We do it all the time: shrink sweaters. Expensive sweaters. Adored sweaters. You’d think we’d have figured it out by now. We’ll do a good job laying flat to dry for years, then one accidental pop into the dryer and boom—awkward crop top.
I bought Chris a cashmere sweater for our second married Christmas. I think he wore it once before it miniaturized. Sigh. I looooooooove cashmere and couldn’t throw it out.
FINALLY the 80s came back in style, and with it, the popularization of modern activewear. I am so all over this trend. My sis and I took the kids to a park and everyone there was wearing yoga pants, aviators and boots, toting kids and strollers. Wow, I am so among my demographic right now, I thought, tossing my aviators into the stroller and looking down at my outfit.
Since we’re all dressed identically, you must also have a slew of shrunken sweaters under the bed, right? So here’s what I did.
I have this Japanese crop top that came with a dress. I wear it all the time over strappy tanks that are good for nursing but too low on their own. I NEEDED A WINTER VERSION!
I set the crop top I like on top of the Shrunken Sweater #1 and outlined it in sharpie. Ditto on the back: hemline and neckline. Then I cut the beautifully soft cashmere with a pair of tiny kid scissors I keep in the bathroom for cutting loose threads, clothing tags, and my bangs. The fabric cut like felt. It was awesome.
It hangs a little too loose in the back, and at some point I may safety pin/button/slice-and-tie the edges of the ribcage for a closer fit, but for now it’s the perfect fuzzy topper. Easy access for nursing, and with the unfinished edges and lack of tags, it looks very Journal Standard. Do we have that store around here? 80s workout chic!
Take THAT, 21-yr-old nurse at the hospital who asked I ever had to wear scrubs!
“Nah, I stay home with my son and baby,” I told her one day after having that baby.
“Oh. I bet you rock the pajamas all day,” she said.
“….. I get dressed every day,” I said.
WORKOUT CHIC STILL COUNTS! After all, the New York Times declared activewear the new streetwear.
Eloise approved!
2014
Hawaiian Obon
Museum Family Date!
To Grandmother's House We Go
Ha ha. So non-homeschoolers get asked that too, huh?! I always got dressed too. And still do as a SAHM. Except when I'm sick. I have to be sick or depressed to not get dressed. I'm sure you can relate, right?! Like Tomoko at church told me once, "Just because you're a mom doesn't mean you can't be fashionable anymore!" Oh and nice job rescuing the sweater. 🙂
PS OMGosh she has your smile!!!