Help With Jacket Length - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Help With Jacket Length

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Everyone!

As some of you know, I've been looking for a tuxedo style jacket for a little while. It's sort of been on the back burner, but I was at Express today, and I found one I like. Here's the deal though--it's kind of long. I mean, it's longer than any jacket I've ever worn. It's in that weird no man's land between hip length and right above the knee (the two places I know stuff looks good on me). I know some of you struggle with items that fall in that area as well. I have no idea if the length looks good on me or not, so I was hoping I could post some photos here and get your opinions on it (I haven't taken the tags off yet, just in case).

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0937-1.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0938-1.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0941-1.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....0273-1.jpg

I'm really hoping to wear it with structured dresses, actually (not like the coral dress--that just happened to be what I was wearing today). I wasn't sure if that made a difference with the longer length? I know because I have a long waist, I should wear slightly shorter jackets to make my legs look longer in proportion, but with dresses you can't tell my legs are shorter as easily as you can with pants. Also, I would probably wear the jacket open most of the time, to keep that vertical line.

I ordered this dress:

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/st.....=cat980731

and I want to wear a chunky longer cardi over it, something like this:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....2&P=2

but I thought for going out to a movie or dinner or something, this jacket might be nice.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Lori

Maya

Veteran

I fell in love with that DVF dress ages ago. It's brilliant.

As for the jacket, I think it's probably too long Maybe others will disagree, but it seems to be hitting you at the widest part of your hips and since you're long-waisted it's also emphasizing that as well. I'm curious to see what others have to say, but I think you can do better.

Nicole

Veteran

I agree with Maya. It's nice--it fits really well in the shoulder. But you could def. do better with the length.

Tanya

Veteran

That DVF is gorgeous and I can't wait to see it on you. The cardi looks cute too.

About the jacket : I am not sure. I think it fits you really well and it's certainly not unflattering. But I think that slightly shorter would be even better. Than again, this a relatively new look and maybe my eyes haven't adapted to it yet.

Antje

Veteran

I think the length is fine, though I'm not 100% sure. I think we are all so used to shorter jackets that it takes quite some adjustment of the eyes to evaluate. But again, my hunch is that it's good. However, while I think it looks great with the jeans, I don't fancy it over the coral dress as I think the dress is too short for that jacket length. It would be interesting to see it over a slightly longer dress.

Alecia

Veteran

I agree with Antje. I think the jacket looks good with the pants, but don't think it worked with the dress. I know you're not planning to wear it with that kind of dress but I think the length would be a problem with other dresses, too.

I can't wait to see pictures of the dress you ordered. Fun!

shiny

Veteran

I would love to hear Angie's opinion on this one.

My immediate reaction was that I love the look with jeans. LOVE. To me (and I could be wrong) this length is the "menswear-inspired" blazer length. It was popular in the 80s and is being re-tread again; it is a look I have been craving lately for some reason.

This blazer is great because it's tuxedo style - so it's fancier - and fits you very well in the shoulders. I think with jeans the jacket gives you a nice long lean line and is quite slimming and flattering.

If you worry your legs look proportionately short when worn with jeans (which they don't to me), try with high heels. Also try rolling up the sleeves for some attitude. Is the lining black or in a contrast color like white? I like the rolled sleeve look best with a contrast color...

I'm not crazy with the blazer over a dress. It may simply be this particular dress. Love the pop of color, love the idea (that is supposed to be the idea - to look like you were all dressed up in a strappy little number and it was chilly so your boyfriend leant you his jacket to keep you warm). So I would continue to try on dresses, if this is the effect you were trying to achieve.

I think perhaps what's needed is a fancier dress, something more formal and less casual. Just a hunch. Proportionately... I'm not confident in giving any other advice about the dress part. I do know we also used to wear this style blazer with mini skirts - not too mini, but above the knee.

Dani

Veteran

Ana, I really like the jacket and think it works well with the pants. I actually don't mind it with the dress, but agree that it will probably work better with another more structured dress (that DVF dress is wonderful!). I, too, remember the days of blazers and shorter skirts (in fact, I even wore some myself). I'll be curious to hear what the final verdict is.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

I'm kind of torn now, because if the jacket doesn't work with dresses, I'm not sure I want to keep it. I primarily wanted it to wear with dresses, which I will be investing more heavily in now (given the climate I live in). Shiny hit it spot on--I do want that sort of look like was all dressed up and it was chilly so my boyfriend lent me his jacket to keep me warm. It is a "menswear" inspired length, I just wasn't sure if I had the body type to pull it off.

The lining in the sleeves is satin cheetah print, which I think is completely adorable, so rolling up the sleeves is definitely an option. I think it needs to go over a dress that doesn't have gathering. There's too much pleating and stuff going on with the coral dress (not to mention the coral dress is too casual for the jacket). I think I posted that photo so you guys could get an idea of length and detail.

I'm really excited about the DVF dress. I originally ordered the 8, but it was too small around the hips, so I returned it and ordered a 10. Hopefully it will work out!

shiny

Veteran

It doesn't work with THIS dress - and for the exact reasons you just stated. I wasn't sure why but you nailed it. I really don't think the problem is your body type - particularly since it looks fab with the jeans.

I wouldn't return it just yet - play around with your other dresses. I love the idea of satin cheetah print lining!!!

Inge

(website)

I'm with Shiny on this one: I LOVE how it looks on you with the jeans: the style, the cut, the length, the colour!!
You really carry this off perfectly. But you wear clothes very well in general Ana, I've said this (to myself) before: you have a certain flair and self-confidence about you that makes you own the clothes you wear. Even if you are wearing a more 'simple' outfit, it somehow always looks special.

I wouldn't give up on this jacket for dresses just yet. The ladies are right, I think: it needs a more formal dress, with more structure. And I suspect - but I could be completely wrong here - a dress that goes out more at the bottom, something A-line, or a dress with a fuller skirt (have you tried that beautiful strapless black&white one with it yet?). I'm not sure the DVF would be the best dress to pair it with (I don't know if you were planning on doing that anyway), because that's a straight one. A gorgeous one, of course!-)))

Patience

Veteran

I agree with everything Shiny said. It makes me want to try it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yooohooo. I LOVE the jacket length with jeans! A very avant-garde length that requires shoulders which you own. I feel you might need a smallish heel with this look, though.

I love the dress (tried it on you know!) I do not think the blazer will work with this particular dress, or any dress or skirt for that matter, unless it’s belted at the waist. Does that make sense?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

That makes sense, Angie. So...do you mean put a belt over the jacket and dress, or just have a belt on the dress, and wear the jacket open over it? Since the DVF dress can't really be belted, I guess I'll stick with a soft billowy cardi over that instead.

Patience, you should give it a try, I think it would work on you too! I got it at Express, and they have a bunch of coupons out right now.

Shiny, I tried rolling up the sleeves with the cheetah print, and it looked really great, thanks for the idea!

Inge, what a wonderful compliment, thank you so much!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Oopsie! I meant belting the jacket over the dress. It *could* work.

Munequita

Ana, I LOVE that jacket on you! It will be sooo fab if you keep it and wear it with jeans. It is such a great fall outfit (flop-proof) and you can have fun with tops you wear with it. Do keep!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hmm....I actually think I'm going to take it back. I think trying to wear it over dresses would be too much hassle with the belting and it not working with most dresses, and that's what I really wanted the jacket for. I like it with jeans, but I don't think I have any heels that I can wear with the jeans, so that's one more thing I have to go out and get, just so I can wear the jacket. I'm afraid it will end up a closet orphan.

Oh well, I'll keep looking for a shorter tux jacket then. Now I have more money for boots. Thank you for the opinions and suggestions, everyone.

Patience

Veteran

Well, Ana, the jacket looks superb on you but what you say makes sense. I guess I will try the jacket and then maybe we can both continue to enjoy it.
I also like this one although it's a bit pricey:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....rchresults

Maybe you can try it too.

Anonymous

Oooh that one is very cute Patience.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Patience and San!

I was going to say that I think you should still try the jacket, Patience, because you can and do wear heels, and you have strong shoulders too, so I think it would be great on you. I like the La Rok jacket. I got a knit jacket at Express earlier this month that is black and has white piping that looks very similar and it's cute, I really like it. I get my size 10 dress on Wednesday, so I will try it on and post pictures. I really hope it works, I love that dress.

Debbie

Has anyone tried the Old Navy tipped blazer? It is $25 on sale and I wondered if it is a flattering fit.

Debbie

Has anyone tried the Old Navy tipped blazer? It is $25 on sale and I wondered if it is a flattering fit.

http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_A.....vliv01.jpg

Lori

(website)

Ana,

I know I'm late jumping in on this but yesterday I was flipping through the latest Lucky Magazine, and one of the girls had a jacket similar to this and had it with three different outfits and I thought of you. One of the outfits was with dress, so I didn't know if this would interest you or not, if you end up with another jacket. It's actually online here:
http://www.luckymag.com/magazine/flipbook
and its in the first few pages.

~ Lori