I think you are considering trying a black pencil skirt? I'm all for that!!-) But I'd love to see you try a patterned (plaid, herringbone etc.) one too, or a different (brighter) colour even.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=4

http://www1.talbots.com/online.....UnderSale=
the purple bouclé is gorgeous

http://www1.talbots.com/online.....UnderSale=
shadow heather is a lighter grey
raven = teal
magic = royal purple
spell = fuchsia

http://www1.talbots.com/online.....UnderSale=
small black & white print

Or perhaps a slight A-line like this?
http://www1.talbots.com/online.....=cat400045
they say it's navy, but it looks like a grey herringbone pattern on my screen?

Or something like this
http://www1.talbots.com/online.....UnderSale=
the shadow heather is a dark dove grey

Inge, this is SO thoughtful of you. Great suggestions. I would wear a lot of these options as well! Michelle, you're in good hands here!

DRESSES

Have you ever tried a wrap dress Michelle? I'm very curious to see how it looks on you;-)
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=2

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=2

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=3
print in cobalt blue, cream, brown and a darker blue (or black)
I have a hunch this would be lovely

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=4

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=7
the teal is beautiful, it has short sleeves though...

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=44726

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=45325
black and white larger dots, very fun, also short-sleeved, well more elbow length

TROUSERS

http://www1.talbots.com/online.....UnderSale=
If you don't want to go with black, the shadow heather is a beautiful mid-grey

http://www1.talbots.com/online.....UnderSale=
They look short on the model!

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=43433

FYI Michelle, that first dress that Inge posted (the Lily Print Matte Jersey Wrap Dress) is on my wish list... I love it so so so SO much! It's gorgeous.

JEANS

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=2

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=3

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=47264

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=47265

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=40439

Wasn't this the jacket you were considering during the NAS? It's on sale now;-)
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=6

And if you are still looking for a denim jacket, this is a fab one, very unique with the motorcycle style details!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....60&P=2

Sorry for all the links Michelle. Hopefully there's something you like in there...

Sorry to keep jumping in, but I have those black Jag jeans that Inge posted and I love them so much... they fit so well, look so good, and are so comfortable. I think the inseam is closer to 33 inches than 34 because they were PPL on me. They run big, also. Get them so we can be twins again! :)

Oh great that you are chiming in Marianna!! I was going to say that perhaps you might find something that tickles your fancy too, and lo and behold, you already have a few items and are considering others.

I think you should definitely get that dress Marianna. I love it!!

I've been eyeing that dress for a long time. I'm going to take the risk and wait until it goes on sale though... sigh. I attempted that with the cobalt dress that Michelle has and failed miserably (my size sold out the minute it went on sale), but I'll try to be more aggressive with this one!

Sounds like a plan! I'll keep an eye on it for you too Marianna. You really NEED it, I can totally picture you in it!

Thanks! :)

You guys are just... just... amazing!!! Wow, I cann't thank you enough!!
Inga, I'm going to go through these links now, but I warn you I'm going to have to be *very* selective this time around. I'm only willing to buy things that are 100% fabulous, ala the moto jacket or cobalt dress. If there are some items that rate higher in your book than others, I'd be most interested in hearing it. Input welcome from Angie and anyone else as well!
Again, I'm just blown away by how great you're being... Thank you so much!

Inge, you win the YLF award for being SO thoughtful and helpful. These links ROCK just like you.

Marianna, you win the same YLF award for being just as helpful. I’m so touched that you’re helping Michelle load up her pictures :0)

Michelle, I’ll help you narrow it down. Inge and Marianna – please chime in too. How are we doing on a Winter coat and trench, btw? Those are imperative!!!

Here are my top pics. I’ve left out the jeans for now because Marianna is going to get you a premium pair from the Rack – hopefully that will work out:

o http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....i1dvUbqtqA

o http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=34047

o http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....sVk.Hcfwxg

o http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....M3Ebsftkgw

o http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....F0srFZiaUw

o http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....Qfoo_cM6fA

o http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....f7Onfx4Uug

Marianna! You must have that frock!

Great picks, Angie. Michelle, all of the options will look great on you!

Michelle, I will be utterly jealous if you get the the Lily Print Matte Jersey Wrap Dress. It would look amazing on you, but I want it too. :P

I don't think I can justify that kind of purchase right now unless I return something or miraculously find a job ASAP. I need that dress in my life...

Also, Michelle, I'm going to measure my David Kahn jeans soon. I hope I don't mess up the measurements. I'll be at the Rack soon so we need to figure out the size ASAP! I'll do that tonight, promise.

What size moto jacket did you get? I know that won't necessarily help us determine jean size, but just wondering how similar we are in size. My moto jacket is size 14 (but I don't have anything on top.)

Marianna: you absolutely do deserve an award!! Do you know how helpful you've been to me, as well as others on the forum? Posting my pics while photobucket enjoys its inaccessibility kick isn't even the half of it: I've seen you suggesting things and tracking down links for otherstoo. :)
Inga: Your fabulousness knows no bounds. This really is the most amazing group.
And let's not forget Angie with her pierless touch and limitless patience, not to mention impeccable taste! I've gotten raves on every Angie-selected piece I've worn so far this season. :)
To answer your question, Angie, I'm still sorting out the winter coat situation, but you covered me on the trench with the blackberry gallery one, remember?

Ok, down to these picks. I'm loving a couple of these ideas, but now come the description questions:
Pencil skirt: is this the sort that falls straight down, or does it taper? Any style details I should know about? And what tops would look best with this? Perhaps I should find a top that would look good with it and consider it my starting outfit?
Lily wrap dress: Is everyone agreed that this is the best looking option for me? Could someone kindly describe the print on it, including the colours involved?
Denim jacket: I am loving the idea of this, but could use a bit more of a description. Are the moto elements too strong to make this a timeless piece? I want a denim jacket I can be wearing two falls from now.

I agree that I'll stay away from jeans at the moment, since marianna is kindly on the hunt for me (again with the helpfulness)! I can also get more RL's here in Canada if needed.

Ooh, and do you think I should revisit that plaid/paisley scarf that Inga tracked down at the Nas in the summer? I could see if the moss green is back in stock.

Oh, and Marianna, my moto jacket is a 16.
Are we very differently shaped? I seem to recall that you're an apple while I'm an hourglass, but I'm not sure how different we look.

Michelle, I do believe we're differently shaped, although I don't really know how to describe it. I'm an apple and I'm sort of "straight" I guess. I'm sort of lack curves... or at least that's how I see myself. I hold most of my weight in my stomach, although my fat is proportionally spread all over. :) When I lose weight, the first area to shrink is my face and my stomach. Overall I think we may be close in size, but I wouldn't be surprised if I wear a larger pant size because of my big belly.

Regarding your questions:

- The pencil skirt falls straight down, it doesn't taper. Just a classic black pencil skirt. Semantiks make great fitting clothes. I'm pretty sure this skirt would be amazing on you. Later you could probably pick up a matching jacket and you would have a killer suit!

- Lily wrap dress: It is a black canvas with large "feather" print. The feathers are spread far out, not clustered together. The feathers remind of me peacock feathers and have stripes of fuchsia, turquoise, white, a little yellow. It isn't a busy print, just elegant in sort of a minimalist way. I really really like it.

- Denim jacket: I think you could wear this for years to come. It isn't too trendy. I think the zipper detail and collar give it a moto vibe, but it isn't too moto and doesn't scream moto. The main zipper is sort of slanted in a funky way. It's a dark wash denim which is so elegant and much dressier than other denim jackets. Get it! :)

Wow - Inge you would make a super personal shopper.I love how you picked out all those nice pieces for Michelle ! Michelle- you are super lucky!

Rina: Don't I know it!! Inga is amazing. This isn't the first time she's done this for me either. She has fabulous taste!
I'm rapidly falling for the Lily dress. Angie/others, is this the best option for me? Do you think I should pick up a jacket in a colour that appears in the print so I have the option of dressing it up for work/evenings if needed? If so, which colour?
As for the denim jacket, I'm really getting into that idea too, though I wish it were long-sleeved instead of 3/4-sleeved. Angie/others, do you think it would be flattering given my large bust?
And what kind of shorter top would you recommend with the black pencil skirt?

You're so welcome Michelle (and thank you Rena)! I love doing this. I just love browsing for clothes online, and not only for myself. Which is a good thing actually, because I'm tempted enought to buy all that gorgeous stuff as is. Better to tempt you once in a while;-)

Angie has a very keen eye, and she picked very good pieces, I agree.

The lily dress is gorgeous, I really want to see you try that style!

I hope Angie and the others chime in regarding your jacket question: I could see this dress paired with purple, teal, grey, fuchsia, turquoise...
Not sure which style of jacket to pick though. I also quite like the idea of pairing it with a flowy cardigan (cascading?) or a boyfriend style cardigan (something longer in general). But maybe that's not dressy enough for the events you want to wear it to? What do you think?

If you were to get two dresses, then I still recommend this one. I have a hunch this will look beautiful on you:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....u9IRXiKacg

The Persian Plaid scarf is still a winner in my book too. The green one isn't available at the moment though.

I completely agree with Marianna. The denim jacket is timeless enough to wear it for years to come. The slanted zipper makes it unique and I think the wide collar makes it very flattering, even for bustier lasses. (and I quite like the look of a long sleeved sweater or blouse peeping out from under 3/4 length jackets).

Now, a few top ideas to wear with the black pencil skirt:

- Maybe a wrap blouse?
http://www.lolaandgigi.com/pro.....=Wrapblack

- cardigan with flower detail on the left shoulder
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....41&P=1
in imperial purple, a medium purple not too bright, not too dark

- a blouse with a bold floral print (I'd love to see you try that too)
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....41&P=1
reds, pink, fuchsia, a lighter brown (maybe khaki) and black
Somebody please describe the print to Michelle (I'm always lost for words regarding prints, sorry;-)

- waist-tie cardigan (it appears to have vertical ribbing all over, but I don't think it's actual ribbing, more of a "striped" pattern)
http://www1.talbots.com/online.....UnderSale=
in night rose (a muted purple burgundy) or midnight (looks like a dark purple on my screen, but is quite possibley a rich dark blue)

- ooooh, this pintucked cardigan is beautiful too
http://www1.talbots.com/online.....UnderSale=
I vote red berry (a berry red) or mineral (a lighter teal with a hint of turquoise and mint)

- or this tie-neck sweater
http://www1.talbots.com/online.....UnderSale=
in red berry

I hope I'm not confusing you with all these options;-)

Uh oh. Bad news. Lily print wrap dress just sold out in 1X online. I bet you can still call customer service and find the dress at a store, but wow, I'm crushed! I doubt I'll be able to wait until it goes on sale, seems like a popular dress. Sigh.

Marianna: GET THE DRESS WHILE YOU CAN!!! :) Could be handy for job interviews right? Right? :) You deserve a pick-me-up!

Angie, would love our comments on the dress/jacket question (above), as well as your take on the KC denim jacket. Would that be the most flattering/versatile style for me?

And Inga: you never cease to amaze. :) Thank you again! Unfortunately I think I'm only in the market for one dress though.

I spend too much money. I was at Nordstrom today and happened upon an amazing pair of Jag jeans... but they look like trousers. They're almost like a tweed with this super cool black stitching. I fell in love. I guess I like pants more than dresses for myself, although the Lily dress makes my heart skip a beat. Sigh. I will get more use out of pants, for sure... especially in Chicago.

Michelle, you must get the dress! Do it for me! :)

By the way, didn't make it to Nordstrom Rack yet... but definitely will this week or next! Hopefully they'll have your jeans!

Well Michelle, you inspire me to do my best! I’m so glad the grape trench worked out. I know that you had size debates with that one. It looks KILLER though. Are you wearing it yet? Onto a Winter coat!

A big YES on the lilly dress and Suzi Chin frock, Michelle. Go for it! Hmmm. I’m seeing your purple trench work beautifully as a topper for this so you are covered. The denim jacket should work over the dress too. Nice to have longer sleeves peek through for fun.

Marianna, lets see those new jag pants! And have we seen you in a frock yet? Bet you look fab.

Angie, if I'm only willing to spring for one dress at this point, which one would you suggest? And re. the denim jacket... Should I hold out for a different one, or do you think this would be a 10 for me?
You're right, I was wondering about sizing with the trench because it came to just above the knee when buttoned up. I ordered the size up and it was too big in the shoulders, making me look broader all around. I kept the smaller size and just had a hidden snap put on the inside to prevent gapping at the chest. I'll have to live with the slightly shorter length. You guys said it looked good, so I'm comforted by that.
Marianna, those pants sound fantastic! Did you get them?

This thread makes me happy. You guys are great. :)