OMG - I have to say that you look so SKINNY in all the photos! I LOVE the gray sheath dress and I agree that the mustard cardi is perfect. In my opinion you should wear the skirt right away - looks great with the pink cardi. You did SO well girl - pat yourself on the back!

:-D Kristen, your enthusiasm and excitement are so infectious, you have me smiling and laughing along with you!
OMG - everything looks and fits perfectly. You did so well, woohoo, yay!!! I love each item unequivocally :-D

Wow, what a lovely haul! Definitely wear the skirt now. If I had that skirt, I'd be wearing it now no question. It looks like it could be worn year 'round, really.

You look glorious, Kristen! I love it all.

1. I see jackets, particularly blazers, over the sheath. What about the corduroy blazer?

2. I think the leather jacket looks great, but knowing myself, I'd compare the medium to be absolutely certain.

3. Definitely wear the skirt now. *ell yeah!

I *love* everything you got! My favorite is the mulberry coat ... love that color. I think you should a medium size on the leather coat, and immediately start wearing that skirt.

How about a textured (tweed or boucle) cropped jacket over the sheath ... either in black or a red/fushia/purple? I always like a silky blouse under a dressy sheath, but am not sure about that neckline.

You look hot!!!!!!!!!!
Love your style, so modern and classy!

Kristen! The white pants are about two inches too short for those heels! I’m blinded :0(

ROFL, Angie!! I know, I was just too lazy to find a different pair after switching to the jeans. It was 5 in the morning!

Heeheehee, okay I edited the post, because I KNOW my Shopping Friend is going to bust me for that as well. Oh well!

That mulberry coat is s amazing on you--the sale was worth it, if only for that one item.You just glow in that coat :-)

I agree, the medium in the leather is probably a good bet too.

Have fun with it all, and yes, wear the skirt now!

I am so excited about your choices. You look so good in each piece and they will mix together well too. You did well!
I love the grey sheath on you. The fit is amazing. All chothes fit you perfectly off the rack. You must be their fit model.

Wow! You look amazing in everything. I think you did a tremendous job choosing your pieces. I don't think the leather jacket looks too big. I like a litte bit of breathing room so I can layer but I would try the medium just to be sure.

Wow! Wow! Wow! Everything looks fab on you. Jackets and cardigans in a rainbow of colors and different textures should work over the sheath. Maybe a simple fine knit, long-sleeved mock turtleneck would work under it.
If it were me living in Chicago, I think I'd go with the larger leather jacket in order to layer more under it, especially as it's a longer length. Maybe next year you can pick up a more fitted leather jacket in a different color or style.
Of course wear the beautiful skirt now!

Kristen, you look amazing! I love all your purchases and you rock all of them. Such a treat.
1 - I second Joy's suggestion of a t-neck, or perhaps you can find a plain front blouse to layer under?
6 - I think I'd try a medium. It does look a bit big in the shoulder, but I know where you're coming re: layering
7- YES!

You are right, Kristen. That Trina Turk skirt is the bomb. I'm loving that look, big time. Everything you bought is fab, and I am tickled that you had such a great shopping experience.

wow, I love everything, what a great haul!

Kristen, you did more than okay, you did amazing! (No bias here, of course!)

Being your fellow Chicagoan, I would hesitate sizing down on the leather trench -- if you can layer underneath it, you'll extend its use by months each year.

Speaking of layering, you might be able to do a white button-down under the sheath dress if you have a stand-up collar ... it's something you'd have to experiment with, you know?

The only combo I wasn't crazy about was the turquoise Halogen jacket with the fabulous grey, black and white patterned skirt. I did love the skirt with the pink boyfriend cardi, though! Wow!!

Thank you all so much for the constructive feedback and ideas! I am going to bring the trench back and try on it and the medium to compare tomorrow night; I'm bringing my Shopping Friend with me so she can help advise. I'm truly torn; I know I need room for layering but even with it, it feels awfully big. Like Marianne noted, it's a bit much in the shoulders.

I love the idea of a silky blouse, Melody! I'll keep my eye out for that, and I do happen to have a boucle cropped black jacket I could try. I'll also look for a button-down with a stand-up collar, and a mock turtleneck -- love those suggestions, Laura and Joy! I am sure there will be plenty of cardigans that I will find that will work too, but I don't want that to be the only way it can be worn; I like the idea of a top underneath it so the dress can stand on its own sometimes.

The corduroy jacket, I still hesitate on. I agree with Laura, it doesn't work with the skirt (nor did I intend it to, I just wanted to try the jacket on again with another outfit), and I don't think it will work with the sheath. The fabric is just...too casual, I think, for both of those looks. But it will be a great weekend and evening jacket, and it will work with more casual bottoms for work.

I am DEFINITELY wearing the skirt next week! WOOHOO! So glad I got the thumbs-up for that! :)

*holding hand in front of imperfect pant lengths so that I don’t have an apoplexy*

Here is my 2 cents my dear, Kristen:

o How much weight are you still trying to lose? 10 pounds is usually a size. For some women 5 pounds is a size. I LOVE everything, but I don’t want it all to be too big for you in 6 months because a lot of these pieces are “investment”. Know what I mean, jellybean?

That being said, if your goal weight is 5 pounds from now and you have the budget, KEEP IT ALL.

o The grey sheath is amazing as is! Hose, boots, jacket and you are in business for Autumn and Spring. Wear my fav specs with this frock.

o The knit dress is a no brainer. PERFECT.

o Blue jacket is great for Spring too. I would not be iffy about it at all. It’s great quality and the price is low.

o Mustard cardi is fab, too.

o LOVE the swing coat! KILLER

o LOVE the 70’s jacket! DO NOT size down. Another KILLER item

o You know how I feel about the skirt – enough said :0)

Heehee, I appreciate you shielding your eyes and coming back to the thread, Angie!

Asking how much more I want to lose is an excellent question; I had thought about this a lot before NAS, because I didn't want to spend this kind of money for something that might not fit in a month, let alone next year. It was a bit of a race to the clock, but luckily I made it to NAS-time only needing to lose less than 5 pounds, and I really don't want to lose more than that or go down another size. I'm very happy with the size I am now, and am only aiming at a number on the scale now, just to close out the loop. But I am pretty much done losing weight, and have already started transitioning to a maintenance mode.

Actually, my husband was admiring the trench, and he remarked that it was the kind of coat that should inspire us to stay at goal; now he wants to find one for himself. :) So I think I will be good with not shrinking out of anything -- but believe me, it was something I was thinking about too!

Yay, it all got thumbs-up to keep! :) I just love that skirt, and I owe you a huge thanks for spotting it and posting a photo of it. It hadn't been at our store when we went, and it wasn't in the catalog. I might have missed it entirely, and I think it's going to end up one of my all-time favorites. Thank you so much!

Then angelface, YOU ARE IN BUSINESS! You look sensational and should get everything. No need to lose any more weight! You shan’t have buyers remorse AND this is your dominant season. It’s a win. Trust me.

Glad you love your skirt, too. The fabric is KILLER. (I’m big on nice fabric). To answer your quezzie, I shall be wearing mine tomorrow in 85 degree heat with a black sleeveless muu muu ruffle top, zipper leggings, pearls and cream cross body bag. Hands free! I shall be at the sale with clients the whole day. Can’t wait!

That skirt is too die for! Of course Angie would have the same one lol.

I love the idea of "incentive" piece - your hubby is a smart guy :)

Kristen I am speechless. Each and every item is TOTALLY drool-worthy!

Kristen, amazing clothes!

I could see the first sheath under a boyfriend cardigan - that strikes me as a look I can easily imagine you in.

I love the turquoise blazer on you and I agree that it's more causal. It will look great with jeans.