Crazypants! The blog.

19 Comments

• Joy replied 7 years ago

  Wow, this is a blast from the past only more casual and more expensive. Back in the 50's, maybe early 60's, dickies were a popular way to save having to wash and iron a whole shirt or blouse. White collars were the most popular. I like this modern take but would probably not put out that much money on them. DIY with thrifted or older garments you own, cut to fit under a jacket or blazer and attached with snaps or buttons or even hand sewn in would be the way to go. The lace hoody gives me an idea for how to wear a piece that is a closet orphan.

• Emily K replied 7 years ago

  Aren't they amazing!  I was an immediate convert to the idea.  I LOVE that the dickies are fully functioning.  I've been losing a lotta weight and still not quite at my goal, so purchase will have to wait until then--for me, this is truly an investment piece and I definitely plan to save-up for the purchase.

• greycat6 replied 7 years ago

  Very fun, indeed! I had been stalking them for a couple of years and ended up indulging myself last fall. After much deliberation, because it is a substantial investment, i purchased the navy ponte knit blazer with a hooded sweater dickey. Love it and it was worth every penny! I have also worn it without the dickey and layered over an ancient cashmere hoodie. The knit jacket suits my casual lifestyle very well and I love the versatility the removable dickey allows.

• rachylou replied 7 years ago

  Seems fun!

• Summer replied 7 years ago

  I think they are a great idea - perfect for adding interest without bulk.  I'd need a cheaper version, though!

• Style Fan replied 7 years ago

  I (like Joy) remember dickies from my past.  They do seem like a good idea to add interest to a jacket without all the bulk.  I would be looking for a less expensive version than the VB ones.  Maybe a do it yourself one.   

• approprio replied 7 years ago

  The dicky/hoodie/vest concept is new to me, although I've been doing this with Uniqlo vests and ultralite down layers for a while now. It's a great way to wear a light jacket in cooler weather and rather more versatile. On the other hand, I can see the appeal of less bulk.

• kkards replied 7 years ago

  i've been intrigued by this idea...but put off by the price of the Veronica Beard...but just before Christmas i found a similiar style at a local boutique for less than half the price (same brand as the find, but the "hoodie" is a navy and white stripe)....

• gryffin replied 7 years ago

  Greyscale I've been crushing on these jackets too.  I really love the looks and like the idea of being able to change out the look.  They are very expensive and I'd be interested to know what you think if you try them on.  Greycat 6 - does VB run small?  How did you find the sizing?  I wear blazers almost every day, including the weekend.  So having some with a more casual vibe would work well for me, but it would be a splurge and investment.

• replied 7 years ago

  I have been eyeing the VB jacket for years. It is my dream purchase, but at close to $1000 Cdn, I just can't justify it.  I have never seen a knockoff - until the Revolve one posted above, which looks cute.  My Kit & Ace swing jacket has a zip-out dickey in the same fabric, and they sell other options separately - like quilted pieces, suede pieces etc.  

• Diana replied 7 years ago

  I have an anorak style jacket from NAS that has a zip out quilted dickey/hood. At the time I was a little annoyed because I had thought it had a full removable lining, which would make it work for more weather conditions. The dickey is fun and changes up the look but not warm at all!

  I love the VB jackets and would love to own one. I think in that case the style is a plus because no lumpy layering! No bunchy sleeves! I hadn't seen the lace one and I love it!

• replied 7 years ago

  I really like the look of a blazer with something substantial underneath, like a puffy thing or a hoodie.
  I just feel though, that the dicky is not worth the price, and that you can wear a full hoodie or lightweight down item under a blazer and it'll still look ok. Maybe a little tight in the arms, but the solution is to size up on the blazer.

• Janet replied 7 years ago

  I love the VB line too and have looked at them longingly for years. I tried some on for grins last spring in NYC but 1) couldn't justify the price, and 2) the fit was ever so slightly off in both of my usual sizes. However, my VB striped moto is a perfect fit. Something about the cut of the dickey-compatible jackets I tried just didn't work on me (can't remember the exact issue -- might have been too straight? Too small in bust?).

  I like that knockoff kkards posted. I like the idea of this kind of dickey because it doesn't add another layer of warmth and bulk, just visual interest. These days I don't need so many warm layers.

• Angie replied 7 years ago

  COS has dickeys in their store now. Very Modern Retro. 

• viva replied 7 years ago

  That lace hoodie dickey is pretty fabulous, I have to say.

  We wore godawful turtleneck dickies with button-down shirts and fair-isle sweaters in Connecticut in the late 70s. God help me. Not my best look.

• Greyscale replied 7 years ago

  Viva, as someone born in the late 70s in Connecticut, I grew up seeing them as the epitome of the very proper blueblood look! (Not a bad thing, just very characteristic). What part of the state are you from? I'm from the rural northern part that aligns more with Western Mass but even so, my Western Mass cousins used to mock us. "Welcome to Connecticut. Please dress nicely."

• Greyscale replied 7 years ago

  I'm excited that so many of you have been stalking these. It does seem like a DIY would be possible, even if the real version has a lot of great details.

  I like the idea of layering a light hoodie under a blazer. The upper arms of my blazers are always tight, so anything thicker than the lace hoodie would be hard to accommodate. And I can't seem to find any good lace hoodies online -- but I'll keep an eye out. I might find some thrift store items I can modify, too.

  I see a few versions at the Rack, so maybe we'll all find our dream blazer/dickey combos there later in the season.

• UmmLila (Lisa) replied 7 years ago

  That lace one is fantastic. I recently bought a Tory Burch sport navy ponte jacket with white nylon hoodie dickie, looking ahead to spring. <https://www.torysport.com/conv.....#038;start> I have had my eye on the VB ones for a while. I have to say, playing with my sporty one, it's a little tricky figuring out what the underlayer will be. It has to be something decent if you want to unzip all the way, but it can't compete with the dickey in terms of neckline.

  Oh yeah, and I have seen a lot of celebrity trend shots with people wearing a full no zip hoodie under whatever their outerwear is.

  Finally here is a don't wear alone item with interesting layering potential: <http://www.pixiemarket.com/bla.....r-top.html>

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• greycat6 replied 7 years ago

  Coming back to answer gryffin's sizing question.

  My VB knit jacket is a same size as my Jcrew school boy wool blazer (which is probably 5+ years old). The VB knit blazer was a much better fit for my frame than the wool version. For reference, I am 'average size', have a small bust and narrow rib cage but broadish shoulders. When fitting blazers, I typically have extra fabric around my bust area once I get the shoulders to fit. I just don't seem to fill out the area between the lapel and arm. The stretch on the VB jacket negated this issue. Blazers can be a fit challenge for me and this was perfect off the rack which made it easier to justify the exhorbadant price.

  I will say the trickiest part of this design can be putting the jacket on with the button on cuffs attached. Most of the 'winter dickies' come with cuffs that button on to the bottom of the jacket sleeve. The cuff of my under layer has to be securely held in place, either with my fingers or buttoned securely otherwise it gets bunched up in the jacket sleeve. The cuffs really add to the look, at least I think, so I like wearing them. Of course the jacket can be worn without them. Most of the summer weight dickies do not come with the button on cuffs.

  Totally agree with Ummilla's comment about finding the right under layer. A crew neck or a collarless shirt works best for me. My dickey is a marled grey hooded sweater with navy flecks. I have had success with a printed collarless shirt and a light weight crew neck sweater. Tradional collared shirts are look too hectic to my eye or maybe I just have not found the right one. :)

  I hope this helps.