DIY: LIBERTINE LEGGINGS

Stenciled tights were a runway rage; here's how to make your own.

It's no secret we loved the Libertine presentation during New York Fashion Week, but it also got us thinking:

Could we take the label's trademark stencil look and make it our own?

Turns out it was pretty easy.  All you need is a stencil, a can of spray paint, a Sharpie, and some really good thigh-high socks:

1.  Make your stencil with an exacto knife and a piece of cardboard.  We traced the shape of a crown onto ours; other ideas included unicorns, hearts, a crest, and the iconic NYLON "N".

2.  Tape your stencil around the tights.  We made ours out of a UPS envelope, so it could actually go inside it (see photo #1).

3.  Spray paint your tights.  Make sure you're doing it outside or near an open window, and use some newspapers on the floor.

4.  Allow them to dry.  This will only take 5-10 minutes.

5.  Trace the edges of your new pattern with fabric marker to set the paint.  Your fabric marker can be the same color as your socks, or contrasting.

6.  Wear!

--FARAN KRENTCIL



This story was published on March 3, 2009.