DIY-Not? Bloggers Get Crafty with Do-It-Yourself Accessories

Photo: Mark Iantosca

Let's face it, fashion may be many things (fun, fabulous, forever in flux) but it sure can be costly. Whether you're saving your pennies for an investment item (Hermès collier de chien cuff, I'm a-lookin' at you), lusting after a statement piece from a favorite young designer (supporting up-and-coming style talent qualifies as charity, right?), or are tempted to splurge on this season's It bag, looking turned-out can take a serious toll on your wallet. Fortunately, there's a growing bevy of bloggers who sympathize, and as such, they've found crafty and creative ways to get in on the style game without blowing their budgets. Today, we thought we'd turn the spotlight on some of our favorite designer-inspired DIYs, both past and present. Take a peek, get inspired, and who knows--you might just find yourself with a potential project in the pipeline for yourself.

PROENZA FOR PENNIES

Writer Elizabeth Monson frequently features the work of Proenza Schouler on her blog moveSlightly, but even a die-hard fan of Jack and Laz's designs realized their covetable, colorful camping bracelets could be replicated for a fraction of their $150+ asking price. So with the help of photog Mark Iantosca, Monson took things into her own hands, stocking up on neon cord and carabiner clasps and creating spot-on copies of the statement bracelets. They're available to purchase for — get this — just $30 each at her Etsy store. And hey, you can always put the $120 you'll save toward a beautiful new PS1 bag...

GILES BROTHER AT A BARGAIN

When Erica Chan Coffman of Honestly…WTF?! first laid eyes on Giles Brother's Hex collection, she went — pardon the pun — absolutely nuts. And who wouldn't? The pieces are the perfect mix of delicate and utilitarian. But since the bracelets and necklaces are made from a simple mix of gold hex nuts and cotton cord, it wasn't tough for the blogger to create an identical version of her own. Home Depot chic, indeed!

MORE WANG FOR YOUR BUCK

Londoner Shini Park's page, Park Cube, is a mainstay on our Google Reader for its lovely minimalist design and elegant photography. It'd difficult to pick a favorite DIY project from the many Park has tackled over the years, but her takes on Alexander Wang's off-duty-chic pieces from several years ago are especially impressive. Check out her version of the wunderkind designer's chain-strung shorts and studded-bottom bag! Consider it proof that you needn't limit your crafting missions to super-trendy items only; Wang's hardware-heavy Rocco and Diego carryalls are still in high demand today, evidence that this is a look with staying power.

CHANEL ON THE CHEAP

Erica Domesek of P.S. I Made This has essentially brought the DIY game into the bigtime (and has a book deal to prove it), so we obviously needed to include her on our list! The master crafter recently teamed up with the ladies from must-read style site WhoWhatWear to tackle Chanel's dangling chain shoulder-dusters from Spring '11. The result? A pair of ombre earrings so close to the originals, we're not even sure if Kaiser Karl could tell the difference.

MOCK MARGIELA

Leandra Medine's The Man Repeller is one of our favorite clicks; ditching body-con frocks and sexy platforms in favor of clashing layers and bowties galore, Medine just doesn't give a damn about making her outfits guy-approved. We love her irreverent tone and carefree style, and it should come as no surprise that boy-baffling trends can be DIY'd with ease. While Medine's Scotch-taped take on Maison Martin Margiela's paper dress is a favorite post of ours, her "turband" tutorial is perhaps a bit more practical for day-to-day wear. And with Coachella coming up later this week, you can bet we'll be twisting and tying turbans of our own; after all, something's gotta keep those California boys at bay!