My thrifted 80s suit refashion + how to replace a trouser zip

I’d been on the hunt for a funky retro suit for a while so when I saw this checkered beauty in an online vintage shop I just had to snap it up:

Whoa! Those shoulder pads are insane, the fit of the jacket is, erm, questionable and the trousers were in need of a new zipper, whew!

Let’s get started on my thrifted 80s suit refashion + how to replace a trouser zip:

First up, those shoulder pads had to go!

Then the sleeves got the chop too.

I grabbed a sleeveless top that fits me well, placed it on top of the inside out jacket and used it as a guide to mark and take in the sides and armholes of the jacket.

Get the tute for that groovy glittery top right here.

Then I stitched the front and back together following my marks.

Chopped off the excess fabric and zigzagged the raw edges to help prevent fraying.

I created some bias binding for the armholes by simply chopping a couple of thick strips of fabric from the sleeves, folding in the raw edges and giving them a good press with the iron.

Then stitched each strip around the armholes for a fabulously finished look!

Get my bias binding how to over here.

As I had never attempted to replace a trouser zip before I was a bit nervous about getting started but once I got going was pleasantly surprised by just how easy it was to do!

Step 1: carefully remove the damaged zipper with a seam ripper

**remember to keep track of how all of the fabric was originally stitched together on the zipper so you can simply reverse the process when you add the new zip**

Step 2: slip the top of the new zipper in position in between the waistband pieces, pin in place and start carefully stitching it on.

Step 3: sew the remaining fabric back on top of the new zip exactly the same way it was originally.

So Simple!

Love it!

2020Update:

The suit is still going strong & looking awesome for my Drew Barrymore copycat look: