Earlier this week, on Tuesday, my husband Michael took me to Asheville, NC to see Ingrid Michaelson in concert (she was great!). Before the show we went to visit my Michael's youngest brother, Andrew, at the J.Crew store where he works. Andrew doesn't work at just any J.Crew store he works at the J.Crew clearance center. This is the last stop for unsold J.Crew merchandise. Super cheap prices, for J.Crew clothes anyway. This is a dangerous place to be, especially with Andrew playing salesman (he's good!). He tried to convince me to buy an $85 cardigan. $85 sounds like a lot, I know but this sweater is part of the "J.Crew Collection" which means that only 10-15 of the sweaters were made, practically one of a kind for a mass produced company like J.Crew and the original price was more than $200. The cardigan was simple with an embellished trim around the front. I loved the winter white color and it was 100% cashmere. It felt LOVELY but it was $85 and if you have read this blog for more than 2 seconds you know I am cheap! So naturally, I passed on buying the cardigan but not before snapping a picture so I could re-create something similar.
the J.Crew cardigan:
I went to the thrift store and found a sweater in perfect condition- $2. With $3 worth of chiffon I made ruffles because I like them better. The original had kind of odd silk triangles and circles trim.
the before:
I wish I had taken a picture of me wearing it so you could see how big and boxy it was.
my version:
i added a hook and eye so i could also wear it closed.
the ruffles
It's not cashmere but I think I actually prefer my version. Who needs cashmere anyway? I would always be worried that my kids would smear something on it. Total cost $5. Sweet!
I made my rosette detail a little smaller than the original. I don't like too much emphasis on the girls.
I even added contrasting pockets! Love 'em.
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