DIY fashion: How to make this season's hottest styles at home

Keeping up with the latest in fashion can cost a pretty penny, especially when it comes to trends that have an expiration date. In the spirit of being frugal and chic, we've pulled together some DIY takes on the season's hottest styles, so you can get creative with items you already own. Here are some trend-pieces you can fashion yourself at home:

Dickies

A dickie is just the collar and front of a shirt that you can pop under a top, sweater or dress to give you that very on-trend preppy layered look — without the bulk. To make your own, simply pull an old collared shirt from the back of your closet, or grab one from a thrift or discount store, and follow these easy steps:

1. Lay the shirt out in front of you and measure 2 inches out from both sides of the collar. Mark it with chalk.
2. Measure about 6 inches down from the top button and mark that as well — keeping 2 or 3 buttons. 
3. Cut it out, Tuck it under a sweater and voila, you've just made your very own dickie!
4. If you want to go the extra mile and avoid fraying, pick up some Iron-On Hem Tape to fold over the edges. No sewing required.

Chokers

Chokers were huge in the 90s — you might remember seeing them on a young, angsty Drew Barrymore — and they're back in a big way! Here's how you can make a simple wrap choker as seen above on Kim Kardashian:

1. Take leather or suede cord that you can buy at any craft store. It should measure about 2 meters.
2. Add accent beads to to the ends of your choker, as desired, by tying the ends and cutting off the excess.
3. Wrap the cord around a few times and do a bolo-style knot in the front.

Now, if you want a thicker choker but can't bring yourself to spend 15 or 20 dollars they charge for a basic black one, heres how to make your own for under 5 bucks:

1. Take a piece of leather strap that you can get at any fabric or craft store. This one is 1 centimetre.
2. Measure the circumference of your neck and subtract 1 inch.
3. Cut the strap.
4. Attach gold press-on clamps, jump rings or lobster claws that will fasten your choker to the strap using a pair of pliers. 

Button rings

If you have a button jar somewhere in your house filled with rouge buttons that you've somehow accumulated over the years, this one's for you! All you'll need to buy is some adjustable rings from a jewelry or beading store to get this look:

1. Gather your supplies: buttons, adjustable-sized rings, pliers, hot glue gun (or super glue).
2. Take the pliers and remove the ring on the back of the button. This will take a little work if its metal.
3. Put some hot glue on the part of the ring where you want the button to be — but don't use too much. If you have it, you can also use a jewelry glue that sticks well to metal. 
4. Place the button on the ring and let it dry.

Ripped denim

Distressed denim is huge right now, but we just can't justify paying good money for torn jeans. If you don't want to spend a ton of money on designer jeans, like Rihanna did on the pair she's wearing above, here's how you can make distressed jeans on your own: 

1. Put your jeans on and mark your knees with chalk. Make sure to do this when your standing, otherwise the hole will sag. Tip: The bigger the knee hole you start with, the more saggy it'll get. So, stay small at first, and it'll grow on its own.
2. Use a coarse piece of sandpaper to wear away the denim and create a hole.
3. Take a men's razor and distress the pockets. 
4. If you want a really dramatic rip, take a pair of scissors and cut into the knee, and use your sand paper again to distress the hole. Leave the white thread for a rock and roll look.

Feeling ready to fashion yourself one of this season's most stylish trend-pieces? Show us your creations on our Facebook page. 

This article was updated on October 17, 2018.