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Ask Angie: and all: K/R white vests

Joy

Veteran

I need some guidance. I am contemplating 3 three sizes of the EF bone vest plus a white Frenchi version. I'm not sure if any of these work very well. Here they are with a simple black sleeveless dress.
1/2: the EF vest in PP ( smallest possible size)
3/4: same vest in size PS
5/6: same vest in regular XS
7/8: Frenchi vest. If I keep this one I will have the pockets that show through removed.
9: white denim vest that I own with a similar dress for comparison.
Do you need to see these styled differently?
I like the bone color and it could be worn as part of a tonal outfit, but I'm not sure that this expensive, even on sale, piece is a 10 and versatile enough.
Do you like one size better than the others?
It may be that this is coming at the end of the summer season and not as exciting as it would be in the spring. I need some convincing to keep. Even the petite versions are lots longer on me than the black version that I own and love. Does that look ok? Can I fit it into a casual lifestyle?
Thank you for any comments and suggestions you have.

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Eileen Fisher Shawl Collar Long Vest (Regular & Petite)

$328.00 $163.90

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28 replies

Latest reply was from LAR101

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like how you've styled the vest with a dress. I have the black version of it (size xs) and the length is my main styling issue with it. It is too long to work with shorts, for example. So while I like it, it is less versatile than I had hoped for use in more casual looks.

Joy

Veteran

Thank you for your comment, Ummlila. How do you wear yours most often?

Eliza

Veteran

Hard to assess the EF due to angle of front view. I prefer the structure with fluidity that the Frenchi vest offers (assuming I am seeing it accurately and the fabric and quality are pleasing to you). I think the proportion may be better on you. I have a white vest that adds some structure to outfits and I like it. Remains to be seen how it plays with my winter clothes, but I see it as a useful piece for generally casual me. I have a white denim vest, but wore it little this summer and will likely pass it on. There was nothing about it that made my happiness factor high enough and it felt a bit too casual for my version of casual if that makes sense.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Well, I surprise myself with this comment, but I like the Frenchi better on you. I like the proportions of it, and I think the style is very cool. I saw it in store and liked it in person, too. (My friend who got the EF vest tried on the Frenchi, too. Did not work for her, fit-wise.)
I'm finding the EF to be taking over the dress rather than complementing it. I imagine the vest might work better in lower-contrast or more tonal outfits, as you noted, but that makes it not very versatile for the money. And it might always want to take center stage.

P.S. I do love the bone color on you. But white will work beautifully, too, as your denim vest illustrates.

Sharon

Veteran

I like the EF in the XS. I'm not sure I like it with the dress though - I could see this as being the dressy element in a more casual outfits, maybe jeans. I agree with Firecracker that a lower contrast outfit might work better.
The Frenchi vest does not look as sleek to me, and I don't like the pocket shadow from the thinner fabric.
Of course, you need to feel fab in them to buy either, and you sound a bit unsure. How do you feel?

Anonymous

Echoing Sharon - word for word. But wow, do you look great in ivory! Your hair and skin with this colour- lovely!

Joy

Veteran

Sharon, I do feel unsure but am tending toward the XS. However it may be because it is the lowest priced of the EFs as I found it on clearance with an extra 25% off at The Rack. I really want the best one for my wardrobe and body.
The Frenchi version is very thin fabric but I agree that the proportions seem easiest to work with. It would work best casually and be weightless for a summer day third piece. It is also the lowest priced and lowest quality but a lot.
It sounds like I should try some lower contrast outfits.

Jules

Veteran

I like the EF. The Frenchi's points remind me of vestments.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I have worn the EF with black pants mostly ... Like a suit alternative. When I bought it I was thinking of one of Angie's casual ensembles from earlier in the summer.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

You look brilliant in white and bone Joy. I'll be honest though - as summer is sadly coming to an end, will you get much wear out of this item before you're into colder weather clothing? Or is this something you can wear year round where you are?

Mellllls

Veteran

I prefer the second one...a little sleeker.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Joy, of the EF vests, I like the fit of the XS best.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the XS best. Looks sensational, Joy. Personally, I like the way you styled it over the dress. xo

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I will be honest. I am in love with the idea of these but not in love with any of them specifically somehow. I do think the EF is better, but agree with Sharon that it would work best with jeans as the dressiest piece -- and I like it less with the dress. (Though I realize you meant the dress more as a "blank canvas" than anything else.)

Keep in mind that my own perception may be deeply tinted by my own unsuccessful vest hunt this spring. You can't really tell how bad it was from these pictures. Just believe me: I am scarred for life!

Note how I also went for a column of the opposite neutral to show this baby! Great minds think alike!

I never even posted these pictures for YLF. Just packed it right up and sent it back.

In all seriousness, Joy, I do think you could make one of the EF vests work beautifully for your style -- I wish I could advise about which size is best but I feel hesitant without seeing a few more styling options. And I wonder if it might not make more sense to wait until next spring when you may find a cut and style that works effortlessly well.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like the EF vest, I am not sure of the size so would go with what Angie says. I think the longer vest is more elegant and current.

Joy

Veteran

Shannon, I may be able to wear the vest year round over a light weight pullover, but not sleeveless. I'll have to work on that idea.
Thank you for your response, Angie. I think I will hang on to the XS and return the others and work on ways to style it.
Ummlila, I like your idea of sort of a suit look and wonder if I can pull that off in shades of white. Maybe this will even turn into what I need for my class reunion!

Parsley

Veteran

I love the EF on you, Joy, but I can't tell about the size.
But since Angie has spoken, I'd listen to her!
After seeing the outfits with the long vest/ sleeveless blazer the shorter sleeveless denim jacket seems much less exciting, even though it's fine.

I think the EF vest over a dress would be perfect for your class reunion!

Joy

Veteran

Parsley, I think I will see if I can find a way to wear it for the reunion. It would probably need to be worn with something with sleeves. I actually have more trouble styling a vest with a sleeved outfit than with bare arms. I think I could do a whiteout pant outfit though.

Gigi

Veteran

I like the EF better than the Frenchi. I feel like the Frenchi is a little too stark in design for your usual style; the points at the bottom of the vest seem too "heavy" and overwhelming and seem to take over the outfit.

Of the three EF sizes, I would have picked SP. At first I was going to say XS, but then I realized that the armholes are a little bigger on that one so that more of the dress shows through. Do you have a preference for how big the armholes are?

I guess I don't know what to say about whether you should keep or not. It sounds to me a bit like you maybe have sales goggles on and are excited about getting a deal but really don't feel it in your heart? I agree, though, that it can be really hard at the end of a season, because the weather is changing and we are already thinking about the upcoming fall palette. Perhaps hold on to whichever EF one you like best and hang it in your closet and see how you feel periodically about it until you get close to the return window?

Having said that, I will say that since I have stopped buying things that were only so-so and that I didn't want to wear out of the store, I have been much happier, even though that means my purchases are few and far between. It was hard at first, as I was a bit addicted to shopping, but it is now much easier, and I am much happier with what I do buy because it is exactly what I want and seems more special since there's not such an influx of new items.

Gigi

Veteran

Oh, I forgot to answer your other questions. As to the casual element, yes, I think it could be worked into a casual wardrobe, as long as it is a smart casual outfit. As for the length of the vest, I would try styling it with other elements and see how it goes. If the length of the vest makes the item cumbersome, back it goes! Show no mercy! Ha ha.

Joy

Veteran

Gigi, you are so wise and right about sales goggles. I will look again at the armholes and try with white jeans. I like your idea of setting one vest aside to see how I feel about it later on. It might be that the money would be better spent on something else.

Debbie

Veteran

I like the EF on you. It would be versatile for you I think.

Gigi

Veteran

Joy, one of the ways I have made better purchasing decisions is by thinking exactly what you just noted: would I be happier spending this money on something else? Even if money isn't an object, you can think of your closet space as being limited (as almost everyone's is) and ask yourself, do I really want this item in my closet, or would I rather fill that spot with something else? Am I going to be happy reaching for this item, or would I rather be reaching for something else?

Joy

Veteran

Gigi, I know what you mean. I have been able recently to leave several things I would once have bought, but something was less than perfect and the money and space they would take helped me leave them behind. Obviously I'm still working at this. I'm also trying for fewer but better quality items, especially when replacing something I wear frequently.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

And one reason this decision is a bit tricky is that it's not just sales goggles at work -- you know for a fact that a white vest is a staple of your summer wardrobe and could be an even more important player if you had the right one.

I guess I was looking at it from that perspective and wondering if this is "the one." But the truth is, if you can style it well and it is a good deal and you are looking forward to wearing it already (and it sounds as if you are) then why not go with this one? You can always add to your collection next year.

Joy

Veteran

Suz, you really hit the problem with this decision. I have learned when editing that if I don't find THE one of anything, I keep looking for it even after settling for what I suppose some part of my mind is thinking of as a place holder. (4 red jackets, I'm looking at you). Then I end up with multiples, none of which is the one I really want. If the right one really does turn up, I feel that I can't buy it because I already have that spot filled and have spent too much already.
So is this THE white vest?

Staysfit

Veteran

My DD advised that in these situations, which I have encountered frequently (27 Ivory blouses). That I should close my eyes and really think about whether I would regret not having that particular item if I either didn't purchase it or retuned it? Would I miss it? The solution than becomes more obvious. (I'm doing my best to put this into action).

LAR101

FWIW, I LOVE this vest and stylng. Prefer the XS. Echoing Angie's comments all the way.