FashBlog.com

By Christina VanGinkel

Looks and styles come and go as fast as the designers who make them. Save for a handful of top names, different labels grace the tags of much of what hangs in a fashion lovers closet. One type of clothing though that is cropping up more often in closets, from teens to adults, is clothing without tags. What did I say? I am referring to clothing and accessories that are crocheted, knitted, home sewn, or otherwise handcrafted. I believe the trend, one that has actually been around for decades, with highs and lows, but never disappearing, is brought on by the need for individualism among those fashion aficionados wanting to stand out among the crowd, and to do it in as fashionable a way as possible.

You can find crocheted, knitted, and other 'handcrafted' clothes and accessories on some store shelves, but I am referring to the knitted sweaters made by your favorite Aunt, or the hat and scarf you crocheted yourself. Rarely is two of an item ever the same, even if one follows the same pattern. Choices of yarn colors, textures, and weights are wide-ranging enough that each individual can have a one-of-a-kind. I love to crochet mittens and scarves, and each year, for years and years, my twenty-something daughter will request at least two of each in a yarn color that has recently caught her attention. Each year she receives tons of compliments, with questions on wherever did she find such a colorful, or soft, or beautiful set of mittens and matching scarf. Sewn clothes are much the same. With fabric choices so varied, one pattern can be transformed into enough varieties that a whole classroom could be wearing the same outfit, yet no two would look the same. With all the embellishments available too, each outfit could be adorned with different buttons, zipper styles, rickrack, etc.

Thankfully, even those who do not sew, or are not fortunate enough to have a crafty relative to make these things, can still achieve a bit of this trend by embellishing store purchased clothing. Jeans are a favorite, with their fabric and color perfect for adding embroidery in colorful thread, a rhinestone design, even changing the buttons. With all the supplies on the open market, there is no reason you have to hit the streets looking like your neighbor. Adorn, remove, add, and adjust. Do whatever you want to make something off the rack sizzle with a fresh attitude.

Whether making something from scratch, or remaking an item off the rack, the only rule to follow is that there are no rules. Fashion is truly in the eye of the beholder, so as long as you are having fun making and wearing your creations, you are achieving your goal.
So the next time you want to stand out from the crowd when it comes to your fashion choice, step out wearing a handmade or hand decorated sweater, cardigan, vest, or whatever strikes your fancy. Keep it simple, or make it extravagant, but make it your choice, because leaving your own mark on the world of fashion is what it is all about.