I'm obsessed with lace up boots, and a great way to make them a little more feminine is by making your own ribbon laces. This DIY is totally customizable, inexpensive and easy to do.


Let's get started!

 The materials you'll need are a hairdryer, scissors, ribbon of your choice, heat shrinking tubing and, of course, boots or shoes with laces.

I find that ribbon that works best is any kind that isn't very shiny and slippery, otherwise your laces become undone very easily and won't stay tied. I decided to use a thin black ribbon so it wouldn't stand out too much but this DIY would also look great with contrasting laces or thicker ones as well. 
The heat shrinking tube is easily found at stores like Home Depot and isn't expensive, I got mine for around $4. Make sure to get a size big enough to push your ribbon through, keeping in mind that it will shrink to about half the size when heated.

Step 1: Measure Ribbon and Cut to Size


Measure the length of the ribbon by comparing it to the laces from your shoes. I like to cut mine a little longer than the laces just to make sure there's enough.

Step 2: Cut Tubing and Push Ribbon Through


Cut the tubing to about an inch long. Then fold and twist the ribbon in order to push it through the tube so that the tube is at the end.

Step 3: Blowdry

Use a hairdryer to blow heat over the tube for about 5 minutes. This will shrink the tube to fit around the ribbon, allowing the ends to easily thread through the shoe.

Step 4: Lace Up

Finally, lace up your boots or shoes with the new ribbon laces and you're good to go! 

I absolutely love the feminine look the ribbon laces add to the boots, and I think ribbon would also look amazing on combat style boots for a contrast, or a contrasting colour to stand out.

What do you think of this look?

-----

Allison

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When I think of socks the first thing that comes to mind is definitely not "fashion statement". However there is one item of clothing that can make this happen, which are over the knee socks. I love the look of over the knee socks, however I do find them quite dangerous. They're an item of clothing that can go wrong and look trashy very easily if not styled right. I often find myself wanting to wear over the knee socks but then changing my mind in fear of looking like I'm wearing a cheap halloween costume. 

In saying this however, there are numerous ways to style over the knee socks so that they look cozy, unique and stylish. I've styled 4 outfits utilizing over the knee socks in order to give some inspiration and examples of how I like to wear them! I got mine from Topshop, and I like how they have the fair isle type print around the top as it makes them a little more casual and cute for winter, but being black, they still go with a lot of other items.

Skirts

Skirts can be a challenging pair with over the knee socks, as it is can go trashy easily, however I think the key to pulling this look off it not to wear them with something very tight and short. Here I paired them with a full linen skirt from American Apparel and a crop top from Topshop. 

This look is very simple yet has a great modern street style feel, and the socks definitely add a unique edge to the outfit. 

It's also a great way to warm up and make use of the skirts you own that maybe you wouldn't normally gravitate towards in the winter. For me, I know living in Canada during the winter (and generally hating the cold) can be frustrating when I want to wear a skirt but also not freeze to death. Most long socks are thicker than ordinary tights so they're functional as well!

With American Eagle Cardigan

Shorts

Here I paired the socks with loose velvet shorts from Aritzia, a lace top also from Aritzia and Urban Outfitters short lace up boots. I always found wearing shorts with tights questionable, but I love the look of loose highwaisted shorts in a fabric appropriate for winter. These ones go great with tights and over the knee socks, again keeping it classy by not being too tight and revealing.

Dresses




Here I opted for a burgundy shirt-dress from Loft. I like the contrast of the sophisticated shirt-dress style with the grunge feel of the socks. I also think this look would be amazing with knee high boots.

I also threw on a leather jacket from Danier Leather to layer it up and complete the outfit for a mild winter day. Again I'm a sucker for contrast and the leather jacket with the socks gives a rebellious feel while the dress keeps the look refined.


Tights

If it's really cold, or you don't want to go all out with wearing over the knee socks, wearing them over sheer tights is a more subtle but great way to go. The tights and socks duo make over the knee socks much more wearable in my opinion, and looks amazing with short or tall boots, and all three options of skirts, shorts and dresses. 

Here I put together a black T-shirt dress from Aritzia that just skims the hips and a studded cardigan from Topshop.

Hopefully this guide to over the knee socks gave some inspiration! 

xox

Allison

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