Transitional windbreaker?

harmonica

I'm looking for a windbreaker that can transition from gear to casual wear. I would like it to go with dresses as well as jeans/ pants and shorts.

Could you see this #1 Nike City Jacket Aop with a dress (like #2 or #3)?
#4 another jacket option, but this is even more sporty

I might be asking too much.

Thank you for looking and commenting.

ETA: #5 Casall essential stretch pants. The windbreaker should also go with these training pants. Maybe a more tailored jacket is what I'm looking for?

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9 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from kkards

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

To me, 4 transitions better than 1, just because of the big swoosh on 1. But then, I am not a big fan of mixing sporty with dressy. Others might enjoy the dramatic juxtaposition.

What about something knit - would that be functional enough? I had a black sweatshirt knit zip front jacket for a while that worked for gear and as a casual cardigan - not necessarily with dresses, but with jeans and nice tops.

9 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Thanks, Laura! I do agree that mixing gear and dressy is a tricky one, and I'm more in favor of keeping them separate when in my home/work life. When traveling, I do want to pack as light as possible and pack pieces that are super versatile and can transition from dressy to casual to gear. Well, as I write I'm thinking that I'm way too demanding.

Anyway, I do have several knit cardigans in different styles and I'll pack 1-2. I just need a windproof layer for evenings with casual family dinners at restaurants. I do want to wear a dress at evenings, though.

I know I'll be doing yoga outdoors and going for walks and I might need a wind proof layer for that.

I'll bring three pair of black shoes: low heeled gladiator sandals, ballerinas and sneakers.Black bookends my hair that's always so easy-peasy.

9 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I think I'd go for something with a bit more structure and probably in a solid color (the grey with the swoosh looks too casual to me). I know you probably can't get Zella over there (it's a nordstrom house brand) but maybe something along the lines of this? I think that the collar makes it better for a casual-to-dressy piece.

Nordstrom

Zella 'Double Mesh' Jacket

$98.00

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9 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you, Diana! I really like your suggestion. I can see this style transition more easily with dress, jeans/pants and shorts. I'll have to see what I can find in store here. Online shopping will take too many days. I should've started the pre-packing process earlier.

9 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

How about this one? It is not as structured and more gearish than Zella, but I like the colour and the contrast colour.

PR Pure Nightcat Jacket, colour turbulence. Here is front and back view of the jacket in black http://www.amazon.com/Puma-Wom.....B00FNHXB8I

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9 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I think the gray Puma one could work ok. It doesn't have the drawstring collar that the Nike did and the logo is less obtrusive.

If this is for traveling, I understand that sometimes fashion needs to take a back seat to practicality. What I usually do for trips is try to cover the dressy/casual divide and forget about gear and working out entirely, but that's just me.

Eddie Bauer has a Travex line which includes several jackets like the one below - probably won't work for your upcoming trip but good to keep in mind for the future.

Eddie Bauer

Voyager II Travel Jacket

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9 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Nice jacket! I really like the olive green.

I'll dig into my closet and see what I can find. I don't want to spend too much money right now either. I have a neon/reflex yellow windbreaker for cycling on top of my gear wish list, but that would definitely be an extreme juxtaposition. I might just save my bucks for that one and choose another jacket that I already have (even if it's not 100% match stylewise) for the upcoming trip.

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

The gingham dress is fantastic. I agree the pattern on #1 will make it hard to use with anything but solid colour street clothes. I'm not that excited about the aqua jacket, tho, even if it's a solid colour. I find it a little bit like princess pink... and you're a city dweller yes? I think aqua is better in less urban environments... the pants look good to me.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Of the two you've shown, the first one looks more transitional to me because the design is a little better, and the look is more urban and dressy.
The more structured jacket idea is a good one, especially in a solid color, and I would not buy a knit version if you want to size up as I think the jacket in photo 4 looks too droopy for anything but gear.
Maybe try looking at the true sporting goods web sites like Backcountry for ideas about brands (check their sales too!) and since you're trying to make one piece of clothing work for at least two style changes, if it's possible, spending a little more might get you something much better.

9 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you, rachylou and isabel! Your comments are very helpful to narrow down what I'm actually looking for. Keywords are:

structure
solid colour
urban

I need to get this sorted out in a few days.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Maybe the navy Banana Republic anorak Sveta posted about earlier?

9 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you, gauche! Great suggestions! I do have a safari style jacket I'll try with the dresses I have in mind.

9 years ago

kkards

Veteran

what about something a little less athletic, but still functional, like a field jacket

(sorry. i'm at work, and can't get ylf collect to work on this computer)
.http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop.....eld-jacket

9 years ago

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