Trend: Make It Your Own! DIY Kits and Online Customization Interfaces

Jun 2, 2011 | DIY, Fashion

As of late, I’ve been noticing more and more fashionable items that are customizable to the wearer’s liking. Though there’s always been Etsy for a one-on-one conversation with an individual seller (“Hey, can you make me one in this color and with a pocket?”), there are now more companies than ever offering options for their customers (beyond just sizing). And some of those items are also on the luxury-end of the scale: clothing or accessories you can customize to the tune of a couple hundred dollars or more. (That Fendi DIY NeedlePoint Baguette ($995) or Fendi Paint-Your-Own Baguette ($585) from last year spring to mind…;-)

Here’s a couple more I’ve noticed lately:

Sneaker Customization Kit

Paint your sneakers any way you want and add a dose of artistic boldness to your feet. Includes sneaker wipes (to clean them of dirt or oils prior to painting), 5 paints specifically formulated for sneaker leather and to withstand flexing, a paintbrush and an extra pot for mixing colors. (Sneakers not included;-) And of course you’re not limited to jazzing up those high-top basketball sneaks either…or even limited to sneakers! (Say you have a white leather bag you’d like to add some custom art to? No problem!)

$45, UncommonGoods.com

Prada Choose-Your Initials Sunglasses

You can choose your own 2 initials – or even your favorite symbols (like hearts or skulls) – to add a little bit of personalization to the arms of your Prada sunglasses.

$365, SunglassHut.com

Customizable Cuffs

From Owen & Savary, cuffs in their Bespoke line allow you to choose your favorite leathers and colors for a unisex piece all your own.

From $285 -, OwenSavary.com

Design Your Own Jewelry

Though I’ve written about it before, Sheyna.com is a site where you can customize your jewelry into literally hundreds of combinations, choosing gold or silver, gemstone briolettes, chains, etc. – to make your own, one-of-a-kind DIY necklace, earrings, or rings. Become a jewelry designer with just simple drag-and-drop!

From $2.88- , Sheyna.com

Make Your Own Havaianas

Havaianas, the name synonymous with summer and flip-flops, has just launched a new feature where you can choose the sole color, strap color, and crystals and pins on the straps – plus see the combinations that celebrities have made and get inspired!