DIY - an Erdem Inspired Jacket in 20 Minutes

Photo: Dave Dunan- Image credit Vogue.co.uk

When I spotted this beautiful printed blazer in the Erdem pre fall 2011 collection, I really wanted it. Of course my budget won't stretch to Erdem no matter how much I want.

But it suddenly occurred to me that I could create my own version of this jacket using this Reiss blazer that I picked up from a charity shop a while back. I love the fit of the blazer but the plain brown colour just bores me so much I have only managed to wear it once.

So I gave it a try and to my delight it worked out even better than expected. Mr Style Eyes gave me the usual bonkers look when he saw me attacking a perfectly good jacket with a bottle of bleach but even he had to admit it looked pretty good in the end.

It took me only 20 minutes using a bottle of bleach, a washing up bowl and a pair of rubber gloves. I put some bleach into the bottom of the bowl and diluted it a  little. I loosely scrunched up the jacket and rubbed into the diluted bleach then I cut off the string and squirted neat bleach randomly on the jacket and rubbed with my hands (in the rubber gloves), then waited until the fabric started to change colour. Once I could see enough change I rinsed several times and then rinsed and spun in the washing machine. I then hung to dry and pressed.

I really loved the effect which worked particularly well as the fabric has a sheen to it. I could have made a smaller scale and more intricate pattern using smaller amounts of neat bleach. Other interesting effects could have been achieved by dabbing the bleach on with a plastic bag or sponge or even using a brush. The effect will differ depending on the type and colour of fabric that you are using. This is a really quick and easy project for upcycling an old suit jacket or blazer which has become a bit tired or got a mark on it. If you haven't got one and want to give it a try, there are loads of tailored jackets in charity shops.

So here are a few outfits that I put together with my new Erdem inspired blazer, I am sure that there are plenty more to come.

Top - Charity shop then upcycled with bleach

Skirt - Swapped on Posh Swaps

Shoes - Dkode

Necklace - Urban Outfitters

Jacket and shoes - as above

Dress - ASOS

Jacket and shoes - as above

Dress - Missguided

So what do you think?

Have a great weekend

With warmest wishes

Ceri X

Friday Finds - Erdemesque Florals and 20% off Madness

Erdem SS10 - image credit

Erdem AW10 -Image credit

Erdem SS11 - Image credit

This months Vogue magazine had a feature on fashion horescopes and naturally I couldn't help checking mine out. According to Mr Style Eyes, they are just a load of rubbish that someone has made up an are usually so vague that they can apply to anyone.So could it be a coincidence that the fashion horescopes for Taurus (my sign) mentioned one of my most favourite designers Erdem along with Prada and Dries Van Noten which I also love.

Quite simply I love florals anyway but he does them in such an amazing way. The rich and vibrant colours, the accents of red and the simple but feminine dresses. For SS10 his collection featured the most amazing floral summer dresses and for AW10 more beautiful florals but this time in a much darker and more wintry way. For SS10 I was really excited to yet more stunning floral dresses this time in creams, whites blues and reds but best of all with some patchwork type of effects and some floral pattern mixing. There has been talk of an Erdem Topshop Colab but nothing definite yet so I continue to live in hope as an original Erdem piece is far beyond my budget. So for today I have been hunting down Erdemesque florals on the high street - enjoy!

Floral Graduated Dress - Topshop

Purple Pleated Floral Dress - Wallis

Fitted Floral Dress - ASOS

Citrus Floral Garden Print Dress - Debenhams

Stencil print floral dress - Oasis at Debenhams

The great thing about buying florals in the winter is that many of them are reduced. Which brings me onto my next point. Has anyone else noticed the number or offers and 20% off discounts online at the moment. They are falling over themselves in a effort to get us to buy stuff. Not so great if we end up buying stuff we don't need, but great for saving money on stuff we need and Christmas presents. Here are just a few of the offers this weekend.

20% off at People Tree with code WONDERLAND

20% off at Oasis until midnight Sat

£20 off all dresses at Kew until Sunday
20% off at Coast until 29th November
10% off at Lipsy with code PARTYISSUE2
15% off Womens and Mens Shoes at Liberty this weekend!

Have a great weekend and happy shopping!

With warmest wishes
Ceri X

P.s this post contains some affiliate links

Erdem Style Florals

It has just been announced that Erdem, one of my favourite designers is the winner of the BFC/Vogue Fashion Fund. The award includes £200, 000 and access to director level mentors across the industry. It aims to help rising stars in the ever competitive fashion industry and assist them in developing their business.

This is great news as it means there will be lots more to come from Erdem and I can't wait. If I could afford it, I would probably wear Erdem almost every day.




So to celebrate, todays outfit has a definite bit of Erdem inspiration. I love this dress but have worn it so much recently, I have been starting to get a little bored of it. As I am not buying any new clothes at the moment, I am making the most of what I have. Today I decided to try something a little different with this dress so tried combining it with a straight mesh skirt and cropped leather jacket Unfortunately, I couldn't wear the leather jacket out as it was far too wet and windy so had to swap for a coat that covered up the dress completely, never mind, I am sure better weather will be here soon. I am also trying out a new hairstyle a side braid. One side of my hair has come down, but I quite like it that way and certainly stops it blowing every where in the wind.


Jacket - Gestuz (from ASOS)
Dress - Missguided.co.uk
Mesh skirt - Topshop
Boots - Topshop