Hooks the Look

Recycle-Reclaim-Reuse: Embroidered Jacket Repaired

21 Comments

An embroidered jacket brings joy to my heart. I find the combination of texture and pattern nearly impossible to pass on when I come upon it.

Whether it’s a dusted-off treasure from years past, or an item that was bought from a thrift store, or perhaps a well-worn favorite that’s been given new life, that fashion find is covered under the Reclaim-Recycle-Reuse theme. This piece of loveliness has been in my possession for about 2 years now. Worn once and then hanging in my closet since. A little further on I’ll share why this was so.

This jacket is made from lightweight woven wool and the shape of it is created from its pieced construction. The asymmetric hem is another feature of it that I really like. The crossover front is fastened by loops over buttons covered in the same fabric. Inspired by a few IG accounts I follow, I decided to build a look for this post based on all thrifted treasures.


I don’t recall specifically when I bought my tulle over lace skirt but I do remember wearing it to a holiday party in 2019. From a search through past posts, I likely bought my shoes in the Fall of 2017. I remember waiting in line to pay for other items when I spotted them on a nearby shelf and dashed over to see if there were my size. Fortunately, The Husband was with me so my spot in line was safe and the shoes were indeed my size.

As for the reason for the lack of wearing of my embroidered jacket, it sort of ripped after that first wearing. The rip was along one of the pieced-construction seams and it looked like the weave of the fabric gave way. I don’t recall a specific movement that caused the rip to occur. The black shirt I was wearing under it that day likely kept it from being discovered by anyone I was around that day.


So in my closet this jacket has hung until I finally got around to mending it. Part of the delay was due to a bit of fear that it couldn’t be repaired. I didn’t want to face that probability. But, I screwed up my courage and set about getting the task done. My first thought was to use something like a fusible lining to “patch” it together but I didn’t go that route. I simply folded over the raw edge about 1/8″ and hand-stitched along the top stitching of the original seam. Easy, peasy. I intend to very careful when wearing it in the future.

And speaking of future wearings, I’ve come up with a more practical look for every day because there aren’t many opportunities for party clothes nowadays. Like the first look, this more casual one is comprised of more thrifted, pre-loved items. Both the leopard print pants and heeled oxfords have been seen in several Last Week This Week posts that I was publishing before I retired.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. My featured blogger from last week is Gail, the blogger at Is This Mutton? who is full of joie-de-vivre. Just check out those fabulous shoes.

What are the style details that catch your eye when you’re browsing the racks? What’s your opinion on thrift store and resell shopping?  Are you a seasoned thrifter? Or does the idea of wearing someone else’s old clothes give you the heebie-jeebies?  Is it just a passing trend for those who can afford more or is it a smart way to live “greener” and reduce one’s carbon footprint? 

Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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21 Comments

  1. terrigardner1 – The Great MidWest – Retiring after thirty-two years as a K-12 visual arts teacher, Terri Gardner now devotes time to a long and early interest: fashion. With her blog, MeadowTree Style, Terri advocates for developing a personal and creative style. She encourages finding fashion in ethical ways such as shopping at consignment/thrift shops, creating it yourself, as well as supporting local designers. Her second blog, Time for Poodles and Friends, advocates for rescued animals. Her interests dating from childhood led to her sense of fashion, doing, and living. These interests include sewing, spinning yarn, knitting, design, and giving space for animals. She lives on a small Missouri farm with her husband, a large garden, and several animals including chickens and ducks, dogs and cats, and Shetland sheep and Alpacas. For her beloved rescued dogs, Terri created dog accessories and made them available under the label Sophia & Niko–Exclusive Design for the Distinctive Dog.
    Terri Gardner

    I love a good repair story. I’m with you on the gorgeous-I ness of anything embroidered. I have an old thrifted St. John jacket that needs some alterations. You have reminded me that I need to get on it. I think I am going to link up an earlier sewing story today.

    • Rena – So Cal – old enough to know better but young enough to try.
      Rena Post Author

      I have a pair of much loved and worn jeans that are in need of repair and I’m planning a visible mending project for them. If all goes well, I’ll be sharing the results in the next RRR post.

    • Rena – So Cal – old enough to know better but young enough to try.
      Rena Post Author

      Thank you

  3. Gail Is This Mutton – Blogger and digital marketer
    isthismutton

    Being your featured blogger was a lovely surprise! Thank you. Well done on repairing your jacket. I love embroidery. I have a few thrifted items and when I’m retired I hope to spend more time looking for gems.

  4. Michelle Churchman – Las Vegas
    Michelle Churchman

    Your jacket is gorgeous! And I love both outfits you created with it. Great pattern mixing on the second. I’ll admit, I’m still hesitant about pattern mixing, although I’ve made a few attempts. I understand why you were hesitant about fixing the jacket. I’m glad it was fixable!

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

    • Rena – So Cal – old enough to know better but young enough to try.
      Rena Post Author

      I’m also glad that my mending effort turned out well. As for pattern mixing, sometimes you just need to have fun and go for it.

  5. Nancy – WESTERVOORT
    Nancy

    I buy pre loved since a year of two I think. And the treasures I found! I love it! Gorgeous outfit Rena!

    • Rena – So Cal – old enough to know better but young enough to try.
      Rena Post Author

      Thank you, Nancy. You have found some great treasures.

  6. shelbeeontheedge1 – Watertown, NY – Over 40 Blogger living on the edge of sanity, midlife, and fashion. Army wife, boymom, and serious coffee drinker.
    shelbeeontheedge1

    What a great jacket, Rena! I love both ways that you have styled it. And I am so glad that you were able to repair it! I always look for bold prints and beautiful fabrics when I am thrifting. Speaking of that, my sister is visiting this week and we are planning to spend all day Thursday thrift shopping all around my town. We have many great second hand shops here!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

  7. mireilleftm
    mireilleftm

    So glad you were able to make a repair! I have had a few things that I have paid to be repaired (a pair of boots, a pair of pants) because I loved them so much. When thrifting I usually let colors call to me or prints/textures. I usually am on the lookout for something different that I wouldn’t typically purchase online or at somewhere like Target.
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    • Rena – So Cal – old enough to know better but young enough to try.
      Rena Post Author

      I bought a pair of boots on Poshmark that I know I’d have to take to a shoemaker for some sprucing but that is sometimes what is necessary with slow fashion.

  9. Daenel Vaughn-Tucker – wherever there is coffee – Jesus lover. Research skills of a librarian,preservation skills of an archivist,organizational skills of a soldier,domestic skills of a Stepford wife.
    Daenel Vaughn-Tucker

    What a great jacket! It’s so pretty and definitely my style. I’m happy you were able to repair it — so worth the effort.

    And Gail’s shoes are so cool!

  10. thisblondesshoppingbag

    I love a good thrifting! Although it is getting harder and harder to actually find thrift stores anymore, so many in my area are closing. This jacket is a one of a kind, definitely a statement maker and I am so happy you were able to repair it!
    xo,
    Kellyann

  12. Sheila (of Ephemera)

    I’m happy you were able to mend it! I’ve had that happen to a few things (most recently a skirt) and wasn’t able to save them. That is a gorgeous embroidered fabric.

    I think you know I’m an avid thrifter/second-hand shopper. I’ve been doing it for decades – I find better quality clothes (including designer) than I could afford retail, and I’m not contributing to any clothing waste, plus I’m supporting local businesses and charities. Win!

    Thanks so much for the linky-party, Rena!

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    • Rena – So Cal – old enough to know better but young enough to try.
      Rena Post Author

      Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

  14. Jess – United States – I am a 40+ fashion blogger who enjoys sharing my love of fashion and style. I am also a person with Ehlers-Danlos, a rare connective tissue disorder, but hope to show that one can still dress comfortably and stylish to make themselves feel better.
    Jess

    Hi Rena
    What a pretty jacket and you fixed it perfectly! I love the colors of the embroidery and you showed 2 fun ways of wearing. Would you beleive I dont have a tulle skirt? The mixed print look is quite fun!
    jess xx
    thanks for linking!
    http://www.elegantlydressedadstylish.com

    • Rena – So Cal – old enough to know better but young enough to try.
      Rena Post Author

      Thank you, Jess. And I find it a little hard to believe that you don’t have a tulle skirt. Perhaps you need to add it to your shopping list?

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