Order your custom bandeau today!

My store is now offering a "Custom Bow Bandeau" option for anyone who wants to have a personalized top this summer season! All fabrics are completely vintage, and each bow bandeau is hand crafted! We guarantee you won't find the same bandeau twice. This option is now at a very low price of 25$ and works kind of like a salad bar. Each additional topping (or add-on) ranges from 1$-3.00$. (Things like buttons, lace, bra hooks, double bows, etcera are options!) However, you can keep it simple with just the basic equipment for 25.00$ flat. This includes the bandeau with an elastic band, and a big bow! Either way you are sure to look wonderful!

 These bow bandeaus have been quite popular this season, but not very affordable. Etsy stores are selling the bandeau and matching bottoms for 130$ and up! Perhaps it's because of how versatile these tops are? You can wear it as a bathing suit, beach cover up, or even paired with high-waisted shorts for a casual look. Here at HotPants we are now offering them for only 25$ starting rate, and 5$ shipping! What a deal? Order Here or contact us at hotpantssellers@gmail.com!

Thank you! 

DIY: Bow Down To My Bandeau

This is my very own bow bandeau, crafted by the very hands typing this blog post! Just take a moment to examine the design of this piece of cloth. The amount of labor put into this tiny top was overwhelming. Perhaps six hours were spent on my friend's kitchen table. The results, however, are pleasing to my eyes. This item came solely from one, vintage, ankle length dress my grandmother would have worn in the 50's. With a little imagination, motivation, and frequent snack breaks, we were able to create a hip bathing suit top. (Well, I will be using it for swimming but the top can suit many occasions.) As astonished as I am when looking at the bandeau, nothing compares to the shock of knowing these sell for 130$ on Etsy.com. Of course the products displayed on Etsy are completely gorgeous with the most stunning of fabrics and matching bottoms. But, are they really worth all that much? I guess they put a price on their pain and suffering and added that in as well. In comparison with my top to theirs, there is barely a difference. I did not add a strap to mine nor created bottoms but with the extra fabric I have left that is an option. In my opinion I think my DIY project is a good replica and completely personalized to my taste. Since I realized that their is barely anyone who sells these tops for a decent price, I am considering starting my own shop? That is if anyone is interested. They would be customized to your taste, and half the price. (Maybe more) If anyone is interested let me know!

DIY: Drippy Ying- Yang Tee

Drippy Ying-Yang shirt

Decided to try a new DIY-project and created this crop top shirt. It's pink tie-dyed, embellished with a drippy ying-yang symbol. I have been seeing shirts like these all around Tumblr and wasn't prepared to dish out 40$ to own one. So, I took it upon myself and was amazed on how easy it was to prepare. (Considering I already had a tie-dyed shirt on demand.)  I got a lot of compliments on this tee, and some strange looks. I think they thought I was on acid or something. Truthfully, I am not quite sure what the "drippy ying-yang" symbol means or if it has a purpose but I enjoy it thoroughly. Perhaps a trip to "The Urban Dictionary" will resolve my questions. Anyways, I might put up a DIY video since I documented the experience.. .Too soon to tell though. What do you guys think?

Closeup on the symbol before it was colored in again

Window Shopping

I currently took a ride down to Ybor, Florida with my friend Grace. Personally, I've always enjoyed my days in this city because of the culture radiating from every alley way. During our adventure we saw graffiti, eccentric outfits, and music venues scattered throughout. But what I really enjoyed doing was looking through the thrift stores. Some carry the most unique pieces of clothing around!

We couldn't help but notice this beautiful, pleated dress in the display window and decided to look around. While browsing the store, our mouths dropped! Everything was so elegant and completely vintage. The store was divided into two sections, men and female. Both sides carried the most extravagant pieces! Everything from shoes, sunglasses, wedding dresses, and purses could be purchased at a horrifying price. Most items were in the double zero range, but it is well worth your money. These items can not be found anywhere else and are true to it's value. 

It amazes me how much our idea of "fashion" has changed over the decades. To think cutesy dresses (above) were regular attire in those times. For myself, that era is my most favored in history. If I could frolic the streets in puffed dressed without harassing comments then I'd be truly happy. As for now, I know where to go whenever I want a dress for an upcoming formal event!

DIY Hair: Ombre Is Not a Mexican Dish

After: New Ombre Hair

I'm one of those people who are constantly on a crave to reinvent their hair, which normally makes my naturally curly locks very angry with me. However, ignoring that crucial fact I decided to try to get the "Ombre" look. For those of you who've had a blind eye towards hair trends, the Ombre look was popular in 2010. When I first heard of "Ombre" I assumed it was some sort of spicy, Mexican dish. I came to realize that it's a gradient effect from which your hair gets lighter and lighter making it appear like your roots have grown out. It's more classy looking then how it sounds- if done right! 

                      What I Adore  

Day before

My natural hair is a very boring, standard, black color with nothing creative about it. One of the main reasons why I adore Ombre hair is it provides anyone's hairstyle with dimension. It makes your locks more interesting to the eyes as you focus on the gradient effect of colors swirling throughout. It satisfied my crave for a new look and can transfer to the spring/summer season. Picture nice beach waves with an Ombre effect? Beautiful!  

Couple weeks after

The Damage

Bleach is a feisty product that should only be handled by skilled professionals. If you have not messed around with bleach before be aware! Harsh chemicals are known for taking your hair for hostage, and returning it with dry, course ends. No mercy!
I came to terms with this and continued with caution.
The aftermath lead to me getting a slight haircut, but it
 was long overdue anyways. Tip: To recover your hair
 get a deep conditioner! It does wonders and is cheap. 

Overall

This is a very simple, cheap look that can make or break your hair. My friend and I experimented with it on my own hair making it so cheap. Salons normally run their rates from 60-120$ depending on where you go due to how long  of a process it is. However, it's very low maintenance, only needing a touch-up every couple of months. I'm looking to re-do mine and maybe go a little higher and blonder with it. Perhaps I will even add a touch of pastel blue to the tips? Hmm... 

Photo credit to: thefashioncitizen

OOMD: Outfit of my dreams

This is what I would most likely wear if I would have gone to Coachella. 

Alexander McQueen cotton shirt
£155 - harveynichols.com

Rory Beca silk tank top
£155 - oxygenboutique.com

Cropped shirt
$60 - topshop.com

Stripe shirt
$28 - topshop.com

High waisted shorts
$60 - etsy.com

H M knee length skirt
£30 - hm.com

American Apparel tennis shoes
americanapparel.com.au

Studded clutch
$226 - boticca.com

Wedding flower hair accessory
$63 - etsy.com

Skull scarve
$325 - cultstatus.com.au

Monki round sunglasses
€10 - monki.com

DIY Project: Give Me Galaxy

The "Galaxy" theme has been appearing in many different pieces of clothing this year. Everything from leggings, t-shirts, shoes, and even bows have been embellished with this intricate design and with a costly fee. The price range for a pair of Black Milk leggings are around 70$ dollars excluding the shipping costs! With the lack of stores carrying this design, and the extraordinarily high price tag,  even t-shirts are hard to come across. Desperate for a galaxy printed top I searched the Internet, testing out ways to re-create such a complex design. To my surprise, I came to find out that you do not need very much skill, just a lot of paint!


What You Need
1) Anything you'd like to decorate.
I used an old purple shirt.

2) Paints in varying colors but you
need white for stars. (I'd stick
with Fabric paints.)

3) Makeup sponges, brushes, and a
fine tipped pencil to make dots.

Creating The Design

At first glance, the design may seem very tricky. But, do not be discouraged! The trick to creating this piece is overlapping colors and blending them really well. You want to sponge on varying shades of paint, I used colors of blue, pink, white, and purple. Before starting on the shirt practice your technique! Do not use large amounts of paint on your sponge, stick to the size of a small dot every time you go back for more. Make sure that you keep a very balanced portion of colors. Be aware that the look will not resemble a galaxy until the stars have been added. For a more realistic galaxy add galaxy swirls, and shooting stars. Do not be concerned if you mess up! The glory of this project is you can overlap colors, blend , and mask your mistakes until you are truly satisfied with the ending product.

I am very pleased on how my shirt came out and encourage any one who wants a galaxy print to try a DIY project before reaching for your wallet.
I spent 0$ on this project since everything I needed was laying around my household.
I'm pretty pleased! What are your thoughts?