Bootstrapping Yourself

2nd March, 2010

Rockin my Members Only boots with the bootstraps

Here in America, we have the ability to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, and be whatever we want to be. What I want to be is a hardcore stylista. Lucky me, I can be! My latest DIY fashion project was making some great new studded bootstraps. These can be wrapped around any pair of boots to add automatic motorcycle-gang street cred to your outfit. I had searched online for the straps I wanted, but most involved chains, the wrong sort of studs, and a high price tag (think $50 and up) for the leather goods and shipping. I came up with the idea of fashioning my own from some pyramid-studded belts.

Hey There, Stud

I found two similar to this at forever21 for around $5 each. Check discount stores and cheap accessory shops for yours. I did surgery with scissors and a hot glue gun to move the buckle down so there was no “blank” space between it and the studs, and then wrapped it in an X around a couple of my pairs of boots. I figured out where I’d need a few new holes punched, and then cut off the excess leather. Et Voila! New, badass bootstraps for $10 and 10 minutes of work.

Now, cut up a men’s t-shirt, throw on some shorts and tights, and you’re off!