Ooh! I have an easy-peasy DIY project for you! The first time I wore this jacket, I belted it; last time, I wore it open. The reason? It’s too small. But it was a thrifty find and I couldn’t turn it down.
I was tired of not being able to button this baby up, so I went to the craft store and bought grommets. They’re meant for curtains, so I have 5 more sets for other too-small blazers that I might buy. I positioned the grommets over the button and button hole, cut out the hole, snapped in the grommets, and within ten minutes I had a jacket that fits!
The grommet kit came with a template so I could draw the perfect circle for the grommet. They’re plastic, metal-look grommets and snapped together without any tools.
I bought olive-green, grosgrain ribbon to tie together the jacket, but I can easily swap it out with another color or texture: black, brown, yellow, silky cord, even chain!
I got compliments on this look when I wore it to work–and best of all, it’s not a hack job. It looks like it was made this way!
Blazer: Goodwill
T-shirt: Target
Jeans: Jessica Simpson via swapped
Belt: The Vegan Collection
Boots: Novacas
I’ve got to call out my shoes. They’re part of a mini-spree I went on at The Chocolate Shoebox, a vegan shoe and chocolate shop in Seattle. The brick and mortar store is closing and times are tough so I thought I’d support a local, ethical, small business. The boots will cost me 5 points (according to the Wartime Wardrobe Challenge I’m taking part in), but I don’t mind one bit! I got the belt too, but belts aren’t on the list.
These are by Novacas, an all-vegan shoe company that focuses on recycled materials, quality construction, and fair labor. They’re made in Portugal, feel like real suede, are comfy as heck, and don’t make my feet sweaty.
I’ve wanted a pair of Novacas for a while now and I’m thrilled to have these ones. I also bought a pair of tall boots, a pair of shoes, four pair of socks, and two t-shirts. Add to that the cardigan I bought a few weeks ago and I’m down to 42 points to spend before I have to start donating to charity!
jeanofalltrades 
Better than it originally was! A really attractive piece!
Thank you! I think I did improve it 🙂 And it was an easy, quick project!
Great idea! I will probably try on a few I own too.
Show me what you end up doing! I bought the grommets at Joann’s. They come in black and bronze too.
What a great DIY- even I could do that! Shoebox is just down the street from my house- I wish I could have seen you! Sad it’s closing, they had some great stuff- but a vegan shoe and chocolate shop is probably not the in the best location to stay in business. Good to know they are going online!
If I had known you lived so close to Shoebox I would have let you know I was coming by! I wish they’d relocate to the U District — next to the vegan mart and veggie restaurants. I love their stuff.
That looks much more stylish and edgy.
Thank you! I’m happy with the results and I’ll be doing this again. I’m trying to figure out where else I can add grommets.
I’m sure someone out there would have some ideas. Considering the grommet size, you could test them on a cape or smaller ones on corsets?
On a cape would be fantastic! Smaller ones would look good with a corset-style laceup front if I added, say, four to a blazer. Great ideas! Thak you.
Fabulous!!! I love it!!! I agree with Gee Gee–the jacket looks better than before!! I’ll check my wardrobe to see if I have a jacket I can do this to, if not I’ll have to buy a jacket that’s too small for me!
We don’t have Joann here so could I buy two from you? Thanks!!
That is a fabulous idea. Looks better after you worked on it.
That’s a cute and smart DIY. Well done!
Congrats on your new pair of Novacas! I have a few pairs floating around. Shoes will be a challenge for the Wartime Wardrobe project for me as well.
My first pair! I love them. I also bought a pair of Cri de Coeur boots! Shoes will make this challenge tough, but if I end up donating to a good cause as my “punishment” I’m okay with it 🙂
Hi Jean! I really want to do this DIY project; I loved it ever since you posted it. Do you still have a couple of grommets you could give me? I have not seen them here.
Thanks! ❤