Keep. it. funky.
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Now Push it!
I decided to go back to RedoxRenew’s roots and turn a leather coat into a purse/bag.
Okay. So early spring I found this leather coat at the thrift store:
I immediately started singing PUSH IT, “Salt Salt and Peppa’s here and we in effect!”
This was a great find, but the the wrists and bottom waist band were too soiled to be cleaned AND this was a heavy leather jacket. It doesn’t get THAT cold in Georgia so my ability to wear it would be limited. I decided I would go back to RedoxRenew’s roots and turn this jacket into a bag.
FIRST, I cut the sleeves off. Then, I used the waist of the coat as the opening of the bag and filled in the neck with the leather from the sleeves. I used Leather cement/glue for this step instead of sewing it because I like the look of the original stitching around the collar. I also glued the pockets closed.
Coat with sleeves removed, waistband removed, neck filled in.
SECOND, this was a huge coat (much too big for a practical bag) so I cut a few inches off the waist.
I stitched the arms closed then added a lining. I’m using the lining to absorb the weight of the items I’m going to carry.
I added belt loops and used that cut-off waist piece to make a belt for a play on an oversize sack bag.
Finally, I added a strap made of the same fabric as the lining and leather from the sleeves.
Here’s the finished bag and I love it!
Wide leg pants, headwrap, and leather cuff are RedoxRenew also!
What do you think? Do you love this bag as much as I do?
Do you have an old leather garment you’re not wearing anymore? The leather is quality, but out of style or not the right size? Let’s turn it into a bag!
Pattern Mixing
I love mixing different colors, textures, and patterns.
I LOVE mixing different colors, textures and patterns!
First of all, I think pin stripes are a pseudo neutral, you can wear them with every. thing. Here I paired an oxford style button down with one of the most colorful pair of pants I own. Remember, the pin stripe is acting as a pseudo neutral that lets the pattern in the pants shine. If you look closely the headwrap has same color scheme as the pants although the pattern is different. I accessorized with a white fringe leather purse, because white leather goes with every thing too! You can have mixing prints and patterns by thinking of your pinstripe wardrobe pieces and neutral and wearing them with other stripes, polka dots, or even a busier pattern like this version of my signature drop-crotch pants!
Drop crotch pants are available as a made to order custom item. Contact RedoxRenew for more information.
Thrifted Date Night!
Remember, you can use thrifted items to experiment outside of your comfort zone with low risk. Just make sure the item will play well with your existing wardrobe.
After years of having somewhat separate social lives because of a lack of babysitting options, the hubby and I had a chance to step out together. So of course I had to get CUTE!!!
Let’s discuss this Alphet Check! Thrifting is a great way to add new pieces to your wardrobe or try new styles for cheap. I found this green dress while thrift shopping with my middle child. Historically, I don’t like tiered dresses, but this green caught my eye and for $5.99 why not?!
When I thrift, I look for good construction and quality fabrics; I generally stay away from fast fashion. I paired it with some existing RedoxRenew pieces: a headwrap, white leather choker, and orange leather cuff. I added chunky metal jewelry and my favorite Converse Chuck Taylors. If look closely you will see the flowers on my socks match the flowers in the Chucks. I loved that little flourish lol! I added a little chunky pillbox bag from my niece’s line, The Pink Plush boutique. And of course I can’t see so I wore my orange frames.
As a final note, this outfit is a fun play on three primary colors: green, yellow, orange. I still consider this a version of color blocking even though my complimentary colors contain patterns too. I enjoyed wearing this dress so much I’m sure it will be back even as cooler weather approaches. I can already see myself pairing it with a denim jacket, or wearing it over a button down shirt. I can add a slim or wide belt at the waist. I can even add some heavier elements light a biker jacket and some Dr. Martens. Remember, you can use thrifted items to experiment outside of your comfort zone with low risk. Just make sure the item will play well with your existing wardrobe.
COSTUMING!!
This ain’t your regular alphet check, cuz this ain’t your regular alphet! It’s costuming!
The White Edition
Renita Walker in full costume as her super hero alter ego
Ya-Ya: The Intergalactic Sojourner Truth
This aint your regular alphet check, cuz this aint your regular alphet!
It’s costuming!
Over 20 years ago when I imagined Ya-Ya: The Intergalactic Sojourner Truth, I saw her in costume. She’s a super hero! What super hero doesn’t have a fabulous costume!?!?!? Although my first costume was designed and constructed by a friend, I still look at the pictures fondly and smile in appreciation of my growth. In the time since I first put on a costume as Ya-Ya my skills and confidence have grown. I enjoyed making my most recent costume and I’m excited to see what I come up with for the future.
Photographer: Lashila Howell of Fly Productions.
Custom boots painted by Lord Yatta of Tri-Cities Tattoo
I made this costume using white scuba for the hood, detachable sleeves, and the outside of the convertible cape. I used a stretchy sequin polyester in aqua for the inside of the cape. I connected the hem of the cape to the top of the leather harness I made so it is fully convertible. By making the costume in pieces I can convert it to several different looks. In the looks above the cape is up and the sleeves and hood are gone (It was so hot outside during that shoot!). The skirt is a draped tulle with a non-stretch waist band; it is detachable as well. The bustier is from the Muva Rhianna Fenty’s Savage X line.
Here’s a view of the costume with the cape down, sleeves attached, without the hood.
Thinking about your custom costume for your next comicon/dragoncon/blerd con?
Let’s get started!!!
Fun Layering
Have fun with layering to get more life out of your favorite wardrobe pieces.
Have fun with layering to get more life out of your favorite wardrobe pieces.
These mustard gauchos are one of my favorite thrifted pieces. They’re made out of a knit with a light stretch making them SO comfortable. They look great with this fun summer crop top for a casual look. I added my boots and layered a couple linen pieces on top for a work look. The outer layer of this look is a linen kimono style jacket. It’s a boxy oversized shape and lends itself to being a top layer. The middle layer is a sleeveless dress. I simply unbuttoned and added a belt to turn it into a shirt perfect for a middle layer.
Want to learn more about layering? Let’s talk about a virtual stylist session. I’ll help you redo and renew your existing closet. It’ll be fun!
Dropped Crotch, Snatched Waist
I encourage you to appreciate your particular shape and body type. We are all beautiful no matter our shape.
Believe it or not, after a lifetime of trauma and abuse I am just now learning to love myself. I am finally becoming comfortable in my body and I’ve learned to accentuate my features to fullest. I am a small person with an hourglass shape. I accentuate my waist to give definition to my natural shape and avoid looking like a rectangle. I have a number of accessories to accomplish this, but my favorite way is to snatch the waist on my favorite drop crotch pants. The extra fabric of the drop crotch creates an even more extreme illusion of the hourglass shape. Also, I’m short so I’m probably always gonna rock a platform for a little boost lol!!
I encourage you to appreciate your particular shape and body type. We are all beautiful no matter our shape. If you are an apple, your legs are amazing; show them off! If you’re an inverted triangle, show us those strong shoulders! If you’re a pear, accentuate your small waist and let them hips do what they do! If you’re slim, play up your delicate neck, wrists, and ankles. Whatever your shape play with your style and have fun learning to appreciate exactly who you are!
Let’s talk about how to accentuate your best features with a custom RedoxRenew original!
Versatility
I make the most of my foundational pieces by creating items that are easily dressed up or down to be appropriate for a number of environments.
A couple years I came out of a very deep depression. When I cleaned up my closet, after years of self-medicating by accumulating things, I had 10 bags of clothes I donated. I promised myself I would never do that again and began to make my clothes with versatility in mind. I make the most of my foundational pieces by creating items that are easily dressed up or down to be appropriate for a number of environments.
This boxy shift dress with pockets and two side slits is easily dressed up or dressed down for work and play. The dress is versatile and easily changed by adding different accessories and accompanying pieces. In the look above I wore the dress with an orange belt to tame a little bit of that boxy-ness with a snatched waist. Cuz if it’s one thing Ima do? Imma snatch that waist lol! I added my Dr. Marten sandals, and a bandana for my hair. This was how I wore it some time last summer when I first completed the dress.
This summer I added a blazer and was out here looking like pure unadulterated summer! I work in a cold environment, but I still wanted to wear this dress to work as a versatile piece of my wardrobe. So I added a thrifted blazer. You see that peach and white seersucker? Delicious!! Yes, that’s the same orange belt and I changed the shoes to be appropriate for the hospital
How would YOU style this dress?
I’m currently taking custom orders, so let’s talk about adding some versatile items to your funky wardrobe!
Dress it up! Dress it down!
In this alphet check I’ll show you how I styled one pair of pants two different ways.
Have you ever seen the movie The Color Purple? Remember the scene where Celie opened Ms. Celie’s Folkspants and Harpo asked, “How can a pair of pants that fits you, fits me?” I think my drop crotch pants are like Miss Celie’s Folkspants. They’re so versatile! You can style them a million different ways.
In this alphet check I’ll show you how I styled one pair of pants two different ways.
Look number 1
Dressed up!
In this look I’m wearing the slimmest version of my signature drop crotch pants.
This is a work look for me; they don’t call me The Funky Chaplain for nothing!! Dressing up a look is all about accessories. I chose one of my favorite pair of Dr. Martens in this holographic silver mermaid (sadly you can’t see the holographic effect in these pictures), a button up shirt with a tail, and bowtie! I think the bowtie really pulled it into the dressier category and who doesn’t love a bowtie? This bowtie is from The Ellis Tie Co. This is not sponsored content, I just love their bowties! Remember, when mixing patterns choose one element of the pattern to coordinate. Here the dark blue of the bowtie ties right in to the blue in the rest of the outfit (no pun intended lol).
Look number 2
Dressed down
Again accessories make the difference. By changing the shoe and the top these pants went from dressed up to casual. I have on my blue suede Air Force 1s and a matching bra top making this a cute lil alphet for Sunday brunch, lunch with my bestie, running errands, or whatever my heart desires!
Now that you’ve seen it both ways, how would you style these drop crotch pants?
Click the buttons below to get your bowtie from the Ellis Tie Co. or to contact RedoxRenew to order your own drop crotch pants.
Happy Feet!
Happy Feet! This alphet check is all about the shoes!
This alphet check is really about the shoes! The iridescent mermaid scales give me happy feet!!
So let’s talk about it! As you may or may not know, I am OBSESSED with drop crotch pants. You will see them in different makes, prints, and patterns. The pinky-orange stripe in this Ankara print played so well with the mermaid scales.
I’m a short person so I LIVE for a high waist to elongate my legs and snatch me appropriately! This pin-striped shirt matches the stripe in Ankara perfectly. I paired this look with tortoise shell aviator style glasses from the same ‘80s era and I loved them with this look.
Finally, you will regularly find me with one of my signature slouch bags, with fringe of course, because who doesn’t love fringe!
What do you think? How would you style these shoes??
Are you ready for your custom piece? Contact me for a custom consultation and let’s get started!
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High waist, crop top, won’t stop!
When I need to get dressed, but don’t want to get dressed up I still wear my signature high-waist drop crotch pants.
ALPHET CHECK!!!!
Some days I need to get dressed to get myself into a headspace to work. Working in my pajamas is just not productive. Some people can do it; I cannot!!
So when I need to get dressed, but don’t want to be dressed up, I still wear my signature high waist drop crotch pants. To keep it comfortable and casual I paired them with a cotton crop top from Target. I’m almost always going to mix and match my prints so I chose a headwrap in a similar color scheme, but different print.
When mixing prints choose an element like color or pattern for focus; it helps the mixing look purposeful and cohesive. So blue was my focus today and you can see how the pants, shirt, and headwrap contain this element. Also remember that you can mix and match your metals as you wish to accessorize your alphet! I mean, who gone check you boo?
Finally, I love to choose my stones based on the work I’m doing. Green aventurine (bracelet), and raw citrine (pendant) are good for success in business. Black tourmaline is good for transforming anxious feelings into ones that nurture the soul. I wear black tourmaline almost daily to help me balance my high anxiety that is likely a consequence of a history of trauma; but that’s a whole ‘nother post.
What do you think? How do you do casual?
Did you know you can schedule a consultation to order a pair your own custom drop crotch pants? Well you can! Use the contact link or email custom@renitawalker.com.
Overalls for All!
Overalls for all!
Alphet Check!! Overalls aren’t just for children, you know! Adults can make overalls work too.
To elevate overalls from casual and utilitarian to fun and chic choose a pair in a fun pattern like this cotton Ankara. Don’t forget a wide leg silhouette is flattering for every shape. Wear a tank top or t-shirt for a laid back vibe like this, or try a pussybow blouse or oxford shirt for a dressier take. Over all have fun!!
How do you think you would style these overalls?
Contact me for custom orders through the “contact redoxrenew” button below or shoot me an email at custom@renitawalker.com for your own pair of funky overalls.
We have to get dressed. Might as well make it funky!!