Q&A about individual items, ensembles, and wardrobe

Ask Angie: "Indoor" jackets to replace tatty Polartecs!

Okay, the second the thermometer drops below, uh, 65, I'm hauling out all of my years old, shapeless Polartech jackets (worn in place of sweaters).

I would love to replace all of them with cozy - yet tailored - jackets. Something that doesn't look out of place indoors, but has a bit more structure than a sweater.

Can you suggest shapes/styles I should look for? I'm a long waisted hourglass.

Thanks!

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15 Replies

Posted 3 weeks ago

Jackets for 65 degree weather. . .so many options. . .

I'd recommend a couple of places to look online so you can see what you like.

On the high end, take a look at bluefly.com--you may not want to spend that kind of money, but you can see what fashion-forward shapes they have and see if anything strikes your fancy.

In the middle, I like Nordstrom's for colors and shapes--and remember, they have stuff on sale, and if there's a Nordstrom's Rack nearby, even better prices.

At the low end, I like Kohl's, especially the Elle line, which is more fun than their other brands. I've been impressed by the look of Kohl's jackets and sweaters, and their prices--especially on sale--are hard to beat. Target is good too, but the online selection never looks like the store version--you have to go there in person to get a good idea.

Hope that helps! I love jackets and encourage anyone to try them instead of fleece--it's a different universe!

Posted 3 weeks ago

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but since going to Iceland, this has become my lounge-wear in the winter:

http://www.66north.com/us/shop.....acket.aspx

So cozy. Holds up well in the dryer too. Sleeker than polarfleece, but maybe more sporty than what you're thinking?

Did you see the Uniglo Heat-Tech thread? I'm tempted to give that a try. Prices are good.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Thanks Shiny - I am trying to get away from the sporty look - I tend to wear it a lot, because it's readily available in TJ Maxx, but I don't think it's really "me." I will check out the Uniglo Heat-Tech thread tho - I'm always looking for warm layers.

garmenta - you'd think with all the Nordstrom's love floating around here that would have occurred to me to check the Website...

Here are a few I liked...what are your thoughts? (I think I've been able to link to the particular colors I like, too.)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....me=product

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....me=product

(or in black)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....me=product

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....me=product

or in "thames teal"

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....me=product
(I have a much nicer looking black/white boucle fabric that I'm planning to make into a cropped Chanel style jacket like this.)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....me=product

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....me=product

Am I on the right track? I've only gone through the first page (99 items) but I would love to know what people liked in terms of style and color...I can't afford the $1000+ amount of jackets here, so I need to prioritize in terms of what I can buy and what I can sew. :)

Posted 3 weeks ago
Posted 3 weeks ago

MPJ, none of your links are working for me except for the very last one - the Tory Burch jacket, which looks pretty great.

Have you considered cardigans as well? A long, thick cardigan can be very warm.

Posted 3 weeks ago

Rats, MamaPJ: the links don't lead to anything...

Posted 3 weeks ago

Would something like this http://www.marksandspencer.com.....re&rh= work for you?
I've got one of these which i throw on over lounge wear or normal clothes if i'm cold x

Posted 2 weeks ago

Drat - what a dope I am - I forgot to check the links. I was linking to the zoomed in picture, which obviously doesn't work.

Ambition French Terry Jacket
Here are the jackets again:
http://content.nordstrom.com/I.....927977.jpg

CaslonĀ® Knit Motorcycle Jacket
http://content.nordstrom.com/I.....940778.jpg
(in rosemary or shale)

Nick & Mo Textured Jacket
http://content.nordstrom.com/I.....924190.jpg
(in Garnet)

Halogen Tweed Jacket
http://content.nordstrom.com/I.....913947.jpg

Semantiks "tic tac toe" tie jacket
http://content.nordstrom.com/I.....924986.jpg

Burberry quilted jacket
http://content.nordstrom.com/I.....870724.jpg

Nanette Lepore 'movie star' jacket
http://content.nordstrom.com/I.....905927.jpg

kate spade 'trina' jacket
http://content.nordstrom.com/I.....905958.jpg

Okay, these should all work...man, there is no shortage of jackets I like, apparently.

I'm a SAHM and I'm rebuilding my wardrobe. I'd really like to kick it up a notch. I would most likely be wearing these jackets with jeans (darkwash/black straightleg that I do not yet own) or skirts (that I do not yet own). So feel free to suggest outfits, if the spirit moves you. ;-)

If nothing else, I hope I've provided some jacket eye candy for people to drool over. :)

Posted 2 weeks ago

Wow - so many fabulous jackets! Yes, indeedy - lots of eye candy to drool over. :)

Re: the Caslon Knit Motorcyle Jacket - I just remembered something I saw on the Express website, a sweater-y version of a moto jacket:

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=20

That would seem to be a possible indoor/outdoor kind of jacket (in the fall at least).

Posted 2 weeks ago

Thanks VC - it would seem that a sweatery moto style jacket would be a good bet - the one at Nordstrom's is the same price as the Express, so I'll have to see about sizes and fits. :)

Posted 2 weeks ago

I have something really similar to the Nick & Mo jacket and I really like it. It's nice that the sleeves aren't full length so that you can layer and it doesn't look like outerwear. I actually really like all the options you linked to! You're on the right track.

Posted 2 weeks ago

MPJ, those are some great jackets. Fab choices! I like all of them except the knit biker jacket (the second one) - that one looks a bit too much like a sweatshirt to me. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with a sweatshirt look, but if you're trying to look a bit more polished I think the others you posted are better.

Posted 2 weeks ago

Wow, medusa, good eye! You're right - now that I look over the selection more carefully - the moto jacket does stand out as less polished. While I think the moto styling is on trend, the fabrication makes it look a bit more casual than I'd like. Thanks!

I do love them all - I'm going to pick one or two to buy and see if I can find pattern mates for others so I can sew them up myself. :)

Posted 2 weeks ago

I really love quite taken with this Chanel style boucle biker jacket from Mango
http://www.asos.com/Mango/Mang.....;clr=Multi
Do you have a Mango in your home town?

Posted 2 weeks ago

Hi MPJ! Bless you for thinking further than polartech and the lasses have you sorted with their amazing suggestions.

How about a few delicious fly away cardigans? They layer well under a coat and offer a relaxed yet stylish vibe for inside.

Posted 2 weeks ago