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| Jeans: The Loft. Polka Dot blouse: H&M. Belt, shoes, watch: Target. Umbrella: Ross. |
It wasn’t really raining when I took these pictures. I’m sure you already figured this out given all the dry cement surrounding me. But I thought I would state the obvious anyway. I just really wanted to take pictures with my polka dot umbrella the same day that I was wearing my polka dot shirt. I also wanted to look even weirder to the 7 people and 2 cars that walked/drove by as we took these pictures. I tell you what, 6 months ago that would have been mortifying to me, mortifying I tell you! Now, eh. I could care less. See all the benefits of this little fashion bloggy-blog thing. I’m losing all my inhibitions. I like to think that they must assume I am somebody important, why else would I be standing in the middle of the street with that good looking guy taking pictures of me?
But back to the umbrella. It’s pretty boss. Yeah, I said boss. That thing shrinks down so tiny that it fits right inside my purse, and since I spend every day wrangling three littles everywhere I go, not having to use a hand holding my umbrella in case it rains is a plus. Also, it has polka dots. And it was cheap. Need I say more?
Now about the pants. They did not look like this when I bought them. They looked like this:
What do you do when size 00P is still too long? You get really good at altering your own pants. Disclaimer: this is not a pants hemming tutorial. These are just some tips I’ve picked up during the many years I’ve been hemming my own jeans. If you need a hemming tutorial let me know…
That being said, here we go.
First, use the right thread. I buy the gold heavy weight thread (which is what they use on jeans) so the thread is the same. If you use regular weight thread, well that’s just wrong. Above, new hem, below original hem.
Second, make sure the hem width is the same as original width. You may think you’re going small, but most of the time the hem is too wide, so keep original hem and compare before you stitch, cause if you stitch it too wide, it will look lame. And we don’t want to look lame.
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| polka dot nail file: forever21 |
And finally, distress. This is an awesome trick my mom taught me years ago when I was first coming to the realization that I would have to hem every single pair of pants I bought for the rest of my life. You can use either a nail file or sand paper. I prefer a nail file because it’s gentler on the pants.
Just fold the material here and there and start adding subtle distress marks along the hem, on the bottom of the pants and just along the top of the thread.
Don’t go overboard, try to match the level of distressing that is already on the jeans. Using the file gets the distressing process going. As you wash and wear your jeans those distress marks will become more pronounced.
ps. I altered the sleeves on this top because I’m not a fan of flowy sleeves. So if you go into H&M looking for this baby and can’t find one with sleeves that look like this, that’s why.
Adorable! Do you wear just a regular tee shirt under the see through shirts, or do you wear a tank top with thick straps? If you have any suggestions to cover my g’s I would appreciate it. Thank you for helping me see that we can be modest and super cute!!
Love polka dots! And I pretty much have to have all of my pants altered. That is awesome that you can do it yourself :) Being 4’11”, I can totally relate. And what is up with sizing getting so out of whack? I have some Banana Republic trousers and skirts that are a size 00P and they are still huge. Le sigh . . .
I totally LOVE this outfit. I would also love it if you would do a hemming tutorial. I’m just the odd height/proportion combo that petite is often *just* enough short to look bad, but regular is too long unless I wear the tallest heels I own. Fine for a date night with the hubs,but not so much for wrangling my own two littles. My other big issue is that necklines fit me far too “plunging” because I am short from my waist to my shoulders. Any tips for taking up straps/tops?
Just want to let you know I nominated you for the Lovely Blog Award. Check out my blog to see what you need to do :)
Melody’s Voice
You’re funny, and guess what?! I swear to you I have the exact same toes.
I for one would LOVE a pants hemming tutorial, especially since I tried to hem my pants yesterday and had to rip it out. >.< thesouthernsummers.blogspot.com
I love the polka dots! Thank you for the tips on hemming pants! I am short and always have to hem my pants. The distressing tip is awesome!
Sheri
Thanks for the filer trick!!
Im a big fan of GAP 1969 Jeans and they come in short, Regular and long.
I love polka dots, especially black and white ones.
I call for a hemming tutorial as well! I’m in the same corny as you, coming in at 5’1”. My mom has done all my hemming but it’s usually pretty obvious :)
i love your outfits! i wish i lived somewhere with the stores you buy your clothes.
True religion jeans is my favourite.So I want to share true religion uk with you!welcome to true religion uk.
thanks for the tips about the gold thread and distressing!! i’m a shorty, too, so hemming is a must for me. :)
I have a denim hem alteration post on my blog using the original hem so that the alteration doesn’t look funny, and it it really simple. If you want to check it out, here is the link:
http://adorelovelust.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-hem-your-jeans-like-pro.html
Jackie