Thanks all, for your thoughts and help. I will try them on one more time tomorrow and probably cut the tags! Or I might leave the tags on the jacket just until I go to the city -- it's possible i'll find one with slightly shorter sleeves. Should have bought in the store, Sveta, when I was there....oy.

ETA: Thank you, Angie, for the compliments on my hair. Not blonder (i.e. I have not done anything to it) but maybe more grey is creeping in!

Wow, just saw this thread and got a look at the jacket--definitely a keeper. Nothing stuffy or conservative about this one.

The pants didn't excite me until I read Angie's suggestions to shorten, taper, and wear with a wide belt. I'm doing a complete turnaround--another definite keep!

I'm not reading any other responses.

The pants are great, great eye Mr. Suz

The jacket is beautiful, but I have concerns. To me it reads very classic (look at me complaining about things being classic) and this is the length I personally struggle with a lot both on me and on others. I think it can easily look frumpy, although I love every way you've styled it. As a stop gap it's probably good, so it's a matter of CPW really - how much you will actually wear it and how much the issues you've already identified will realistically prevent you from reaching for it.

The sleeve issue would bother me big time. The fact you need to constantly keep in mind things have to be worn in certain way only to avoid certain issues, that kills the joy of wearing something for me.

Btw, things can happen like this - things don't fit the same although technically it's the same model and size. Just another thing to bear in mind on our quest for perfect fit.

I like both!

I haven't read the comments yet. I love the jacket. Love! Just the sort of long, low stance jacket I want. Keep that. Less immediately in love with the trousers. Not that they are bad but it is not love at first sight. Back to the jacket, love it with the baggy black pants. Do I need another jacket? Hmm, probably not since I work at home and no one looks at me. But I look at me...Oh back to you, sorry for the silliness. Jacket, keep!

The pants are a bit more tailored than you usually wear but that is not a bad thing in any way. We all like variety and there is no reason that should not extend to the fit. I think the pants are very flattering and if they are comfortable as well, then they are keepers.

That tuxedo jacket is gorgeous and has me lusting after it. I really like it with the plaid pants but not as much with the black pants. I have a carry over issue with mixing two blacks in different fabrics to make a suit though so may not be a good judge on this one. To me, there either needs to be a fair bit of contrast/difference or a match and an in between looks like a failed attempt to match.

In my opinion, the plaid pants are flattering on you and hopefully a good color for your wardrobe. Yay on a jacket for Suz, finally!

I like the pants, but i have the same issue with length of jacket too. Sometimes I try to compensate for being short by wearing more fitted pants with a slightly longer jacket or top. Not sure if thats the way to go, but worth trying. absolutely LOVE the jacket with the dresses. Looks amazing!