How to Turn A Drug Rug into Something You Can Wear and Still Look at Yourself in the Mirror

The Baja Hoodie, or as it is better known the "Drug Rug" has been commonplace among the hippie subculture for years now.  It was pretty run of the mill  to find a group of high school stoner's outside the mall wearing their drug rugs, which I am assuming smell of its name sake and also patchouli oil, playing with hacky sacks and sporting some really comfortable foot gear.

However the poncho hoodie has made a resurgence, showing up on hip young folks around the world as of late.

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Proenza Resort 2012

Curious about the trend, I went and bought myself a used Drug Rug.  Took it home.
Febreezed it.
Febreezed it again.
Then I tried it on.
Not a good look.
I can definitely see it looking good on the college age I-just-rolled-outta-bed-to-get-to-class-hip-chick paired with some shorts and some combat boots.  But on this aging 20-something I looked like I spent the night with Ras Trent and needed a warm jacket to wear home.

"Excuse I Ras, but do  you have a Jacket?"

Not one to waste I decided I would re-work it to make it into something more appropriate and  awesome.

It is important to keep in mind I hate sewing.  I love sewing but I hate sewing.  I have broken two sewing machines.  I am too aggressive and impatient for the craft.  So if you are like myself, you are in luck.  This is a super fast and easy DIY project that only requires scissors, a pair of stud earrings, two pencils and an awesome old pin.

The cool thing about Drug Rugs are they are almost all alike- so the directions apply to almost all styles.  However they come in a large variety of colors (mostly neutrals).  So go to a vintage or thrift store and find your favorite design and follow these 4 easy steps.

First Step: Cut Down the Middle. 

Most Drug Rugs have a slight dip on the neckline (where the arrow is pointing)- This is in the exact center so it makes a great point to start.

Next: Get rid of those pockets!!

So the fabric of Drug Rugs is super thick and the pockets come off pretty easily with a little tug and a couple snips of some scissors.

Next: Get rid of that Hood!

So remember where that little dip in the neckline was?  There is actually a placket there where the fabric is doubled- this makes for a most awesome cutting line.  Just simply cut along the side of the placket and along the edge of the hood and the jacket- till your hood is no more and you have a a deeper neckline.  (Note: Do not toss the hood!  I know you want to- but hold tight)

Final Step: Make the Sleeves Cool!
So drug rugs have a super boxy fit.  The sleeves can be slightly awkward when taken out of Drug Rug context. This is where your pencils and stud earrings come into play!

Now you want to fold the sleeves up ever so slightly to make one large cuff (about two inches)- Now to keep the cuff tacked in place, use an old pair of stud earrings (you can find really cool ones at thrift store for under a buck) pierce the cuff and hold the earring in place by putting the eraser on the other side of the pin (Note:: take the eraser off the pencil- a nice heavy nudge usually works.)  The result should look something like this.

You are now good to go!  The end result is a slightly oversize boxy jacket in a really awesome fabric that goes along with two separate Fall trends: Boxy 60's Jackets & the controversial "Native" Prints trend.

So you may be wondering what to do with your hood and that awesome old pin...
Now we have slayed the Drug Rug beast and should "Use All of the Buffalo" as they say.  It is time to make good of the hood.

First Step: Cut it in Half!

The funny thing about the Drug Rug hood is its a rectangle- so all you need to do is cut from one corner and make a slight angle then cut straight, leaving about 3 inches at the widest part.  Unfold the piece, wrap the fabric around your head and fasten with your cool pin.  Ta-Da, an awesome winter head wrap.