Question about this jacket - YouLookFab Forum

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Question about this jacket

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi All!

I was thinking about the blog post Angie made today on Spring/Summer checklists, and a few gaps I have in my wardrobe that have brought themselves to my attention since the weather has become so hot. I have a cardigan, but it's black. That's okay, but lately when I have been putting an outfit together, I've thought, "I wish I had a white layering piece," like a light weight jacket or something. I don't want to be on cardi overload, so I found this jacket for sale on J. Crew's site:

http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/p.....d=cat90227

I tried on the light citron in the store and liked it--it's very light. My local JC has it in white in my size and they are holding it for me. I think it's going to be really cute with my clamdiggers or black skinny jeans--it'll sort of "summerize" a lot of stuff in my wardrobe that hasn't been working with my black cardi (just not summery enough).

My question is about the sleeve length. I know it has a button sleeve. I like how they've scrunched it up in this photo:

http://img.wizwid.com/PImg/750.....199_05.jpg

I don't think it would stay scrunched like that for long though. What do you all think about me hemming the sleeves to 3/4 length? Would that ruin the jacket? It's so hot here, and the jacket is linen, so most of the time I would wear it, it would be warm/hot outside. The sleeves are pretty slim and not boxy, so I think it might be a good candidate. I've never hemmed a jacket sleeve, though, so I'm not sure how it turns out--anyone done this? Were you happy with the results?

Thanks everyone!

General

35 replies

Latest reply was from Ola

Nicole

Veteran

I think it's a fantastic idea, Ana! Two questions: Does it have a cuff with a slit opening for the button? And is it lined?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

It's unlined (which is why I think it'll work great for this hot, nasty weather). It does have a cuff with a slit and buttons, but I have short arms, so I would probably hem that off. Should I have them try to recreate that? I know it's expensive.

Tanya

Veteran

I love this jacket for you Ana! I do think 3/4 sleeves would be perfect. As for the cuff recreation, you could inquire about the price, but i do not think it's necessary to have it done the same way it is important for jeans to be hemmed with their original hem.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A pretty jacket and good look for you, Ana. Scrunched up linen sleeves will drive you crazy, but altering the length to three-quarter is a fab idea. Enquire about the price of duplicating the buttons on the cuff first. Otherwise opt for a straight cheap hem.

Nicole

Veteran

I would consider saving the cuff. The devil is in the details. Removing the cuff at the seam, shortening the sleeve, then reattaching the cuff is doable. (It's actually exactly what my mom did to the sleeve of my coral dress.) The only potential problem is if the width of the sleeve is wider than the width of the cuff.

If reusing the same cuff is too costly, you could ask them about creating a new cuff and reusing the button.

Dani

Veteran

I really like the jacket, Ana. I'm glad you found something that would work. I agree with Nicole that if it's possible, I would keep the same cuff or create something similar. Can't wait to see pictures!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the advice and opinions, everyone!

I'll ask how much it'll cost to get the sleeves reattached. Plus, when I get the jacket tomorrow I'll post a pic of the sleeve--maybe you all can tell me if it's even possible to preserve it, etc.

Lannie

I think you will love this jacket, especially if you have it altered to 3/4 length sleeves. I have a white blazer with elbow-length sleeves and it's on its second spring/summer of rotation. Every time I wear it people compliment it and say it looks "fresh". It really does summerize an outfit. I think you'll find that one really versatile. And linen! So summery!

Anonymous

I think it will be even better looking with tree quarter length sleeves. I'm interested in how the cotton/linen mix will feel. Sounds very refreshing for a hot summer day. The white is beautiful. IMO it will not be something that goes out of style anytime soon, so it's a good investment. Would be great if it is washable and softens up more with each wash.
You are so good at finding beautiful pieces at good prices. Several of our members are very good at that.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I went and got the jacket today! Here's a photo of the slit in the sleeve. Should I preserve it, or skip it?

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0380-1.jpg

Tanya

Veteran

I'd try to preserve if it it's not too expensive/complicated to do so.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sweet! I’d enquire about the cost and if it's affordable, preserve away.

Dani

Veteran

Ana, I was at J Crew today and specifically looked at the hem. I think you could recreate something similar by having a wider hem put at the cuff and then putting a button hole in that. You would achieve a similar result. I don't think you can "preserve" the hem the way it is currently done. I could be wrong, but that's what I came up with when I looked at it. I will defer to others who may have more experience

Anonymous

I agree with Dani. You could recreate the 'effect' with a button on a new wide hem. I think that's a great idea actually.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

I've been sort of messing around with the sleeves to figure out the best length. I think I like elbow length best. When I left it any longer, the wideness of the sleeve made my arms look stumpy.

Instead of preserving the sleeve, I was toying with the idea of putting a small 1.5" cuff at the end. I've taken a picture of it (sorry for the poorish quality) What do you all think?

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0400-2.jpg

The upside to something like this is that I think I could do it myself and save $50.00 (which is almost as much as the jacket cost in the first place).

Anonymous

Yes I like it at the elbow.

Tanya

Veteran

I love the elbow length, go for it!

Dani

Veteran

Looks great! I toyed with that length too. The jacket looks much better on you than it did on me. Go with elbow length.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Love the idea of the cuff!

Not convinced on the elbow length, though. Is the cuff going to be attached to the elbow length? Let’s see what you perceive as stumpy. Sorry, Ana. I'm making you work!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Here's a photo of a slightly longer length:

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0396-1.jpg

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You speedy little thing. Thank you.

I prefer the elbow length too, (not that the three quarter length looks stumpy by any stretch of the imagination). Go for it.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Angie! I think I would have liked a slightly longer length if the sleeves had been more fitted. I thought about possibly having a tailor take the sleeves in, but I just think the cost wouldn't be worth it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good idea. I'm curious to see your altered jacket in action!

Nicole

Veteran

Looks good Ana. Is that $50 alteration fee confirmed? It seems like an awful lot of money to shorten 2 sleeves.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Yes, $45.00+tax. I think it's the cuff that did it--that would take some hand finishing to do properly. The place I go is really expensive (they charge me $25-$30 just to do a simple hemming). Remember my J. Crew dress I got on ebay? $50.00 to hem it, because there's an extra little piece on the bottom that stabilizes the hem and adds weight. They don't even have to reattach it by hand, just sew the thing back on with a machine. Sigh...oh well.

I've been thinking about trying another place, but Patience goes to a totally different shop here in town, and pays about the same. Maybe Austin is just expensive for alterations.

Patience

Veteran

Ana, what about asking about the alteration at the jcrew store? I bet it would be less expensive. I agree with everyone else about the jacket by the way. It's great!

Concerning tailors. I was wondering if maybe we should hunt for someone who sews out of their home. That might be a way to find a less expensive tailor.

Anonymous

I'm glad you nixed the idea of taking the sleeves in because thaat would not be as comfortable and breezey.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Patience, that sounds like a great idea! Hmm....I know someone I used to work with did alterations or maybe their aunt did or something--let me ask around and I'll post any info I find.

I know J. Crew does alterations for Crew Club members, but I don't have a J. Crew credit card (WAY too dangerous for me, ha!). I might ask next time I'm there though, if they can do it and how much they charge.

Nicole

Veteran

Ana, you can get a JCrew CC and ask for a low limit. That way, you get the benefit of the credit card special offers, but none of the risk of getting into debt.

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