Q&A about individual items, ensembles, and wardrobe

"Mad Men" dress and mustard blazer

I picked up two purchases from the sale rack at Nordstrom that I'm hoping are keepers. They passed the "mom test" and are within my budget but I'd love to have your eyes on them before the tags come off. (Album View with "youlookfab" as the password.)

1. mustard Halogen corduroy blazer. I almost got this during NAS but decided to wait on it because I was already spending more than planned on a dress, so I'm thrilled to see this on sale again. I love how well it curves in at the sides & especially in the back.
(I wouldn't wear it with a mustard sweater underneath, though - this just happened to be what I had on already.)
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....0ed344.jpg
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....f7aa56.jpg
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....4c234e.jpg

2. Donna Morgan belted cobalt blue sheath dress. I saw this on the rack and immediately thought of Mad Men, and was doubly amused when the sales associate commented that I looked like Joan in the dress. *grin*
In all seriousness, I actually like the way this fits me a lot despite the high neckline, and I could see myself wearing it with or without a belt and having lots of fun with layers. It's also one of my favorite colors, so I hope it gets to stay.
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....fa3202.jpg
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....adea4e.jpg
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....edd41b.jpg

(Funny enough, this is very much like the Ann Taylor navy sheath dress that KristenKP just got, but the AT one looked awful on me!)

I also like the reverse collar in the back: http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....2f8228.jpg

So what is the verdict? Do they get to stay?

The latest reply was from kari . You can follow further contributions to the conversation through the RSS 2.0 feed.


25 Replies

Posted 2 months ago

A big yes from me especially on the jacket. The cut and color are flattering. You can wear it with everything from jeans to skirts.
Enjoy them

Posted 2 months ago

YES! Both are killer. I do like the jacket with the mustard sweater underneath.

You do remind me of Joan, come to think of it....

Take off the tags!

Posted 2 months ago

Look at that bod! Both items are so flattering on you!

Posted 2 months ago

Definitely keep the jacket! You can wear anything with a mustard colored jacket. It's one of my favorite colors for the fall.
The cobalt dress is very pretty in a classic kind of way. You can definitely "funk" it up with tights and interesting accessories. It feets you very nicely, and the color looks nice with your complexion.

Posted 2 months ago

I love both!!! I am now tempted to order that mustard jacket, love the color!! You look spectacular in the dress also.

Posted 2 months ago

Both look great on you. I love the collar in the back and your haircut in the back is cute too.

Posted 2 months ago

Great jacket, great dress. I love the cut and color of that jacket- and the dress is beautiful.

Posted 2 months ago

You look so pretty!

Posted 2 months ago

I LOVE Mad Men. After BSG, it’s the best TV series I’ve ever seen. I could stare at Don (the main man himself), and Joan (the red head boss secretary) all day long. What absolutely magnificent human specimens.

You look stunning, Kari! KILLER pieces.

Posted 2 months ago

Both are killer on you Kari! What great purchases. Please keep!

Posted 2 months ago

That dress is great on you! Love the color and also the color of the jacket.

Posted 2 months ago

Both are perfect. I like your purple necklace too.

Posted 2 months ago

Totally killer. You do have a rather 50's-ish silhouette.

Posted 2 months ago

Kari - I have that same mustard jacket and was going to take it back because I can't figure out what colors to wear it with! What colors are you thinking about? I don't want to do black because I feel like that's a little 'halloween' ish? You seem to be very good with color mixing so I'd love to know.

Posted 2 months ago

Oh yay, this makes me happy! I'm glad the dress and jacket pass muster. The tags will come off this week if all goes as planned.

I don't have Christina Hendricks' charisma or super smooth voice, but maybe I can "channel" her poise and confidence in this dress.

Angie, I haven't seen Battlestar Galactica yet! Is that awful of me?

Danja, I was thinking of patterned tights, or brightly colored earrings, or wearing a cardigan over the dress on a colder day. I am hoping it will be as versatile as I think it is.

Juli Juli, thanks for the huge compliment on color mixing! I am not sure how good I am - a lot of it is trial and error - but I appreciate the thought.
I was thinking of chartreuse, a deep rose pink, aubergine or mauve, red, chocolate brown, periwinkle, or navy to wear on top with the blazer. I think black would probably look too harsh, but while seems foolproof. I guess I'll have to play around with it to see what works best, but I really think mustard is a more versatile shade than I used to assume!

Posted 2 months ago

Hee, can't believe I didn't see this thread until now!

KEEP for both, for sure.

I actually have the blazer in turquoise, but oh how you are making want it in mustard too. YELLOW!!!! :)

I also tried on that dress, and bought one just like it in deep purple from Macys, but I ended up returning that. I thought this one looked awful on me, and the AT sheath was much better! So funny; usually we love the same pieces. LOL!

Posted 1 month ago

I really like both items on you Kari.

Posted 1 month ago

Kari, AMAZING! Both are great on you, keep keep keep.

Posted 1 month ago

I agree with all!!!! How fun to find such flattering and fab items...makes shopping so much fun.

Posted 1 month ago

I have the Halogen blazer in the mustard color too, so I'm partial. It fits you beautifully, and I love it with your hair color...very autumnal. :o)

The blue dress...just WOW! That color is stunning on you, and the fit is amazing. You could walk right on the set of Mad Men and fit right in!

Posted 1 month ago

Thank you all for the kind comments! I wore the dress to work today and felt so confident, which is a sure sign that it is a keeper. It was very fun to channel a bit of Joan Holloway for a day.

Kristen, I am so used to assuming that the same thing will work on me that worked on you since it's happened so often. I wonder if it comes down to the fact that you are long-waisted while I am quite the opposite.
I forgot that you had the same blazer in turquoise - they didn't seem to have it in turquoise at my store, but I was really craving the mustard one.

Boof, that is fun to be blazer twins. Have we seen you wear your jacket yet? It is such a beautifully cut piece!

Posted 1 month ago

Those colors look sooooo good on you,love them for fall !

Posted 1 month ago

WOW Kari! Love both outfits! You look stunning in cobalt blue!!!
The mostard jacket is lovely and it fits you perfect!

Posted 1 month ago

That blue Joan Holloway-esque dress is absolutely stunning! You look divine in it and I personally love that style dress... but you knew I was going to say that. ;-)

Posted 1 month ago

Rena, Rute, and Dawn, thank you! And yes, Dawn, I had a suspicion that this dress was right up your alley too. *grin* I'll do my best to do Joan justice.

Posted 1 month ago