[Casual edition] Finally found a black summer tunic I like...but oops, it's almost fall - YouLookFab Forum

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[Casual edition] Finally found a black summer tunic I like...but oops, it's almost fall

Vix

Veteran

So far I've been semi-strategic about shopping for fall, spending mostly on a black sleeveless ponte dress and a silk shirtdress in a print I love, both of which have been worn and are waiting to be worn again soon!

I'd given up on finding a summer-weight dark tunic I liked, which of course meant I found one this weekend (consignment store sale).

Oops, sorry sweater budget!

Anyone else find something they wished they had all season right when things are (probably) winding down...and bring it home?

*****

Sorry for extra-terrible lighting in photos, but I only had a few minutes between chores and heading out.

Photos 1-2: Front/back, luckily with stock photos (worn with years-old dark wash "baby boot cut" jeans and metallic wedges)
Photo 3: Took my 70s eBay shell bracelet and threaded a chain through it...I wear the ring weekly and might get more use out of the bracelet this way.

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26 replies

Latest reply was from Vix

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Vix, that black top is lovely and will be waiting in spring to come out again. Brilliant idea with the bracelet to necklace. I was admiring it before reading what you had done.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

That top is perfect on you, all the details are extremely flattering. I always admire how you hold out for perfection. I think I settle for good enough a bit too often. Inspired.

carter

Veteran

Cute top! Totally worth the hit to the sweater budget. But look what you've done with the bracelet! Brilliant.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Love, love, love! Tunic over boot cuts is my favourite summer casual look. We are moving into summer, you could send your lovely tunic here to get it some more wear Great idea about the bracelet. YLF!

dakotacheryl

Veteran

That is one gorgeous tunic...and love the jewelry too!!

Anonymous

Ooh, yes! Just perfect for you. It's a great transition piece for now--lightweight but dark coloured, so I say wear it while you can and then you'll be super happy to see it when Spring rolls around again. Glad it found you! YLF!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That top is absolutely stunning on you! Wonderful find. And I am curious about the jewellery, too. Do you remember the seller's name? I love what you did to make it a necklace -- but I also love it, period, and would like to see what else this person offers! Thank you!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I've definitely had the same thing happen, season shopping-wise. If it's really late in the season -- i.e., too late to wear it -- I inevitably get a surprise when I unearth the new purchase the following spring, when I'm getting the warm-weather clothing back out from its seasonal hiding place. However, this looks like it should transition nicely into fall, depending on your weather. Great piece, and it looks really nice on you.

The bracelet reworking is inspired!

donnat

Veteran

That tunic is gorgeous on you. You look so elegant. Really lovely.

unfrumped

Veteran

It's a gorgeous top that meets your goals. Good job!

I've shifted to more in- season and pre-season buying than in the past, wgmhen I was s big leftover sales rack shopper. That yields some great pieces that would be sold out or maybe more duffucult to style after waiting a year!
But when you have specific items you know will work , and quality and fabric goals, things that are wardrobe essentials or core pieces, I think you strike whenever.
Even that French 5 breaks down if you say no, I can't buy that perfect winter coat at 65% off because it's May!
I think it's just the sales goggles we want to avoid.
Plus I'm finding retail ever more seasonally confused. All the retailers bring out sleeveless items year- round, and sweaters to a large extent. Plus of course consignment is totally random great luck.
I just found a type of casual summer dress I think I'll actually wear because it's so easy to work with, but will only get in a bit this year. So I'm having to base it on its being right for body type and not just a one-season trend. Otherwise I'd never build certain pieces into eardrobe.

Vix

Veteran

Good morning, YLFers!

Forgot I had to be out the door extra-early this am so just a brief "thank you" for the kind words (and extra rationalizations!) for now.

Glad the "necklace" didn't look too off. I'm excited about wearing it that way again. One of those "duh, why didn't I do this a long time ago?" moments!

Suz, I bought the jewelry set ~ 5 years ago and am not seeing the seller (that I think it was) active. However, I have an Etsy seller I'll post. She was great to work with and hopefully ships internationally.

Elly

Veteran

That is a great top-- something I could see being worn for multiple years and not too summery to wear into early fall. Nice statement jewelry!

jackiec

Veteran

I love the drape of that tunic! It looks gorgeous on you, and especially with the bootcuts. I had to go back to re look at the necklace because I missed that you had re purposed a bracelet. Love it.

catgirl

Veteran

I can also see this worn under a blazer. Great find and so very Vix!

Peri

Veteran

I've done that...and would have done it for that tunic! Usually if I love something, a few months isn't enough to make me not love it! I doubt you will be sorry.

Sara L.

Veteran

That's a great tunic and I like it with teh boot cut jeans. Love the bracelet as a necklace - really creative thinking. The ring is gorgeous too.

Alassë

Veteran

Very creative bracelet-to-necklace repurposing!

Carole

Veteran

What a great piece, Vix. I can see this working into fall outfits too so, hopefully, you will get some wear until it gets pushed to the side for fall and winter. Pretty jewelry!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I'm sure you can make this work for cooler temps too. You look great!

Cerinda

Veteran

I'd have succumbed to that tunic even in November! And aren't you clever with the bracelet (I looked at your photos first and then read hoping to get details on it).

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

You look fabulous! That's a gorgeous tunic....love the outfit and the jewelry. How creative!

Gaylene

Veteran

Brillant idea about the bracelet! I'm stealing it for a piece I've kept from the sixties.

Oh, and I'm also planning to steal your idea of combining a pair of metallic sandals and black baby boots to revive an above-the-knee black/silver tunic-style silk dress that has been hanging at the back of my closet. Perfect for the theatre.

I'm a thief, but with absolutely no remorse. Thanks Vix!

Word Lily

Veteran

That's a great tunic! Definitely worth buying even at the end of season — seems like it could be a workhorse for you! And I like that jewelry set, too, very nice.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Are you tall, Vix? You look very tall in your pics!

How fresh to see a tunic with bootcuts. You wear the combination well. It's very elegant. And your creativity with that piece of jewellery is fabulous.

Now. Please tell this awful cold and rainy spell to go away. I have been VERY spoiled all Spring and Summer.

Vix

Veteran

Whew -- sorry for what turned out to be a post-and-run!

This was such a nice, relaxing thread to come back to after having my head tangled up in stuff today.

I'm so happy to hear others are going to try (and hopefully report back on?) the bracelet-as-necklace thing. If I can't be a bad influence I'll settle for being a DIY one. If I didn't like mine so much as a bracelet, I'd be temped to get a more permanent fix in place!

Let me start with a few softballs before dinner and responding with more thought.

Suz -- not the ring/bracelet seller, but a seller I've purchased from who has pieces I like. Sharon at Years After (Etsy)

Angie -- I'm generally 5'6-5'7 unless barefoot (5'4) but IRL people have said they thought I was taller. Not, like, 5'10 but an inch or two more. I prefer myself in strong vertical silhouettes, which certainly helps create illusions! Never stopped wearing bootcuts for a few reasons.

ps Sorry I can't stop the rain against our windowpanes {earworm} but I think we'll be hot again SOON and later into the fall.

Vix

Veteran

Cheryle/Ms First to Reply (your 4 am awakenings are showing!), Carter, DakotaCheryl, DonnaT, Alassë, Cerinda, Maneera, Suz -- Thank you! I felt good in this combo. Arty casual. Yesterday's work outfit OTOH....

Brooklyn -- I'm tempted to take you up on the idea of a seasonal loan so I could steal styling ideas from you!

Aliona, Janet, Elly, Carole, Amy (you're back, yea!) -- The "great transition piece" rationalization is what helped my bring out my wallet; glad to have some back up. AlaskaGirl, good point -- I do need to try with a blazer (too HOT/humid this w/e). Janet, hopefully you're usually pleasantly surprised when you rediscover the late-season buys!

CocoLion -- Aw, thanks but I really don't always hold out. In fact the last couple of years with work and health stuff I had a lot of "it'll dos," including things I didn't even take to the tailor. Really trying to get out of that long-time habit and back to when I was more picky as those are the things I reach for again and again and feel confident wearing!

Unfrumped, Peri, and WordLily -- Yes to finding that balance between avoiding sales googles and not passing over something that will work well down the line!

Jackie C, SaraL, Gaylene, and Angie -- My old bootcuts and I thank you. I've loved tunics/dresses over bootcuts since their first go-round and admit I never really stopped wearing the combo. And Gaylene, glad to hear you've got a plan for that tunic so it gets out of the closet! I have some velvet bootcuts I use for the same type of purpose and hope they still fit this winter.