My first NAS (very long!) - YouLookFab Forum

Hi all,

Sorry for the extended absence, but I have been cutting back on Internet browsing since having LASIK back in April. I hope to be more active in the future.

My first NAS was a bit overwhelming, despite drawing up a shopping list with the catalog and online browsing before my appointment. I had 2 hours with the stylist and she pulled many of the items I wanted from the catalog. I ended up buying a lot of Halogen basics and splurged on 2 jackets. I skipped the shoes and outerwear altogether. I was too exhausted to take pictures yesterday, but will try to post some soon.

Here are links to and reviews of items I saw/tried on/bought:

1. Elliot Lucca snakeskin handbag
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/el.....sultback=0
This bag was delightfully light, roomy, and not too large for my petite frame. Only 1 zipper pocket inside and no feet on the bottom. I liked the B/W exotic but not the sage exotic. The plain black was tasteful but a bit staid, and I didn’t see it in any of the other solid colors (teal, saddle, and sage).

2. Tops
Halogen knit tie-neck top
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ha.....tback=5820
The material is a bit sheer but this would be a great layering piece. The ivory was bland but the blue and magenta were lovely.

Halogen tie-neck blouse
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....sultback=0
Lovely colors and drape, but it dipped too low in the front. Sizing down led to a tight fit across the top of the bust and under the shoulders. Might work better for someone less busty.

Halogen ruched tank
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....tback=1480
I tried this in blue. Muted colors and too body-con for me.

Halogen knot-front sweater
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....tback=1480
Lovely colors and drape, but it dipped too low in the front. Might work better with a cami or for someone less busty.

Halogen Chiffon polka-dot blouse
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....tback=1480
I bought this in the ivory and it will be a very versatile item. Great material and fit.

Nexx blouse with black trim
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ne.....sultback=0
This is a must-buy! Great drape and fit. Simply beautiful.

3. Jackets
Splurge #1: Lafayette jacket
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/la.....sultback=0
I fell hard for this gorgeous jacket…it has a really rich color and a nice tailored fit. But it was very pricey so I am going to make sure it works well with my existing wardrobe before I decide to keep it. The store sample was defective so this is on order. I tried this similar (in fit) jacket, but did not like the color: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/la.....ltback=807

Splurge #2: Black Halogen leather jacket
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....sultback=0
Ever since I bought the Express moto jacket, I have wanted a real leather one. But I’ve experienced fit problems on my petite, short-waisted, hourglass frame. Most end up being too boxy or I can’t zip them up. But the Halogen jacket fit like a glove! I love the seaming, the low-contrast hardware, and the angled pockets.

Classiques Entier leather jacket
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cl.....sultback=0
This one was a close second to the Halogen one in terms of fit and fabric. The leather was buttery soft! But I did not like the gleaming hardware or the zippered pockets straight across the hips.

Other leather jackets
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/jo.....tback=3532
I wanted to love this teal jacket from the catalog, but it was boxy on me and I did not like the color or material as much as the others.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/tr.....sultback=0
I tried this in both black and burgundy. Great colors and material, but poor fit on me.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/hi.....tback=3151
I didn’t think I’d like the brown-iron color, but this one surprised me. Nice strong shoulder line, but the rest of the fit was boxy on me.

I really wanted to try more leather jackets, but ran out of time and energy. This one in particular looked promising for me because of the ponte panels (similar to the Express moto?): http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bo.....ltback=224

Caslon knit blazer
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ca.....tback=1009
This blazer was a very poor fit on me. The stance was too low, even in the petite sizing, and it hung awkwardly when open. Nice colors though.

Tweed jackets
Halogen with leather trim
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....sultback=0
I wanted to like this one, but it was rather boxy and the fabric was bland.

McGinn tweed jacket
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mc.....ltback=101
I drooled over this in the catalog, but IRL it completely overwhelmed me. I tried the small (no petites available) and the shoulders were too big and the length was too long.

Cambon tweed jacket
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/no.....tback=1110
Nice color, but I didn’t like the fit, the asymmetry, or the ¾ sleeves.

4. Halogen suits
I ended up getting this one with the matching pants (Taylor curvy) and pencil skirt: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....sultback=0
It will be a great basic suit.

Another nice one was this plaid: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....sultback=0
It came with matching pants (Quinn fit) and a pencil skirt. Nice color and a great alternative to the usual boring suit.

5. Skirts
Nic + Zoe tweed skirt
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ni.....ltback=908
They didn’t have this in my size, but the color and fabrication online matched what I saw. I have this on order.

Halogen seamed skirts
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....ltback=178
These work so well on my body that I bought several: the black & purple, the purple rosea, the deep purple, the red, and the green gold (the last was my stylist’s pick. I hated the color in the catalog but it looked very nice with my coloring.)

Halogen zigzag skirt
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....ltback=493
I saw this in the blue and am kicking myself for not trying it on. It looked lovely, if a bit long. Has anyone tried this? Is it TTS or big?

6. Dresses
CK Ponte color-blocked dress
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ca.....sultback=0
Beautiful dress and I would have snatched it up except that the waist hung low on me (even in the petite size) and I would have liked a little more length at the hem.

Halogen chiffon dress
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....sultback=0
This one was as beautiful as it appears in print and online. But again, the waist was too long and it was a poor fit in general.

VC Watercolor print dress
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....tback=2018
This wasn’t available in the store and I have ordered it. Has anyone seen it/tried it?

Whew! I think that’s about it. I hope this helps some of you make your NAS decisions.

Best,
Sunita

13 years ago

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Hi Sunita, You really did some great field work and I love your selections and sizing feedback.

I love the Nic & Zoe tweed skirt and your leather jacket and suit choices. You did really well!

ManidipaM

Brava, Sunita --- that's some exhaustive shopping and reviewing! Succinct assessments, too!

Love the suit you chose especially --- quite the statement piece, while also a great versatile basic!

Janet

Whew! That's a lot of work! Great pieces.

The Halogen zig zag skirt is TTS and actually a little snug in the waist. I usually wear a 6 or 8 in skirts and this fit me well and a little snug in an 8. Because of this, it sat fairly high on my waist and came to just below the knee on me, but I'm 5'7" and most of my height is in my legs, so this may be closer to a mid-calf midi on shorter ladies.

I didn't buy it but I'm still eyeing it.

Sunita

Janet: Thanks for the feedback on the skirt. I feel better about passing on it. I'm only 5'3" so it would probably have been way too long! Strange that there's no difference in length between the regular and petite sizes.

Vicki & Manidipa: I spent a few hours at Nordies, with a break for lunch. I was bone-tired when I walked out, but I really wanted to try everything I was interested in. Despite the covenience of ordering online and making returns, I hate having to guess at sizing.

Antje

Thanks for the wonderfully detailed recap, Sunita! I so appreciate these comments on the NAS items, very helpful in my own preperation for the appointments (I have a shoe appointment tonight, and clothes on Monday.) Happy for you that you took home some fabulous items!

Sylvie

Wow Sunita, thank you so much for these reviews. That must have taken forever to type out and your detailed feedback is SO helpful for those of us to have yet to visit. It can be so tiring shopping - I have my appointment tonight and I'm really trying to narrow down what I'm going to try on so I can pace myself.

Oh Sylvie...you have no idea! I typed out my post...twice! I was about to post it the first time when I accidentally deleted it...aaargh!

I'm glad I persevered and re-wrote the darned thing if it helps you & Antje with your picks.

Happy bargain hunting!

Inge

Moderator

WOW! Thank you so much for reporting back to us so elaborately, Sunita, this is super helpful.
And oh man, I would have started crying if a post like this accidentally got deleted-) An extra thank you is in order for starting all over again!!

Fab new loot!!

Anonymous

Thanks for the field report, Sunita!

Amy

Thanks for the run-down! I also splurged on that Lafayette jacket. Isn't it gorgeous??

Your report makes me wish I had bought a couple more blouses. I'm starting to think I'm not going to be happy with that teal leather jacket, though. Too bad

Maybe we'll be jacket twins Amy! I'm still a bit shell-shocked that I paid that much for one item! Even the Smythe jacket I bought last year cost less! I'll wait a bit before I make up my mind...

I've never spent that much on a jacket before either, but it's my favorite color and I have a serious crush on it. I hope it fits well!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Thanks for the reviews of these items! I love the your two splurge jackets. They look beautiful. I'm shopping NAS for clothes on Saturday and will try out the Halogen leather jacket. Too bad about the McGinn--it's so cute in the pictures.

christy

I wish we could go shopping together Sunita! Just about everything you have here is also on my list!

Glad to hear what worked for you. I think we are similar in size - I'm also a petite, but I think you're a bit smaller than I am. I'm seriously disappointed that the McGinn jacket didn't work for you...I fell in love with it also and think that if it didn't work for you, it probably won't work for me. I'm looking to try on the Halogen suit you bought as well as many of the other items on your list! Thanks for reporting back!

Nadya

So fun reading about your first NAS and the details of what you got and didn't. Thanks for taking the time for such a detailed trip report. And I love what you chose!

Sveta

This is a great review, Sunita and you made great choices!
What a bummer about deleted posts - you are a little soldier for making it again!

Charmian

Sunita, thank you so SO much for your detailed review! I can't believe you had the stamina to do all this shopping and then come back come back to write it all up. I think you've just taken 4 items off my NAS shopping list (and added 1); the time you've saved me is invaluable!

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