Express Your Individual Style In Cool Customized Clothes (NAPSA)—One-of-a-kind looks are hot this season, so go ahead and express your individual style by grinding, deconstructing or reconstructing your favorite spring clothes. Vintage styles and relaxed silhouettes are perfect pieces for transforming old items into new looks. From jeans and graphic T’s to sweatshirts and denim jackets, here are the best items to customize, along with some easy-to-do-yourself techniques from the fashion experts at American Eagle Outfitters. Grinding—Achieve the wornin, faded feel using the “grinding” technique. With a pumice stone or piece of coarse sandpaper, give new jeans a vintage look by rubbing along edges of the pockets, cuff, or knee-area. Add comfort and style to an AE Hooded Sweatshirt by cutting a small notch in the neck and use rough sandpaper or a Dremel tool to fray the raw edges or makeholes. Reconstructing—Women can turn a sporty cotton Graphic T into a sexy, strappy halter, simply by using scissors and a ruler. Show off your shoulders by cutting off the sleeves and create a bare look by cutting out the back. Or, add patches and iron-ons to your favorite jeans or shorts for a custom look. * Deconstructing—Guys make a strong statement by converting a graphic T into a muscle T. Cut-off sleeves will show your hard work at the gym and a V-neck will add a laid-back look. With bottoms, create an authentic “no- This season, embellish your favorite clothes with retro patches, buttons and rhinestones. waist” silhouette by taking a pair of jeans, like a low-rise flare jean, and cutting off the waistband. Rip off the belt loops and back pockets by using a seam ripper, a tool available at any fabric store. Embellishing—From retro patches and pins to funky rhinestones and studs, the possibilities are endless when embellishing. Adorn a denim jacket with easy, iron-on patches or buttons that express your individual style. For a hip, mix-and-match look, sew on extra denim pockets from an old pair of jeans in contrasting shades of denim. Attach rhinestones and studs onto collar or sleeves for a little bit of shimmer. To learn more about customization techniques and to see who is using them visit www.ae.com. For a free catalog or to find a nearby American Eagle Outfitters store, call 888-A-EAGLE-5.
