I love menswear. I love the texture of the different types of cloth used, especially for men’s jackets. I love the attention to detail in a well-made suit. Go into any thrift store and chances are you can find a sport coat made from really lovely tweed or a lightweight wool. I have found Harris Tweed jackets and 100% lambswool jackets – impossible for a fabric lover to resist!
So, what to do with these gems? Well, for starters, I’ve decided to recycle the fabric and some of the detailing into handbags. I began by designing a cross body bag. I think it is interesting from an aesthetic point of view to preserve the identity of the fabric’s previous life. If I can incorporate recognizable sections of the jacket into the handbag, it will tell its own origin story. The front pocket of the jacket seemed like a good place to start.
It’s fun to find cotton fabrics that coordinate with the beautiful wool of the jackets and use them for the inner lining of the bag. Use a different one to provide contrast backing for the front pocket. Top stitching the layers together is a nice finishing touch.
Then I thought I would try using suspenders for the shoulder strap.
There is such a wide range of color available in wool jackets, you’re sure to find one that you love.
I think the next challenge will be finding a way to incorporate the lapels of the jackets into a handbag design.
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
