trying a waistcoat and sweaterdress

anne

Here are a few pics with me trying on one of the very few woven waistcoats in my town
belted http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_6960.jpg
side http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_6961.jpg
unbelted http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_6962.jpg

This isn't a great pic of a waistcoat - it is another style 2 sizes too big - but a funny pic of my daughter in the background!
http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_6963.jpg

Also a bad shot of a sweaterdress - this didn't fit very well, although was my size. http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_6964.jpg

Sorry about the flash. It was hard going shopping with 2 kids in town and I don't plan a repeat!

17 years ago

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I’m impressed you managed to do this with your little darlings. Well done!

KILLER waistcoat. The little belt detail is unique and fabulous. Do you like it too?

I actually love the sweater dress. I’m in the minority here, but I really like voluminous un-waisted pieces too (I think you might know that). The tunic is fun, casual, and good over jeans. Perhaps the picture hides the unflattering parts, but from what I can see, I say go for it.

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

I really like the sweater dress on you too! From what I can see in the picture, it looks really fun and modern and stylish. You usually wear such basic pieces, and this seems a slightly different look for you - I really like it with the jeans! It's not really that voluminous - looks to be just right. Those colors look great on you!

17 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Another vote for the sweaterdress looks good from here x

17 years ago

Lee Hovey

Active Member

Agreed! Love the sweaterdress.

Also the first waist coat fits you like a dream and would be very versatile since it can be worn belted or not.

17 years ago

Anonymous

That is one of the best sweater dresses I've seen, enjoy it. I love the waistcoat too.
The kids are so cute, and ACTIVE! HaHa!

17 years ago

sinead

Active Member

Another vote for the sweater dress. As a stripe lover, I'm envious you can wear those big stripes and still look so proportional and adorable. It's great with those jeans.

When my kids were young, I tried to never go shopping with them, but once I had to, and while it was chaotic, I thought we were getting through it ok. When I went to pay, a woman came up, patted me on the shoulder and said, "Hang in there, it will get easier". Guess I was in denial.

If I had a magic wand, I would send a babysitter to every mother with young
children on this forum.

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

The vest looks terrific and I adore the sweater dress. That is like my DREAM sweater dress! The variation in thickness in the stripes and the way they are put together gives a nice optical illusion and shows where the waist is. I think next time I am in Australia I am going to steal it from you if you buy it, which is good news for you since I probably won't be in Australia in a very, very long time.

17 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

LOVE the waistcoat on you, and your daughter is hilarious. What I like best about the sweaterdress is that the looser look to it keeps the stripes intact instead of them being shaped by your body.

17 years ago

Kari

Veteran

Hehe, your kids are hilarious (and adorable.) I cracked up when I saw your daughter in flight behind you. You also have a beautiful smile!

You look great in both pieces, and they definitely add a new edge to what we normally see you wear. Did you end up purchasing/keeping them?

17 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

You must get that sweaterdress. It's great. I also am intrigued by the vest with the belt. It fits beautifully. What do you think you'd wear with it? I'm inclined to think that the belt would require a bit of a dressier shirt since you can't get the gist of a graphic t when the vest is buttoned and belted.

I love your daughter's antics in the picture.

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

Wow I can't believe you all liked the sweaterdress so much! It didn't really cling anywhere and Maya - my waist is nowhere near the change in stripes - might be on you though!
Here it is from the catalouge
http://offers.target.com.au/mo.....knit-dress

I guess I might get it, but more as my jumper (sweater) for the winter rather than as a dress. (and it is $10 off right now)I guess I was thinking of something more like the red dress in Angie's sweaterdress post, that could be worn without jeans.
http://youlookfab.com/2008/12/.....ter-dress/

I am really only after a vest for a casual look, and I am glad most of you were so positive. I'd rather wear it buttoned ( I think I'd end up buttoning it anyway, I am kind of fidgety that way.
Kari - I didn't buy either - just wanted some input. Annoyingly, when I first spotted the vest is was $20 off, but had gone back to full price when I tried it on.

The in look in the town where I live ( spotted yesterday on at least four people ranging from 17 to maybe 65-70) is a black l/s tee toped by a large knit, large button vest going up to the neck
Something like this
http://www.bluefly.com/Design-.....-214055600 - but sometimes more fitted with buttons right down. Always in grey or brown. I think I'll try to avoid that look

So here are my questions
1. If I was after the graphic Tee plus waistcoat look - would this cut it?
2. I feel like my hips are really long in the style - and rather exposed. Is this a problem?

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

1. yes, it would.

2. long hips in the waistcoat - no way, darling. Perfect in my opinion.

I hope you get both of these pieces. They are KILLER.

17 years ago

Anonymous

I loved the picture with your kids! I had a flashback to when I was young and my sister and I accompanied my mother on her shopping trips - once a dressing room attendant knocked on the door and asked if there was a dog in there, because animals weren't allowed in the store - my mother had to explain that my sister and I had been pretending we were puppies.:)

I LOVE the sweater dress - it would be part of a a great "mom on the go" outfit! It's very modern and flattering. The waistcoat looks amazing to - let's see pictures with a graphic tee!

17 years ago

Patience

Veteran

Another killer vote for both items.

17 years ago

Lena

Active Member

Thumbs up for both pieces, Anne. I'm glad you found a killer waistcoat. It's a great look on you.

Hee, you brought up a question about long hips - something I also wonder about. I'm glad to see Angie's seal of approval.

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

LauraElizabeth - what a funny story!

Did you guys notice my baby in the bottom of the pic too?

Anyway here is an update on this story. I went to Target first thing this morning and discovered that the waistcoast was on special again (20% off - which is also what I should have written in my post above, not $20 above as mistyped)

And...
There were none left in my size
And there was only one of the sweaterdresses left too and that was 2 sizes too big.

So I'll just have to wait and see if they come back in stock. Maybe the lesson to me is not be be so hesitant.

17 years ago

shana

Veteran

Anne, they both look great - hopefully you will be able to find them again.

I ALWAYS have to take my kids shopping with me, so I have to deal with all sorts of antics in the dressing room. I usually let the baby out of the stroller and let the two of them play while I try clothes on. Of course, it makes taking pictures extremely difficult! My son loves AT Loft because they usually have a bench filled with children's books & some toys. I always bring something to keep them occupied too and only pull it out once we get into the dressing room. As much as I complain about it, I know there will be a day when I miss having them around all the time...

17 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

Bummer, Anne. Target has a pretty good return policy. Maybe you could buy those things for which you are leaning toward, get the review from the group, and then return if they don't work. That would avoid loosing out on something great. But I totally understand the hesitation.

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

Alecia, that is what I was thinking too. Target in Aus does have a good return policy. It would be a change in my behaviour ( I think I have only returned 2 items in my life, ever!) but because I am a slow adaptor, it might be the way to go. I probably would have got the waistcoat, under that scenario. Everyone liking the sweaterdress though, really surprised me!

Shana - good idea about bringing something just to play in the changeroom!

17 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Argh Anne I was just going to say I loved both things too but saw they had disappeared from your store! Doh!! Stuff does seem to come & go very fast from Target - there are always new things every time I am there (not that its really often). I'd already planned on sussing out a Target near me on Saturday while I'm Mothers Day shopping, so do let me know if you want me to try hunting out these items for you in stores here.

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

Tam, thanks so much for the offer, but I won't take it up. It was very kind of you though!. I am not quite convinced enough about the dress to get it without another try (and remember everyone's comments were about a pretty bad photo). And I am willing to wait for Target to get the waistcoats in again or wait 2 months til I go on holiday to the city - I am sure I will find something then.

But do keep an eye out for sweaterdresses that are longer than tunic length. I'd really appreciate that (specially if they are a colour)!

17 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Anne I will have my eyes peeled for you!

17 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Very dissapointing shopping day yesterday. Only sweater dresses I saw were black or grey or beige. I must have gone into about 30 shops too!! I was looking for some kind of top for myself thats not a tshirt like most of my others, and failed at that too. Did not see a single one I wanted to try on! I did pick up a dress and a vest at Target though - they had 30% off clothes - woohoo!! I did see your grey & black striped sweater dress there Anne in case you change your mind!!

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

Tam, sorry you had a bad-ish shopping day. Thanks for checking out target. Did you buy that same vest of a different one?

I am probably putting off purchasing a vest and sweaterdress now, having had a cold hard look at my budget!

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

Well to revisit this thread.
I popped into target today to buy umbrellas (our winter has come with a storm)
and bought the vest - they had it in my size again. Hope it was worth the budget blow-out ($44). I have decided that I don't want to go down the sweatervest route - it is just so overdone in my town, I am going to try to wear it twice a week. Hopefully I'll test some combos out with you soon

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Enjoy your new waistcoat, Anne!

So for what it's worth, here’s a thought: you purchased a purple, black and green horizontally striped jumper with a huge shawl collar last year (I think I’ve got most of the details of that purchase right, but correct me if I’m wrong). That piece is a lot more dramatic and "over done"in my book than a neutrally toned sweater tunic worn over jeans. It's interesting that our perspectives differ on this.

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

Grinning...
You didn't like that jumper much did you!
when I said "over done" I wasn't referring to the sweater tunic pictured
(which I still may buy, or something similar if I can find it)

What I meant was that I would prefer a woven vest to a knitted one, not because I dislike the style -I am thinking of the chunky knit, large buttoned sweater vest sort - but because it looks like every second women in town, from teenagers up to women in their 70's has bought it. It is a ubiquitous look. That is what I meant by "over done"

If you want to look at the looks available in our town - click here and then on knitwear. (this is the trendy end of what is on offer and our shop wouldn't have all these styles)
http://www.freefusion.com.au/

I am going to the city in July, and I'll have a look for this year's sweater then.

17 years ago

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