I Call it: Military Romantic

I've finished #2 in The Trench Coat Project Series.

Here is before (and if you click on the above link, you can see the two garments I used to create the after look):

And after:
It's available now in my yazberryfashion.etsy.com store.

The classic military lines and sentiments of this recycled vintage trench coat are softened with hand embroidered floral appliques. Each applique was carefully shaped by me and the large applique that wraps from the lower front, around the hip was painstakingly hand sewn in place so it lays perfectly when worn. 3/4 length sleeves, falls about mid thigh.

I've also lined each of the belts on the wrists, the waist and the epaulets with a matching pink diamond pattern from my Grandma's Legacy Fabric stash, making each completely reversible. On the beige side of the epaulets, I've placed floral bars looking like military rankings. I've also shortened the hemline and have pinch pleated [a 3-D diamond pattern to emulate the diamond fabric on the belts. Coat is lined with Etienne Aigner signature fabric as in it's former life it was that brand. I've replaced the peeling leather belt buckles with shiny brass to match the hardware.

Here's a little hint about #3 in The Trench Coat Project: it involves hand painting and fur.

The Trench Coat Project

I like to think that out of every mistake is born a great idea. I recently completely ruined a vintage trench coat with bleach while trying to clean off a stain. Devastated, the recycler in me couldn't throw it in the scrap pile because of its fine construction and high quality vintage fabric. So after a week or two of stewing over what to do with it, I came up with The Trench Coat Project.

The trench coat project involves re-tailoring, distressing, adding to, modifying and otherwise updating vintage trench coats to take on a haute couture look and feel. Here is a sneak peek at the first trench coat victim:


Stay tuned in the next few weeks as I unveil the first trench coat!