Olympic fever has taken over, even here at Free People! It’s so much fun to watch and even more, it’s fun to get a little patriotic with your fashion to show support for your country! We decided that a denim vest was the perfect base piece to customize with your country’s flag for the Olympics. Though we are in the United States, we have a lot of love for Great Britain, too, and with London as this year’s Olympic host, we decided to put a Union Jack on the back of our denim vest! To show your support for the USA check out our American Flag Shorts DIY :)
What you need: a denim vest, fabric paint and painters tape. I suggest our Cut Off Denim Vest!
I used the above Union Jack found here as inspiration – I love its faded look!
The instructions for this will vary depending on what flag you customize your vest with, but make use of the painters tape to help make clean, straight lines.
I marked off the area for the large red cross first. Make sure you cover up all surrounding areas with tape so that you don’t get red paint where you don’t want it!
Now you’re ready to spray! I used red spray paint for apparel made by Simply Spray.
I actually just used a paint brush for the remainder of the Union Jack – I wanted the white to run over the red a bit to give it a faded, slightly rough look.
Using the painter’s tape, mark off where you want to make additional lines and just fill it in using a paint brush!
Ready for the best part? We’re giving this vest away! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your name and email address (so we can contact you if you win) and we’ll select a winner at random one week from today!
Check out our American Flag Shorts DIY and more DIY projects from the BLDG 25 Blog!
Photos by FP Julia
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Trending at Free People: summer dresses, maxi dresses, boyfriend jeans, rompers, high-waisted bikinis, dresses, jeffrey campbell litas, lace dresses, sundresses, off the shoulder tops.
Comments
LOVE THIS! totally obsessed!!
Love it! I ADORE the British flag!
Love this vest! definately going to make it
love love love this. but can i wear this with my DIY American Flag shorts, or will i look slightly confused?
SO RAD. i’m slightly obsessed with the olympics this summer! x
LOVE the union jack and this vest!!!
Oh LOVE THIS! And love the UK. Would mean the world to me if i won this!
Hugs xx
BIG LOVE FOR THIS! Hope I win!
Woo denim vests! Pretty cool DIY.
i want to DIY my own vest! i’m having such a hard time finding the *perfect* one in the thrift store :(
Awesome! Trying this technique out soon!
Love this! I too am having a tough time finding a great denim vest at the thrift store. I’d love to win this one!
I want THIS VEST! Inspired me to make one just like it!! I LOVE FREEPEOPLE for their innovative ideas and clothes!!!
Love this vest and team GB! If I don’t win I surely will be making one for myself!
Great DIY like always!
this. is. fabulous. never thought DIY clothing could look so perfect
Love it!
I made the flag shorts for the fourth.. I think I might need this vest to complete my ensemble.
Love it ♥
msosevic94@hotmail.com
So adorable! Would love to wear it with studded white booties and leggings.
Would love to wear this!
This is perfect–definitely need this! Love, love, love.
Whatvanessasaid@gmail.com
Need this! k.deange@gmail.com
I am in love with the vest!
absolutely adorable. neeedneedneeeeed.
~
martha.carro4@gmail.com I hope I win! the vest is beautiful!
kristen.lee815@gmail.com
so cute!
Awesome!
LOVE!
Michellecalaguio@hotmail.com
supa cute
soccrchic08@comcast.net
same person as above^^!! forgot my email
Great DIY! I love the Union Jack :)
Totally rad!
sord994@yahoo.com oops :)
this vest is the perfection ckontos831@gmail.com
Denim Vest are my current obsession. My mom gave me her’s from the 90′s and I wear it all the time. This one is super cite!
jenniferagaona@gmail.com
Love denim vests! So cute
kcdeangelis@comcast.net
So cute!!! Definitely gonna try this out
Ive been in need of a rad denim vest!
Rachel Capps….. Racapps13@gmail.com
Love it
Abagael W. soccergal23@cox.net
I love this! I’m doing the shorts!
Bayleforever@gmail.com OPS- It didn’t post with my comment =)
LOVE
So cool!
emailgirl000@gmail.com
Ellenb1295@yahoo.com
YES Please!! I love this!! mpease082@Hotmail.com
this is too cute! fingers crossed :]
danielle.paniccia@gmail.com
I would loveeeeeee this!!! soooo amazing! ebc27@georgetown.edu
I LOVE THIS VEST. It is so organic looking!!!!!!!!! xoxo, Blair
Blair.breitenstein@gmail.com
Love! madee.ehrenberg@lakesideschool.org
Repping free people and the brits all at once! LOVE
ciaraknightdolan@yahoo.com
Super cute! My current obsession is pairing a denim vest over a long maxi dress or over a more formal dress to dress it down! Nicala86@hotmail.com
Super cute! If I don’t win, I’ll be sure to make my own.
LOVE this! DIY projects are the best! Just finished some high wasted studded shorts last night :)
Paige.gregory@ymail.com
Love :) kubisak_smith@yahoo.com
Would LOVE to win this!
THIS IS AWESOME! WOULD LOVE TO WIN IT!!
laranguyen7@gmail.com
Tres chic! Love it.
Sandrine – sandriney@gmail.com
You guys make it look so easy, i’m sure if were in charge of doing this, I’d mess it up…love it. Nicolene Hannan nmhannan@hotmail.com
Lovelovelove.
Love love love (again =) willowsmellon@aol.com
i could totally see that with a white crochet dress, doc martins, and a cup of tea in hand ;)
lovely !
vrivillage@gmail.com
Love this!!
absolutely amazing!!!!
Ebelina_@hotmail.com
Love it!!!
I love this patriotic vest! Totally cute and creative!
Love it!
krdouville@live.com
So cute :) :)
Absolutely love it!!!
maeve.j.mcsweeney@gmail.com
siyap92@gmail.com
How fabulous!! <3
So adorable! Reppin’ that patriotism!
nais!
Super cute! I’ve been wanting to get a denim vest and what better way then to jazz it up with a lil patriotism!
Love it!
Giulia Carraro
giuliacarraro@hotmail.com
xoxo
http://shewalksinbeauty-g.blogspot.com
Beautiful!! Really love it :)
m.gagnon.oriana@hotmail.com
Love this design! I painted my nails with the union jack and american flag for the olympics!
Ohh my! So adorable! emilyaschiltz@gmail.com
LOVE THIS :) Such a fun piece!
I would love to rock that vest!
lovee this
Denim vests are so London! Perfect piece to represent a town with such a rebellious spirit. aliyabelle@gmail.com
I Absoutely love this! It’s so fun and I can’t wait to try it.
cool vest
jennifer.lamb90@gmail.com
Love it! It is awesome to see you guys spice up this jacket to show some Olympic spirit. The American shorts are adorable also. Keep it up!
email aspasela@gmail.com
I want it!!!
Love you, Free People!
I love free people and everything they are about! The clothes, the creativity, the design. This vest sums it up! I’m hoping to work towards a graphic design job with you all someday!
This vest is perfection.
I want to wear it with nothing underneath, like Rihanna in the We found love music video haha.
Pretty pretty please! in love! carly.ciccotti@gmail.com
Love the vest!!!!
yo quiero!!!!! cristiannewilliams@gmail.com
So adorable!
kristensing@shaw.ca
So cool! Loving the flag trend c:
fun look! love the distressed sides:)
chappyjbug@comcast.net
That’s a rockin vest! (:
meganseee@gmail.com
izzie.sheaa@gmail.com beautiful vest!!
Would love to represent while wearing this! :)
British babe in love!!! <3
perfect <3 xolilbrittany143@aol.com
Totally love the British inVESTment!!! :)
love it!
I’m getting that olympic fever as well
scorpionaomi@yahoo.com
Naomi Chavez
Lovin you DIY vest this week would def rock the vest with a fp dress and some knee highs and boots :)
My email beate.otterlei@gmail.com
xxx Kirsty
Absolutely love this!
Absolutely rad!
This is so cute. I love looking at all of your guys DIY on instagram. I would be so honored to win this. Love you guys! <3
I want!! So cute!
Ariellorenzen@sbcglobal.net
Megan
Mkincaid99@yahoo.com
great simple diy project!
love it!
email: kymjestrada@aol.com
I love this jacket!! <3
ummm so i have a love affair with all things GB so i’m DYING over this vest!!!! asuwish714@yahoo.com
Yea!!!
Really cute <3 Id proudly display it on my back here in Miami if I win!
Marlee Gleiberman
monkeymar93@bellsouth.net
noodles.aussie13@gmail.com
Love this! such a simple diy but it looks so good, i hope i win!
asjdfjdfdsk!! obsessed! can’t help my love for uk! <3
Such a flawless jacket!
Awesome
Kellymcglynn7@yahoo.com
This is soo smashing!! I love union jack clothing! ❤
Absolutely adore this!! Obsessed with anything UK and free people! <3 <3
This is perfection! i love the UK and love love love free people!
This jacket is too cute! i’d absolutely love one :D
Love this! Team UK!
Love this vest, it can be worn in many ways and it is so original! Would love to have one hanging in my closet.
ridakazmi95@gmail.com
Rida Kazmi
I love this vest!!! I hope I win!!! emilyengle19@gmail.com
I adore this denim jacket DIY! Patriotic-inspired things are my obsession this summer. And I love that this is a union jack, because it’s refreshing to see a different kind of red, white, & blue! :) I’d love to win this! It’d be a statement staple in all four seasons!
Love this!!!!! USA!
This may possibly be the cutest vest ever! I love love love everything about it :)
This is so darling!!! Would love to wear this and support the Olympics!
This is seriously adorable!! NEED THIS!
kre.dancer@gmail.com :)))))
I hope I get lucky!
So so so cute! I love it, and have been looking for the perfect jean vest! cassandrashipe@gmail.com :)
Email: t_dorrell@sbcglobal.net
supersophia11@gmail.com
Love this!
Adorable!
Email: nicole1998@live.nl
Loveittt. I wanttt vabramik@yahoo.com
Pick me pick me pick me lolol
I want
Rockonmiley4ever@aol.com
I’ve always wanted a vest JUST LIKE THIS and could never find one! Thanks freepeople for teaching me how to do it myself (:
kelsey.duvauchelle@gmail.com
Eangie218@yahoo.com. LET IT BE THAT I WIN!
love love love it! if i don’t win, i’m definitely going to make this on my own :)
love. <3
meritt_rae_823@yahoo.com
OMG! I love this so much!!!! I wanna win so bad!!
Sasha- sashalovesdance@yahoo.com
obsessed with this!!
oops forgot to include my email socksrock98@yahoo.com
USA!!!!
love the vest!
Vanessa mena
Vani.mena@yahoo.com
<3
great vest!
phoebeseman@gmail.com
USA! Love thisssss!
Love it, obsessed with anything british, and anything free people of course(: appreciate all the DIY projects so fun! MO781494@wcupa.edu – Madison Orendorf
LOVE THIS! free people <3
so adorbs. if i dont win it i’ll make it <3
Julier Escobar
julierescobar8@gmail.com
so cute! :)
LOVE IT!
I love everything British.
yellowrainbowsandhappyendings@gmail.com
I just got back from studying abroad in London and owning this gorgeous vest could help with my withdrawals ;) I love it!
we love simple & unique DIYs! <3
ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ
so beautiful <3
ctlnmm@aol.com
Absolutely love it!
Allie Welch – allie.welch@ku.edu
So cute!
Melissa Merrill
prteov5@csu.fullerton.edu
I love this!!! Hope I win it! And if not, I guess I’ll have to make it! :) xx
Andrea de Jesus
andrea.braff8@gmail.com
Love it! Super cute!
Hannah Batren
Hannah.Batren@gmail.com
So cute!
Love me some denim vests!
This is so creative! I’m enjoying watching the Olympics in London very much!!(:
Jocelyn Marie F.
jclyn21@aol.com
Ah, so SO cute!! & such an effortless look as well (: Hope I win & good luck to everyone! xx
- ashley
ashleybrooke717@hotmail.com
Omg!! I’m in LOVE with this vest! I have always been obsessed with the Union Jack flag!! I would love to win this sooo much!
hinojosa_thalia@yahoo.com
so fitting! I love it!
Absolutely love!
Love this so much! Thanks FP!
I love it! The rustic look of the painting completes the look of the jean vest!!! PERFECTION! (;
evianwaterrr@gmail.com
This is absolutely amazing ❤
badass vest. this vest is the best. i’m not trying to be a pest and to this blog I am definitely no guest, but why don’t you just check me out and forget the rest. let me have that badass vest.
kelseynickell3@gmail.com
so cute! love everything about london, so it’s a given that i love this too!
this vest is absolutely amazing, peacerocker10@hotmail.com
I love this idea. Def believe in supporting The Games — I’m from The States,
and my boyfriend is from Blackpool, England so I love to show off my GB support!
Fingers crossed! ✌
I absolutely love this!!!!!!
Cute!!
Kahlila Merritt
Vintagefashion80s@yahoo.com
i love this! i have been looking for a cute vest or a while! i want it sooo much! emmyleex3@yahoo.com
Love it!!!! :D
emilyzurfluh@gmail.com
LOVE this!!! <3 :)
This is mine
Awesome DIY and cool Giveaway!
Mine
topazpet101@gmail.com
jnlopez3@me.com
Love it!! e.ln08@yahoo.com
Love this vest so much!!
suhsj@mail.gvsu.edu
super awesome i lovelovelove! thanks for the giveaway fp!
Loving the Olympics…this vest is super cool. Would love to wear it while having English afternoon tea!
LOVE!!! I’ll be repping Team GB in an upcoming olympics party, such a cute outfit idea!
creative and lovely!
tseclarissa@gmail.com
excellent vest y’all.
Love this idea great and easy
hawsdogs2020@yahoo.com
Loveeeee that vest!
So cute!!! In love
So I guess this means I’m trashing my jean jacket tonight. xoxo
Love!
Lovin it!
ktmass4@mac.com
my husband is british so i obviously am an anglophile. i would rock this bad boy! xo
my husband is british so i obviously am an anglophile. i would rock this bad boy! xo kellybenenati@gmail.com
lub this cute vest.
nellwhite33@yahoo.com
You said the union forever. You cried the union forever!
yes please FP
xx
love love love
mushhaboom@gmail.com
I love this so much!! 2012 olympics all the way :)
-Helene
lenie.hfh23@yahoo.com
pick me! pick me! i want to rock this vest!
so cute!
I LOVE it!
such a good idea! have try this out!
Adore!!!! fingers crossed to win!!!
Piechoro@msu.edu
Adorable!!
Gorgeous Vest<3<3 dcclique101@aim.com
literally read this blog everyday
Love it! I really need a Jean vest they are too cute!
I want to win this! I love DIY, I love FP, I love the UK.
obsessed with this!!
I love this! You geniuses at FP have done it again! I check out y’all’s blog every day, and it never fails on being my favorite! Good luck to everyone xx
kmckennabuck@gmail.com
If I can find a cheap denim vest somewhere I will totally make this…love love love ya freepeople.
so cute! love!
-bethany
bethanykatezimmermann@gmail.com
Love this! Such a great idea!
love
Please please pick me!! duncandk@cableone.net
Free People = life essential
Liljedahl.N@gmail.com
Easy DIY! I love it!
Festive :D gr82bme@usfamily.net
I love it!! It might look even cooler if there were some studs add on it.
Lauren!
laurenphee@yahoo.com
I love this vest!!!!!!!!!!!
Stephten@msn.com please pick me
I absolutely love this vest, please pick me! :)
I already purchased my used denim jacket, can’t wait to try this!!!! I LOVE the vest!!!
Hadleerose@me.com
SO cute!!
Jordan tree_hugger4jesus@hotmail.com
I absoultly adore it!!!!! Going to try this!!
This is such a neat and creative idea!
XO, Linda at The Style Moodboard
email – thestylemoodboard@gmail.com
I’ve always wanted a denim vest but this one with the union flag on the bag is AMAZING! (:
corinnaw.fashion@gmail.com
Love!!!!
ohhhh i love it!!!! Raine- peace.love.weed@hotmail.com
love this!! team GB olympics 2012!!! xx gsl3@st-andrews.ac.uk
#olympicfever2012
Sam, sreed@media.ucla.edu
Really like this !
littleowl5_6_7_8@yahoo.com
Free People, Rockin’ Denim Vest, AND Great Britian!! What else could a girl ask for?! Absolutely Love it!!!
-Joselynn Ordaz
josy_isabel@yahoo.com
crossing my fingers on this one.:)
In love with the vest!
would love to win this! Great giveaway! :)
Go Team USA!
Super cute design! Love the vest!
Love!!!
Amber
amber_nickerson@hotmail.com
Such a great idea! It looks so amazing! :)
Very chique indeed!
How cute!
So cute, would be perfect for back to school!
I love it!!
maehara.andrea@gmail.com, please :)
OH.MY.GOSHNESS sooo cute! love, love, love<3
christinadavila38@gmail.com
Nuripek@live.com
It’s so cool!
It’s so cool!
ana-zvenik@gmx.de
Very cute vest! I would love to win it! xx
This is an awesome vest! I love watching the Olympics this year especially Ryan Lochet, awesome swimmer:)
This is an awesome vest! I love watching the Olympics this year especially Ryan Lochet, awesome swimmer:)
kmccolough@comcast.net
love this vest and love london! this vest would be awesome to have whenever i go back to england:)
swimchick0316@yahoo.com
Love this vest!! ♥ It’s soo cutee :)
Email address: catarmarques@hotmail.com
So good!
jlove_31@yahoo.com
email address: soucaliucandreea@yahoo.com
This would be absolutely perfect to wear in my union jack mini cooper with my union jack nails i painted in honor of the olympics. LOVE IT
Oops my email address is vadeboncoeurm@gmail.com
This is so cute! I would love to have this! Thanks for posting such creative and doable DIY’s!
And here is my e-mail for the above comment: cc.d.moon@gmail.com
Would love to win this! <3
jlang2873@yahoo.com
So cute! I would love to win this!!!
So cute! I would love to win this!!
aanguyen@rocketmail.com
So freakin cute!!! my closet would be so much better with this vest in it
Awesome, I’d love to win this!
lpenoro@aol.com
Love this giveaway!! Hope I win!
smayer903@gmail.com
Love this giveaway!! Hope I win!
smayer903@gmail.com
love the vest xD
I love all the union jack detail going on right now! Olympics 2012 has been a good time for style!!! :) REALLY hope I win this!
very cool idea. and LOVE the DIY posts!
I love this vest, such a cute idea with such a minimal amount of effort and materials!
This is so cute, hope I win!
ashley.maum@gmail.com
So cute!
touching.stars08@gmail.com
So rad and cute ! Love denim vest and love union jack clothing even more so this is amazing ! Would be cool to win. acbtheillest@yahoo.com
Love love love, xo
Love love love, xo
Christinakido@aim.com
would love to have this jacket! :) peacerocker10@hotmail.com
this is so cute! i was actually looking to buy the vest from fp, but the extra touch just made it even better! xmeiwu@gmail.com
So so cute! TEAM GB! beth.harrison122@hotmail.co.uk
I love this! I’m all about flags!
Free People’s blog has the BEST DIY!
Melissa m.pilotti@me.com
Vest Please :) o0stefferz0o@sbcglobal.net
I’m all about DIY and this is just lovely! Keep the ideas coming!! graceerlston@live.com
Though I’m not normally into it, I’ve been loving the Americana trend this summer. If I won this vest, I’d pair it with my black, high-waisted, side-zip skinny jeans, a vintage tee, and lace-up ankle boots. Please and thank you! ;) esanoussi@drew.edu
Soooo cute I love the British flag for some reason…SWAG
acardelli447@maine207south.org^^^ ooops!
sfsmith2@uncg.edu
This vest is so cool. Easy to make but good looking :) But I think if I’m making one, I’ll do it with Latvian flag to support my country :)
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
So cute! Want!!
Lovely!
hope i win!!!!
I’m in London right now! Nothing I love more than denim and anglophilia! jdu14@ucla.edu
Love this!
deanna
deannalw47 AT yahoo DOT com
xoxo
cute vest! Aug 1 was my birthday! hope I win! ;)
forsurejadoreblog@gmail.com
http://www.forsurejadore.blogspot.com
I love this vest especially with flag on the back which makes it unique…if i dont win ill sure be doing this!!
Amazing DIY! Would mean a lot if given a chance i win this ♡
Love this vest! <3
So cute!
!
I’m in love with this denim vest. Xo
Christinakido@aim.com
So cute. I’ll have to try it! xx
that vest is amazing, i am in love with it!
LOVE THISSSSS!!!
victoriacocchiaro@yahoo.com
Would love to win this! seleagirl@yahoo.com
Very cute jacket!
Crossing my fingers for this jacket!
You guys rule!
That is amazing! Love it :]
Love Love Love this denim vest! Would be a perfect and essential item in my closet to express my love for Britain. <3
Stellar!
This looks great, I sooo need to try this soon! Thanks!
Wow, great article.Really thank you! Want more.