Style Tips For Creative Scene Kids

 Today's guest post from James tells us how to get 

the scene kid look but still stand out and be unique. 

He has some great ideas for making our own shirts a couple of ways!

Uniforms are great, and it’s a great feeling being part of a subculture that has a similar dress code for its members. However, in the past there were always those that stood out ahead of the crowd; the Mod with the best suit; the punk with the best hair, the rocker with the best patches on their jacket. But what can you do to stand out these days when every other kid is a scene kid and they all have the same t shirts, the same polo shirts, the same trainers and the same hair, because all these components are so accessible these days. What chance do you have at being unique and identified as a style guru, rather than a style sheep?

Here's one  answer....Customized clothing! Put on your idea hat because we’re about to get creative.

Step one. Decide if you’re a t-shirt kinda guy (or gal) or a polo shirt kinda guy (or gal) or both!

Both t shirts and polo shirts are extremely popular among scene kid circles at the moment. These both tend to be skinny fit, and from designer brands like Atticus and Fred Perry (respectively). Have you decided which suits you best? If you’ve chosen a t shirt, then it’s time to get out your paper and pencils because we’re going to design a killer t shirt.

What makes a great unique scene kid t shirt? If I could tell you that, it wouldn’t be unique would it? Here are some ideas though to base your idea around, all of which are popular scene kid themes.

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• 1Zombies – preferably eating the brains of some terrified victims.

• 2Graffiti – scene kids love urban graffiti, a t shirt is the perfect place to display your tag.

• 3Skate boarding – draw a skateboarder doing a difficult trick and add your own logo design.

• 4Slogans – If you have your own witty saying or slang catchphrase, then make this into a t shirt!

Have you got your design ready? OK good!

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Step Two. Scan the design into your computer and head over to any personalized t shirt company and upload your design. Select your colors, size and style of t shirt, and click order! The cost of having a t shirt printed is cheaper than buying a branded t shirt from a fashion label or catalog, and you’ll be pleased with the quality and fit.

Hang on... did you say you were more of a polo shirt kinda guy or gal?

Step one - again. It’s your lucky day. Have you got a cool bit of graffiti or an image you think would make a great logo?

Step two – again. Get this design out and get it scanned into the computer. Go to any embroidered polo shirts company website and upload your design (use an online logo designer if you’re struggling). Again, pick your fit, style, size and color and click order. Your top should be with you very quickly!

What is another way can we customize our clothes? This next one isn’t for everyone but if you aren’t into spending much money (hey! What kind of scene kid are you!?) then the thrift shop is your next port of call.

Have a look for any old t shirts that are extremely un-cool, vintage, out dated or rare (like staff t shirts for breweries, or pub events) and grab these. You shouldn’t pay much for a t shirt in a place like this, even if it is like new. Oh yea, the t shirt needs to be colored, our tricks won’t work on white!

Next head over to the super market and buy a big 2liter bottle of cola and a bottle of thick bleach. It has to be proper bleach, not toilet cleaner with bleach, and brand names work best. Go home, open all the windows and clean the bath. You’ll need to make sure the bath is completely clean and dry. Get a washing basket, bucket or seedling tray and make sure this is also clean and dry. Place this into the bath, and place your selected t shirt flat as possible in the basket, tray or bucket.

Stop for a break and drink the entire 2liter bottle of coke. It might help if you have some friends to help you with this. :-) Clean out and dry the bottle.Go back to the bathroom. Are all the windows still open? Good. Skewer three small holes in the lid of the plastic bottle, and pour in a liter or so of bleach into the bottle, careful not to get it anywhere else and attach the lid. It’s time to put on a pair of your mum’s marigolds (gardening gloves), because you don’t want to get bleach on your skin.

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Now comes the fun part. Flick or pour bleach over the t shirt, sparingly. Watch as the bleach transforms your t shirt with a colorful tie-dye effect. Careful not to breathe in the fumes from the bleach, it will irritate your lungs!

Once the t shirt looks how you want it to (don’t leave the bleach on long enough for it to eat through your t shirt...) take the t shirt out, place the tray to one end of the bath and run the t shirt under cold water to get all the bleach out. You must do this thoroughly. Once all the bleach is out, pop it in a hole-free plastic bag and take it to your washing machine. Wash it on a standard wash to get the last of the bleach out, and allow to dry fully before wearing (or you’ll look like a drowned cat).

When it’s dry, you’ll have a completely unique t shirt! Decorate with badges, patches, safety pins and spray paint to make it truly yours.

Written by James from Clothes2order.com, a custom clothing company.

Tips for Buying Vintage Shoes

With shows like Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire ruling the small screen, vintage styles are more popular than ever.  The person that buys vintage is the kind that likes the unique and special.  Some may even be considered old souls.  They are treasure hunters in their own right, searching through their grandmother’s attics, consignment shops, or the local thrift store; perusing the internet or seeking out funky vintage boutiques.  

While vintage clothing, jewelry, handbags and other accessories can be found with little effort, buying vintage shoes is not always as simple.  Unlike a vintage blouse, skirt or pair of pants, a pair of vintage shoes can’t be tossed in the washer, or tailored to fit; they show their age easily because of the nature of their wear.  This doesn’t mean they can’t be found though - you just have to know some tips.  Here are a few pointers for being successful in your vintage shoe hunt.

Ignore the size.  People always say Marilyn Monroe wore a size 12 dress, but guess what? That’s like a 4 or 6 by today’s sizing standards!  The same applies for shoes.  The only real way to know is to try it on but that's not always possible.  If you’re shopping online, ask the seller to measure the shoe’s insole and width or if that's not possible, know that the size may not be accurate and be prepared.  In some cases, leather can be stretched if the shoe is too narrow, but there’s nothing (spare a magic wand) that is going to make that shoe longer.  

Consider repair costs.  If you happen to find a pair of 40 year old shoes, it’s safe to say they’re not going to be in perfect condition.  Things that can be replaced are heel caps and soles; loose stitching can also be fixed.  Before buying you may want to check with your local shoe repairman on what the cost will be; that way you know what’s a bargain and what’s not worth it.  

Use a critical eye.  It’s easy to be blinded by the fact that you might, just MIGHT look like Jayne Mansfield in those vintage shoes, but you have to be logical.  There are some things that can’t be repaired or fixed; cracked leather, torn holes, missing buckles, eroding straps, strong discoloration, deep scratches, etc.  The only thing that shoes with these problems may be used for is perhaps decoration on a book shelf.  

Make friends with Google and Wikipedia.  Most vintage shop owners are honest people who are happy to be dealing in a medium they love.  However, don’t be taken advantage of because of lack of information.  Vintage is generally defined as anything older than 20-25 years.  Which means that the 80’s and early 90’s are all of sudden considered vintage!  Decide if you personally consider that vintage because you’re probably not willing to pay as much for a pair of shoes from 1992 as you would for something from 1962.  Also consider that designers make shoes that look vintage though might not be.  Take a look at the shoe and if you can find a designer name or label of some sort, plug it into Google or Wikipedia.  You should be able to find some information on that brand including a time frame, popularity, styles, etc.  Armed with this knowledge, you’ll have a better idea of how much you should be paying.  You may even find a similar shoe for a better price this way! 

Don’t be afraid to buy vintage shoes, it should be an enjoyable and rewarding process.  It should never be an impulse purchase, but you’ll be happy you took your time as soon as someone asks “Where’d you get those fabulous shoes?”