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Fashion

DIY Blazer Makeover

While thrift-store shopping last month, I found this J. Crew gray wool blazer for less than $10 – obviously, I didn’t even think twice about snatching it up.  But, when I got home, I realized that this was an older version of their current schoolboy style and it needed a little updating.  So, I did some research and then got to work!

First, I took tiny scissors and carefully cut the threads in between to remove all 3 pockets.  This doesn’t work with every type of fabric (it all depends on how the pockets are sewn on and the quality of the piece), but I knew if it didn’t look right afterwards, I could always take it to my tailor and have them put back on.  Thankfully, once they were removed & the wool was lightly pressed, you couldn’t tell they were there in the first place.

I then took the jacket with me to the craft store to pick out some different buttons for the front & the sleeves, making sure I matched the size of the old ones (I tried to find a style that closely resembled the buttons used on the current schoolboy blazer).  I removed the brown buttons and sewed on new ones (which only cost me $6).  I threw it on with a plain tee & jeans so you could see the finished product:

Love this detail under the collar!

Considering that this same style of blazer from J. Crew normally costs $198 and I only spent $16 for mine…I was thrilled, to say the least.  I know I will get a ton of wear out of it this fall and, because it’s such a classic piece, it will last me for a long time.  This just goes to show that you shouldn’t pass up on thrift or vintage items just because they aren’t 100% perfect.  With a little re-working & some imagination, they could become a wardrobe staple!

08.09.12 Kimberly

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Comments

  1. Sandy a la Mode says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:03 am

    this is awesome!! love the detail!

    xo,
    Sandy
    Sandy a la Mode

  2. Molly says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:07 am

    Wow what a great deal!! I'm glad you didn't pass that one up- it's gorgeous!

  3. Lia {Smart n Snazzy} says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:12 am

    WOW! Great find, and even better refashion! I love the colored lining, so fun!
    xx
    Lia
    Smart n Snazzy

  4. Just Another Shopaholic says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:19 am

    That looks amazing girl!

  5. Kathryn says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:28 am

    Great example of thrift DIY! I often find that J. Crew's buttons fall off anyway, and I've picked out new buttons simply because I couldn't find the ones I lost and ran out of the extras. I've ended up liking my replacements better, just like you did 🙂

  6. jenn~the stylish housewife says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:38 am

    WOW! i NEVER would have thought to remove pockets!!! and i can't believe how much use you are getting out of those oxfords! very cute!!!

    xoxo, jenn
    the stylish housewife

  7. Megan, The Frugalista Diaries says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:41 am

    that is so cute, love the detail
    Xo Megan, TfDiaries.com

  8. Natali says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:48 am

    Beautiful blazer!

    http://lartoffashion.blogspot.com

  9. Vidhya says

    August 9, 2012 at 5:14 am

    Wow.. absolutely love it. Makes me want to go to Goodwill tmrw.

  10. Alice Warren says

    August 9, 2012 at 5:23 am

    What a great thrift find! and I love that you made such simple changes to make it your own!

    Alice
    http://www.happinessatmidlife.com

  11. Jeans and a Teacup says

    August 9, 2012 at 5:30 am

    Oh my gosh…I'm so jealous! I wish I could find thrift store pieces like this. I thought it looked great before but your updates make it look really chic.
    ~Jessica
    http://jeansandateacup.blogspot.com/

  12. Jessica @ Here(and)Now says

    August 9, 2012 at 5:42 am

    wow I'm super impressed! This definitely resembles the much more expensive J.Crew version! you rock
    xx
    Here&Now

  13. Niki says

    August 9, 2012 at 6:05 am

    What a great find! It's amazing what a difference removing the pockets and swapping the buttons can do! Will have to keep my eyes peeled for one of my own 🙂
    Niki

  14. Kultur und Stil says

    August 9, 2012 at 6:14 am

    I love this post and it's so true what you say! But unfortunately, thrifting and salvation army and shops like that, aren't really popular in Munich where I live. I always try to go into second hand shops when I'm in other cities, but well, I've never found any gorgeous pieces. Apart form once, I did an internship in Nancy, France, and just around my corner was a book thrift store (they sold all the gorgeous novels for about 1 Euro) that also had a tiny ranch of clothes, where I found some wonderful things! And I also found there a grey blazer that I altered slightly – and I really love this piece!

    xxx Anita

  15. Stylishlyme says

    August 9, 2012 at 6:24 am

    wow I love what you did with this blazer! It was such a great find and you made it even better!

    -V
    http://stylishlyme.com/

  16. Carlin says

    August 9, 2012 at 6:26 am

    i love this! the best pieces are the ones you make your own, or ones that you get for a great deal. this has both! 🙂

  17. le style child says

    August 9, 2012 at 7:01 am

    too cute! a blazer is definitely a girl's best friend :> x

  18. Neris / Fashion Fractions says

    August 9, 2012 at 7:20 am

    og, i love how it turned out! and i love green underlining!

    xoxo,
    Fashion Fractions

  19. Zahra Sandberg says

    August 9, 2012 at 9:23 am

    Fabulous post! I'm in the market for a great blazer at the moment, so maybe I need to stop by the thrift store first!

    Zahra

  20. lipoooo says

    August 9, 2012 at 9:47 am

    stunning photos and really good blog! Plus for you.. Have a nice day, lady 🙂

    ~lipoo

  21. Paula Chapman says

    August 9, 2012 at 11:27 am

    Great idea! Perfect classic jacket

  22. TaraMixandMatch says

    August 9, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    It looks adorable! I love the color of the lining too, you got quite the bargain!

  23. detrimental beauty says

    August 9, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    Excellent thrifting/updating skills! I love the way it turned out. GREAT INSPIRATION!

    detrimentalbeauty.com

    danielle

  24. Amy says

    August 9, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    I liked the kind of vintage look of the old version, but that new one looks fab too!
    Great job!

    http://coffeebeansandbobbypins.blogspot.com//

  25. Amy Shaughnessy says

    August 9, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    That is so awesome! What a perfect find!

    Amy

    Fashion and Beauty Finds

  26. cpalmisanodillard says

    August 9, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    I wish there were thrift stores like that where I live! Great find. 😀

  27. Liz says

    August 9, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    Love this!! Such a great find and a great makeover for it!

  28. Alison says

    August 9, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    So creative and so easy! Love this 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Now I can't wait to go thrifting haha

    XO, Alison
    http://www.ChainStrapPurse.com

  29. Sheree says

    August 9, 2012 at 1:39 pm

    This is amazing..you are amazing..love what you have done here!
    Sheree x
    http://www.itsnotthatdeep.com

  30. Alyson says

    August 9, 2012 at 1:46 pm

    Wow, great reminder to see how we can rework for a fraction of the price. LOVE the collar detail.

  31. briannelee says

    August 9, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    Cute! Love the collar detail.

  32. Tara says

    August 9, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    This was SUCH a great post. You did a fantastic job!

  33. Cristie Xu says

    August 9, 2012 at 2:14 pm

    AMAZING find! You look fantastic!

    underahhundred.blogspot.com/

  34. Maja says

    August 9, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    $16? That's amazing.
    The updated version looks absolutely fantastic!

    Maja – clotheskinksandcurls.blogspot.ca

  35. The Curvy Girl says

    August 9, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    WOW! What a score and great job! I will have to keep my eyes peeled when I go thrifting next time…

  36. jeweliette23.com says

    August 9, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    I love what you did! I feel tempted to go thrifting now, hehe.

  37. Meredith says

    August 9, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    I love that you did this! It looks amazing, and now you have a fabulous piece for the fall. Nice job!
    Meredith
    http://www.createthatoutfit.com

  38. from prosecco to plaid says

    August 9, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    I absolutely love this blazer! xo, Julie
    http://www.fromproseccotoplaid.com

  39. Meg @ write meg! says

    August 9, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    So crafty — I love it! Not sure I would be skilled enough to attempt something like that myself, but I definitely admire the talent.

  40. Graebelle Campbell says

    August 9, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    We love what you did with this blazer!

    Very talented.

    xx The SunKissed Sisters

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunkissedsisters

  41. Katherine says

    August 9, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    Awesome inspiration! Thanks for sharing.
    Katherine
    http://www.jagstyle.blogspot.com

  42. TheUrbanUmbrella says

    August 9, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    What an amazing deal! And it looks incredible on you!
    xx

    xoxo Bree
    The Urban Umbrella

    http://www.theurbanumbrella.com/

  43. huongie says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    Super amazing! I love it!

  44. APainter says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    This is such a great find! I am so jealous!

  45. Lindsay Patrick says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    I love how you re-worked this blazer! I am still working on how I look at thrift pieces and trying to imagine a fresh look on older pieces..it can be difficult but you did so great with this piece..love it Kim.

    Lindsay @
    LindsayJEveryday.blogspot.com

  46. Laura Lily says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    Such a crafty lady!

  47. Rachel Lynne says

    August 9, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    Love what you did with the sleeves and collar! I put new buttons on my trench and it gave it a whole new life!

    xoxo,
    Rachel
    Rachel’s Lookbook

  48. Heidi says

    August 9, 2012 at 5:02 pm

    Amazing! I love refashioning my thrift finds. This such a great find! -Heidi http://fabricandfrosting.blogspot.no/

  49. Jamie says

    August 9, 2012 at 6:14 pm

    Wow, that is an impressive DIY! The blazer looks great! So awesome that the blazer plus the updates only cost $16! I am going to more open-minded about thrift store pieces now that I realize I need to think creatively!

  50. Carmen Iris says

    August 9, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    This post is right on time. I have been coveting one the schoolboy blazers currently available at J.Crew. I know what I'll be up to this weekend.

  51. SK says

    August 9, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    What a great deal! And I love what you did with it! Very cute.

    sincerelysk.blogspot.com
    Sara

  52. Tiffany M* says

    August 9, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    This blazer is gorgeous!
    1. Next time I find a blazer I'm sending it to you for a do over.
    2. If you ever put this on eBay you must tell me so I can snatch it up. Loving it! Such a great find and great DIY.
    beijos,
    Tiffany
    http://www.beijostiffany.com

  53. Styleclouds says

    August 9, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    Love this! The blazer looks so mich better after the makeover! Perfect! xo, Christina

    http://www.styleclouds.de

  54. Stephanie says

    August 9, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    That is incredible!

  55. Katherine says

    August 10, 2012 at 12:55 am

    Wow, I'm so surprised what a difference just removing the pockets makes! Love your chose of buttons, too. I absolutely love thrifting blazers, so I'm definitely going to keep this in mind next time I'm at the thrift store. Great job!

  56. A J says

    August 10, 2012 at 1:29 am

    How crafty! Very cute…good job!

    -AJ
    FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com

  57. Rachel @ Making Life Fabulous says

    August 10, 2012 at 2:39 am

    What a fantastic thrift find! And I never would have dreamed that taking off the pockets would make such a big difference, but it looks amazing!

  58. Mz Savvy Style says

    August 10, 2012 at 3:04 am

    I agree with Jenn, I would have never thought to remove the pockets! The blazer looks amazing! Love it!

  59. Mz Savvy Style says

    August 10, 2012 at 3:06 am

    I would have never thought to take the pockets off!! The blazer looks amazing!

  60. Northern Style Exposure says

    August 10, 2012 at 3:50 am

    What a find! Well done

  61. 2 Girls, 2 Cities says

    August 10, 2012 at 4:26 am

    Wow, what a quick and cute makeover! – J

    2girlsin2cities.blogspot.com

  62. dreamingincashmere says

    August 10, 2012 at 5:25 am

    I am in awe…that is pure genius!! It looks amazing & I love the wash on those jeans you paired it with!!!
    -amy
    http://www.dreamingincashmere.com

  63. jillian says

    August 11, 2012 at 12:18 am

    what an awesome DIY!!!
    xoxo, jillian

    http://just-jillian.blogspot.com

  64. silvergirl says

    August 11, 2012 at 12:46 am

    doesn't even look like the same jacket
    excellent!
    brett

  65. Anneke Hildebrand says

    August 11, 2012 at 1:04 am

    i love the jacket

  66. styleonthecouch.com says

    August 11, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    Amazing. I really admire people who can DIY clothes, I've often thought about doing a course in sewing etc but really I think I just need to practice and get my skills up to speed! Lots of inspiration here lady!

    http://www.styleonthecouch.com

  67. laurenfoode.com says

    August 14, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    This is an even better find than you might've thought. I worked at J. Crew for years and steadily watched the quality decline while nothing ever got any cheaper. This vintage find is probably twice the quality of their current blazers, which have skyrocketed in price. Well done!

  68. Rayna Stern says

    August 15, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    What thrift stores in New York City do you shop in?

  69. Lauren @ Sassy Molassy says

    September 4, 2012 at 8:17 pm

    Love it! I have a Banana jacket just like that and never wear it (but it's more because I don't know what the heck to wear it with). Granted, if I brought it to a more casual level, I just might be inclined to wear it with jeans…

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