Here's a dramatic coat! - YouLookFab Forum

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Here's a dramatic coat!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

After my coat thread and the idea that a dramatic, long, dressy coat might find its way to my wardrobe, I happened upon one today while doing a spot of Christmas shopping.

This is really quite fun and fits me very well, but it's pricey and I'm not totally sure it's the right style for me. Even with the 35% off the store owner is offering me, it would be the most expensive coat/jacket I had ever bought. Not sure I could justify that. But I do love that it's the type of thing that could be worn with jeans and boots as well as a formal dress and heels. It's alpaca so the fabrication is lovely.

(Just worn in the store with my cowboy boots and my cap)

Is it worth even remotely considering? I would also show my husband and see if he agrees.

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40 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

That's very fun- and dressier than your other costs. It looks great!

Anonymous

This feels conservative to me. It doesn't give me arty vibes like some of your other statement pieces.

El Cee

Veteran

Hmmm -- I am on the fence on this one. It is a lovely, arty/dramatic piece... but it lacks your usual "edge". I think Smittie has a point here. There is something ever-so-slightly "conservative" about this coat.

madeline

Veteran

Do you need to wear a sweater under it? It seems quite fitted.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

El Cee and smittie, I'm not sure it's exactly me either. I like it, I love the fit and the fact that it's not SO dressy and has something distinctive about it, but I'm not totally sold. It was fun to try it on though, and gives me an idea of what to keep an eye out for in the future.

Ginger Tea

I like it. The graphic nature of the white trim pushes it over into 'arty' for me. At some point in a coat's length journey, though, 'edgy' becomes more difficult because an ankle-length coat has an inherent dressiness to it. This is all my opinion, of course.

I have a cream-colored alpaca coat that is even a little longer than this one you have on. It's also a tad dressier. I don't wear it much, but it is so nice to have when I do need it. In fact, I wish I could wear it more!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like it, but I would prefer to see you in something like maybe teal or gold brocade, or super-elegant highwayman-ish. I like the idea of a nipped waist and sweeping long hem.

cindysmith

Veteran

I love the coat, but I do agree that it doesn't necessarily have that edge that I'm starting to associate with you.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, I think you're onto something. I don't particularly want a dramatic coat in black, at least I don't think so. Aubergine or teal would be ideal for me. Or like you say, a brocade (perhaps that would sway me towards black). And I love the nipped waist for this kind of coat -- it helps prevent it from overwhelming me with the length. Perhaps a more dramatic collar or closure would be the way to attain more edge.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

The shape and length are great, but...I don't love that embroidery somehow for you.

Sal

Veteran

I think given your coat wardrobe is pretty good, a new addition has to be spectacular and perfect. This one is good - the shape is great, it is different and I do like it, but I don't think it is 10/10.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Not you. It's what I'd see very elderly ladies wear at the opera.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I like it but don't rate it as a 10. It's the trim pattern for me. I would like to see something sharper, more geometric or maybe floral on the trim. I also agree with Lisa that if you are going to spend up, why not get a fabulous teal or brocade coat.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Beautiful! But my first thought was also that it doesn't seem like "you". But of course you could feel differently about that!

rachylou

Veteran

This is very flattering but yes - My first thought was this would be a complete right turn. It's arty, whereas I think you have more often been artistic. Still, it seems to sit well on you...

lyn67

Veteran

It's a beautiful&elegant coat, and fits perfect indeed, but the embroidery makes it a bit more ladylike (for daily wear) than I am used to see on you. Still, would be a great for a special occasion coat (winter holidays, theatre or other of the like).

Style Fan

Veteran

Beautiful fit but not you. I would get tired of the white embroidery very fast. I like the idea of a teal or aubergine coat.

Anonymous

It's beautiful and dramatic. Would be perfect for those special occasions. I like the high contrast of the white and black, and alpaca is such a wonderful material to wear.

Joyce B

Veteran

I would also prefer the coat in a different color for you but if it's to be worn as a dressy coat I think you can make it work. It's just that if it's very pricy you want to feel that it is "the one" and have no questions about it.

Anonymous

I was going to say I really liked it a lot, until I read the comments about your arty/dramatic style. Once I thought about it, I was inclined to agree with other commenters. This might not be your coat.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A beautiful coat, Janet. The quality jumps off the screen. Extremely flattering fit. WOW.

Not "you" though, and I vote pass, UNLESS you want to steer the next leg of your style journey into a "Pretty Arty" direction. The drama-factor here is high, and you are a dramatic style gal. It's just not "hard edged", "bad arse" or "rock 'n roll", which are your usual style sensibilities.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yep. I agree. Fun to try on, and perhaps a useful benchmark for something to watch for in the future. There are things about this that I love, but thank you to all who did a good job of identifying why I wasn't feeling more swayed by it. (The SA was working me hard, too.)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(I added onto my comment above yours, Janet).

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Angie, the "pretty arty" thing is interesting. I do have an element of that in my style (the floral dress I wore to stepson's wedding, don't you think?). It comes out mostly in my dressier moments and even in summer when my colors lighten and brighten, and my look skews a little softer. I could see that being a little more prevalent when I'm older (I.e. 70s maybe?) but not now.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I felt it was too arty or retro for you, not edgy enough.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Angie, we are cross posting. Very astute observations!

JAileen

Veteran

I really like it, but Anna's comment kind of stung. I don't think of myself as a little old lady, but I might look like one to some.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

HAH, Janet. We see eye to eye. High five.

LaPed

Veteran

Before I opened the photo to full scale, I thought the trim was snow leopard. If that coat had snow leopard trim, I bet it would have just the right amount of glam edge for you. So hard to pass up perfect fit!

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