Jacket Lab: Help me sort these out - YouLookFab Forum

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Jacket Lab: Help me sort these out

Joy

Veteran

Keep, donate, toss, restyle differently?
Here are some jackets that I am unsure about. A few I love but can't figure out how to wear, some I wonder if they just are not right. I would love your thoughts.
1-3: a jacket that was a generous gift but I have trouble styling.
4-5: white denim Jean jacket. Too cropped for pants? Do I need a bigger one?
6: new still with tags. Is it too oversized? To young looking for me to wear casually?
7-9: another jacket I love but do not wear much. Ideas?
10-11: I like the color but should I donate it?
I would appreciate knowing any impressions that you have.

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Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

rachylou

Veteran

I vote pass on the first (I feel it's a jacket that should fit closer than it does). The light blue denim jacket does nothing for me, but I don't like denim jackets, so my opinion doesn't count on that. The last two seem like they could be useful on occasion, but maybe you have other jackets you prefer...

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think I agree with rachylou - I prefer a dark denim jacket that is more fitted than over sized. The last two are nice but if you're not reaching for them, I don't know. I find that *many* of my jackets and blazers do not get worn because I end up having just a couple of favorites that I reach for all the time. This has taught me to be very cautious about adding new ones to my closet. My favorites are always extremely comfortable, go with a lot of my clothes and fit my day to day lifestyle (as opposed to more formal activities).

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote pass on #1 and #7. Shoulder fits are off.

#4 looks a size small. Yes, get a bigger one.

#6 is very fashionable. I like it. But you have too as well.

Coral jacket is lovely. Good for skirts and dresses.

El Cee

Veteran

I agree with Rachy that you may want to pass along the first one as it looks a bit big. If I were you, I might hold onto the second one as cropped denim jackets are great to pop on over dresses. The lightwash blue denim jacket in #6 looks a bit roomy -- but it wasn't too long ago that the oversized denim jacket was trending… perhaps a couple years ago. http://www.whowhatwear.com/ove.....kets-trend I do not know if that moment has passed. (I still hold onto my slightly oversized one because I just like it.) I personally love the silver metallic jacket (magpie that I am). Have you tried wearing it over a column of color so that it is the star of the show? Angie is probably right about the shoulder fit though. The coral jacket is such a fun color. I vote keep.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm with Angie... but I love that metallic jacket and will happily take it off your shoulders, er, hands!

Joy

Veteran

Thank you, Rachylou, Texstyle and Angie. This is so helpful! . #1, 4 and 7 are going to a new home for sure. I am no longer feeling fab in cropped little jackets, but will see if any summer dresses require them.
Angie, I like the fit of #6 but always wonder if it is because I've spent most of my life wearing things too big. Correct fit is still a mystery. I will pass the white denim jacket on and look for a new one. Lighter weight would be good too.

Joy

Veteran

El Cee and Una, we must have cross posted. Una, the silver one is yours if you want it. I will take some measurements but I think it is a Vince Camuto xs. I have not washed the light blue denim jacket yet so it may shrink a bit. I am thinking of keeping for dog walking, if all else fails.

catgirl

Veteran

Ooh, XS may be too small for my shoulders? Can you measure and I'm happy to pay postage if it will work. If not, someone here will snatch it up. I like the light blue jacket - it's such a good color with your hair.

Aida

Veteran

On board with everything Angie says. I really love that oversized faded denim jacket in #6. It's a very different vibe than the more traditional fits (I have a similar vest which I really enjoy wearing even though I'm not as into oversized these days).

Re the length of the white jacket in #4, it's shorter than what one would typically wear with pants yes, but I personally love to wear those cropped jackets with pants + a tunic to really highlight the length differences. It's a more dramatic look than a "normal" pants length coat and top.

Too bad the silvery jacket is a little big! SUCH a fun jacket. Una I can totally you in that. I may sneak next in line but it looks like it would work for you.

Marina

I believe #1, 6 and 7 are creating some odd body proportions because their lengths are cutting you in exactly half, which is not very flattering. #1 also looks too big all over, so I would just let it go. #6 has an interesting style, but it is probably impossible to be hemmed, so I think you should keep it if you don't mind the half proportion thing and let it go if you do. #7 is really beautiful and has a lot of style, so I would try to shorten it a bit before giving up

I like #4 and #10 the way they are.
About #4, I had a jacket quite similar. I like it with this specific pants and tee a lot, but I think they would look better with more casual/sporty shoes (classic ballerinas, mocassins or flat sneaker maybe?). I would also try it with this tee, sporty shoes and straight or cropped blue jeans

About #10, I want one for me! I think it will look really well with a white shirt and a classy jeans, with a nice pair of blouse and skirt or with a dress. Very versatile shape and really beautiful color.

Joy

Veteran

Una, it is a size 4. Shoulder seam to shoulder seam across the back is 15.5 inches. There are a all built in shoulder pads that are messing up the lines on my shoulders. The jacket is 200% linen with a cotton lining and poly lining in the sleeves. Sleeves are 15 inches long. The back length is 19 inches.
Aida, thank you for your insightful comments. I will try the white Jean jacket with a longer layer underneath before giving up. This silhouette has the added benefit of creating the allusion of a bigger bosom and smaller waist.
Marina, your attention to detail and suggestions. I will think about how best to implement them. Thank you so much.

Joy

Veteran

Una, it is a size 4. Shoulder seam to shoulder seam across the back is 15.5 inches. There are built in small shoulder pads that are messing up the lines with my shoulders ( IT tendencies). The jacket is 100% linen with cotton lining and poly lining in sleeves. Sleeves are 15 inches and back length is 19 inches.

Aida, thank you for your insightful comments. I will try the white jacket with a longer layer underneath before giving up. This silhouette has the advantage of creating the illusion of a bigger bosom and smaller waist.

Marina, thank you for your comments with your attention to detail and your suggestions. I will try them out as best I can.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I agree with Angie and others have said. Just a thought about no 1. You could consider taking off the sleeves and turning it into a vest.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

My favorite on you is the white one - definitely get it in the next size. The first looks too big, the silver goes to Una, the oversized denim I would hold and the pink I have mixed feelings - great color, meh on the shape.

MsMaven

Veteran

I do like #1 but agree it is too big for you. I like that it is a bit different but not too far out there. I don't like either of the denim on you, but then I got very tired of denim jackets a few years ago when they were everywhere with everything.

I love the silvery one, but I can see it could be a problem if it isn't really your style. And I love the color of the last one and wonder if it might look good with a dress or a skirt outfit.

After a second look, I think the buttons are a real problem with the last one. I suspect it wouldn't be worth it to spend the time finding new buttons, unless the cost of the jacket would make it worth your time.

Joy

Veteran

Brooklyn, a vest is a good idea. I think I'll take it to the tailor at Nordstroms and see what this Wonder Woman says when I pick up another jacket from her on Saturday.
Shevia, I will look for a larger, longer white casual jacket but may keep this for frocks if that works out best. Thank you for your comments.
MsMaven, I hear you on those buttons and a 3 button jacket may be outdated, although there have been some in recent ads. I don't think I have anything else the color of the jacket, but could wear it with a white or blue denim skirt. It is thrifted, a Talbots brand, so maybe it is time to pass it on. Thank you and Shevia for addressing its problems.

Gigi

Veteran

It looks like everyone above has you sorted, but I will chime in anyway.

I think that #1 is ill fitting and should be donated.

I really like the cropped white jacket and think it's worth trying to style it as Aida suggested. Sometimes a person just needs a cropped jacket to create good proportions.

I didn't care for the light-wash denim jacket. I think I am reacting to the lack of waist definition (it seems like it obscures the waist), and defining the waist is always something I try to do in my own outfits--so this may be a personal preference.

The silver one looked OK, but I see what Angie says about the fit. I overall liked it, but it read a little eighties to me for some reason, and I'm not sure that that is your style (?).

I like the coral blazer and would keep it.

Joy

Veteran

Thank you for your thoughts, Gigi. I consider them all. At least for now I am keeping the coral blazer and white and faded blue denim jackets to see if I use them this spring. I have a casual life but tend to want to dress in a more dressy way, so denim and twill help "casualize" an outfit that might appear too dressy.

Sal

Veteran

Interesting. I like the coral the best, and the white cropped one has potential. I ended up dying my cropped white jacket, I just did not wear it enough - but you look stunning in white.

I think the silver is almost right but may be easy to find a new home for.

I like the coral styled this way - cropped pants, a pencil skirt, white jeans... I have one very similar that I mostly wear now over a column of black and soon over a column of white!!