My diy trousers



Hello again and how are you? I've just been released from the spell cast by Game of Thrones. Steve and I have been held captive since Monday when series seven was screened on tv. We've binge-watched the entire seven episodes and here I am, spat out and feeling a tad frustrated that it'll be another year 'til the final series will hit our screens. Are you a fan? We held out for some time, poo-pooing the fanciful notion of dragons, bloody battles and resulting gore, but once we started we were hooked and have raced through the entire box set in a matter of weeks. (Yes, my fellow bloggers, that's where I've been, when I ought to have been visiting you.)


Anyway, on to the topic of the day, aka my diy beading on these velvet trousers. They were a charity shop bargain at £1 but never quite inspired me. Too long and too boring in their original form, I was suddenly taken with the idea of perking them up one weekend. Last month I was struggling with the mightiest of toothaches and the sewing project was absorbing enough to take my mind off things. See the before elements of the project here.


The sewing was all done by hand, in the smallest of schoolgirl stitches that I could manage and was a lovely challenge. I have these odd times when sewing takes my fancy and realise I have to make the most of it, as I know the phase will soon pass for months on end. I've still not finished reupholstering my sofa cushions and now live with the entire sofa covered up under a throw to disguise the jumbled mess lurking below. 


So here we have the finished article and I'm rather pleased with them if I may say so myself. The beading gives the trouser hems a beautiful weighty swish that makes these culottes feel like the Rolls Royce of trousers now. I love that they're unique and might even pass as designer...?


Styling them up wasn't too troublesome once I'd rediscovered these pink glitter pumps. That led me onto the hunt for my blue bejewelled glittery belt - in my belt box under the bed, surprisingly enough. Playing up the details, I was pleased to add the pleated cuffed blouse as well as pink glitter nail polish. Understatement is not the look I'm going for.


I bought the blue velvet clutch in a little boutique in Truro just before Christmas. The best part of it has to be the rose gold clasp and trim. At the time of buying I had great intentions of pairing it up with my rose gold heart pendant, but that will have to be for next time. 


This necklace was a Christmas present from a girlfriend and is sparkly too, but doesn't show up very well in the bright sunlight. The rings and shoes are pre-loved, sunglasses by Quay Australia, blouse from Sainsbury's and biker jacket by Toxic. 

In a couple of weeks, I'm going to be celebrating my 60th birthday with an island party. But not just any old party, that'll be an ABBA party! My favourite movie of all time has to be Mamma Mia. So, the invitations are posted and the feedback good, with lots of talk of catsuits, platforms and wigs being ordered, and that's just the men! The more resourceful are recycling their disco outfits from the 80's, but no matter where it all comes from, as long as it comes together I'll be happy. Some of my nearest and dearest are dragging their (non-platformed) feet so may need a bit of help from me - what colour of satin shirt would suit my husband best, I wonder? Rest assured I'll be putting a post together of my ensemble as well as any incriminating evidence I can gather on the night - I fancy the fashion police might be out in force!

In the meantime, I'll say adieu and wish you well until we meet next time. Take care! 


Anna x

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20 comments

  1. I hate to break it to you Anna...but the disco era was the 70s! Ha ha! It's true! The 80's were new wave and punk.

    What a super fun idea for a party! You're going to have an absolute blast. Who doesn't love Abba?

    You did a mighty fine job on the pants. They are gorgeous. All of the elements in your outfit came together beautifully. There is always a bit more joy I find when wearing something we've created or added to on our own.

    It is ridiculous that series can now get away with such a long break between seasons. I think it is just so that everyone has to go back and rewatch previous seasons to remember what the heck is going on.

    Suzanne

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  2. I hate to break it to you Anna...but the disco era was the 70s! Ha ha! It's true! The 80's were new wave and punk.

    What a super fun idea for a party! You're going to have an absolute blast. Who doesn't love Abba?

    You did a mighty fine job on the pants. They are gorgeous. All of the elements in your outfit came together beautifully. There is always a bit more joy I find when wearing something we've created or added to on our own.

    It is ridiculous that series can now get away with such a long break between seasons. I think it is just so that everyone has to go back and rewatch previous seasons to remember what the heck is going on.

    Suzanne

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    1. Hahaha. In our little backwater the disco era hung on well into the 80's Suzanne - in fact we're still waiting for Punk and New Wave to arrive!

      I have to agree with you about the joy of a customised item; it really does make the outfit a bit more special.

      And yes, we've already decided that we'll go back to the start just to get another GOT fix in the meantime. In the UK we had a great "The story so far" programme which gave a recap and got us ready for the penultimate series.

      Anna x

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  3. I've been watching GOT since it first aired - I both love it and am infuriated by it at times, but it gets its hooks in you. No need to apologize for being AWOL - we all need to do it at times.

    LOVE your DIY pants, you fabulously artsy chick, you! I just don't have the patience for something that complex - it would sit around, nagging on my conscience and inducing guilt, half-done. I have the greatest admiration for you. I so adore this lovely sparkly outfit, Anna! It just makes me smile.

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    1. I was so surprised that the series became such an addiction for us, although it was lovely to have a common interest as opposed to the routine of me on my blog and him watching sport.

      As I say, I have these little creative whims and have to follow them when they take shape. This was much more successful than I imagined which is very satisfying - not sure if I could repeat it though!

      Anna x

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  4. How exciting about your 60th birthday party!

    I think these trousers are wonderful! Of course they're designer trousers - 'House of Anna' naturally. I love the blouse and glittery shoes you've paired it with and the blue biker jacket is a fab accompaniment.I think it looks like a party outfit. It was very clever of you to make the embellishments that make the trousers so unique.

    Hope you're not too cold and wet where you are...
    xxx

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    1. Thanks Veronica, I'm terribly pleased at how these turned out. It's always fun to play around with a new item, and doubly so when you've recreated it from something else.

      Cold and wet yesterday, but looking better today. I plan a walk, swim, walk kinda afternoon.

      Have a great day!
      Anna X

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  5. Your sewing project worked out perfect! I love the length of them now. I can't wait until you post about your party! What a great idea and the outfits are going to be soooo fun to see! I'm sure I'll have opportunities to say this as it gets closer, but if I get lost, I'll say have a very happy birthday and may there be many, many more!

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    1. I agree with you about the length and it's a much more wearable piece now. I think there's gonna be a lot of flurrying about this weekend, getting the outfits ordered. Sequins and frills are high on the agenda with most, and I can't wait to see what everyone will look like.

      Have a lovely weekend!
      Anna x

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  6. The pairing of blue and pink with extra sparkle dappled about is really lovely Anna. I love how you continued beyond the DIY embellishment of the pants to adeptly plan all of the accessories (of course). That you topped it all with the blue moto jacket adds a perfect bit of edginess that I love!

    Turning 60 definitely needs to be marked with an event as big as the accomplishment. Can't wait to see what you come up with. Certainly you'll be reprising the Meryl Streep role?

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    1. So glad you've enjoyed this showcase of the long-awaited trousers Jude. They turned out much better than I had hoped and I will most definitely be wearing them again.

      After much humming and haaaing, I've settled on my namesake Anni-Frid as my muse for my outfit. Three wigs down the line, and the ginger curly one was the deciding factor. Watch this space!

      Wishing you a lovely weekend!
      Anna x

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  7. Oh I want to see and Read all about you re ABBA party! Sounds great! Good Idea to make culottes out of those trousers! They work very well!

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    1. So kind, Nancy, thank you.

      I'll make sure I get plenty of photos of the outfit and give you an account of the party in due course.

      Enjoy your weekend!
      Anna x

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  8. Fabulous look! You are so creative.
    Happy birthday early - I know it will be
    a wonderful time in your life.
    Best wishes, Mimi
    http://inmyprimetime.blogspot.com

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  9. Genius! I love what you've done to the trousers Anna, and such a fantastic job by hand. The Pink pairing is perfect too. I like the blouse, I'm wondering if that's still available? will take a look. Onto the Game Of Thrones. I can totally ubderstand you being glued to the tv! Isn't it just soo good? Shame we have to wait so long between. I have to watch the last couple of episodes to freshen my mind before each season xx

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    1. Thank you Laurie, I'm really pleased with the outcome of my handiwork. And yes, pink was a lovely partner for the trousers.

      We're now replaying the last series to see if we missed anything the first time around. What will we do when it finally finishes?!

      Have a great week,
      Anna x

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  10. How lovely to have a pair of trousers that no-one else on the planet will have! I love the embellishment.

    We're currently working our way through the boxed set for the 2nd time. We're on series 3 at the moment. Yes, obsessed!

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    1. I can now understand the draw of sewing your own clothes - it's so nice to have something unique.

      I've found that the more I revisit these, the more I notice on GOT. We're totally addicted too!

      Enjoy your week!
      Anna x

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  11. so fabulous trousers, love that the beads added some swishy effect, and love the different textures and colors, leather, velvet, gauze, sequins!
    You rock totally!
    besos

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    1. Thanks so much Monica! I'm very pleased with these new culottes and hope to bring them out again later in the year. You're so right - it's all about the textures!

      Anna x

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