157 Days to Go: Copycat – Gryphon

May 16, 2012 | 42 Comments

I saw this piece about a year ago and it always stuck with me.  Maybe it was how it looked so comfortable, or how the price tag was $400?  I had an insta-DIY moment where I knew right away I was going to make one of these.  Just like it and WAY cheaper.

New Dress A Day - gryphon copycat

Gryphon Copycat

So, I finally found a hoodie with a color that looked super close to the Gryphon one!  Guess how much this one was?  $1.

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Before Shot - Baja Hoodie - 157

Day 157 - Before

If their baja hoodie was weaved of cashmere, then $400 makes sense, but for a piece you can literally get on the Venice Beach boardwalk, in Mexico, or at a garage sale, this was a no-brainer.  Sidenote – the materials (thread/embroidery floss/yarn) might even be in your craft stash already, making this project cost whatever you snag the hoodie for.

I began by cutting the neck.  I wanted to match the super deep scoop, so I took my scissors and began to trim.

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie - Cutting Neckline - 157

Trimming my neck!

I trimmed a few inches and stopped right under my boobs.  Yep, I used my chestal area as a measurement tool, as you would in this sitch to get just the right spot :)

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie - Cut V Neck - ECU - 157

All cut!

I grabbed thread – yellow, lime, pink, turquoise – to match the colors on Gryphon’s hoodie as well a big embroidery needle.

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie - Embroidery Floss Supplies - 157

Got my floss!

I had to put it next to my scissors for you to get an idea of how big it is!

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie - Scissors & Embroidery Needle - 157

Got my needle! (Look how gigantor it is!)

The Gryphon hoodie had thread stitched around the neck, hood, and pockets, so I began to make stitches in matching areas on my piece.

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie - Hand Stitching - 157

Started with pink!

I started with pink, added yellow next, and kept going with the other colors.

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie - Yellow Hand Stitching - 157

Hit up yellow next!

The turquoise was a bit too matchy with the blue on the piece already, so I mainly stuck to the yellow, pink, and lime shades.

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie - Stitched V Neck - 157

Completed neckline!

After hitting all the major areas, I had a replica hoodie that cost me a buck.

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie After Shot - 157

Day 157 - After

The cool thing about this piece is that it totally feels chic – taking a staple piece that many surfer friends wear on the regular and giving it a little sass.  I put a tank underneath, but this is a piece you can toss on top of a bathing suit as the day gets chillier or even on top of a sundress.

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie - V Neck - ECU - 157

Neckline up close!

I’m a total fan of front pouches too, aka the “hoodie purse.”  It fits the phone, keys, a mini wallet… I love having the essentials actually on me!

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie - Pouch - ECU - 157

My kangaroo pouch!

The model went with nothing underneath, but I’m not that trusting of double sided tape to keep this thick cotton in place!

Gryphon's Baja Hoodie

Gryphon's Baja Hoodie - Retailed for $400

Also, use whatever thread colors float your boat and put them wherever you’d like to see them.  If you want colored trim to go completely around the neck, go for it.  If you want the hood to be all green, knock yourself out.  This is a piece that you can really get super creative with – use Gryphon’s version as your starting point and go from there!

New Dress a Day - DIY - Vintage Dress - Baja Hoodie After Shot in Street - 157

Most comfortable hoodie ever!

PS, this will be getting lots of wear this summer.  Apologies in advance if you see this on top of multiple new outfits over the next few months!  I’m totally going to be channeling my inner Dylan McKay.

Oh 90210...how I miss thee.

Oh 90210...how I miss thee.

  • http://vandysnape.wordpress.com/ Vandysnape

    I think this has become my favourite in your remakes….It is so chic and an amazing find :) You definitely have a keen eye for these :) Great job !

  • Desiree

    What fun!  I had a similar one back in my college days (sans embroidery upgrade).  Too bad I donated it years ago…

  • Vanessa

    I’m a fan of putting the shirt underneath…looks more comfy and well ‘real’ that way.  Very nice job! :)

  • Shannon Fannin

    Being from Escondido (San Diego) originally, I saw the $400 pic and thought: “No Way!! You can get those in Tijuana for SUPER CHEAP!” I can’t believe that the original hoodie has that price tag. Holy guacamole, Pedro! I think your copycat is just as good as the pricey little number. Besides, spending only a buck, and using some supplies you already had on hand feels AWESOME! Way to go, girl. This is a keeper :D

    • newdressaday

      You totally know being from SD Shannon…those are everywhere!  Easy tweak to chic up those hoodies!

  • cbalcar

    Awesome job with minimal alterations !  Even I replicate this one !

  • til

    who in their right mind would pay $400 for those.  they were totally popular here in texas in the late ’90′s.  they were everywhere for like 10 bucks! people are crazy! love love your version.  thanks for this!!

  • Sue Kol

    I love the look, I feel like if you had taken in the sides and sleeves a little bit, it would’ve been even better.

    • newdressaday

       Totally…that can still be tweaked :)

  • Btejkl

    This looks really cute on you.

  • Cathryn

    Very cute! I’m going to look for a hoodie like that and fix it up for my daughter :-)

  • VIDS

    i am stunned that you got the exact same pattern!! if you had ‘shaped’ it up a little bit , taking a bit of cloth from the sides and sleeves, it would have looked even better on you..

  • sash

     nice!  I love hoodies and front pockets too.  so I heart this so much.  I have a pink one, so I might add the color yarn to it!

  • http://www.facebook.com/devyn.lundy Devyn Lundy

    great job… I can’t believe the designer one is $400…totally crazy.. I don’t get labels.. why pay that kind of money on something you could pay 95% less for.

  • Sarah_H.

    What an idea! I have an old hoodie that I have kept forever because I love the colors in it. I am going to glam it up with a little embroidery. Have you a denim jacket in the future. I recently nabbed a faded out denim blazer on eBay and I have been looking for inspiration for what to do with it. My current thought is major applique on the back and something discreet on the front…..

  • Liza Lu

    I love your much more tasteful version of the hoodie!  :) .  It looks like the Gryphon version is a little bit more form-fitting ie less baggy.  I was surprised that you didn’t take in the sides and make the sleeves more narrow like theirs.  You still did a great job though.  As always!  BTW, who pays $400 for one article of clothing?  That’s more than a whole year’s worth of NDAD remakes!

    • newdressaday

       Theirs was definitely more fitted, but I like the baggyness – reminds me of Dylan McKay back in the 90210 years :)

  • TC

    It’s darling!  Great copy!  And thanks for posting every day.  It allows me to get a “before and after” daily fix!!!

  • Allison Woods

    Jes’ because it’s in a fashion spread doesn’t make it necessarily a good idea. ;)

  • Tollyfaye

    Cute and comfy, if this doesn’t stay in your closet as a keeper you can send it to me!!

    • newdressaday

       Ha! I will keep you posted if I come across any more hoodies!! xx

  • Julia

    Whenever I see your Copycat posts, I think, “How on Earth is she going to manage that?” Every time you hit it on the nose, I get a little thrill of excitement. This one is perfect. You rock!

  • http://twitter.com/jodywallace Jody Wallace

    I always found the fabric on those particular hoodies to be so scratchy! I hope yours wears in better.

  • http://www.whatarech4isms.blogspot.in/ Ch4

    This is a copy to the Tee!

  • http://www.whatarech4isms.blogspot.in/ Ch4

    This is a copy to the Tee!

  • Cre8soap

    Smart copy- : )
    I like it !

  • Sherry Weitzen

    Brilliant!  

  • missy

    the difference between the two, other than fit is that their embroidery looks neat, even & purposeful while yours looks sloppy & random.  i wouldnt pay $400 for theirs, but i also wouldnt pay $1 for yours either.  the effort was there, it just lacked the attention to detail.

    • DinaB

      Missy do you have a blog? If you do, I would love to visit your posts and check out your craftsmanship.

    • Janelle

      “…their embroidery looks neat, even & purposeful…”??  really?  REALLY?????  

    • Maureen

      missy, sweetie, how about “constructive criticism” or maybe what your momma taught ya, and “If you have nothing nice to say say nothing at all” ! :)

  • Lovestosew

    I have to strongly disagree with missy.  I love what you did.  In fact, I may try this with something in my closet. 

  • Maureen

    Hmm, is missy the same gal who was such a meany w/ her comments awhile back?
    Why comment here if your gonna be so “editing” gosh darn ugly? Time out missy!
    Anyway, I had one of these hoodies back in the 90″s I think? Thought it was way cool and wore it w/ everything! I’m going to have to keep a look out at my fav thrift store for one of these numbers! Fun way to zuzzz it up!

  • Shellbear

    I have been a professional pattern maker and I would only ever be encouraging to someone in their sewing (and I sew to a profession level), if it is not my taste it doesn’t matter I am not wearing it, if it is not sewn perfectly again I am not wearing it!! It is fantastic what you are doing really getting people to recycle, be creative and save money.   You should delete Missy’s comments, I really really love this one I thought ohhhh so comfortable and so much like the $400 one.  Since seeing your blog I have a few t-shirts, knitted tops and dress that have become skirts and hubbies shirts that have became bags, dresses shorten, pants turned into shorts, cardigans with bows.  I can’t wait to read your post I love you!!!

  • http://www.mygiddyauntblog.blogspot.com/ Vanessa

    super cute (as always) well done!!

  • Peppster

    90210 3 times a day on Soap Net!!

  • sopclarinette

    I usually don’t like your remakes but this one has me on my own hunt for a Dylan hoodie, yes I just called it a Dylan hoodie.

  • Lynn

    I have a hoodie like this that I’ve wanted to alter for a while now, but was afraid to because I wasn’t sure what the fabric would do when I cut it… It looks like it didn’t fray a lot or take on a personality of it’s own. I think I’ll try working on mine :)  

  • Carrieann

    gaaaaahhhh!! this is perfect.  i am i serious destash mode and I have one of these in a drawer to make over.  fantastic timing!

  • http://www.facebook.com/awesomevegan Jennifer Gonyea

    I want to make one of these but I don’t have a hoodie in this material. 

  • Ad

    I got inspired by your blog and got myself a used sewing machine! Thanks for the inspiration!! More power! I love the fact that you would refashion unloved pieces, and create something lovable about them :D

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000429952066 Patricia Rhudy Cook

    And you don’t have to go out and buy glue to keep it in place so you don’t end up showing a lot more than you planned to.