Don't Retire That Old Jacket Yet: Give It a New Look with Pins and Patches
PAGE
By PAGE Editor
There's probably a jacket in your closet that you haven't worn in months. It still fits, the zipper works, and there's nothing particularly wrong with it. You're just tired of wearing the same thing.
Before you donate it or spend money on another one, try changing it up a little.
Denim jackets, utility coats, and even leather biker jackets are great for DIY projects. A few enamel pins, an embroidered patch, or some lettering can make an old favorite worth pulling out again. You don't need a sewing machine or much experience to get started.
Start with Your Denim Jacket
Denim is probably the easiest fabric to work with. It's sturdy enough for a few pins, and the worn-in look goes with just about anything.
On a faded blue jacket, try colorful enamel pins around one chest pocket. Vintage flowers, smiley faces, old-school logos, or little animal designs all work. Black denim looks great with silver pins, red accents, or white lettering.
Three or four pins on one side are plenty. You don't need to cover every inch.
If you want something more noticeable, put a large embroidered patch across the back. Wear the jacket with a white T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, and you're set.
Just check the fabric first. Older denim can get thin around the pockets and seams, and heavy pins might pull on those areas.
Give Utility Jackets a Vintage Twist
An olive-green utility jacket already has plenty of character, especially once the pockets and seams start showing a little wear.
Metal pins fit right into that look.
Think vintage racing numbers, motorcycles, mountain graphics, or old travel badges. Antique brass and aged silver finishes look especially good against olive, khaki, and brown.
For an everyday outfit, throw your jacket over a gray sweatshirt with dark jeans and boots. Add a few pins above one pocket.
If the jacket already has oversized pockets, shoulder tabs, and heavy stitching, go easy on the decorations. There's already plenty happening.
What About Leather Jackets?
A black biker jacket with a couple of metal pins can look great. Band-inspired designs, racing numbers, wings, and motorcycle graphics are all good choices.
But leather is different from denim.
Once you push a pin through leather, the hole may be there permanently. That's worth thinking about if you've spent good money on the jacket.
Before attaching anything, lay it on a table and arrange the pins where you'd like them. Take a photo and move things around until you're happy.
If you're worried about damaging the leather, try decorating a removable fabric accessory instead.
There's no reason to put holes in a jacket you love for a design you might change your mind about next month.
Mix Your Pins Without Making a Mess
Collecting pins is easy. Figuring out which ones look good together takes a little more thought.
Maybe you've got a cartoon dog, a racing flag, three colorful flowers, and a giant tiger patch. They're all fun, but putting everything together might look crowded.
Start with one design you really like.
If you're into classic cars, pair a racing number with a checkered flag or vintage road sign. If you love hiking, try mountains, compass designs, and national park patches.
Everything doesn't have to match. Sometimes an unexpected combination looks better than a perfectly coordinated set.
Just watch the sizes. A large patch usually works better with a few smaller pins nearby.
And leave some empty space. You still want to see the jacket underneath.
Add Something Personal
The best pin on your jacket might be one nobody else understands.
Maybe it's the year of your first road trip, your old college nickname, or a reminder of the beat-up car you drove in high school.
You could keep a pin from a concert, a favorite city, or a trip with friends.
If you can't find the exact design you want, personalized metal pins let you use your own initials, a meaningful number, a small drawing, or an inside joke.
It doesn't have to be complicated.
A tiny detail that means something to you can be more interesting than a huge graphic across the back.
Short phrases are fun, too. "STAY LOST," "ROAD TRIP," or your hometown's initials can look great near a pocket or collar.
And you don't owe anybody an explanation. Sometimes it's nice to have something that's just yours.
Try Everything Out Before Attaching It
Here's one mistake worth avoiding: putting every pin on your jacket as soon as you get it.
Spread the jacket on a table and experiment with different arrangements. Try a cluster above one pocket, then move a couple of pins toward the collar.
Take pictures. Looking at a photo makes it easier to spot anything that feels out of place.
Once you've found a layout, put the jacket on and see how it feels.
Does a pin sit right underneath your bag strap? Is something digging into your arm? Does the fabric sag under a heavier piece?
Locking backs can help keep heavier pins secure. For embroidered patches, sewing is often a good choice. Some patches can be ironed on, but always check the fabric and care instructions first.
And don't forget to remove metal pins before washing your jacket.
Let Your Jacket Change with You
You don't have to finish decorating your jacket in one afternoon.
Maybe you find a pin at a flea market next weekend. A friend brings one back from vacation. A few months later, you come across a patch that looks perfect on the sleeve.
Add things when you find them. Take off whatever you're no longer into. There's no need to buy a whole new jacket every time you feel like changing your look.
Over time, those little details start to tell a story. You might forget where you bought the jacket, but you'll probably remember where some of the pins came from.
So before you push that old jacket to the back of your closet again, give it another chance. A few small changes might be all it needs to become one of your favorites again.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT FASHION?
COMMENT OR TAKE OUR PAGE READER SURVEY
Featured
Falling behind on your car payments can quickly turn a financial setback into a stressful situation.