Reimagining a Dated Blazer

I recently completed a program that helped me edit down my closet and majorly clarify what things in my closet are my true style and what was just taking up space. I bought these two French label blazers pre-loved from Poshmark a few years ago, and just never seemed to wear them. I loved the idea of them with their bouclé fabric and Chanel vibes, but anytime I would try to style them into an outfit, I would be thrown by the severe cut of the jacket and the boxiness of the shoulder pads. I don’t necessarily have anything against shoulder pads in the right context, but these toppers just did not feel ‘me.’ I was ready to part with them until I realized with a few tweaks, I could completely rework the whole look of these jackets without rebuilding them.

I am by no means a skilled seamstress. I know the basics of hand-sewing and can sew a straight line with my sewing machine. I realized that I could fold down the top of the jacket on each side to create a little lapel, and add a button to add a little bit of casual structure. I pressed the lapels on each side with a hot iron to set them, and then added a little stitch to keep them in place. Then, I added a hook-and-eye closure to the middle of the jacket and sewed a decorative button on top. Lastly I cut the shoulder pads out, and now the jacket fits like a semi-structured cardigan that can dress up a jeans and tee shirt outfit, or help to soften a structured trouser and cami combo for the office. I love my “new” jackets!