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Buying mistakes I am still keeping

anne

Veteran

This is a retrospective over the last year of so.
These pieces have significant limitations and are not getting much wear, but I am hoping they will get some more,
1. Shoes - rather uncomfortable, sitting shoes only!
2. Zippy vest - got thumbs up from Angie, but still feel it makes me look a bit big on top half. Also weather has been too cold to wear, as it can't have a coat on top. Perhaps more wear in Australian spring?
3.Stiped jacket. Missing a few buttons. Thought it would be a comfy wear anything jacket, but not so keen on its boxiness, Don't like over skirts. Did wear over voluminous tops, but had another cardi that filled that same function so a bit redundant
4. This top hasn't seen summer yet, as I bought it on end of summer clearance but I have worn it twice over a black top in winter. It's short length and boxiness does bother me (not much bottom coverage either)

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Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from anne

shiny

Veteran

They are all super cute. How does vest work over #4? That jacket is to die for. I do not see boxy at all.

anne

Veteran

Do you mean the vest in #2 over #4?
I know the jacket doesn't look boxy! Perhaps it is the wrong word. I guess I meant it isn't that waist defining on me as it is loose at the waist - or at least is was last year. My waist has sadly got a bit bigger recently!

shiny

Veteran

Yes, vest 2 over 4?

Jacket-- could you belt it?

I'd suggest tailoring but since children, and especially now at late 40s empty nest stage, my waist changes all the time... so it's nice to have some items that work for when it's wider. Which can be, well, at dinnertime. Call my tummy the Python of Tummies. So maybe try belting it, then if you want to eat a nice meal, just unbelt before the dessert cart comes around... I am assuming here it's still fitting you in the shoulders?

MsLuna

Veteran

Anne, #2 (the vest) is super cute! If you're concerned about looking too large, how about doing a tone-on-tone look? Perhaps wear the vest with a similar grey/black coloured long sleeve top?

#3 If it's missing buttons, you can always replace them with new ones. And yeah the jacket actually looks fitted and curvy on you!

anne

Veteran

Shiny and Katiekat - great ideas here! Loving it!

thanks

Kari

Veteran

Anne - what about trying the vest over a low contrast-colored top, like black or gray or a dark color? The white top really plays up the contrast. I don't think you look big on top, but if that's what you're concerned about, a darker color might help.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Anne: I'd vote for trying a more open neckline under the jacket -- I think this might give a more streamlined look. BTW -- you look quite well proportioned to my eyes. Weight fluctuations, even small ones, can mess with the way our clothes feel and the way we see ourselves, but they're seldom as noticeable to others as we think. You are lovely and youthful looking -- no need for what I call "camouflage dressing, lol!"

anne

Veteran

Kari - how about this for a low contrast look

Beth Ann - you are right about body fluctuations of course. And the outfits I do feel comfortable in with this jacket are all lower neckline. But I pretty much wear turtlenecks for 3 or 4 months of the year here, so if they don't work it cuts down on the versatility of the jacket

All these I probably wouldn't buy again, but I am not going to cull.

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Anonymous

IKWYM Anne. These aren't bad, but there are always a few things in my closet that bother me in one way or another, even if they look fine to everyone else. Maybe that ruffled vest will come into play more in the spring, or even over a summer dress before it gets too terribly hot. I could see it over a denim/chambray shirt. I love the jacket. Again, maybe it will get more wear in the transition. There's not much that can be done about the shoes....are you able to at least wear them to church? The pink top is cute. Do you have any clams that are high waisted (or at least not low-waisted)? It's not like you need to cover your whole bottom! Maybe with a denim pencil skirt?

Lyn D.

Veteran

I can see the vest working over a plain T. or cami. I don't think it will look bulky at all!
I agree that the striped blazer might work even better with slim fitting pants.
If you wore a long sleeved top with a lower neckline are you comfortable in scarfs to keep your neck warm?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with Kari about the vest also have you tried it with a skirt too? The jacket looks great from here too - it does up & it isn't pulling.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

You seem to have a similar body shape to me. I'm slim, but since having children and approaching midlife I've become more and more conscious of my waist and hips. I find that tops that fit well in my shoulder area, but skims rather than clings to my waist and hips, are the type of clothing that makes me feel my best. things like your jacket! I think your vest/waistcoat and jacket look fab on you. The turtleneck/jacket combo is fine - you look smashing in both, but you could maybe try a more symmetrical turtleneck with the jacket.

fashionista

Veteran

All those are super cute and I really want that vest in #2!!! Pass it down to me once you no longer wear them.....lol....

anne

Veteran

Claire - yes I do wear the shoes to church occasionally - if I can make sure I sit down to do my chatting! I have black heeled boots that I tend to wear in preference, so these shoes really only come out on the rare occasions the boots aren't suitable in winter ( I have sandals for summer).
I do have some highwaisted clams, so I'll try the pink top out with them. Not sure about wearing with a skirt - I feel as if I'd look huge!

Caro - I haven't tried the vest with a skirt, but will do so - thanks

Ingunn - I am really not sure what my body type is! It is true I am not overweight. I guess I feel big everywhere, except for a really small bust. In some photos I look curvy and sometimes straight - and yes I am very conscious of my waist and hips, and yet for me, wearing something that obscures my torso reveals only my rather full thighs. I am trying to find some recent photos that I feel show my shape a bit better than the ones above ( they were just taken at various times when I bought them).
The red jumper can zip up to a turtleneck

Fashionista - thanks!

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anne

Veteran

bumping

Vix

Veteran

Hi Anne --

I actually really like the striped jacket on you and as long as it fits more or less like in the photo wouldn't even class it as a "keeping but mistake" but as a good buy.

How do you like it with dark denim/dark top and worn open? Seems like that could be a good look for when you want or need to be more casual.

I actually see what you mean about the vest; as you may recall I'm a Rectangle and also struggle with adding volume up top as it can lead to me feeling too block-on-block.

I've been trying to add in a few high-volume looks lest I die of wardrobe boredom, though, and do think the vest is very fun on you -- I too prefer it with the "column of color" look you added instead of the white top/jeans.

[I think those of us Rectangle-eque types whose builds are more athletic/slim than super-willowy have to work a bit harder when incorporating volume, but don't give up if you're drawn to a look/item!]

Ariadne

Veteran

Anne, I really like the ruffled vest and I LOVE the striped jacket on you. Can you try them on with other items from your wardrobe? I feel like the style of vest and turtleneck clash a bit--maybe try it with a dress? Do you have a chambray shirt? How about the jacket with jeans and a top with a simpler, lower neckline--even a tee?

anne

Veteran

Lyn D - I do often wear scarves as outerwear, but in the home I find that they get in the way of housework, so I don't wear them at home, so, since I am a SAHM in a cold house I need to wear turtlenecks to keep warm - and then I pretty much wear them all the time, since it it too cold to strip off down to top layer if I go out (I'll usually change into a nice jacket or coat, and change footwear) The day I first wore the dress you so kindly sent me was to volunteer at the school library, which is heated and I have to make sure I don't overdress for!

Vix - you are so insightful - I am indeed more "athletic" than willowy and you understand my concerns about volume! Adding block on block - exactly!!!
My happiest outfit with the jacket (I have been fruitlessly searching for a pic) is to wear it with a dark tunic over leggings. So pretty close to your suggestion of dark top over dark denim

Ariadne. Glad you like them!! thanks for the suggestions. Since I began this thread DH has come home with the much awaited camera, so I can take some new shots of all the ideas in this thread.