A few years ago a lot of the magazines were doing this sort of Grandpa sweater thing, and I loved it. I wanted one so bad. They would style it over flowy dresses or jeans and boots. But no one (in my price range) seemed to be selling them. Oh, they were selling what I’m sure was supposed to pass as an attempt at the trend, but they were thin, and not wool, and they just didn’t cut it. It had to be COZY looking (and feeling!) So I looked at thrift stores. FOREVER. It was a mission. And I was still having trouble finding what I wanted, because nothing was fitting. I found Grandpa sweaters, but they were so big they were not flattering. And then it hit me. Wool shrinks. So when I found this one, at 2 sizes too big, I bought it.
I brought it home and washed it in hot water and dried it in the drier. I knew it was a risk, but it worked! The sweater shrunk evenly all over, and it fit. And it was now extra warm because the weave was tighter. I don’t normally feel like I need a coat or jacket over it, even when it is 32 degrees out, like today. And because it’s wool, when I get indoors, it breathes. It’s a bit of a deviation, maybe from my normal style now, but it’s still one of my favorite looks.
So my friend Kelly and I were talking yesterday about jeans. I don’t really have any I love and feel great in at this point. I won’t go into how hard it is to find jeans, I feel like that’s been covered, and covered well, by others. But I will say that personally, I’ve given up for now. I have not been able to find a good pair second hand. And the thing is, in my experience anyway, the jeans in the 100+ range really DO fit better. I’d rather wait until we are in a place financially where I can just go to Barneys and get fitted and find THE jeans, than continue to try on pair after pair at the second hand stores, Old Navy and Target. It’s defeating and I quit.
Not that these are horrid. I don’t think they are. They just aren’t perfect, and I bought them during a time when I was pretty thin. I was unhappy, and not eating (it was years ago! I’m much better now.) and as a result, I was really small. I’m not anymore, but all my jeans think I should be! Ha!~ So they look OK, but feel a bit tight. And I don’t want to get back down to that weight. I won’t lie, I looked GOOD. Really good. But I like eating, and contrary to the popular saying, LOTS of things taste as good, and better even, than thin feels.
Anyway, if you just happen to find the perfect mid-rise, cigarette pant, dark wash, stretch denim jean* at a really great price, let me know…but I’m not going to hold my breath!
*I also tried on like a billion pair of the boyfriend jeans and I swear those fit even worse!~ They are supposed to be BAGGY, why don’t they FIT? My waist is not all that big, yo!
Sweater, Thrifted
Gloves, Target
Vneck (under sweater), American Apparel
Jeans, Steve and Barry’s
Boots, Matisse
Bag, Banana Republic, Thrifted by husband
Diamond Necklace, gift
Talon Necklace, Talonalia
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23 comments:
Have you ever been to Plato's Closet? There's one near me and it's where I've been buying all my jeans lately. It's all second-hand, but only good, name-brand stuff, generally priced at about $15-$20 (but up to $65 for the super fancy pants). You might have some luck there, if you decide you want to tackle the thrift store stuff again...
I have been surprised by the fit of American Eagle jeans. I have a hard time finding jeans that fit my bottom half perfectly, but I've found that I can always find at least one style each season at American Eagle that fit beautifully.
Try them out...when they're on sale, you can get them for around 20-30 bucks too!
very cute sweater!! great idea. there is something weird going on in the world for sure when it's snowy/freezing in texas and 70 degrees in boston in december. wth?
i've never tried a pair of jeans that cost more than $60 (gap) and i protested mightily at that, and i've never set foot in a barney's. perhaps i am indeed missing out.
I love the shrunken grandpa sweater on you, lady! And with the skinnies, I think it's totally you.
Wow, what an awesome idea, and the sweater turned out perfect! I really adore this out on you, from the sweater to the boots. I am used to seeing you in black most days so I think I like how the brown warms up your conplexion a bit.
I agree with Misty about american eagle jeans. They redid the fit of their jeans this summer and they are about the only brand that fit me (I have very wide hips and thick legs, so it's hard!). They have great straight leg jeans, but they are only available online, but totally worth trying! The price is reasonable plus there is almost always a 10,15, or 20% coupon available online.
You look great! I really like the look. Excellent idea on shrinking it too! I'm going to have to keep that in mind. I did that with a jacket once but never with a sweater.
Great idea!!! That sweater is great. I am filing this little thrifting trick away in my brain for future use!
Danielle
Yep! I've said that too! Everything tastes better than skinny feels! I like your sweater trick and I like your sweater. Save up for thos expensive jeans, they are soo soo worth it!
I love that sweater! And for the record, those jeans look great on you, so if they don't fit you fooled me!
Oh I am the jean queen, I have almost 50 pairs and I love jeans. I can tell just from looking at them if they will fit me...so I suggest American Eagle as well...they're decently priced and they have so many different washes and rises! Also, I like True Religions...and BDG from Urban Outfitters...Hollister has some jeans online for $30 (skinnies)...I shop everywhere for jeans! Try macys too, I scored a $20 pair of designer jeans last year! Love the sweater btw :)
I really like this look, that was genius realizing that the wool would shrink.
I've never tried jeans from Down East Basics but I've only heard good things.
http://www.downeastbasics.com/musthavematchstickjean.aspx
these matchstick jeans look amazing, they aren't available for purchase yet but I will definitely be getting some!
Wow I love the sweater and boots combo! Jeans are tough. I know what you mean about finding the right fit!
That was a real gamble with the sweater; I'm glad it paid off! (BTW, I think you mean "knit" instead of "weave" ;-))
I never wear skinny jeans myself, but I'm similarly curvy and I've had amazing success with Levi's - 518's (ultra low rise, little bit of stretch, slight boot cut) are what I wear. They're priced right, and the quality is good, too.
What a great idea! I've only ever been able to produce cropped, 3/4 sleeve sweaters from regular long sleeved ones, and that was entirely by accident...
It's usually not too hard to find Lucky jeans discount stores such as Nordstrom Rack. I swear by my Luckys for fit and durability.
This is really chic! (Try Urban Outfitters for a brand called BDG for jeans) If I can get my thick hips in them (size 12) I know you can.
OH and try Miley Cyrus Jersey Skinnies from Walmart!
That is a genius sweater trick!! I love this one!
That sweater turned out perfectly! I'll have to keep that in mind. I, too, have a miserable time finding jeans. My indidenim.com jeans are amazing, though. I would totally spend the $145 to get another pair. I actually hope to do just that sometime in the near future. Plus, you're guaranteed to get something that fits correctly or they will make them again. Completely worth it.
Right now I'm completely in love with the A.N.A. denim leggings from JCPenny. They are skinny, somewhat low-cut (but not obscenely so), and are incredibly comfortable. They look just like real jeans instead of looking like leggings trying to look like jeans. They're normally $40, but you can always find JCPenney stuff at 40%, either on sale or with coupons. They have them in a dark blue and black, and I have both and wear them constantly.
gotta echo the American Eagle suggestion. I have a hard fit (I rambled Tuesday about it on my blog) but ae while makes my eyetwitch with it's tween shoppers but I have had great luck with their jeans and I try in store and get online for 20 bucks or so with coupon
I haven't done it but I plan to get a pair from indidenim (think that's it) where they custom make them and they will remake them for free until they fit!
I have a much different body type than you (read: I am chubby), but Levi's are so incredibly comfy and they fit nice, have just the right stretch, and the colors are flattering. I wear 512s because they control the muffin top, but I'm sure there are different kinds of Levis that would work for you. Plus the price is great at $30-$35!
I like that you're a self-starter when it comes to sweaters!
I love the sweater on you! So cozy looking. I really like the boots, gloves and bag with it too!
Boyfriend jeans are the devil! I swear they're cut skinnier across the stomach than they should be. Long, boyfriend shorts are much better. In jeans news I'm only wearing wide leg fit at the moment because evrything else makes me want to curl up in shame/falls off so I feel your pain.
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