We’re always looking for ways to make our outfits next-level special this time of year, so we asked our women’s design team to show us a few DIY tricks. Go ahead and try them at home—they’re way less complicated than that fruitcake recipe you’ve been thinking about.
The Gold-splattered Chino
Supersimple and kid friendly—the 7-year-old daughter of one of our designers gave us creative direction for where to put the paint!
- Grab a pair of chinos and lay it flat on top of a covered surface (or somewhere else you don’t mind dripping paint).
- Splatter and brush the chinos with gold acrylic paint. For a more authentic look, think about where you might naturally get paint if you were actually painting (like where you wipe your hands).
- Let them air-dry for about 30 minutes.
The Embroidered Chambray Shirt
These stitches are inspired by “sashiko,” a Japanese mending technique that’s often used to patch up kimonos.
- First, the elbow patch: With a pencil, trace an oval shape around the elbow of a chambray shirt. (The pencil will come off when you wash it, preferably by hand.)
- Using a ruler, trace evenly spaced lines across your oval.
- Go over the lines you created with a needle and thread, using a simple “in and out” stitch. Try to hold the fabric flat while you do this to keep it from bunching.
- Now, the pocket: Use your pencil and ruler to create a grid of little X’s.
- Stitch one X at a time. And remember, kind of like handwriting, everyone’s stitch will be a little different. Imperfection is part of what makes it look good!
The Bow-wrapped Shirt
This also works as a quick styling trick. Just put on the shirt and follow the instructions, skipping step three.
- Start with a collared shirt buttoned all the way up to the top.
- Take a grosgrain ribbon (bonus points if you grab one off your present!) and wrap it underneath the collar so it hangs evenly on both sides.
- Stitch the ribbon in place on the back of the shirt, underneath the collar.
- Tie a bow in front, just like you would tie a shoe.
- Trim the ends of the ribbon to the length you want them, cutting at an angle (it looks better and helps prevent fraying).
Next to the bed is another great spot to stash a garment rack when space is tight. Sorting the clothes by color gives the rack a nice aesthetic
If I had to give a name to the above image, it would be “closet-on-wheels”. A shelf on the bottom is useful for shoes or baskets, and the hanging bar that extends through the side wall is perfect for handbags, totes, umbrellas, and the likes (basically, anything on a string.) I’m sure there’s also a way to rig this with a curtain if you don’t want your clothes out in the open.
Actual built-in closets might be the norm in the US, but the same cannot be said about other countries. If you have the space, crafting a dressing room in a corner of your room can feel quite luxurious (just look at the creation above, via Villaran Rodrigo). Keep the outside “wall” lower (try using a bookshelf!) to store jewelry, perfumes, or books on top. It also acts as a room divider, which can be a win-win in a loft-like space.
If you’re in the market for a new bed, and are short on closet space (or completely devoid of it), you should absolutely consider a storage bed. There are several types on the market (some with drawers and others that lift completely up like the IKEA one above) so you’re bound to find one that fits your needs.
I’m almost jealous of the room above (via IKEA) that has one whole length of a wall turned into a closet with the help of curtains hung from the ceiling. Placing your bed up against where the curtains fall tricks the eye (it looks like the bed is up against the wall, instead of a few feet removed.) Close the curtain, and ta-da no clothes on display. Open the curtain, and you’ve got yourself a walk-through closet.