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Dressing

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Alternative "Neutrals"

AnaElizabeth

I am looking for a fitted blazer style jacket (but still a bit smart). I want to be able to wear it with a lot of different things (jeans, skirts, etc.). I'm in a warmer climate most of the year, so I would like for it to bridge from Spring into early summer, and from late summer into early fall. I have found one that I think would fit the bill by Boden:

http://www.bodenusa.com/col.as.....;gen=1#img

My issue is that the color I think would be most appropriate for the times of year I want to wear it is the light brown/tan. Having fair skin and blonde hair, this color really tends to wash me out. Do any of you have a similar problem? Do you think I could wear the jacket with a bright color (I tend to wear mostly bright colors) or accessories, or should I look for another color? If so, what color would work best for the situation? Tan just seems to go with everything, and I'm not sure ivory cotton would work in late September/October when it starts to get cool here (I could be wrong, though).

Thanks y'all!

Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from sijyk

mayapple

I'm not crazy about that tan color. I think the only skin tone that can really pull off tan is very dark African skin because of the contrast it creates. Even I can't wear that color and I am pretty far from your fair skin and blonde hair.

I think the blue is perfect. It's dark enough to be a pseudo neutral and can look radically different depending on what colors you mix it with. I think it will look great with bright colors. I also like the coral, but if you're going for something fool-proof, the blue looks good.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

No tan! Coral or blue are best.

AnaElizabeth

I actually like the coral one the best, but I wasn't sure if I could wear it with a lot of different things and also in the fall. You think that would be okay?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I do! You can wear coral with brown in the Autumn.

Nicole

Veteran

I think the coral color will look great on your complexion too! How about grey bottoms with a white shirt and the coral jacket? That would span fall, winter and spring!

AnaElizabeth

Now I'm excited because the light brown one didn't really inspire me, either. Thanks for all your suggestions!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I apologize for putting a spanner in the works! I actually like the ivory best. This is THE most versatile colour, but if you love the coral get that instead.

AnaElizabeth

What's a spanner?

I like the ivory as well, and ivory is the best neutral for my coloring and personality/what I have in my wardrobe (black is too serious for me). Do you think I could wear the ivory in the fall as well? The jacket is "washed cotton" with raw edge detailing around the lapels. It probably won't be cool enough to wear a jacket here until the end of September or mid October.

If I can't wear ivory in the fall also, I might order the coral, see how it fits, and if I end up just really loving the jacket, order it in the ivory and only wear the ivory in the spring/early summer. It seems like a pretty classic jacket that won't go out of style too soon, so I wouldn't mind investing in it because I could probably wear it for a few years.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A “wrench” I think?

You can absolutely wear ivory in Autumn. It’s warm and creamy and one of my very favourite colours.

AnaElizabeth

Well, the jacket is lined, so even though it's cotton, it will probably be structured enough to wear in the autumn also. I just went to J. Crew and exchanged a top that was too big (I ordered it online) for a light weight silk-cashmere scarf that is a gorgeous shade of coral, so I've got my color fix--I'm so excited. It's settled then--I'll get the ivory. Wonderful. Thanks for all the help everyone!

P.S. Thanks for the clarification on "spanner", Angie! My husband is from England, so I sometimes ask him what some of the words you use are, and he can tell me some of them. I asked him about "puka" when you used it the other day.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wonderful Ana Elizabeth. I love the idea of a coral scarf! Can we call you Ana for short or would you prefer Ana Elizabeth? Lovely to hear that hubby translates my English for you

AnaElizabeth

Ana is better, actually. I only put my middle name also since "Ana" was already taken as a screen name.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are Ana from now on!

Nicole

Veteran

Oh good...I'm glad you asked about that Angie! We do have a few similar names floating around here. Sometimes I look at the poster's name too quickly and I think Antjeh is Angie, and Mayapple is Maya. Hopefully we won't get any Nicolina's. (Thats what my Nonna used to call me.)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Mayapple, aren't you Maya?

AntjeH

And my name is Antje The H is just the first letter of my first name.

pmhenson

Speaking of names, Angie is there a way to change my user name without creating a new account? After signing up I realized I should have just used my first name-- Patience-- because it's much nicer to be addressed that way in responses. Thanks.

Nicole

Veteran

If not, then you could just sign yourself Patience at the end of your post.

mayapple

Nicole, I am Maya, so there's no confusion there. I think I chose this username after reading something funny about the mayapple plant, but yes, I would also probably be better off if I just chose Maya in the first place.

I also get Antje and Angie confused sometimes. Antje, how do you say your name? Knowing that might help.

I think we should all learn each other's names in anticipation of a YLF.com convention.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm glad that we are getting this sorted out. Patience, my hubby said that you can re-sign up as “Patience” and you shall then keep that as your user name. He can delete all the “pmhenson” comments from this site if you’d prefer that, but he can’t substitute the one for the other. Let me know how you’d like us to proceed.

So I’m Angie and I think that’s clear! We then have Nicole, Maya, Ana, Antje and Patience. Antje is a Dutch/German name and it’s pronounced “An-cha”. We both live in Seattle and are friends.

christie

And Christie! I hardly have time to comment anymore, but I'm still lurking and reading.

Becky

Veteran

And, as you might have guessed, my real name is ... Becky! Although my dad used to call me "Bubba" when I was a child. I've since outgrown that one.

Patience

Veteran

I signed up again. No need to delete the comments unless you prefer it that way, though you may want to delete the pmhenson member. Thanks.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Of course Christie. Welcome back. And Becky, we enjoy your comments too. I think that we have deleted the "pmhenson" user name Patience.

Sarah

I'm pretty sure there are multiple Sarahs on here too, but then I'm used to that. That's why I've always planned to name my children unusual names. There's nothing like hearing someone call your name and ignoring it because you're sure they're talking to one of the 4 other Sarahs in the class.

sijyk

Anna, I was wondering if you received this Jacket from Boden. Do you like it?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I am still waiting for the jacket, but I hope it will be here any day now. I got a an e-mail last Tuesday, and it says it takes 7-10 business days (I guess they are shipping from England). As soon as I get it I'll report back.

sijyk

Thanks. I was wondering if i should get it too. I will wait for your report

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi sijyk,

I finally got my cream Boden jacket, and it is really nice. The quality is really good, and the fabric is soft and buttery, almost like a cotton sateen, but still light weight. It's lined with satin, so it's very soft on the inside as well. It has a nice "already been washed and worn" look to it, which makes it casual. The cut of the jacket is definitely more casual as well, or "smart casual." It's not boxy, but it's not very fitted either. As a note: I have broad shoulders, and so have to order a size 8, but my torso is a size 6, so most jackets that fit me in the shoulders are a bit loose around the middle. If you don't have this problem, it would probably be a bit more fitted on you than it is on me. However, if you're looking for something that is more akin to a fitted, suiting blazer, you might not be happy with the cut of this. The sleeves are wider than I'm used to with a jacket, but I'm not unhappy with that. I was looking for something more casual to throw over a v neck sweater and denim, or a summer dress if it got chilly. I tried different things with it, like putting a belt over it, and it looked nice that way as well.

I would definitely recommend ordering it if you're looking for a more smart casual go-to jacket to throw on over dresses and denim. I'm considering also buying the coral color, which I love. There are other things I need that are in line before that though.

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