Is there hope for this jacket?

I stubbornly hang on this jacket because it is so comfortable to wear and has great casual vibe. And reminds me of a great trip to Amsterdam. And it's perfect for spring/autumn. And I can layer under it without end outfit looking bulky.

I normally wear it with jeans and simple tee or turtleneck + scarf that adds some color the jacket is lacking, but yesterday when I wore it it just left me unimpressed. I have opted for different route, though, with no jeans and no scarf, trying to find different way to style it. Angie's blog post about workwear gave me valuable hint about patten, so I wore my animal print tee under it. The rest of the outfit are black pencil skirt, stripey black hose, silver-ish necklace and boots with some metal details on it.

What's lacking here? Should I just give up on this jacket or there are unexplored ways to style (I'm sure there are, but I'm obviously uninspired).

How would you style it?

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12 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I think you look very classic and polished in it, Ornela. I like the contrast between the more casual jacket and the more dressy top/bottom. You look very chic : ) Why get rid of it when it looks so stylish AND makes you feel great?

bj1111

actually, i like it! the animal print acts as a bridging piece between the black and the olive brown.

ironkurtin

I like it. It's a solid basic and looks well on you. I think this isn't a wardrobe diva but a foundation piece, and if you love it, it's the best possible foundation piece!

sarah

Hmmm...I don't know what my problem is, but I really like this! I like the slightly casual vibe with the dressier skirt, and the patterned top. This is working for me!

cjh

(website)

The jacket is nice and flattering shape. Can you add one of your red necklaces or scarves to this outfit? That might perk up the color and feel better to you.

annagybe

I'd like to see it with a big billowy ivory blouse.

mamaKate

Looks great! I have a jacket in grey suede that has a very similar cut and I have the best luck styling it as if it were a denim jacket - dressed up with a skirt or dressed down as you said is your go-to look. KEEP!

Sveta

Honestly I don't know what you are talking about because I like the whole outfit as is! Animal print top adds enouph interest here and jacket serves as a good foil for it.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

You added spunk to the jacket and look beautiful, Ornella. This is a fabulous outfit! Divine, divine skirt.

How about a bit of lace? I also like Anna's idea of a cream blouse.

LOVE YOUR HAIR.

catgirl

You should keep it. It's really nice and looks great on you. You might be feeling a lack of something because like nothing here is screaming "stand-out piece", but the entire ensemble works and is calm yet interesting. If you wanted to up it, add a crazy belt or a pop of color in your shoes (yellow?)!

Ornella

If anyone wonders if they should submit outfits for comments, here's the prime example.

You all make me feel embarrassed! I swear this wasn't attention seeking exercise, but I simply had no idea whether this worked. Have I strayed in the bold colors so much I could not see that this outfit is more than just passable?

My main concern is looking pale and washed out - I have worn clothes like that for far too long.

And the fact the weather yesterday when I wore this was awful, with gray skies cemented over our heads - I have missed color in my outfit.

Thanks everyone, I am very happy I have you approval to hang on to the jacket for some time to come

Angie, I have thought of lace, but didn't have anything suitable. I too love Anna's idea amongst others! And I must confess, I love my new hair more each day.

Una, spot on, my cry for yellow was to a great extent a result of this outfit!

rae

What about this needs to be saved? It's gorgeous, and you've listed off a bunch of reasons why it's functional.

How about pairing it with red? Or maybe a PB blouse? Or tweed bottoms?

rae, I have listed all those reasons because I love the jacket, just wasn't sure it works on me.

Btw, I have tried it with red, but wasn't sure - the jacket is pale-ish and my reds are very deep - I could not asses whether it works. I really am hopeless with colors and surrounding theory. Sounds like I need to simply have photo-session with everything from the wardrobe!

Anonymous

Lovely! I see how the jacket could look a little dull if not styled right, but I think you've pulled it off perfectly here. It adds just the right amount of casual to this dressy outfit. Keep!

Suz

Ornella, this is one of my favourite outfits from you EVER!! I ADORE this!!! You look chic, classic, yet comfortable and ready to do just about anything.

By the way, I love your hair.

I guess the message is, wear colour on a grey day! And save this for sunny days.

missvee

I think it's a great basic jacket and one you could wear to show off a statement necklace or a fabulous belt. It fits you well and the colour is good, so hang on to it!

Thanks for chiming in more... I've been thinking, in the light of rae's suggestion, maybe I should approach this jacket simply as another neutral piece, not a piece in odd color for me.

*Then* the experimenting is basically about adding whatever else is in the wardrobe to that neutral?

Aida

Oh O, this is an awesome outfit! I LOVE it (love!), but you know I am a big fan of fully neutral outfits Having varying prints and texture really make this outfit work, and I adore the mix of dressy/casual. I think you are totally right to treat it as a neutral topper, and then you can experiment from there. This would be a great casual topper with skinnies+boots, and could also be used to dress down a buttonup+trouser look.

christy

I really love this! I clicked on the picture and couldn't believe you were asking if there was any hope for the jacket! Then again...I'm on Team Neutrals-to-the-extreme, so this entire outfit is right up my alley. Definitely worth hanging onto.

Yes, what they all said. But I understand if you just do NOT like the color. If I had a *beige* (perfectly good) jacket, I would feel the same way.

I love it and think prints or a bright color with it might save the day. the outfit you put together is great!

Deborah

Ornella, I'm going to be the odd one out here! I like everything about the jacket except the collar. Is it outerwear or do you leave it on inside? A scarf would modernize it for me :). This opinion is most likely based on my personal taste and associations with that style of jacket so please take it with a grain of salt. It doesn't mean you don't wear it fabulously, cos you do.

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