My favorite kind of accessories are the ones that instantly expand the options already existing in my closet: A statement belt, a removable collar, and hat bands to name just a few. The latter of those three just happens to be a ridiculously easy DIY that you can whip up in mere minutes.
These bands are such simple accessories, but slip one over your favorite hat and your look can go from western-inspired to rustic in a flash. Today I’m sharing how to make three different variations, but the possibilities are endless. Take a trip to your local craft store and see what inspires you – these only take about 15 minutes to make, so it’s easy to create an interchangeable collection!
Concho Band
Materials:
Leather scraps
Concho beads (I found these at the craft store and used wire snips to cut off the rings)
Hot glue gun
Measure the circumference of your hat and cut a strip of leather about two inches longer. Overlap the ends and, using the hot glue gun, fasten them together so they overlap. I liked how the leather looked with one end slightly larger, but feel free to play around with your design.
Next, decide on the placement of your concho beads and use the hot glue gun to affix them to the leather band. Allow the glue to dry before slipping the band over your hat.
Lead image: Pattern Fur Trim Coat, Moderno Wide Brim Hat.
Feather Band
Materials:
Feathers
1/2″ wide ribbon
Hot glue gun
Measure the circumference of your hat and cut a piece of ribbon that is 12-inches longer. At the center of the length of ribbon, use the hot glue gun to affix feathers along the entire length, stopping 6-inches before either end.
Fill in any gaps with additional feathers. Put your hat on and tie the band around the circumference, knotting the ends of the ribbon in a bow at the back.
Get the look: Topped in Fur Peacoat, Wardell Distressed Felt Hat.
Braided Band
Materials:
3 equal lengths of leather cord
1 5-inch length of leather cord
Hot glue gun
Metal clip
Measure the circumference of your hat and cut three lengths of leather cord about 8-inches longer. Clip the ends with the metal clip, and loosely braid the leather cord together.
When you reach the end, fit the braided cord around your hat to make sure it’s long enough to slightly overlap, trimming the ends if necessary. Remove the braid from the hat and with the ends slightly overlapped, wrap them tightly together with the 5-inch leather scrap, gluing it in place. Allow the glue to dry before wearing.
Get the look: Long and Lean Wool Overcoat, Matador Hat.
More DIY ideas from the BLDG 25 blog.
Follow FPJulie on Twitter!
So so fun! I’ve got some extra leather scraps laying around, definitely going to make a new hat band!
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com/
Not enough people personalize their style like this! I love this idea, and it’d even be an amazing, meaningful gift to supply so many ways to wear one item.
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com
This makes me want to rescue a hat from the Goodwill (clean it!) and embellish it! Thanks for the tips.
This DIY seems so easy to do and adds to much character. I will be doing this!
http://www.sunshinedaydreamphotography.com
I like that you gave us more than one design to dress up the hat belt. I’m thinking of doing the third design, in a thin brown rope, on my beach hat. Great tips! Thank you~
they look so good! love how they transform each hat.
Zoe
http://www.bohomixology.com
this is such a great idea!
http://www.graail.com
Thankyou for sharing this blog. You can also find various handmade western jewelry in different websites too. HHH Enterprises knows it well and hence, the firm is coming up with varied discount and offers on its artificial jewelry items and fashion accessories. Aimed to draw more and more customers, this e-commerce company has come up with new discount offer on wooden locket & pendants and company has decided to offer free shipping on its varied types of locket & pendants too.