Statement
Collar Tut!
I really have
been loving all of the statement collar necklaces and fancy collars that have
been showing up in my fashion magazines since mid summer. However, if you were
living in Michigan
in July, even LOOKING at a thick statement collar over a t-shirt or worse YET,
a long sleeved collared shirt under a cardigan or with a statement necklace over
it…well, it may have actually thrown you into heat stroke. Luckily, the look is
still very chic well into fall and still pretty trendy at the moment—but who
really cares about trends, right? J
Anyhow, I
couldn’t wait for fall weather to come around so that I could start to wear these
styles, and I knew I wanted to both DIY my own statement collar, as well as
thrift a fancy collared shirt to pair with fall items! (See my second blog from
today’s dual posting, “Fancy Shmancy Thrifted Collar”.)
Naturally,
I’m not the first person to think about making their own statement collar out
of recycled materials or crafting supplies and fancy things lying around.
However I didn’t really want to just chop the collar off a men’s dress shirt
and “bedazzle” it. I wanted a rounder, more vintage collar that would
compliment many of my vintage shift dresses, and also work with t-shirts,
sweaters, or anything I thought of pairing it with!
The
search began and ended in my own closet. This vintage piece was actually part
of a skirt and blouse combo that I picked up for a mere 1.49 last year. I’ve
worn the skirt many times and though I like the top, I haven’t really put it to
use yet. The collar was absolutely
perfect and I knew in a heartbeat that this was the one:
Here's What I Did:
1)
I
trimmed the collar from the shirt, leaving a bit of the extra fabric where it
had been sewn on to act as a hem. (Don’t cut too close!) Of course I saved my
leftover fabric—the neat rouching in the front might be a cool addition to
another piece, and the gathered waist seems like it would make a great belt…but
that’s for another day!
2) I trimmed off the button (and saved to be moved and sewn back on).
3) I hemmed the edges of my collar using the bit of extra fabric left from the blouse as the body of my hem, and sewed the button back on.
4) Voila!
This
collar looks great with a tshirt, or with a shift dress, or any other blouse
with little or no collar! I’ve shown it here with the addition of some fun
bling—maybe a pair of fabulous vintage clip-ons, or a brooch! I even like it
sideways! Side note: I attached my clip
ons using safety pins. Losing cute clip-ons is not allowed! That is muy mal—no bueno!
SO…what do you have lying around that could be repurposed? Or maybe your dream statement collar is hanging on a used clothes rack somewhere, for a mere dollar or so, waiting to be scooped up and fashioned in your hot little crafting hands. Get to it!
PS, This beautiful vintage necklace was only $8 at an antique mall in North Muskegon I visited called "Memory Lane". (I highly recommend their vintage jewelry and clothing selection, for an antique mall it is very reasonable. Also they have a FABULOUS selection!) Can't you imagine it rotated and worn more as a collar with the angular edges facing out, instead of the way it was intended, as a circular piece? That's what I'm thinking. ;)
so cute!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Maegan! I remember seeing your Peter Pan collar a while back, too! I almost linked that here today! :) Both kinda have that Mary Tyler Moore vibe that I love so much, lol! :)
ReplyDeleteohhh i love Memory Lane! It is a hidden gem :D
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a great place! Best selection of antique jewelry in Muskegon I'd say! (In one place, anyhow, lol)
ReplyDeleteThe blog is really nice by having the Fashion statements for the best outfit, Thanks a lot.
ReplyDelete