DIY Camel Maxi Skirt and Tassel Belt

I very much hope you aren't sick and tired of seeing my DIY maxi skirts. With access to such beautiful fabrics its hard not to make a few. I used the easy method I showed here to make this one in a gorgeous camel colour. I'll be taking it to Malaysia this weekend, but will probably stitch the split shut temporarily as its quite a conservative country, and as you can see in the bottom photo when the wind blows it can be a bit revealing. I'm also wearing a DIY tassel belt - black rope with two tassels glued on. (Also, there's a few more items added so shop my closet here).

wearing: black country road singlet, DIY skirt and tassel belt, river island gladiators, cat eye sunglasses from ebay ('intouchwithstyle' seller). Thanks to my lovely friend Katie for taking these pics - was a very fun day of wandering around HK Island.

DIY Beaded Belt & Side Split Maxi Skirt

 Wearing: DIY Beaded Belt, DIY side split maxi skirt, country road singlet, river island gladiator flats, M&S cat eye sunglasses.

So I found an amazing beaded umm something in the Sham Shui Po Fabric Markets - we weren't really sure what it was supposed to be - a big collar perhaps. I cut it in half and made a belt with it - each half was perfectly symmetrical which was a bonus. I hot glued velvet ribbon on the ends and kapow, really fun belt. I'm making another belt for my friend with the other half (so we can be twinnies). Also, this is the full length version of the side split skirt I made for the wedding I went to. Very versatile. Hope you like it! Shop my closet here.

DIY Sash Belt

I got a gorgeous camel dress made in Shenzen recently - I am going to add some studs to a sash belt of my own. Sash of choice? Soft thrifted silk scarf. 'nuf said.

Image: Who What Wear

DIY Vintage Corsets as Belts

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who was drooling over this gorgeous Style Stalker dress from the new Desert Fox collection, and it distinctly reminded me of a fanlacer corset worn by Michelle of Kingdom of Style back early last year - she got it for a song on Etsy. I suggest getting yourself a laced corset like this from a charity shop or online, and layering it like a belt over a full skirt. Perfection!

Images: Style Stalker Blog / Kingdom of Style

DIY Necklace Embellished Belt

Make like Frassy and add some vintage jewellery to your belt or bag. Easy!

DIY Belted Bags

Have been seeing belt style buckles on bags everywhere. Make like the pros and wrap a few belts around your handbag.
Images: Alexander Wang via Knight Cat, Marc Jacobs and Reed Krakoff via net-a-porter

Ps. I caved and got a facebook page for A Pair & a Spare. Check it out and 'like' it here, and feel free to suggest it to your friends. I'll be putting up some exciting updates - including info about the DIY leather collared shirt giveaway I am doing this week.

DIY Inspiration - Alexander Wang Dress Pants

Love these pants found on Knight Cat (one of my favourite blogs for sourcing images) by Alexander Wang. Very cool. Next time you wear belted trousers, attach the belt through the two front loops, leaving the back pulled high around your shirt (or bare skin). Put the belt fastening at the back.

DIY Shawl Skirt

Sandra of 5 inches and up shows us how to make a very cute skirt by belting a shawl over a shirt dress. Perfect!

In other news, met the absolutely GORGEOUS Michelle of Who is Bobb Parris at fashion week. She has uploaded a photo of me as part of her 100 Strangers series of photos. Her photography is fantastic, and she is as suited to being in front of the camera as she is to being behind it! (are you sick of seeing me in those red trousers yet?)

DIY Rope Belt

Belt a beautiful floaty dress with some thick rope. Head down to your local hardware store to find the rope - you can paint the ends gold for a more polished look.

Images: Vanessa Jackman  / Style Scrapbook

DIY Pearl & Chain Belt

Ok so am posting this image on the pretense that the belt this girl is wearing is TOTALLY DIYable...

However in reality, I'm really putting it up because this dress is one of the most amazingly sexy things I have seen in a while. Will be spending a fair bit of time in Hong Kong next year so am going to make a list of things to get made - this dress has definitely made that list.

 Image: Stockholm Streetstyle

DIY Denim Autumn Layering

Am finding it very difficult to get dressed with this trans-seasonal weather. Too warm for coats and capes, too cool for bare arms and getting sick of wearing leather jackets allll the time. Layering is key - and cute Alexander Wang Inspired DIY layering is where its at. Cut the arms off a denim jacket, layer underneath with hoodies or long sleeved tops. Perfect!

Image: Wayne Tippetts

DIY Leather Belt

The girls from Anywho never cease to inspire me with their looks of the day, they always put together the most amazingly toned outfits (my favourites being the grey, maroons and blues).

Loved the look of these belts as soon as I saw them - then noted it was a DIY job. I can imagine that they sewed a long strip of leather (at least I think its leather? maybe its matte lycra or jersey?) around some foam or cushion stuffing. Has a certain jetsons feel.

Images: Anywho

Ps. Am crazy busy getting ready for my trip to spain and portugal. Won't be posting from there but have scheduled a few automatic posts over the next two weeks. Gotta keep the punter 'appy!

Today is also the last official day to enter my DIY Toolkit Giveaway. Have you entered? I will be drawing a winner and posting off the kit when I am back in London in 2 weeks (although if you want to enter between now and then I may turn a blind eye to the whole competition close date thing...).

x

The Ultimate DIY Competition

Am currently planning my entry to The Ultimate DIY Competition... and these capes are inspiring me for about a million reasons. Stay tuned!

Image: Le Fashion

DIY Scarf Belt

Belt your high waisted pants with a scarf and some black rope.

Image: Stockholm Streetstyle

DIY Blanket Cape

Choose a blanket with a great print - preferably one with a fantastic tribal/ethnic print and tassels - throw over your shoulders and belt!

Image: 5 Inches and up

DIY Tribal Friendship Necklaces

At the moment I am addicted to anything tribal. Found this fantastic tribal friendship necklace DIY at Honestly WTF and I love it. It reminds me of something I would have done with a bunch of girlfriends at the age of 8 (in the very best way). Looks great worn as a belt. The addition of the gold screw nuts.

Images: Honestly WTF

DIY Harem Belt

This gorgeous outfit has been put together by wearing a long sleeved jumpsuit as pants, and then wrapping the top of the jumpsuit like a belt. So cool!

Image: Anywho

DIY Ribbon Suspenders

Wrap some ribbon around your waist like a belt and either tie in a bow at the back or stitch in place. Then measure and cut two pieces of ribbon to sit like suspenders. Sew onto the belt at the front and the back.

Image: Tobacco and Leather

DIY Floral Midriff Top

Scissors + thrifted floral top = perfect summer wear!

Image: Tobacco and

Thrifted Brilliance

Perfect example of thrifted outfits killing it over designer wear - Lucy from Lucy Laught was photographed by Jak & Jil in these camel pants, bought in an op shop for $12 aussie. RESULT!

Image: Jak and Jil.