I am on so many catalog mailing lists just for the inspiration! I love window-shopping more than anything: collecting ideas, re-mixing, thinking, “Hey, I could DIY that!” Rather than actually shopping the products, I’m scouting for DIY inspo, and here are some ideas I’ve formulated from J. Crew’s latest catalog: (which, by the way, I always adore the styling of)
J. Crew Style Guide August 2012
Aw, this catalog starts off too easy. Add white polka dots to a plain black clutch with acrylic paint.
Customize a pair of fabric ballet flats with dots of white fabric paint (like this DIY) and a red toe cap painted with Angelus leather paint.
Add a chain to an ankle-strap ballet flat, securing with a small piece of elastic hand-stitched to the toe box, to make a T-chain-strap flat.
Give a boring flat a makeover with a gold heel, by adding Gold Leafing.
Find a shapeless satin jacket at a thrift store, and alter into a short-sleeved fitted coat. Wear with a beaded collar necklace. (Like this ingenious DIY one!)
Add some color-blocking to some shoes with Angelus leather paint to create your very own spectator pumps. (Plus a DIY leather tassel!)
You can create a faux snakeskin texture print onto a white pencil skirt using a cut sponge like in this DIY tutorial. Accessorize with some matching bold gold cuffs (or just some metal blanks from Michael’s metal-working section).
Create a bold necklace with some oversized glass beads and string some costume jewelry brooches.
A polka-dot sweater is an easy DIY to try using Simply Spray Stencil Paint (it dries soft, like a screenprint!).
Add marine-style stripes to a sweater with masking tape and fabric paint, like in this tutorial.
Hand-sew tiny gold buttons to the sides of a boatneck shirt to jazz it up. Add some colorblocking to your leather bag following my tutorial here.
Create an heirloom jewelry masterpiece by adding a collection of brooches onto a sturdy chain. What better way to wear Grandma’s jewelry box?
A photo-realistic print skirt is a cinch if you print out your fave photo or illustration…and use DecoArt Ink Effects paint to apply the print. (Like in my tutorial here!)
Leopard-print heels are an easy DIY with just a paintbrush, acrylic paint, and lots of dabbing. (I also included this photo because I just love everything about this outfit!!)
Pretty up your daughter’s shoes (or your own, for that matter!) with a coating of glitter (like in my tutorial here), and add some neon laces for that extra punch.
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly
~If you liked this DIY inspiration, please share it!~
Your photo transfer tutorial is genius! I was in love with this skirt when I saw the catalog and am so happy that there’s a way to DIY it! Thanks Carly 🙂
BTW, I did a video tutorial on how to make a J. Crew OGJM lookalike necklace here if you’re interested: http://sewpetitegal.blogspot.com/2012/07/j-crew-inspired-knotted-crescent.html
SewPetiteGal recently posted…"Nautical Stepford" Dress DIY
I LOOOOOVed that last outfit as well.
Also plan on DIYing that vintagey necklace.
Ohhh, super fun, love this post!! I have tried to get their catalog like 3 times and never do, dunno why, so I love seeing these!
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