Alpha 60 jacket from oz--proportions--ETA suggested tweaks made

last year, i went shopping in melbourne and sydney. i found alpha 60, a cross between complex geometries and helmut lang. (fyi for aussies, last year's designs were more to my liking, but there are some nice tops and bottoms from this season.)

i got this jacket. i will be the first to admit--not the most flattering. but intellectually, i really like the jacket and i like wearing the jacket. it is reversible--not inside out, upside down!

the straight way to wear the jacket (i think i bought one size too big, but hopefully it fits with the oversize trend) with a white belt and a printed silk top (detail in last photo). i draped it to mimic the crossover draped blouse. i have it here with the floppy bootcuts as i am trying out different proportions with the looser jean.

i tried it with a gray tank and a black belt. then, i turned it upside down. i love how the collar turns into a peplum-like detail in the back. when worn open, it reminds me of lily munster coffin lining.

PLEASE let me know how to tweak the outfits to get the proportions and colors right. be honest. i know it's not the most flattering but i want to make it work. change the color of the underlayer to white with the white belt? change the bottoms to narrower pants?

ETA: over a sheath, over dark denim and cobalt silk, over white.

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12 years ago

Carla

Veteran

Really like styling # 1 with the oriental motif top and white belt--kind of like origami. #2 not so much. The jacket is interesting but the grey top not so much. Either colour sandals work, but the white is fresher looking.

Just my humble opinion, and I'm still pretty new at this...

Suz

(website)

Wow! It is amazing! I don't find it unflattering in the least in any of its incarnations. And it seems to fit right in with the kimono trend. It is not a kimono, yet it feels inspired by one. And it is beautiful.

I do not have a clue about styling something like this. I think I would probably start first with a very simple column of colour (not sure which colour) and see how that looked, and then experiment further with different colours and the proportions. WIth an architectural piece like this I would be tempted to keep everything else extremely simple and classic. But I await enlightenment! I hope you will wear this.

Caro in Oz

I love the jacket on you but don't see it working with these jeans & top. Imo the jacket is very dramatic so it needs to be paired with really simple pieces. I'd start with a dark wash or black trousers or trouser jeans; or slim line bottom either a skirt or pants or maybe white jeans. Whatever you wear on the bottom wear a similar shade or colour on the top to keep the long line. A top with a scoop or lower neckline so it doesn't fight with the collar on the jacket. I think the other pieces could be crisp/firm fabric or something with more drape - either would work. Have fun it's a lovely piece. What's the fabric quality like?

Transcona Shannon

This is a fantastic piece. It is very kimono like and is both edgy and sophisticated at the same time.

I like Suz's idea of a simple column of colour. This jacket is something that should be the star of the show. I think it would look stunning over a simple sheath dress and pumps but I'm not sure that's your style. White jeans and white tee, or pencil skirt and tank?

Liz A.

I'm confused by what I'm seeing.

bj1111

Liz, what is confusing?

Runcarla, thanks...unfortunately i will be returning those shoes.

Suz, caro and shannon, simpler is the way to go. But which way? I on't do well with a column of color unless the color is black, grey or white. Black may be too severe. I think at minimum a narrower pant.

Shannon, the sheath idea is worth exploring. But i have a tummy pooch right now to fit into my favorite sheath, a roland mouret galaxy knock off.

annagybe

I like unbelted. Agree with other re column of color.

Deborah

bj I have just become aware of Alpha 60:) I love the jacket. I agree with others that I would keep the rest of the outfit really simple. Slim bottoms, column of colour. I love the upside down version of it:) Make the jacket the star and keep all else to a minimum.

what color? would head to toe white look weird? all black is too funereal?

I'd try all the neutrals you wear from white through to denim to black. This is one of those pieces you need to play with imo. Just pull out a few bottoms & tops that work with them & take some pictures. Have fun Do you have a black skirt & black tee or tank? They could work like a dress too.

Adelfa

I like Caro's idea of experimenting with different colored columns. You might find something that looks terrific that we can't anticipate merely by thinking of it.

I especially love the jacket upside down!

To my eye the broad white belt calls too much attention to itself instead of to the jacket. If you were wearing a white column, it might tie in better (I mean might--I have no idea how the outfit as a whole would look). I can see a gray belt looking really nice.

It is a great piece, very interesting! In a good way.

Would the jacket work over your Helmut Lang dress? Or would there be too much going on at the neckline?

Must try all suggestions.

Why no column of colour except neutrals? Do you mean you don't feel like you, or don't find it flattering, or can't find occasions to wear more colour, or what? But I do think this could work with a column of any of your neutrals -- except maybe all black -- just curious about the colour.

suz, i mean i don't own enough clothes in a color that i can wear it head to toe.

i added some photos based on suggestions. better, but the standard way still needs tweaking. will scrounge for something resembling a column of color.

bj it's nice to see your beautiful face:). I like the jacket over the sheath. And I like it over the column of white, however I would like to see a drapey white tunic top rather than a fitted top as an option.

I like the new looks! The trim fits on the bottom set off the jacket, and so does the column of color.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

And now we see beautiful you from head to toe

I like the jacket unbelted, popped at the collar, and layered with a scoop neckline.

Janet

I think it's very cool! I prefer it unbelted (agree with Adelfa that the white belt distracts too much), and I also think a column of color would work well. I like it with the sheath. Not feeling the combinations with the jeans as much. How about simple slim black trousers? Or navy? I'm looking at this on my iPad outdoors so it's hard to tell color -- this is black, right? How about shades of blue underneath? I could also see this with a printed sheath -- something with an all-over pattern but in a simple shape. Keep playing! It's a fantastic piece. I want to come play in your closet!

Yay!! Lovely to see all of your gorgeousness!

I love it with the sheath. And I think what Janet suggests about simple slim black trousers (or one of your other neutrals). Or a simple pencil skirt. And it doesn't have to be a column of colour -- that was just a first step, you know? It's totally worth playing with until you get it right, because it's a standout item, yet also looks very wearable.

Anonymous

I love your glasses, you are very striking!

I think I like it with the sheath the best. I prefer it unbelted also in the other stylings.

I like it with the all white and the grey dress. Did you mean to show your face in #4?

remember that face, because it won't happen again

however, i will continue to show you my naked toes.

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