Embellished Jackets Add Spice to Your Life

I have what I like to refer to as a “rotating closet”. In the winter, all of my coats and jackets move from the back section to front and center. Shopping for jackets is almost too easy, and I have a minor issue with impulse buys. Get ready to be inundated with a mass embellished jackets session!  Add one to your cart or bust out your craft gear and make an original one-of-a-kind gem!  Handmade jackets are so easy if you’ve got a little creative flair.

Embellished Jackets Have Personality!

Be sure to reflect on our previous articles covering multicolored fur coats and fur-lined coats. They are the heavy-hitters and pack the punch. Embellished jackets are more light-weight and are easier to layer. They also will carry you into Spring, so one amazing little guy should be on stand-by.

Embroidery

If you are loving the Bohemian eclectic look, go for one with embroidery. We showcased Roberto Cavalli’s amazing gorgeous pieces in our Festival Fashion article, so check it out if you need more inspiration. Embroidery looks great on denim jackets and bombers and adds that handcrafted touch.  If you have embroidery skills then props to you!  Maybe consider going into business because these jackets are in high demand and are only going to get more popular into next year.

Pins + Rhinestones

To customize a jacket yourself, try overloading one with pins and rhinestones.  Safety pins count too!  Are Bedazzlers still around??  The best way to pull this look off is to mix big shapes with small ones.  Think about detailing out the cuffs of your sleeves or neckline.  You can turn a simple blazer into something snazzy or make a boring jean jacket super punk rock.  Either way, you need to have more than 37 pieces of flair!

Studded Jackets

Studs look awesome along the seams of any jacket. They work best on leather, but can be used on denim too. Studs give a little bit of that Memphis rock vibe and should certainly be paired with a skinny scarf. Glamour did a fun photo shoot capturing this look. Check out our collection of neck scarves for more ideas.

Punk Rock Leather

For you Riot GRRLS out there, a leather-studded jacket is a MUST. I remember getting white leather paint in college and creating embellished jackets and Doc Marten’s. No idea what happened to any of them and wish I still had them. It’s super cool to cut out sections of tees that you like or use a leather paint pen to draw on them. Artists like Ana Strumpf and Hattie Stewart who are hitting it off with their magazine cover art are great sources of inspiration.

Hand-Painted Denim

Another style that has been showing it’s face is hand-painted denim. These embellished jackets are the easiest DIY of them all! You can use as much or as little paint or color as your heart desires. Use fabric paint if you want to wash it frequently. For jackets, I almost prefer acrylic paint because it is less opaque. You just can’t wash it very often.

Fringe, Beads + Soutache

Both the band jacket and the military jacket have been around all year. Some of the best versions have patches, cord braiding, or both! If you have those seamstress skills, using cord braiding is the most unique way to create embellished jackets. And it’s just as easy to apply as patches! Check out your local sewing store and find soutache trim that you can add to collars or sleeves.

Mexican-Indian Fabric Panels

Covering sections of a jacket with fabric is also a fun way to add pops of color. Mexican or Indian-style fabrics look especially gorgeous on denim. Add some to the lining as well! The rich colors and fun patterns take you far away from the land of bore.  They are super durable as well, and enjoy a little roughing up.  Go camping or on a hike and see which jacket you bring along.

Sequins

Finally, dress up any outerwear with sequins and more sequins! Like the cord braiding, you can also find pre-made sequin appliques to sew on. Big, bold pieces look sick on a denim jacket. Add these to the back or on the cuffs and sparkle and shine to your heart’s delight!

Should I Stop?

Now that you have a clearer understanding of my intense jacket frenzy, get one yourself! Upcycle a vintage favorite, or purchase a beauty from Free People. These investment pieces all qualify for FREE SHIPPING. They have the best assortment of jackets, sigh.

Variety is the Spice of Life

I love change. Jackets are the first thing people notice about you, so it’s fun to change it up. There are so many great vintage beauties out in the world, so no excuses! If you’re the creative type and are looking for you next art project, this is a pretty cool one. Be sure to send us pictures of your finds and reworked pieces. We’d love to include them in this article.