thrifted

Upcycled Embroidered Mom Jeans

| Sarah Robbins

I wanted to sew over winter break, but did not quite have the time to commit to a full-on project. So, I grabbed a handful of embroidery threads and dug through my closet to find some pieces that I had neglected for too long.

The fun part of this project was that I sat down with zero plan. I just put on a documentary and let myself start mindless cutting shapes. I am usually such a planner, but it always surprises me what I can create if I get out of my own way.

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Embroidery doesn’t have to be complicated to look cool. I stuck with the simple blanket stitch to finish off the edges and make every cutout colorful. It’ll take you minutes to learn if you google it.

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This pocket is my absolute favorite part. I love that the denim underneath is a bit darker so it really stands out. Also, thanks to my sister for taking this picture of my butt, along with all of the others. A true team player.

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I 100% recommend trying to embellish pieces of your wardrobe before tossing them. This project was a quick creative outlet that took an old pair of jeans from neutral to unique.

T-Shirt Styling

| Sarah Robbins

To me, this sweater is reminiscent of the children’s bible illustrations of Joseph’s coat of many colors. It’s a great statement piece to add some spunk when styling a t-shirt.

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First of all, I have no idea what I am doing in this picture. Let’s move on. T-shirts! Wearing a t-shirt doesn’t have to be boring. Comfy and cute do not have to be mutually exclusive. It takes a little bit of creativity, but a casual look can have just as much personality as a more dressed up look.
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If you’re going to wear a t-shirt, wear one that represents something that you’re into or that supports an organization you like. My t-shirt is from Cheap Rent, a group of OKC artists that design and print shirts. It’s quirky, comfortable, and yet a lot cuter than wearing an old church camp shirt or a shirt from one’s old high school. Lately, I’ve been into tying all my t-shirt at the waist to create a more flattering shape.

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Surround your shirt with hecka cute accessories. I’m wearing this adorable pair of sneakers I bought on Depop, but, contrary to popular belief, t-shirts can definitely be worn with flats and loafers too. Don’t be scared to pair different patterns with a graphic t-shirt. I layered mine over a wide-leg denim jumpsuit. Try tucking one into a denim skirt or tying it at the waist over a dress.

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Wearing a t-shirt should be playful and fun, so don’t think too hard about it. I still have tons of t-shirts from different events and camps I went to in high school, but I’ve decided recently that I am going to pick two or three shirts that are my favorite and turn the rest into dish rags. I thought it would be a fun activity for earth day, but we’ll see if I actually get around to it before the summer. Thanks to my friend Ryan from Ryality.com for taking these pictures.

Happy National Poetry month!

Lady Bug – Fall Fashion

| Sarah Robbins

Ah, yes, the time of year where the weather gets slightly colder (slowly, but surely), and my outfits become uncomfortably transitional. It is the fall outfit in the morning, summer outfit in the afternoon kind of whether here in the Midwest and my outfits reflect an attempt at some sort of balance.
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It’s not all bad, however, as I can wear mom-jeans that are short enough to show my cute socks. Socks are one of the most underrated accessories, in my opinion.

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This outfit was almost entirely thrifted, save the socks and shoes. The top is one of those amazingly comfortable and slightly clown-like old lady shirts from a random brand that I could never find in an actual store, but was lucky enough to stumble across at a local Goodwill. The jelly shoes were a gift from my sister and the ribbed, baby blue socks are one of the last Forever 21 items left in my wardrobe.DSCN0144 (2)

If you didn’t know, Forever 21 is pretty well-known for being unethical when it comes to factory work. They are also notorious for stealing small artists’ ideas and marketing them as their own. I love some adorably cheap fashion as much as the next person, so it took me a while to commit to not shopping there anymore, but I have finally stopped for good. There are still remnants in my wardrobe which I am slowly phasing out, but having been an ignorantly religious Forever 21 shopper throughout all of junior high and high school, it is harder to weed out than you’d think (no pun intended with my plant theme). All well, everyone has to start somewhere.