Rescuing an old favourite…
Does anyone else have wardrobe favourites that they've had for a really, really long time?
Like ten or fifteen years kind of long?
I think that's how old this denim jacket may be. Somewhere in that vicinity.
I can't be sure, but I think I probably bought it back when I was at uni, which feels like another lifetime ago.
***
It's from Target and I think it was only $25 or something.
But the quality turned out to be fantastic. I reckon I've worn this jacket more than any pair of jeans I've ever owned.
For the past 5 or 6 years, I've actually been a strictly skirts and dresses kind of girl. Pants make up about 1% of my wardrobe. So it was on the top half of my body that denim became the perennial staple.
I reckon I would have worn this jacket at least twice a week. Every week. For years. What doesn't denim go with?
Until recently, when I discovered the fabric on the back of the right shoulder had worn through completely. I guess 10+ years of rubbing against my handbag strap finally took its toll.
Frayed cuffs and naturally distressed seams just add character to denim, but this hole looked strange because it kind of gaped and you could see it from the front..
I was very, very sad to have to retire my old faithful. We've known each other so long.
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Then it dawned on me that I might be able to save it with some artful patching.
I scrounged some pretty fabric from my sister's scrap stash.
It looks like it was once one of those very fine wool 'babushka scarves' you see older European women wearing.
I pinned it down inside, with the pattern facing out…
… double stitched around the edge of the hole, and then cut off the loose threads.
I'm really happy with how the pretty fabric peeks through the gap. I think it looks cute!
I may be digging up my 80s roots with floral patches and denim, but I really don't care.
It may only buy me and my beloved another year or two together, but I'm just not ready to part ways permanently yet.
***
I can't wait to wear it again tomorrow. It languished in a corner, working its way to the top of my To-Do List, for far too long.
xx Kiki
wow – I’m very impressed! I’m a obsessive declutterer so unfortunately my clothes get piffed nearly as quickly as they get bought!
I’m a jeans girl, so unfortunately I rarely get to wear my denim jacket. Kudos to your creativity! The patch looks great.
Jaztee – I used to be a jeans girl too, and then I think I swung to the opposite extreme. I’ve only recently started wearing jeans again. I’d forgotten how hard it is to find good ones!
I seem to cull my wardrobe too often to have old items. I didn’t start vintage shopping until 5 years ago and 10 – 15 years ago…gosh I was probably wearing low rider boot cuts with tight halter neck tops. A flattering cut denim jacket is such a classic stable – I really should have bought more of these (rather than follow trends) when I was younger!
Sass – Ah, boot cuts – all I ever used to wear! They seem to have made a comeback, but they just don’t appeal to me anymore. I like narrow straight legs.
What a great way to give your jacket a birthday. I love cute details in clothes.
Reezy – Haha… a birthday, love it
What a cute idea! This looks great and you can still wear your jacket, hooray! x
aelie – Thankyou! I’m glad I’m not going to embarass myself by still wearing it.
I think the patch looks fantastic! Why not start carrying your bag on the other shoulder, retain the remnant and create a second matching patch in a few years time? Theres probably not too many items that straddle two centuries in any of our wardrobes, but this jacket deserves the love.
Ninya – That’s a great idea, but two problems – I already threw the rest of the fabric away
and as much as I try, I cannot carry my bag on the other shoulder. I will try and remember to switch when I’m wearing this jacket though.
I, too, adore my denim jacket. It’s a staple of my wardrobe. Whenever I see one in the style I like I buy it because I am so fussy and I know I will always need one! Great work on the fixing.
Kitty – It’s a great idea to buy a flattering cut jacket whenever you see them. I bought another darker one but it didn’t have side pockets. I can’t live without pockets, so I learned a good shopping lesson
Hi there, thanks so much for your comment on my blog!
I too have trouble letting go of much loved clothes… Often i’ll pull things out of my wardrobe from my teenage years and mr flats wonders where on earth i got it from!
And yes, Hall & Oates are totally the rocking-est! They’re responsible for the original ‘Maneater’ song, that’s enough said right there!
bf xx
ballet flats – Wow, teens is impressive! I LOVE Maneater… thing I’m going to have to go download it now
I have some things that I’ve had for years but don’t think I’d fit anything from 15 years ago lol. love the way the fabric peeks through the denim too
jamie-lee – My top half tends to stay pretty stable but I know I couldn’t fit into jeans I wore 15 years ago. Damn.
Patching it up like that is a great idea and saved Old Faithful from the scrap heap, nice work!
Justine – Thanks hon
I don’t usually patch up clothes, so I must be very attached!
That’s super impressive! I keep meaning to fix up old/torn clothes but never do. I don’t think I have anything that’s that old though – my mum would chuck out my clothes occasionally without even telling me if she thought they were too old or scruffy or I didn’t wear them any more. I’m planning to do a clean up of my wardrobe so I’m going to keep an eye out for what *could* be the oldest piece of clothing I own…