I've got a thing for going cropped lately...maybe I'll get my courage up and crop my hair while I'm at it. I've also got a thing for free clothes. You know, when people throw out unwanted apparel and your building just so happens to have a designated area for such items that are unwanted but not necessarily trash? Well, ours currently looks like a trash heap (may need to take it upon myself to straighten it up) but this leather jacket that I found was by no means trash.
I really like the cutouts, the simplicity of the design (no lining), and the color. However, this is what it looked like on: boxy.
I wanted a more modern look and immediately knew I would crop it, though I posted it on Instagram asking for other ideas as well. I started out by marking the new length with a large clothespin.
And then I cut straight across the folded layers leaving me with this as extra.
That, I'll save for a later project :). The new cropped length was great, but now I needed to tackle the boxiness of it all. I did so by adding darts in the back. Here's a view from the inside.
And here they are from the outside.
I'll have to find a leather adhesive to get the seams to lie flat as the center one does...but for now, it'll do! Here's the final result.
I love how simple the changes were and what an impact they had! I probably won't style it as you see here (I was just throwing something on I thought might work, but I don't love it), but it'll go great with a flowy top and skinny jeans or a little dress or almost anything! Perfect for cool evenings...not that we'll be having many of those anytime soon :). Well, what do you think? An improvement or would you have left it? I can't wait to get to work with the leftovers from this one...I'm thinking a clutch/purse, iPhone case...I'll combine the two!
I'm hoping that tomorrow's post will actually happen...photo storage issues are making it difficult as it involves a homemade dress I thrifted back in March. (Also had to upload all photos on my phone which means poor quality...sorry!) Oh well, Happy Monday! Make it a great one.
Peace,
Andrea
It looks stunning! And, I actually love the outfit you put together. It's different from your usual, but something about it is so chick.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hanna :) I was thinking I'd wear a different skirt..., but you're right, it is different from my usual. In everyday life, I'll most likely wear it with jeans ;).
DeleteStunning is the word! Well done. And go you for having the courage. It will be a wardrobe staple I can see! Also, don't be afraid to wash the leather. Research it on Google. I washed a leather coat in the washing machine, no problem. And I've read of others, even doing suede. They did use a special soap I can't remember the name of. But leather is much tougher than you think!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jack, I appreciate it! And big thank you on the cleaning tips!!! That was my next step, though I thought I'd have to buy some kind of suede cleaner...I'll do my research on washing myself :)
DeleteI like it too! I was interested in the washability factor; Jazzy Jack shed some light on that.
ReplyDeleteYay, thanks Jenny :) Yeah, she definitely helped me on that one as I was wondering if I'd have to take it to a dry cleaners/leather cleaners!
DeleteLove the outcome! Did you use a sewing machine to sew the darts?
ReplyDeleteI did, Agy. My machine sews leather really well...never had any issues with that. One is not quite as straight as the other, but not too noticeable so it'll keep. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteYour reshape is amazing, love it. Oh and love your blog too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tasmanian Minimalist ;) I appreciate you coming over!
DeleteThat is just beautiful, a real staple piece... I've just got one question; how do I get my neighbours to leave their unwanted suede/leather garments at my front door? Any tips as to how I make this 'the natural thing to do'?
ReplyDeleteLove your work, as per usual! X
Sorry its taken me so long to respond! Thank you, Gema! Hmmm, maybe you should start posting fliers in your neighborhood asking for people's unwanted clothing ;) But then I'm sure you might get more than you've bargained for!
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