Custom Couture

I find it strangely satisfying to respond, "It's handmade" when people inquire about a piece I'm wearing. Since discovering the handmade mecca known as Etsy in 2007, I have stumbled upon enough fantastic jewelry makers, purse designers, tailors, seamstresses, and dressmakers to overhaul even the most discerning dandy's wardrobe.


MadeWithLoveByHannah features some very cool, fairy tale-inspired handprinted skirts. Some of the scenes include Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and Hansel and Gretel. She also prints skirts with scherenschnitte, a traditional German paper-cutting technique.

MissBrache creates all kinds of clothes, but her most notable productions are her sexy, retro-inspired swimsuits. She custom-makes them according to measurements you send her.

For the menfolk, ToyBreaker hand-silkscreens neckties and accessories. I never thought neckties could be cool until I found this shop. They have a variety of tie materials to choose from (microfiber, silk, cotton) and dozens of edgy designs.

In the sea of purse sellers on Etsy, TheOtherSister stands out with her gorgeous botanical handbags, which look like bouquets of blossoms, and her geek-chic Bibliogirl line of surprisingly sexy leatherbound book-shaped purses.

JaneBonBon specializes in dresses and skirts for plus-sized women. She accepts custom measurements for some of her designs, including her sexy housewife-style red polkadot dress.

BotanicalBird's shop features beautiful, nature-inspired jewelry, like her intricate Scarab's Garden necklace.

And for the earthy types, EarthGarden creates handmade leather "elf boots," which resemble knee-high moccasins. You can choose from a variety of colors.

And the moral of the story is... whatever you're looking for, you can probably find it on Etsy. Not only will you have awesome stuff that no one else has, you'll also be supporting an indie business. Buy handmade!