Fun 3D Printed Earrings and Purse to Match Upcycled Skort
2024 was the year of solo dates—or at least, it was on TikTok. Every so often, I challenge myself to go on a solo date or attend an event alone, pushing myself to meet new people But walking into a crowded space alone, especially as an introvert, can feel daunting.
As I prepared to go to Everyday People - a “kickback” I’d been eager to attend that sold out quickly - the usual thoughts crept in: Who will I talk to? How do I start a conversation?
I wanted to push myself outside my comfort zone, but instead of relying on forced small talk (“So… crazy weather, right?”), I turned to something more natural to break the ice - fashion.
I’ve always noticed that people love to compliment unique pieces. A statement bag, an unusual pair of earrings, or a bold outfit can spark curiosity. So I asked myself:
What if I designed some fashion pieces specifically to start conversations?
That became the challenge: Create a look that wasn’t just an outfit - but a fun, intentional tool for connection.
To design better pieces and understand the social challenges, I conducted some light user research to better understand:
🗣️ Social Listening & Online Communities – Analyzed discussions on Reddit, TikTok, and social forums about attending events alone, social anxiety, and making new friends.
🖥️ Surveys & Informal Interviews – Asked individuals about their experiences with socializing at events and what typically sparks a conversation for them
🔎 Observational Research – Noted how people interact at social events and what prompts them to approach strangers.
People often feel awkward attending events alone.
75% of respondents said they feel nervous or hesitant when going to an event alone, and often struggle with effective ice-breakers
Complimenting an outfit is one of the most common icebreakers.
62% of people said they’ve started a conversation in the past by complimenting someone’s outfit.
Bold, unique accessories attract a lot of attention.
48% of people said they’re more likely to notice statement earrings or a bold bag than just an outfit.
Based on this, I decided to focus my pieces on having the following requirements:
Spark positivity and joy
Attention-grabbing yet stylish
Tactile & unique materials
Practical & lightweight for long wear
Ability to be customizable or versatile
This viral video (link here) by marlon.noah, captioned "the perfect excuse to start a conversation hahaha", illustrates how two strangers can become "besties" through compliments on style
I decided to create three pieces:
Before moving into 3D modeling and printing, I identified several key design challenges that influenced the final prototypes. These considerations ensured that the pieces would be both functional and user-friendly while working within technical constraints.
My African mother is a conservative Pentecostal Christian - why is that relevant?
Because every time I ask for something stylish and fitted, she somehow manages to give me the most unflattering, oversized dresses. While they may not suit my style, they do provide an excellent opportunity for recycling fabric into something new and unique.
For this project, I chose one particular fabric with bold red and yellow patterns because it evoked a sense of warmth, energy, and cultural vibrancy.
Since the skort featured a defined pattern, this introduced a design constraint when developing the accessories. The earrings and purse couldn’t be overly intricate or have clashing patterns; they needed to complement the fabric’s style and tone while still standing out as statement pieces.
Since PLA filament was the chosen material, the printed structures would be rigid and less flexible, so I had to adjust the design to work around the hardness of PLA, ensuring that the final product maintained structural integrity, ergonomic usability, and a refined aesthetic.
Traditional purses often use hinges, but due to 3D printing limitations, I needed a seamless, hinge-free design to maintain a clean aesthetic while ensuring smooth functionality - eliminating the need for visible exterior hinges or weak living hinges.
Additionally, all designs had to be scaled and optimized to fit within the 256 x 3 mm build plate, while ensuring a printing orientation that allowed for smooth surface detailing and minimal post-processing.
Before: Frumpy Dress
Inspired by this design, I designed a pattern for a skort - shorts in the back with a wrap skirt in the front - to blend comfort and style. Since I planned to bike to the event, the design needed to be practical for movement yet still feel feminine and fun.
Because the fabric featured bold flower patterns, I wanted to create a simple design to match. To make the piece feel inviting and approachable, I incorporated a colorful smiley face on the top - serving as a subtle signal to strangers that I won't bite them but am open to conversation.
Design Changes: I slimmed down the earrings for a sleeker look and enlarged the smiley face, making it visible from both sides for better visibility. To balance boldness with everyday wearability, I opted for a black front for a striking look and an accent color on the back for added contrast.
I drew inspiration from a shutter box design I found online to create a hinge-free structure for the bag. Since most bags are traditionally rectangular, I wanted to explore a more subtle yet distinct shape that felt unique while remaining versatile for different occasions.
To enhance customizability, I incorporated the concept of Crocs-style personalization, adding small holes where users can attach pins with bold statements or unique designs (or even QR codes) to add flair. Alternatively, they can remove the pins for a more minimalist look.
For the finishing touch, I chose to print on a holographic surface, introducing an eye-catching texture that shifts with the light, making the bag even more dynamic.
Design Changes: Due to the corners not being fully rounded, the slider had difficulty closing smoothly. To resolve this, I opted for a more oval shape, ensuring a smoother sliding mechanism while maintaining a sleek, functional design.
The purse features interchangeable pegs (ex. hearts, smiley faces and "HI" text), that can be inserted into the holes - allowing for users to mix and match for a unique touch & further customization
Please feel free to reach out!