seams of the trench on the front, and inserted some of the extra fabric I had cut off from the hem, in two triangle godet-shapes. This created a flare bottom for the trench, and made the piece much more feminine. Since I didn’t have enough fabric, I couldn’t do the back seams as well, but ideally this should be done for a more flared shape. (I may stop by the fabric store to see if I can find something matching at some point.) You could also insert contrasting fabric – how good would a red plaid, or black lace look? Beautiful, I think!
The leopard scarf I made for the I Love to Create blog with the Tulip Wild Thing Tie Dye Kit. I’m loving the stencils included in that kit – they’re so versatile!
The bag I made with a piece of faux fur [that I use for my Etsy foxtails], a zipper, and a chain. A lining might be good at some point, too.;-)
It’s getting really chilly here – I’m not sure how much longer I can walk around with my legs exposed (even in tights). How do other ladies manage during the Winter???
Hope everyone had a great week – thank goodness the weekend’s finally here!
xoxox
Carly
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The furry bag is a such great piece for autumn, winter! Can’t believe you made it yourself, such neat work.
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Hi Carly! Just wanted to say thank you for suggesting my blog to Jamie! I really appreciate the blog love! 🙂 Also, your fall outfit is so great, esp the pop of blue!
Take Care, Aimee
Sure, no problem! I thought you might be interested in the opportunity she had – and I love your blog! Thanks for your kind words:-)
Wow you did an amazing job, Carly! Ahhh I suffer for fashion in the winter as well. I just tell myself that I’m not outside as much 🙂
xx
Lia
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Carly, Can you please do a tutorial for the bag? Or have you already done one?
Hi Natalia! Well, the bag is merely just as I wrote: a rectangle of faux fur, folded over with the sides sewn, and a zipper attached. I didn’t even bother with the lining!
Style Scrapbook did a tute for a leather clutch (http://www.stylescrapbook.com/2011/03/diy-yellow-clutch.html) – just use faux fur instead of leather and you’ll get the same result! Hope that helps!