To be honest Suz, I don't find it overly noticeable either but if you did want someone to have a look it may be possible to experiment with them letting a little out in the back neck seam or try Vildy's suggestion of a dart at the side of the neck at the front, which may also help.

Thank you, Diane. That is good information. I will play around with it a bit more.

And you are right Shannon!

The Lanai is killer beautiful on you, Suz. When you wear a high neckline underneath - it totally works. Your renditions here are 100% perfect.

As for the trousers. I like the jacket with both the bootcuts and the tapered slouchies. Does the Lanai match the BR trousers?

Whoo hoo! There you have it Suz!

You wear your jacket with high necklines and I'll wear mine with lower necklines ok?

There you go Suz and Shannon. All sorted and I'm thrilled for you. The only thing left to do is to wear the heck out of the jackets.

Wow, Angie -- amazing! Do you not mind that little wrinkle at the top? Mr. Suz is very fussed about it. He says that it looks like it does not fit right and it bugs him to look at it. Oy!

I am wearing 3 different trousers in these pictures.

The first are the Testras by Theory; they match the jacket and go with it. Nordstrom's doesn't seem to have the exact ones online anymore. They are supposed to be cropped (but aren't, on me) and I sized up so they do not fit like they fit on the models. On me they are baggy and slouchy except at the hipbone where they fit snug. (Basically they have extra fabric everywhere else -- slouchy crotch point, baggy bum, legs, etc. with a taper towards the bottom.)

In pic 9 I am trying the jacket with the Theory Emery wide legs in charcoal.

In pic 10, I am wearing the BR straight legs (not properly hemmed yet so they hang crooked.)

The Lanai doesn't match the BR pants perfectly, but it's not bad. I would need to look in actual daylight, which is in awfully short supply here today (pouring rain and dark).

Suz, I don't find the wrinkle disturbing - I did see it. It's because you can't fill out the style 100% - the same wrinkle happened with Marley when she fitted on the Lanai for my opinion is Santa Monica last weekend. And the same wrinkle-thing happens to me with this jacket. As soon as I put on a collared Theory blazer which has a sleeker fit on the shoulder and chest (the pattern is cut shorter) - the wrinkle disappears.

THAT SAID, the wrinkle is very little. And the jacket fits beautifully everywhere else. My thumbs are still up, up, up.

Suz, I can barely see a difference between the tapered leg trousers in the pics. I defer to your judgement.

This thread has been VERY educational for me. I'm working on developing an eye and everyone's comments is helping me to see the things I need to be looking at specifically.

Suz-you look beautiful and confident in every shot. You have lovely taste and and really know what works on you. If I saw you on the street I would think "there is someone whose look I need to copy for myself."

Trishalee, thank you!

Angie, thank you, also. So...you and Marley both felt she should pass on the style. Do you think I would also do better to try a different Theory? Because of course this one is returnable if I choose.

The Gabe B jacket is now also on sale at Nordstrom's. It is a much more classic style. Also, it is 52% poly (vs. almost 100% wool for this Lanai). And it's not as edgy looking. More similar to the BR jacket (although it has a one button stance vs. the BR's two button.) The length of all the jackets is approximately the same.

I'm not sure I could find matching pants for this one, but I haven't actually looked yet.

Now that I have this "my US address" thing figured out, it's not too bad to get things shipped to the border and then bring them back; I can send returns for free from the post office next door at the same time. It's an hour there, an hour back -- not too bad as long as the weather holds. (I won't be doing it in winter when the bridge freezes.)

The Gabe was outstanding on Marley - and Vicki. Both ladies are shorter than me. That's why I found it a little short for myself - because you know - I split hairs about the lengths of things. It will probably be killer on you too. Sooooooooooooo, try it. For Mr. Suz, especially. You enjoy the process of fit and analysis, Suz - and I like that. It's a fun journey. I am here to help and support you all the way. xo

Alrighty then! The comparison games continue!

I fixed my typos

I like that there are several pant fits in the same fabric as the Gabe, and a dress to boot!

I wish you could get the lot. I only see awesome.

Looking forward to seeing the Gabe on you too Suz. It will be fun to compare.

I just really quickly flipped through your pics so didn't take the time to "dissect" the trousers but my first impression is that you look spectacular in every single picture and I think you could wear any of these without hesitation. I feel like I'm about to knowingly give the wrong answer in class but I LOVE the Theory jacket on you!!! While I like the BR jacket too, I feel like the Theory jacket gives you a little edge - maybe that's not what you're looking for but I love it! Now off to read what others said.

Hi Suz --

My .02, worth price paid.

Overall, I really like the Theory jacket on you and really, really, dislike the crotch area bunching of the Theory Testra pants. [Not too keen on the back view, either.] That would be a deal breaker for sure for me, so if you only want to keep the jacket as part of a suit....

I'm going to be a little hypocritical about the fit issues of the jacket because they bother me a lot more in what's supposed to be a sleek wool jacket vs one in a more casual fabric (for instance, I have a leather blazer that's cut the same in the front and has some weird-ish wrinkling I chose to overlook). I would LOVE for you to get this tailored as our fit experts have suggested. Then you and Mr Suz could enjoy it equally.

I also have a Gabe B and agree the fit is likely a good one. However, mine is 98% wool vs this new deal the line is doing, grrrrr. You may hate the feel of the fabric or you may be fine with it. Obviously for warmth and breathability the higher wool content is better.

My vote: either keep the BR for your suit + keep the (tailored) Theory jacket since it's clearly versatile and you wear a lot of blazers -- or keep looking.

I am not a great connaisseur on your brands overseas Suz, and think Angie and others sorted you out already on your points, just wanted to add, I like much better the cut and fit of the Theory Lanai jacket in all of it's incarnations. I am also not a pants expert eye, but I like those in nr. 9 the very very best if that matters.

I knew it would work for you, Suz, as long as you had a higher neckline under it - and it does! I haven't read the comments yet but I don't see why you can't keep both, as they are both incredibly gorgeous on you in different ways. The Lanai is so unique in my closet in how it can be conservative, edgy, casual, dressy - it is my everything jacket.

Yay, Theory lemmings!

This does not look bad on you at all! Much better on you than on Vicki and me - from what I can see in the pictures. It's hard for me to give an honest opinion of the jacket - because I love the cut of the front! That was what was so hard for me to give up when Angie steered me to the Gabe instead - which fit me perfectly! The Gabe is a gorgeous jacket - just not as "fun" as the Lanai. Also, I tried the Testras - and they also were like full length trousers for me. I was very disappointed in the thinness of the fabric though - and I never tried on my size (because they didn't have it in the store) - and so I was trying on a couple sizes bigger than what I would wear. But - I did kind of like them - and would have seriously considerd them (in the proper size) if the Lanai had worked. (sob - still grieving about that jacket!)

I appreciate all the insights. Thank you!

Marley, I find it hard to believe that the jacket would look better on me than on you and Vicki, but if it does it might be just because I am a smidge taller. Anyway, I may still be grieving along side you. I intend to get some clearer pics if the weather ever lets up. I have this feeling that the drawbacks of the Theory and the pluses of the BR are not truly showing in the photos.

And Vix, I tend to agree about the pants. Those Testras are weird items. In some of the stock photos they show them skin tight. But that does not seem right for the cut of the pant. So I sized up. But I fear that maybe the rise is simply too low for me. In which case I might be out of luck when it comes to a Theory suit, period, unless I want the wide leg Emery trousers (which do fit me...or did...in their older incarnation. With the new cut and fabric, who knows?)

I am a bit scared to get the Lanai tailored because I do not know anyone who does actual tailoring around here. Always seems risky going to a new person for an important job, you know?

AviaMaria - there are no wrong answers in this class!

All I have to say is that these kinds of discussions are pretty much above my pay grade. But you look awesome in every photo and I think you should do what makes you happy! So there!

Suz, I think you look great in all of the jackets. I do think the Lanai works on you. It might be because of your stronger shoulder line which you share with Una. (Marley is around 5'5" so it's not her height getting in the way of this jacket.) You could try the other jacket for comparison, but I do like the Lanai jacket on you and so does everyone else it seems. The other jacket (Gabe?) is more classic but might stand the test of time better than the Lanai.

As for pants, the tetras (?) testras (?) shown in the first pictures look too long to me. The tapered ankle is causing bunching at various points which makes the pants look less refined. If you shortened them to ankle length they might work better. Or, if that is not something you are going for, I like the BR straight legged trousers on you, better than the wide-legged Theory trousers.

Oh and I now see the wrinkling issue on the Lanai but it is only on one side. Maybe you just need to adjust it properly when dressing? Sometimes just a pull here or there is what's needed. Anyway if that's not the case I do understand if it's an issue of an uneven shoulder line. My left shoulder is nice and square. My right shoulder slopes. I don't know if it's an overdeveloped muscle on my shoulder due to being right handed. For whatever reasons, I am very uneven -- the right bra strap frequently comes off.

Thanks, Denise. Interesting - - Marley is convinced that her shoulders are wider than mine. Hmm. Well, it just goes to show you that every body is different. And you can never tell until you try something on whether it will work or won't work.

ETA - the wrinkling is actually on both sides, I see now, but it depends how I am holding myself how obvious it is. I did do adjustments but it comes right back when I move around. It's just the way this cut is going to fit me I think.

Yes, the Testras might be long. (Hilarious -- since they are supposed to be ankle pants!) Or then again, they might just fit badly, period! I think that's more likely. I rejected the pair in my regular size because they didn't fit at all. I could do them up but they were too tight and just yuck.

ETA: or maybe they are just too tapered for the shoes/ booties. They might work better with a pump. I don't actually think they are too long. But I do need pants that work with a bootie in my climate.

An ankle length suit pant would be stupid for me. I couldn't wear them enough in my climate. And I do want a suit, so if the pants won't work the whole thing might go back. Which would be fine. I am in no huge rush for this.

Suz - Vicki measured my shoulders for me one time (we have matching tape-measures - I saw them in a little boutique about a year ago and just had to get them! Vicki's is neon pink and mine is neon orange - amazing how handy they are when you are shopping!) Anyway, I digress . . . I cannot remember how wide my shoulders are (I'll have my husband measure them again tomorrow) - but I do remember that my shoulders were an inch wider than Vicki's and they may be even wider now because of the work-outs that I've been doing the past 6 months. I tend to bulk up really fast in my shoulders and arms - and I'd bet money that I'm no longer a rectangle body-shape, but an inverted triangle instead. Also - like Denise said, I'm just a titch under 5'5" - I think Vicki is 5'4". I can't remember how tall you are, but for some reason I've always thought of you as being shorter than me! I cannot wear petites at all and you do at times, right? Anyway - I am thrilled for you that the Lanai works so well on you (also, a little bit jealous!) - but, I'm also glad that you are going to try the Gabe. I was so glad that Angie was there to help me confirm for sure what I had reluctantly suspected about the Lanai - but was able to help me find a jacket that fit me perfectly. I got to tell you that I am learing that fit is much more important than style - a real switch in my thinking!

Marley, you are SO right about that. Without the right fit, it won't look right no matter what.

Well, I am 5'4". So Vicki's height and shorter than you. (Actually, I am barely 5'4" so maybe even shorter than Vicki!) I can wear petites sometimes for some things by some makers. So, for instance...dresses and jackets and shirts are sometimes (but not always) okay in petite. But usually I do best to go to a smaller size in regular and hem the sleeves. I can't wear petite pants.

I guess bodies are so unique -- it's just hard to predict what will work and what won't. But again, I have this nagging feeling that if Angie were seeing me in person she would be telling me to try a different jacket, you know? If it bothers my husband, it's probably enough to bother Angie. And it bothers me a bit. Is that because I was primed to see it in the first place? I'm not sure. But I want to feel 100% great about this suit, so it's PPP all the way.

Wow, Suz, I'm just seeing this now and had to add my paltry two cents. Of course I cannot see the details of the fit, of which there has been much discussion, BUT I love the vibe and style of the Theory suit so much for your style. Even if the trousers are baggy and ill-fitting, it looks intentional and slouchy to me. This version is way more Dramatic Classic, while the other (BR?) suit is regular Classic, like Angie said. Even if you need to keep looking, I hope you can find a really cool jacket like this for your suit. Hang in there! PPP.

Sorry I'm late to this as I've been away for a long weekend. I think I agree with Mr Suz the Theory jacket is sexier/edgier & I love it but the pulling at the shoulder-line would bother me. I do think it is an easy fix for a good tailor.

I have a thought. If this is not a typical fit issue for you, Suz (the uneven shoulder problem), perhaps it is this particular blazer? I just wondered if maybe that one had some kind of flaw and another one in the same size might not.

I know my shoulders are very uneven (waves at Denise), so this is not an unusual fit issue for me -- remember the Helmut Lang blazer? But if you never have this problem with other jackets, and this is only happening on one side... well, perhaps it's just that individual piece. I know ordering another one of the exact same thing would be a pain, but I felt compelled to mention it.

Ya know, just to throw another monkey wrench into the mix.