two K/Rs from Boden - YouLookFab Forum

I have only a week from yesterday's receipt to send these back.

Anyhow, here's the purple velveteen jacket. Is the shape unflattering? Is it making my bust look even bigger? Or doing me no favors all over? It's snug but I can close it, though I would be wearing it all the time open, just as a light fall or spring jacket. (ETA that the purple jacket came in a Petite, so at least proportion- and sleeve-wise, it works better than the blazer.)

The navy blazer fits well, and is possibly even roomy though I don't think it's too big. (I'm just not used to jackets not being tight somewhere, probably.) The sleeves, as I'd said in a post on tailoring, need to be streamlined IMO, as well as shortened, obviously.

It's a very nice blazer, it feels substantial (heavy, but in a good way) and I like the feel of the wool. I haven't shopped at all for a navy blazer and ordered this (and the other coat) impulsively. (I realize this was an overly emotional, sale-influenced purchase, and am now taking care that this doesn't happen again.) So I really would like a navy blazer in my repertoire--should I keep hunting or is this one good enough, or better than good enough? I read that a good look for me is a jacket with a low stance, with the top button right under the bust, but I don't seem to find them in my size. J. Crew has nice blazers but their top Petite size is 12, which is really snug for me now. (And costs almost 3x as much as this Boden jacket.)

As always, thanks for your input! Mare-ish opinions absolutely welcome.

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12 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Sweet jackets! Those sleeve alterations shouldn't be a big deal if the rest of the fit is this good. That purple jacket is definitely velveteen, which is probably better for a coat. It will hold up better over time.

Isabel

Mochi, I have been on the hunt for a navy blazer, too and I am having such a hard time. (It is to replace one I had from the Gap that no longer fits. )

The blazer will look good once you fix the sleeves - but it looks like it may be a bit of money because they may have to restyle the bottom slit with the three buttons. That is a lot of work. If the buttons are just decorative ( I can't tell ) then it will be a piece of cake for the seamstress !

I like the purple coat on you. It is a fun color.

You might want to double check, but I think that if you don't make the 7 day window, they give you a credit toward another purchase.

Mochi

(Banging head on wall--hate having short arms, ugh ugh ugh) Okay, feel better now.

Yes, Isabel. I am thinking about that aspect. I need to get to a tailor! I have a dr. appt. that's complicating the day's schedule.

No, the buttons are not decorative but functional. And when I read up on apples, it's always talking about "getting nice sleeve detail so that people's eyes will be drawn to your pretty arms." CAN NOT WIN! Okay, feel better again. I really do hate losing cool sleeve detail, though.

Will be checking back! Thanks!

Anonymous

I kind of like that purple velveteen coat! Especially with your cute face and hat in the picture. It gives off a British hippie chic vibe to me somehow (Beatles?) Take that with a grain of salt since I'm not an expert on either of those things, lol! I'm not sure the cut of the navy blazer is right for you, even if the sleeves were fixed. I wonder how a boyfriend style would look? Let's see what everyone else thinks

eta: I think I want to see some shirt sticking out from underneath the blazer.....that might be what's throwing me. A button down white shirt untucked or something.

ButterflyLady

I love the purple on you - that's a keep in my opinion! The navy blazer I'm not so sure about. The sleeves definitely need attention and it looks like it's a little big around the waist/chest, too.

Stephanie

Agree with Claire. I think the short length of the navy jacket is cute but you need something else long on your top half to balance your proportions. (Or so it seems to my non-expert eye.)

I prefer the navy to the purple, I think.

HelenInCanada

What darling jackets - love the purple velveteen especially!!! I don't see any major fit issues on either jacket, other than shortening the sleeve (I think all he has to do is reposition the last button at the top of the three...? I'm sure it's a common thing.) I've had many jackets' sleeves done (some were lined, buttons at the wrist, the works) - and it's not a huge expense.

I'm discovering more and more how much I like Boden!

missvee

I like the coat too, especially in #2, accessorized with the great hat, I can see a lot of possibilities for it with different scarves or hats, and the colour is really flattering on you. The fabric is pretty versatile too, maybe more geared to the fall than to the spring.
As for the blazer, I'm really on the fence. As you say it's good fabric and great price, and I think it's a good length for you (especially with skirts), but it's hard to say whether it's going to do you justice until it's altered. Why don't you find out how much the alterations will cost before you make your final decision.

Jjsloane

Love the purple velvet on you (I have a nearly identical vintage one or would have purchased that during the sale as well). The navy blazer is ok and would work with the mentioned alterations, but like Claire I think something longer underneath to balance it.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Purple coat has KILLER potential!!! Best thing I have seen you wear, Nancy. Shape is deliciously perfect. If anything, it makes your bust look smaller. Do question the size though - perhaps you need to size up so that the CF closes. This is a coat, so the buttons must close - or do you see this as more of jacket?

Navy jacket will be a 10 after sleeve adjustment

Hi, again, Angie! Thanks again, and wow! I was positive you were going to dis the purple coat Proves I have a lot to learn! So yeah, the Petite sizes for that go up to 10, which is what I got. I could size up to a 12--wouldn't want to get much bigger than that. The sleeves have no detail so my mom could easily take them up; I hope I wouldn't have other proportion issues from a regular size. I'll think about doing that. I had assumed I would be wearing it as a jacket, so open to show a nice contrast with what I'm wearing underneath. But the flexibility of wearing it as a coat would be nice, too. It's ironic that it seems to be the exact cut of the J. Crew double-cloth metro coat, which did not fit me well, IMO.

Anyway, I will go and get a quote for the blazer alterations. I think it'll be worth it, since it was cheap!

Thanks, everyone!

Jem

I like both jackets, especially the purple! I agree it's hard to find blue (and purple, for that matter)

Tina

Mochi, how do you feel about shoulder pads? I think a small shoulder pad in the navy balzer would lift it up a bit and improve the overall fit. I know that shoulder pads get a bad rap but in some cases they can add the structure needed to give a better fit. I like both on you, the purple coat will bring any outfit up a notch.

rae

LOVE that purple coat! And you've tried on so many coats - don't let this one out of your clutches! The navy one is also very nice through the body. If you're good with the cost of alterations, go for it!

kellygirl

Ooh, these are fab colors on you! Great jackets--they totally look like your style! Alter and keep!

Sylvie

Joining the chorus that loves that purple coat on you. I'll bow to Angie's wisdom on fit but I love the silhouette/color.

I like the navy blazer and it will work well with alterations. I think it's being overshadowed by the purple jacket in my mind though.

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