Cascading Flowers Bouclé Astrid JacketClick here for product page
Item 99457
Regular: $425.00
Awhile back , there was a post (click here) with {great} product reviews of this absolutely lovely jacket. Although I have not seen this jacket in person, I thought it was truly gorgeous in all the photos.
I recently ran across a great blog, the SCOOP, that had a fabulous post (click here) about this particular jacket. Essentially, one of the blog author's sister created her very own Astrid jacket (as shown in the images below).
Can you believe that this jacket was created just "using strips of satin, ... made all the flowers by hand and sewed them onto a $35 jacket from Old Navy." How absolutely creative... just ingenious! :)
I have to add, that between the two jackets, I prefer the DIY one. It is just so pretty on her (and she is gorgeous too)!!!
Wow that is awesome! I bet she could make some serious $$$ on ebay by making those and selling them for like $150 each.
ReplyDeleteI have a young fashion designer friend who said could make me some knock-off styles of JC skirts I like but don't come in my size.
Cass: I totally agree with you! I would definitely pay for one of those DIY jackets!!! :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow...that DIY jacket IS absolutely gorgeous!! Great post, Alexis!
ReplyDeleteoh my god, that's amazing. I was going to try to make the Starbucks yarn ball wreaths on my own, but this is about 100 steps up! And she did a fantastic job.
ReplyDeleteI read the blog post you linked to and it says they will be posting DIY instructions soon...
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately doesn't look like ON jacket is still available, at least on the website. Would be a fun project for those who have vacation time over the holidays.
I saw this post yesterday afternoon as well and was floored by how fantastic this jacket is! I'm excited for her instructions to be posted...
ReplyDeleteI would totally buy it to- I wish she WAS making them and selling them!
ReplyDeleteThe flower's around the neckline of Kristen's jacket are much more flattering than the flowers on the Jcrew jacket. Also, the thick boucle of the CF Astrid makes it more boxy..not everyone can carry it off. I think Kristen's jacket is more wearable.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome, i need one, NOW! I'd make one if I could find a suitable jacket to make it with... And frankly I dont like the fact that the Astrid is boucle. This one is way better!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea, but I would make the flowers a little smaller (I would look like a poodle in her version). It would be reasonably simple to buy one of the existing JCrew Astrid jackets (especially the boucle one with the flower - on sale!) and embellish it as she has done. You would have a decent fitting one-of-a-kind piece, still WAY less than $425. I would be wary of starting with the Old Navy jacket, as their fabric may not be great quality, and the fit would not be as refined as the JCrew Astrid. If the boucle fabric seems too thick, try one of the other Astrids (wool twill, herringbone). Somebody try this and let us know how it comes out! I'm too busy!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is absolutely WONDERFUL! She did an amazing job, and how ingenious of her to think to make her own.... for much less $$$$! Congrats to her!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is talent! Very impressed with the creativity of the DIY Astried.
ReplyDeleteOMG Gorgeous! The DIY is so much prettier b/c the flowers don't look so flat.
ReplyDeleteGreat post:)
Wow--very impressive. I like her version better (maybe a more tailored jacket would be my only suggestion).
ReplyDeleteThis would be beautiful to wear to a wedding or make a matching Derby hat and go to the races!
WoW! She is awesome! I'd prefer her DIY astrid because of the subtle pinkish color:)
ReplyDeleteI have the JCrew astrid and I love it. I like that the flowers around the neckline are the way they are...it isn't too poofy for me and I would get make up on them if they stood up...
ReplyDeleteWhile her jacket is very beautiful I would not use an Old Navy jacket as the base...I would try to find something a bit more well made....even though one never knows with things all made in China anymore. I am just saying I wouldn't want to spend all that time making it, etc. with a poor quality jacket.
Great alternative for those who missed out on the JCRew one...or you could take the floppy flower Atrid and do it with bright berry satin flowers...I would just have to make the roses not so poofy as hers.
Wow - that's so pretty! I am seriously impressed!
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing when JC ran out of the flower pins - I made my own and they look great... plus they're the exact size and colors (not to mention the price!) I wanted!
It's nice to see that other J. Crew lovers sometimes look at items and think: "gee, I could just make that!" ;)
ss: Where are you from? I saw you mentioned the Derby ... the KY Derby? I live in Louisville, so we go every year... and that jacket would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteCute idea but I can't imagine it looks as high quality as the JC one. I bought the jacket in black online and recieved 30% with the turkey code and another 10% off for opening a credit card, which I plan on closing asap. I really fell for the jacket. The boucle is so thick and soft, really nice. I also loved the soft petals, some are shiny some are matte. I paid about $268.00, not too shabby! I think it will be a jacket that i can have for the long haul, investment piece. I don't know how that jacket looks being from Old Navy. Lots of luck!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree about the fit. The way she is posing, it's hard to see how it really fits, if at all. Hey, sister, your face is lovely but can we see more of the jacket?! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not from Kentucky, but across the border, and we always got the Kentucky Derby information on the news. I would love to go just to wear a big ole Derby hat one time!
ReplyDeleteQuestion will there be more "new arrivals" online either this week or next, or are they done until after Christmas?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I have the Astrid in Ivory and I have to say I like mine better than the DIY. But hey, great alternative. I think the DIY is too long and the flowers are actually overwhelming - on the real one the flowers really have a vintage look which doesn't seem to be the case on the DIY.
ReplyDeleteI don't own or have seen the flower Astrid jacket, but I'd still think JCrew one would look prettier IRL, because I hardly like Old Navy quality.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, it is a truly wonderful idea if you have the time and the talent to DIY the jacket! I have neither resource unfortunately : )
But if I could, I'd certainly prefer a version that has smaller flowers than the JCrew version. Or a version that has flowers either only on the neckline, or only on the front opening of the jacket, but not both.
Wow! I wish I was that crafty! Beautiful rendition of that jacket!
ReplyDeleteOT - I inquired to customer service about the 25% off card because I did not receive one. They are telling me only card members received - but I thought a bunch of you received and are not card holders. Ugh!!
ReplyDeleteAlso - anyone who has the licorce tee. I just got mine in the mail today and it doesn't have any backing covering the sequins so it is super itchy on the inside from all the stitching. Are they all like this?
TIA for all of your help!!
I got the 25% off coupon and am not a cardholder.
ReplyDeleteI like the look of the puffier flowers on the DIY jacket, but wonder if it would irritate me if I had to actually wear it (like how someone said about getting makeup on their flowers). :) I haven't even tried on the J.Crew version so I can't say ... I doubt I could pull this look off but it's a great piece for those who can!
ReplyDeleteAlexis,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you found this to post...very interesting all the talented people out there!
Thanks:)
Happy Holidays, Everyone:)
I have been wanting to try and make some J Crew "inspired" looks like pensil skirts and the Joelle Blouse
ReplyDeleteKate,
ReplyDeleteI have the same issue with their tees that you do.
I don't know if you sew or this will help butI have noticed, here in the U.K., that even cheap discount clothing stores but this very soft slightly sheer meshy fabric on the inside of all embroidered/decorative trimmed items and it is a nice barrier to stop any irritation. I LOVE that they do that here. Maybe check out Joann's fabric or try that fusable web iron on stuff???
See, all Anonymous posters are not nasty:) I am at work and couldn't post otherwise:)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI have this jacket and although I am TOTALLY impressed with hers, I don't care for the size of her flowers as they are much too large IMO. The JC flowers are bordering on too large as it is~definitely at their maximum capacity without looking completely overdone. Also love the fit, the vintage flowers and gorgeous fabric of the JC boucle. Very nice for DIY and a fraction of the price! I would be very curious to see how the flowers were made:)
ReplyDeleteAnon 5:38 thanks for the tip. Much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteBug Pin - my email is katie.church@cox.net
Thanks again everyone
Sort of OT but it kind of goes along w/ the DIY theme. I found this blog article about using old catalogs as wrapping paper- http://www.curbly.com/abmatic/posts/546-Recycled-Wrapping The author specifically mentions using old J Crew catalogs and has some really cute and creative ideas. She shows step by step pictures of a gift she wrapped w/ a page from the J Crew catalog. Cute and Earth friendly!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I can DIY J.Crew bug pins, but not Astrid Jacket. She is so creative!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Alexis! I love this kind of thing for those moments when I'm feeling "crafty" I don't think I'm patient enough to make an entire jacket though. I've done some flower pins though which I like.
ReplyDeleteWhoa.
ReplyDeleteShe is gorgeous! yummy...
ReplyDeleteshe is beautiful, but, i'd pass on both of these.
ReplyDeleteAlexis-no wonder you named yourself a JCrew Aficionada-how did you find this????? Thanks for posting it here!
ReplyDeleteTHIS JACKET IS SO CUTE!!!!!
honestly, the jacket can't even compare to the JC one.....period.
ReplyDeleteAww Man, I was silly to think that this jacket (in ivory) would make it to sale, but when I checked online earlier today they've already sold out...that sucks!!! I was really hoping to add this to my collection
ReplyDeleteShe is so creative! Wish I could do something like that : )
ReplyDeleteWhile I applaude the lady for her sewing skills, I think putting a bunch of oversized flowers on an Old Navy Jacket hardly compares to J Crew's. I thought it looked too clownish.
ReplyDeleteI have the ivory version and I was really impressed by the quality of the flowers. I had thought briefly of decorating a plain astrid with flowers but soon realized that it will cost me a bundle anyway. I ordered pins from the Dulken & Derrick and even their smaller flower ones are at $20 each and I would need like 10 at least to trim the entire jacket.
You get what you paid for. I guess if it's just a fad for a few times of wear it's fine for a cheaper imitation, but I intend to keep mine for a while.
Soooo gorgeous. As far as sewing silk on an ON jacket...they have definitely upped their quality in the past couple years. If their choice items had a J Crew tag sewn inside you wouldn't know the difference. More than I can say for J Crew who is sliding the other way in quality. If I have another basic tee get a rip in it I am going to scream. They definitely need a tighter weave.
ReplyDeleteleaderboys -- (from another post) Glad your University pants worked out!!!!