Which Topper for the Sheath: Decision made (at bottom)

Suz

Maybe I should be posting a proper K/R with some other stylings first but I thought perhaps we could rule something in or out right off the bat here by showing with the sheath dress.

If I were to wear the dress to the gala, which topper?

1-3 Zara blue kimono. It is made of silk (with a polyester lining...oy) and has a gather at the back.

4-5 Zara cream kimono. It is made of polyester (not lined) and has a sort of diigital looking print.

6-7 Zara blue Chinoiserie jacket. A silky polyester, lined.

8-9 My vintage Biba kimono -- polyester.

I have more stylings for the Zara items in another post but it might have to wait until tomorrow.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and opinions!

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10 years ago

Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from krishnidoux

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Oh man, Suz, it's so hard to pick - you look so great in all of these!

I think my favorite is the black number at the very end, especially picture #9, it looks like the kimono style without being in your face and literal about it being a kimono. That being said, my second favorite would be the first one

10 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

kimono #1 or the chinoiserie jacket. while i wouldn't necessarily pick any of these since my style for this kind of event is probably very different from yours, i think the kimono especially, conveys an arty worldly aesthetic that is you and honors the point of the event, which is to give you an award for being an artist!

kimono #2 seems too casual to me. i like dark colors for dinner unless you go metallic or all white.

10 years ago

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

The jacket is my favorite, followed closely by kimono #1. Which combination feels the best to you?

10 years ago

Eliza

Veteran

Like number one or number 9 for a very dressy event. You look great and the toppers are quite fun to see. You wear them well.

10 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

For me it is #1!!! This is the one I loved the most from Zara and I think it works AWESOME with this sheath.
I also like the blue jacket, would be my second choice but #1 is sublime!

10 years ago

christy

Veteran

IMO, the one to rule out (for this dress at least) is the cream kimono.

I like the Zara blue kimono the best with this dress. I think bj hit the nail on the head - gives that artistic vibe without being too...well..."arty"! I like the chinoiserie jacket, but not as much as the blue kimono. However, take that with a grain of salt because I have a hugely poisoned eye for floral prints like that. But the proportions are nice and the colors seem to work remarkably well. The black kimono plays nice with the dress also and definitely works. I guess I'm not very helpful, am I?!

10 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

They all look amazing in their own way. My least fav is #4 - 5. After that it is personal preference only & for me that would be #1 then #8. Wow what a problem to have Suz - you look fantastic in all these

10 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

OMG Suz - you are a VISION in every.single.outfit. And girl - you have got GORGEOUS legs!

I have to comment on the navy floral blazer first because I just posted in your jacket thread that I love the blue one on you and asked if you had tried it with your navy sheath. Now I'm even more convinced this jacket is fab for you and love it more than the white one.

Now to the kimonos - I love them both on you and honestly think both could work in your wardrobe. But I'm not sure anyone has a need for two kimono jackets and you are looking specifically for one to go with the sheath. Or are you considering it to go with other outfits as well?

With the navy sheath, I absolutely LOVE the navy kimono jacket. It has such an elegance about it and works beautifully with the dress. Really Suz, between your pink suit and this sheath and kimono jacket combo, you have two beautiful outfits for your dressy capsule. Well done

ETA: I know this thread isn't about me in the least, but now I'm drooling over that white kimono jacket - I like that it's shorter and could really work with both my casual and work wear. Got me thinking...

10 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

These are all such rich, gorgeous looks! But for the gala, my vote goes to the Zara blue (#1-3), because it looks like you are wearing an antique wedding kimono or a piece of artwork.

10 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Wow! You've been a busy bee, Suz!

First, all are lovely and would work well in your wardrobe. For the dress and the event, I'd pick one of the last two possibilities. The first kimono is stunning, but I feel its detail and scale obscure the amazing detail and silhouette of the dress. The second seems too light and casual and again obscures the dress, imho. The navy floral jacket is stunning, feminine and works with the dress beautifully. It might be more like a wedding guest outfit -- a lovely, modern classic look. The last look is striking and more sculpural --- very arty and strong, but more sober and serious than the floral.

How do you want people to perceive you at the gala? I would try to answer that question to make a final decision, if I were gala bound!

10 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I've been waiting for this post and am blown away by your style!
Beth Ann makes a great point. How do you want to be perceived at the gala? Personally I like your black kimono best of all, but you must keep the blue jacket (6/7) to wear with this dress. I also really like the first kimono with the dress. You can't go wrong with any of these. The cream kimono is beautiful but I don't care quite as much for the high contrast, but that's just me. Can you keep them all?

10 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

The first blue kimono. It's SO fab I can't even consider the other ones. Well, maybe the black one, but there's no contest. The blue one is so pretty, so elegant, so perfect with the blue sheath. WOW!

10 years ago

Diana

Veteran

#1 is my favorite. So glam and luxurious.

10 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

All beautiful Suz, and I love #1 the most!
Would you wear this for other occasions, or could it become a rarely worn item? If so, is this concern?
For versatility and possibly better C.P.W. I like the floral jacket and the last jacket too.
Can see the lighter Kimono working with more casual outfits, denim etc.

10 years ago

rute

Veteran

I've tried all those kimonos and 1 is by far my favorite! I haven't bought it yet because Zara has only M's and I'm super petite.
You seem much taller than I, it's gorgeous, so chic.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, all -- your thoughts and opinions are very helpful.

I will now mention two concerns I had about the blue one: Does it overwhelm me (to Rute's point) and IRL, I don't feel that the blues harmonize well together. I will try to snap a photo to show you today if I can get some better light.

On the other hand, while the event begins during daylight hours, it will be held indoors and in a darkened room for the most part.

10 years ago

Anonymous

I think I like the bird print kimono or yor black one the best. I do like the blue jacket with it, but that doesn't scream gala to me (but would be good for future events!)

10 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Suz, I'd still pick the black one that is vintage. I would wear it with a first-rate statement necklace or other excellent-quality popping accessory. Or instead of the necklace, a really popping simple, expensive-looking clutch with sequin, jewellery or in a contrasting colour. More popping than the one you presently have.

I like the other kimonos, but are they formal enough? The jacket is too business-day-wear. They downplay the dress as evening wear.

Here are some clutch ideas:
http://www.thebay.com/eng/hand.....bay/266703

http://www.thebay.com/eng/hand.....bay/304367

http://www.thebay.com/eng/hand.....bay/319420

http://www.thebay.com/eng/hand.....bay/303670

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ta.....n=category

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/to.....n=category

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10 years ago

Archer

Veteran

#5 and 6 my favourite, followed by white one, then the first one, then the black.
All look lovely tho.

10 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

This is so hard because they're all beautiful! I would rule out the light colored one, and after that it's a toss-up - I like all three of the darker choices. I think it depends on the look you're going for. Number 1 wins the elegant and arty award, number 6 wins for most casually stylish, and number 8 wins for most understated elegance.

You said you don't feel the blues of #1 harmonize well - I would love to see a close-up, could that be a deal breaker?

10 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

Hmmm. Gut reaction--I don't like the first two. As in K/R Return don't like. First one seems overwhelming (of course, in the sleeves) on you. #2, I just don't like the color, though maybe it's off with the sheath and would look nice with a more casual outfit. Just not sure overall on that one, though. I do like the fit and color of the third kimono, but am wondering if it is more a daytime look. For the gala, I really like the black vintage kimono you originally posted.

10 years ago

Sona

Veteran

outlier here- I like them all. the question is - what is the vibe you want to project? and how dressy is the event going to be? Is arty/boho a part of your evolving style persona? if the answer is no then the black kimono or floral jacket remain the best choices. I actually think you look best in this dress sans any topper showing off the fab body in a dress that does it exquisite justice.

10 years ago

Mona

Veteran

My first preference is blue floral jacket and second is black kimono. The zara kimonos I think hide the dress too much which is a great piece all by itself and I like to see more of it.

10 years ago

Glory

Veteran

For the gala - dress option topper I prefer the black vintage. However I can see anyone of these being a wonderful addition to your wardrobe. The first one would be lovely for many events - readings and so forth. The white one would be super for casual luncheons, errands etc. Such choices!

10 years ago

amiable

Veteran

With this dress, and for the gala, the black is my pick.

The others are beautiful too, of course - but somehow the black is much more elegant.

Love them!

10 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The first and the last are my favorites. I think the first one would be my choice for you but both are wonderful options.

10 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

What Shannon said. #1 is fantastic!

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

#9 for the Dressy Event - I am THAT consistent!

The blue kimono for your style. KILLER gorgeous!!!

And I still love the blue floral jacket, but not with this sheath.

10 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I didn't read everything, Suz, but to me it's #2 by a mile. The blues look off to me in #1, and the silver lining of the sleeve is distracting from the beauty of the dress IMO. The blues in the white kimono pull at one another much more prettily, and the high contrast is slimming and brings out the fabness of the sheathe. Just my two cents!

10 years ago

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