DIY Style: Crafty Couture

By Jillian Bietz

Create your way to a one of a kind, hot off the runway look!

Be a crafty fashionista — straight from the runway, these garments will cost you big bucks. You can achieve the same looks with a little creativity and DIY style.

(Photo credit: style.com)

Dolce & Gabbana Paint Splattered T-Shirt
For their Spring 2008 ready-to-wear line, Dolce & Gabanna rolled out a fun, fresh look with paint-splattered tees and dresses. Definitely a 1980’s throwback, paint splash pieces are updated and fashion forward.

Here’s what you’ll need to get the look:

1. 1 cotton t-shirt3 (or however many you’d like) different colored fabric paints.
2. 3 (or however many colors of paint you have) small paintbrushes or toothbrushes.

Directions: Now you are ready, but before you start splattering, be prepared to get messy, and because fabric paint often stains, wear a smock and work outside. After you lay the shirt on the ground, start splashing (use your thumb to flick the paint off the brush and onto the shirt). After you are satisfied with the amount of paint on the shirt, let it dry and voila! You’ll be looking stylish in no time. If you are happy how your top came out, try splashing some colorful paint on an inexpensive or old t-shirt dress, it will make a perfect conversation starter at a party.

 
(Photo credit: net-a-porter.com)

Miu Miu Jeweled Headband
Since last year, headbands have been the “it” accessory. Because of their functionality, they can be dressed up or down, and are always a great compliment to any outfit. So it’s no wonder when Miu Miu introduced their embellished headbands, accessory savvy fashionistas went crazy. Although these jeweled bands are super chic, their $225 price tag is oh-so-steep.

Here’s what you’ll need to create an embellished headband:

1. 1 bag of assorted plastic gems from a craft store.
2. 1 inexpensive fabric covered headband.
3. Glue gun and glue sticks.

Directions: After you’ve assembled the materials, play around with the gems until you determine the exact spots you’d like them to be on your headband. To get the full Miu Miu effect, place a small clump of the jewels on one side of the band (that way, you won’t need to worry about uneven placements or unsightly gobs of dried glue) Once you’ve figured that out, start gluing. Wait a few hours for the glue to fully dry, and there you have it, a couture looking headband on a budget.  

 
(Photo credit: people.com)

Knitted Beret
As seen on the tresses of some of Hollywood’s most fashionable it girls like Nicole, Sienna and the Olsen twins, the knitted beret is a casual, unfussy accessory to add a funky, hip vibe to any look. And because knitting is one of the most popular DIY trends, making your own celebrity inspired cap proves to be a hobby with some very fashionable results. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to knit almost anything — hats, sweaters and scarves — the list is endless!

Not a knitting novice? No problem! Gone are the days of dry how- to guide books. With the popularity of YouTube, it’s the how-to videos featuring a live teacher who will get you knitting in no time. You can also try The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Knitting DVD, $19.95 by Nici McNally if you’ve had enough of homemade computer videos.