"Pretend Leiths" thanks to tailor & YLF inspiration! - YouLookFab Forum

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"Pretend Leiths" thanks to tailor & YLF inspiration!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

My track pants don't have pockets and the perfect slouch, but, thanks to my tailor, I have something that resembles those fabulous Leith Woven Track Pants Angie recommended.

I was so smitten by the front, vertical zippers and realized I had an orphaned pair of Hurley track pants. I was inspired by Beth Ann's DIY Leith project and Suz's and AJ's photos of the real thing. So, off I went to the fabric store and bought two seven-inch zippers and delivered my project to the tailor here in town.

Realistically, it's better to wear these in warmer weather and with a longer top, since the slouch is missing in the upper regions, IYKWIM.

Here are my "pretend Leiths" in a few variations. I wore the red top on the first outing.

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28 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

Thistle

Veteran

Fab interpretation! I think you are spot on with these.

pil

Veteran

How clever! Love the leopard incarnation.

Liz A.

Veteran

I like these better than the real things... they look easier to style. So inspired!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So rocking killer fabulous you are - it should be illegal. I LOVE what you had done to the pants, Vicki!! You look amazing in all these outfits!! WOW

*faints*

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*crashed*

forgot the helmet

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Vicki, you stunner, you!! These are fabulous!! What a great idea. Not only should be leave no retail stone unturned, we should leave no closet orphan unexamined!

Sheila

Veteran

Unbelievable! How amazing you look and your cleverness also. Who woulda thunk? I bet JoAnn Fabrics has a huge run on zippers now!

unfrumped

Veteran

Too brilliant. Bravo!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Atta girl, Vicki! These look great and will be fun and practical in your wardrobe. Sometimes a little creativity is called for. I'm wondering what the tailor thought!

rachylou

Veteran

That is way too cool a redesign. I'm trying to figure out exactly what your tailor did... ;>

Inge

(website)

I can't believe you kept your DIY talents hidden from us for so long!-) They turned out perfect, so clever. I'm so happy for you, because I know you had been coveting the Leith pants. They look fantastic on you, and I absolutely love all the outfits you have put together with them. Simple, elegant, chic = trademark Vicki!

Sona

Veteran

this is the beauty of ylf, creative thinking and a great seamstress!

AJ

Veteran

Vicki, luv how clever and creative you are! The zippers are what sold me on the Leith pants as well. It's so great that you were able to have your own version too.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Brilliant! Love the DIY (or DIT) version! Way to make it work--love your persistence.

Diana

Veteran

So cool and clever!

Marley

Veteran

You should be a fashion designer! Don't know how you came up with this - but, so very, very cool!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

*laughing with amusement* I don't think I'm a DIY'er, but more a person who enjoys the conquest of figuring out something like this in the way of a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt. That's what makes it fun; the results can often be mixed and then you just chalk it up to experience.

Thanks for your "real" love on the "pretend" Leiths!!

Beth Ann and Rachylou, in answer to your great questions, I took in the printed photo from the Nordstrom website and folded in the hem, vertically to show her what I wanted. She did give me a rather odd, perplexed look, but I told her the pants I wanted were no longer available.

There was a slight miscommunication in that she put the zippers in perfectly with an inverted v-effect in the fabric to gather it in this v-shape, but the problem was that there was still material gathered behind the new front zippers.

So, I did have to reluctantly do a little DIY to this project, in my own non-seamstress way, which was to cut a vertical slit, so I'd have that nice open look, and then I simply folded the fabric forward on the zipper and sewed them together, like a hem. That's about as good as it's going to get.

Jjsloane

Veteran

You rock. And yes I still look at my Nordstrom everytime I'm there in hopes they have your XS. Nada yesterday.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Wow--these look fantastic! Love all your stylings with them. I especially like the long black top with the belts, but I like the looser ones over the pants, too! They're so versatile. Thanks for the close-ups. I could do something like that! (Oh, except I don't have the pants to start with. Oops.)

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

*super big smile* Jeane! I do think we get "programmed" with shopping radar thinking the quest could still be achieved.

Debora

Veteran

You are my style hero, Vicki! How clever of you to transform these into Leiths. All versions are spectacular!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Wow! So impressive! I especially loved the denim jacket outfit but so many of these are just amazing!

Carole

Veteran

Such great examples of how to wear the "Leith Track Pants" that are in the Nordstrom bag waiting to be returned. Maybe I shall keep them after all.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Super cool! Way to save the orphaned closet child!

Deborah

Veteran

So clever Vicki! They look great.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Well how smart are you??? This is brilliant Vicki and they look fantastic.

Day Vies

Veteran

Sporty and polished! I love this. I particularly like these pants with the longer tunic tops for some reason -- I think I like the look of a longer torso with these pants since there is a detail at the hem that draws the eye. I love how you have styled these.

Jonesy

Veteran

Fab! I can totally appreciate the quest-like aspects of finally obtaining exactly what you want :)!