A Year of Wearing DIY
Anna Sui is one of my very favorite mainstream designers, and I once read an interview with her (in Venus Magazine) where she mentioned that for an ENTIRE YEAR in high school she made all of her own clothes. I remember this every once in a while when I find myself looking wistfully from my closet to my sewing pile, and as the time comes to make those New Year's resolutions, her DIY-ness really got me thinking...could I possibly commit to rocking a DIY wardrobe for a whole year - making from scratch or remaking my existing clothing to make all new pieces? Could YOU?
If you answered YES then my hat is OFF to you - think about how improved your sewing and design skills would be after 365 days of wardrobe creation, and how aware you'd be of the effort that goes into the construction of every piece of clothing that you'd otherwise buy - not to mention how much money you'd save by not shopping frivolously! AND your appreciation for the handmade would more-than-likely result in greater regard for clothing that isn't mass-produced or disposable - an attitude that makes you a much more environmentally-friendly consumer.
If, on the other hand, the IDEA inspires you but the reality and time-commitment of a year-long sewing project just doesn't work for your lifestyle, there are still tons of ways to incorporate DIY and consumer-savvy into your calendar year (and keeping up with ThreadBanger is a great start!)...
...Make the resolution to get as much use as you can out of your pre-existing wardrobe - whether that means transforming your garments with needle and thread, or by finding totally new ways of wearing things (like a cardigan as a skirt, a la Susie Bubble).
...One of the most important things you can do is just be smarter about where and how you spend your money when you choose to purchase new things: extend your Buy Handmade Pledge beyond the holiday season and actively support your talented local designers or etsy shops year-round.
...When you DO buy pieces that are mass-produced, think about whether or not you could make it yourself (or thrift it), and how much more meaning it would have to you if you did.
...And finally, my favorite little way to craftily and creatively work your closet is probably the most attainable for EVERY(ANY)ONE - don't leave the house without at least one piece that you've somehow personalized. Whether you made your jacket from start to finish or merely embellished it with your favorite brooch or pin, you're one step closer to style self-sufficiency. And who can argue with that?!
So let's hear it - with one month left of 2007, what are your 2008 style and DIY resolutions going to be??
diy, Etsy, thrifting, wardrobe, Anna Sui, buy handmade, New Year's resolutions
actually i thought about this before, this is a very cool idea! i wouldnt go for not buying ANY clothes (gosh - i qould die!) because i am such a thrift jukie. but just remaking or buying thrifty clothes could be new year's pledge ...
I am very intrigued by the idea of making my clothes for a year. I love to window shop, but really don't like paying the prices for the quality made things, or wasting my money on cheap items. I might just try it for 2008. Maybe give it a go for 6 months and see how it works.
such a great idea. i will def try to incorporate more diy in my life. 2008 will be the year to start.
awesome column
oh i wish my sewing skills matched up to what i dream up in my head - at least that's what my teacher told me in a handbag design class - that i should lower my ambition a little bit haha. but you give us hope - perhaps i shall dust off my sewing machine since the weather's yucky out anyway.
This really is not as hard as it sounds. Do you own 365 "different" outfits? Of course not, you mix and match pieces - possible as little as 40 or 50. Also, I think Anna Sui's description of making all of her clothes in high school referred to Monday through Friday school days, reserving the right to obtain clothes elsewhere that were necessary for formal functions, church, etc.
If you intend on doing this to "go green," then I suggest you avoid the process altogether and instead just stick to thrift stores for clothes. You are doing just as much damage by buying new fabric as new clothes.
Well, the cool thing about DIY and sewing "from scratch" is that you can also use alternate sources for fabric - curtains, for example, or sheet sets. Or fabric from yard sales. :0) Plus, it's cheaper than buying new fabric, sometimes. Just talking from my experience here (It's hard to get to a fabric store from my neighborhood.)
I totally agree with you, as I am in that mode of style self sufficiency right now. I just bought a wonderful dress from my local thrift shop that I will be reconstructing by way of hemming it to make it shorter. I am currently making some really cool hats that show off my creativity. I love the idea of wearing something every day that shows your own "style and personality". Thanks for reminding me to keep that focus. Will share pictures soon.
I'm not sure I could do that, I wouldn't have the time. I might be able to commit wearing something I made once a week or something, though.
i think... i laready leave the house every day with something DIY on me... but i am definitely going to do a LOT more in 2008!!! i don't think i will be able to make it complete because i've got a lot on my hands, but it'll definiteyl be more than now :3
love it
That is a really great idea!
It sounds like a great personal challenge and thats something I need in my life!!
I'm definately trying this!
it´s a nic idea, but sometimes I just can´t help buying something cute I saw in some shop so I ouldn´t ommit to that resolution :x
GREAT idea!! I recently wrote in my own blog (http://elegantmusings.wordpress.com/2007/12/05/so-much-for-that/) about how I'm tired of mass fashion and am going to TRY in 2008 to focus more on handmade or thrifted apparel. It just seems to make *more sense*! Thanks for the great ideas and encouragement! I'm hoping 2008 will be the year I can stick to this resolution and stop relying so much on retail fashion! :)
I love this idea. I don't think I could go an entire year wearing nothing that wasn't re-made so it was entirely mine, simply because I'm a little lazy, but I know that I haven't bought any clothing for myself for well over a year. I repair everything that wears out, or re-fashion it, and I dumpster dive when I notice that there are interesting things in the dumpsters.
I live in San Francisco and plan on taking a year long patternmaking and design course, which hopefully will get me on the road of my own DIY clothing. I have minimal sewing skill so it will definitely be a challenge. I'm hoping the type A tendencies that seem to be developing as I get older each year will help!
I think this is a great idea. I have not bought any new clothes in about 5 years. I redesign what I have n attend free meets to get new pieces. It's easier living in NYC, but it is possible in other cities. I'm no fashion plate! But I do keep myself semi-stylish, clothed n warm with all freecycled clothing
i do design and sew many of my own clothes, but i can't imagine wearing everything that's my own!! i love too many other designers like comme des garcons and galliano and marc jacobs to abandon them!!!
Also one of those who almost always leaves the house with something handmade, even if it's just my earrings. And I'd agree that it's really not as hard as it sounds-- I've spent most of this year not buying new clothes due to a pledge over at the Wardrobe Refashion blog. (I did end up having to make an exception for some hiking pants that my attempt to sew totally flopped on, and buying a bridesmaid dress for my best friend's wedding, but other than that I stuck to it pretty well. Even made my winter coat this year!) The bigger challenge for me (and one that I repeatedly fail at) is not buying new fabric, since a lot of what I sew is inspired by stuff I find at the fabric store. That, and my area isn't exactly great for thrifting and I haven't found a sheet or tablecloth I liked there yet!
I think I would be ok, wearing what I currently have and making my own except for socks. I just don't knit that fast. Bras.... I guess I could figure out how to make those but I would definitely be purchasing new fabric. I have some fabric in stash that would certainly get sewn up but I would still need to purchase more, for linings, outdoor/athletic wear, etc. I also make stuff for other people like my family.
I really don't see a problem in this. I didn't buy any new clothes for years (about 7 or 8), except some underwear. I make something new from old clothes or some pieces of material that I get from industrial fabrics or from old ladies who stopped sewing. I also collect everything that my sisters want to throw away. Then I recreate it or sometimes just wear like it is... I save so much and I am always unique...
love the idea, don't know if i can handle it