A few years back, I was really into blazers. Like, really into them. I think there was a span of about six months where I wore one every single day, paired with everything from jeans to dresses to cutoffs.
So you could say I own one or two.
And I have this one in particular that was kinda pricey, from Bloomingdale’s, but either I grew larger or it grew smaller or some combination of the two…but whatever happened, the thing does not seem to fit me anymore.
I know, it looks like it fits me. Trust me, it doesn’t: I can’t even lift my arms in it. In any case, I haven’t worn this blazer in ages…but I don’t want to throw it out, because…I don’t know, it’s kind of cute. And, like I said, it was kind of expensive. So it’s just been sitting there in my son’s closet, tucked in between a bunch of other things that I don’t wear but don’t want to throw out.
And then the other day I was wardrobe scouting for an upcoming shoot at Nordstrom and saw a bunch of menswear-style vests, and thought, “Huh!” Except they were $140, so: no.
Then I looked closer, and saw that they all had unfinished seams along the armholes. They looked exactly like blazers that have had the arms torn off.
Guess what I don’t need to spend $140 on? A blazer that has had the arms torn off.
As you’ve probably noticed, I’m not all that precious about clothing, and am generally always game to take a pair of scissors to a piece if that means that I’ll end up wearing it more often.
Like, for example, this jean jacket, which I never wore as a jacket but now wear constantly as a vest.
And so I broke out the scissors.
1. Start by using a seam ripper or scissors to cut a small opening at the very bottom of the jacket’s arm hole (that way it’s more or less hidden in the event that you mess up).
2. Starting where you cut, gently pull apart the two pieces of fabric along the seam, using a seam ripper or your scissors to nudge along the process if you get stuck (the spots where the seams come together are often a little tricky).
3. If the blazer has a lining (as mine did), I’d advise pulling that out, as well; it’ll look messy if you cut into it along the armholes, and vests always drape a little better if they’re more lightweight.
4. Go on…pop that collar.
Here’s the finished product! I like it.
I left the seam frayed like those ones I spotted in Nordstrom both because I like the way it looks and because I’m lazy, but it’s an easy enough sewing job if you’d like to make it look a little more finished.
Also shown here: Swati Jr* earrings, Elizabeth & James sunglasses, Hannah Warner coral necklace, Ippolita Blue Topaz Lollipop necklace, Paige Paloma leather leggings, Gap t-shirt.
