Thursday Remake

Feb 28, 2013 | 27 Comments

This velvet blazer has been in my collection for years! It was one of the first vintage pieces I bought in my 20s because I was obsessed with the color and perhaps the old Sears tag that hung on the back. It was my vintage velvet blazer phase and it replaced an amazing brown one that I left on a plane once. I don’t think it ever fit well, but at the time I really wanted it and needed a replacement blazer to add to my collection. As I’m trying to sort through and edit my closet that has gotten quite massive now, this piece was on the chopping block.

New Dress A Day - DIY - vintage teal blazer - upcycle

BEFORE

We had many, “will she, won’t she” moments going in and out of the donation pile. I’m still obsessed with the color but the fit was just off.

Not as fitted as I’d like…

Blazers are totally meant to be tailored and because the fit was off I was just planning on tossing, but then decided to give it a second chance…

I figured it would be worth a shot to try and tighten it up before giving it away, so I put it on, measured the amount I wanted to take in from the sleeves and the body and then stitched everything in place.

Sew down!

I got the sleeves tweaked and then adjusted the body a few inches.

Final Stitches!

Post stitch, my jacket really fit me perfectly!

AFTER

I paired my more fitted jacket with a vintage blouse and a pair of bootleg American Eagle jeans that I thrifted!

Perfect fit!

I totally feel like the more boho version of Mariska Hargitay on Law & Order: SVU. I’m totally ready to take down some criminals!

Benson!!!! SVU!!!!

I just love that a quick tweak completely changed this piece into something I’d wear all the time.

New blazer!!

I already know what I’m pairing with this next time! I did love the pop of gold from my vintage clip-on hoop earrings and gold Steve Madden heels.

M’accessories!

Nothing like a little photo shoot in the sun to take in the rays and the 70 degree weather.

Happy Day!

From Goodwill pile to brand new layering piece!!

In all · Dollar Dress Remakes

Sue

Cute, cute, cute. Love it.
Sarah

Marisa. I kid you not, this weekend I picked up a velvet blazer from a friend’s donate pile because I too am in my twenties and loved the color. But the fit is just a hair off – now I know not only that yes, I can go alter it to fit me, but exactly how to style! Thank you! You’re just so awesome!

newdressaday

KEEP IT!!!! Send a pic too

Ethne @ Wom-Mom

You didn’t do a straightforward shot of you so we could see the difference!
sash

great styling, as usual!
Casey Williams

LOVE LOVE LOVE this outfit! The texture and color of the blazer with the blouse is fanstastic. And the gold shoes! Ah!
But I agree with Ethne – it would be great to see a straight on shot of the tailored blazer!
Elizabeth H

I can totally understand your love of blazers, I personally own like three or four and wear them constantly. That color is also fantastic so I could see why you wanted to keep it around and you paired it so well with your other pieces. I love thrifting good jeans, currently have on a fantastic pair of American Eagle jeans I got at Goodwill.

newdressaday

My jeans were $3. Nothing better than that!!

Sarah_H.

An ageless look. I love it!!
Natasha

I got a maroon velvet jacket from my grandmother last year and I love it, but I’d like it to be more fitted. I’m going to try this.
Graciemh

Dang…here I Goodwilled a chocolate brown velvet blazer I loved but was the exact same style/fit as your gorgeous blue one before your redo. I loved that jacket….but had no clue how to get rid of the late 70′s dated look. Well done on the remake! Looks like a favorite “go to” piece for chilly evenings.

newdressaday

Thanks G. Perfect for LA nights!

Amanda Davis

SO cute! And thanks for reminding me that I have an adorable vintage black velvet jacket hiding in my closet too!
Sue Kol

I love, love this blazer and also love it on you! I have to be honest and say I am envious, because I myself can never ever wear fitted blazers given the top heaviness and the short chubbyness that I am blessed with , but I would wear it in a heartbeat if I could!
Ashley

I have blue and brown velvet blazers as well, and I LOVE them! I was thinking, “I don’t see anything wrong with the before photo…”, but I can definitely see an improvement in the more tailored sleeves in the after photo. I bet mine could use just such an adjustment, too. Great post!! (I agree with the others – add a forward shot!)
Ginia Magers

I have this exact same blazer! It was my mom’s in college! She would wear it to football games with a flower pinned to the lapel.
Veronica Barrio

This piece looks gorgeous on you!!!
SkyeF

OMG I totally had the same velvet blazer phase myself. I’ve had so many over the years and have loved them all to death
http://www.facebook.com/melanie.hakimipour Melanie Hakimipour

Wow – what a difference! And love the styling!
http://www.facebook.com/bettypetti Elizabeth Pettit

Great job, as usual. Nothing beats velvet.
Susan

Nice redo! Did you take in lining and the velvet together at the underarm seam and the body of the blazer? I have a similar problem with a blazer and thought I’d have to take in the lining and the velvet separately. Also, I’m amazed how much better your blazer fits, even though you didn’t mess with the shoulder seam.
http://www.facebook.com/hidesama Ren Akuma

That outfit is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. The blazer, the top, the shoes… it’s flawless!!!
Leanne

I love this whole look. All of it!
zazzu

Sorry, in these pics I can’t tell the difference between the before and the after. Cute jacket, though.
Angela

Love it. Love it. Love the gold glam pumps and the funky flowered 60s shirt. And the jacket looks so much better fitted! Cool!
Meghan Elizabeth

so cute! I saw a brighter green corduroy blazer at the goodwill that I extra super wish I’d picked up now!
Ciara Anderson

I had the EXACT same blazer that I snagged at a Salvation Army in Seattle. Mine didn’t fit me either….but it was too small. For $7 though, I rocked it all through high school until I gained the freshman 8 or 10 (not quite 15!) and it was back to the thrift store for that beautiful Sears velvet.

Thursday Remake

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