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:
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!
this is awesome!! love the detail!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
Wow what a great deal!! I'm glad you didn't pass that one up- it's gorgeous!
WOW! Great find, and even better refashion! I love the colored lining, so fun!
xx
Lia
Smart n Snazzy
That looks amazing girl!
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 🙂
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
that is so cute, love the detail
Xo Megan, TfDiaries.com
Beautiful blazer!
http://lartoffashion.blogspot.com
Wow.. absolutely love it. Makes me want to go to Goodwill tmrw.
What a great thrift find! and I love that you made such simple changes to make it your own!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
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/
wow I'm super impressed! This definitely resembles the much more expensive J.Crew version! you rock
xx
Here&Now
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
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
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/
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! 🙂
too cute! a blazer is definitely a girl's best friend :> x
og, i love how it turned out! and i love green underlining!
xoxo,
Fashion Fractions
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
stunning photos and really good blog! Plus for you.. Have a nice day, lady 🙂
~lipoo
Great idea! Perfect classic jacket
It looks adorable! I love the color of the lining too, you got quite the bargain!
Excellent thrifting/updating skills! I love the way it turned out. GREAT INSPIRATION!
detrimentalbeauty.com
danielle
I liked the kind of vintage look of the old version, but that new one looks fab too!
Great job!
http://coffeebeansandbobbypins.blogspot.com//
That is so awesome! What a perfect find!
Amy
Fashion and Beauty Finds
I wish there were thrift stores like that where I live! Great find. 😀
Love this!! Such a great find and a great makeover for it!
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
This is amazing..you are amazing..love what you have done here!
Sheree x
http://www.itsnotthatdeep.com
Wow, great reminder to see how we can rework for a fraction of the price. LOVE the collar detail.
Cute! Love the collar detail.
This was SUCH a great post. You did a fantastic job!
AMAZING find! You look fantastic!
underahhundred.blogspot.com/
$16? That's amazing.
The updated version looks absolutely fantastic!
Maja – clotheskinksandcurls.blogspot.ca
WOW! What a score and great job! I will have to keep my eyes peeled when I go thrifting next time…
I love what you did! I feel tempted to go thrifting now, hehe.
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
I absolutely love this blazer! xo, Julie
http://www.fromproseccotoplaid.com
So crafty — I love it! Not sure I would be skilled enough to attempt something like that myself, but I definitely admire the talent.
We love what you did with this blazer!
Very talented.
xx The SunKissed Sisters
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunkissedsisters
Awesome inspiration! Thanks for sharing.
Katherine
http://www.jagstyle.blogspot.com
What an amazing deal! And it looks incredible on you!
xx
xoxo Bree
The Urban Umbrella
http://www.theurbanumbrella.com/
Super amazing! I love it!
This is such a great find! I am so jealous!
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
Such a crafty lady!
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
Amazing! I love refashioning my thrift finds. This such a great find! -Heidi http://fabricandfrosting.blogspot.no/
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!
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.
What a great deal! And I love what you did with it! Very cute.
sincerelysk.blogspot.com
Sara
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
Love this! The blazer looks so mich better after the makeover! Perfect! xo, Christina
http://www.styleclouds.de
That is incredible!
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!
How crafty! Very cute…good job!
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com
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!
I agree with Jenn, I would have never thought to remove the pockets! The blazer looks amazing! Love it!
I would have never thought to take the pockets off!! The blazer looks amazing!
What a find! Well done
Wow, what a quick and cute makeover! – J
2girlsin2cities.blogspot.com
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
what an awesome DIY!!!
xoxo, jillian
http://just-jillian.blogspot.com
doesn't even look like the same jacket
excellent!
brett
i love the jacket
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
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!
What thrift stores in New York City do you shop in?
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…