diy: Studded Trench Coat

I don't really do designer DIY's anymore...but this was a much needed exception.



There's a reallyyy good chance you've seen the amazing studded trench coats from Burberry's Spring 2011 line. If you haven't, I'm not really sure where you've been these past few months. I think it goes without saying they're pretty awesome:

Burberry.com, SS11 Runway Collection


Left to right: 

$7,295
$5,795
$12,995


Amazing quality, I'm sure. But I just don't have that kind of money laying around, and I'm guessing neither do you...& if you do, you're probably not reading this. Even if I did have that kind of pocket change, I personally couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a jacket - that's just not my taste!

Of course, I set out to make my own version. I knew if I got a "real" trench coat - knee length and all - I wouldn't use it that much. Long jackets just make my 5'2" self look even smaller.

So I was pretty psyched when I came across this trench coat - esque jacket a few months ago at TJ Maxx. It was $19.99 and I knew exactly what I was going to do with it.

I have a huge stash of studs by default, but you can find studs all over the internet - my absolute favorite source for studs is Studs-and-Spikes.com ! They have a really awesome selection. You can also try Ebay or Etsy, or even take apart some old studded belts.

I used 3 different kinds of silver spike and cone studs; each of them had prongs that are meant to pierce through fabric, and bent in with pliers.

A step-by-step for this project would be extremely redundant, so here's a quick run through of what I did:

On each side of the sleeve's seam, I made 2 columns of studs - so 4 columns total - starting at the shoulders. I used round nose pliers to bend in the prongs. When all was said and done, there was a total of 16 rows; I made the first top half entirely of the bigger cone studs, while the second half consisted of two kinds of cone studs.


For the most part I eyeballed the placement of the studs, but I also used a ruler and a charcoal pencil for some more of the meticulous measuring between studs.

I decided to cover the pockets with leather, so I traced the pocket flaps onto soft black leather. I might add some additional leather elements to the coat at a later date.

I'm thinking of completely replacing the belt with a black leather material; the fabric of this belt is wayyyy too thin and scrunches up at random places (as you can see above)...But, one step at a time! I'm just glad to have finished the tedious stud part.

Current 82 degree weather put aside - this would be great for the cooler, rainy days. I actually started this back in April but only just got around to finishing it...but you know I'll definitely be pulling this out again in the fall.

I totally give 100% of the inspiration for this project straight to Burberry. Also to the fact that I'm not a millionaire :o)

Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Go for it!

xo,

kirsten