Angie's pick Ella Moss striped jacket. SO cute...but is it my style?

I went ahead and ordered the Ella Moss striped jacket mentioned by Angie last week in this blog post:

http://youlookfab.com/2013/04/.....ant-garde/

It came today...and it is SO cute and SO comfortable that I'm deeply tempted. I have very few warm weather toppers--which is good since it gets hot very quickly here and stays hot--and I don't really need this. BUT I've never found a spring/summer jacket that is so lightweight, so cute, and also fits so well. As soon as I put it on I started to smile...so the happiness factor is high.

And yet...I have reservations:

1) Does it work with my minimal elegant eclectic style, or does it read too preppy? My aspirational style is more arty/elegant...not preppy....so I don't want to veer off in a confusing direction.

2) Do I have the proper layering tops to make it work, or will it force me to go on the hunt (yet again) for the proper layering items?

3) Should I spend this much money on something that is basically an impulse buy? (I can afford it....but I do want to stop/slow the buying spree I've been on since joining YLF two years ago and be more thoughtful about purchases.) In other words, is this a 10?

I threw these on with bootcuts since that's what I was wearing when UPS arrived!
#1-2 - with Splendid sleeveless white blouse
#3-4 - with Three Dots oversized white tee
#4-5 - with BR fitted blue tee
#6-7 - with BR tee and midi skirt

Thoughts?

12 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Well, I probably shouldn't weigh in, as I really love that jacket. It's not one that I would spend that much money on, though, so I understand your dilemma. I do think it suits your style, because the soft fabrication, lower stance, and somewhat cropped style all read more "elegant/minimal/eclectic" than preppy to me. In fact, the only thing about it that could be viewed as preppy are the stripes, but even those are subdued and soft (NOT preppy).

I think it looks great on you.

nancylee

Sarah, thanks for weighing in. (Ay, the price!) It is expensive for such a wisp of fabric, but I am really falling for how incredibly comfortable it is. So many jackets feel stiff and heavy, but this one is light as a feather. And so fun.

If I decide to keep it, I will definitely put away the checkbook and declare my spring/summer shopping "done."

Anonymous

For the reasons Sarah mentioned I do think it suits you and the fit looks good.
I don't want to be an enabler but then I don't want to stop you having something you really like. Not much help I'm afraid.

I think you should really weight the happiness factor! I don't think it looks preppy -- I think the stance and the stripes look more architectural than preppy. I can see this fitting in your style.

It looks great on you!

Ceit, you're right about the happiness factor. It's something I often overlook in favor of usefulness. And I love your word "architectural" to describe the jacket's shape.

I'm feeling better about how it can fit in with my style.....

And if you get it, then I'll be happy, too, because I can live vicariously through you!

Inge

(website)

Moderator

To me the style of the jacket doesn't say super preppy, but arty and a little modern bohemian. It looks wonderful on you, and I can absolutely see it working for your style.

Janet

I agree with Sarah. I don't see this as particularly preppy, despite the stripes. I think it suits your style nicely!

Suz

I don't see it as preppy at all. If it is preppy, it's preppy in an ironic way. I think it looks amazing on you, and I can absolutely see it working for your style.

Arty, modern bohemian, architectural.....I can get behind all of these adjectives!

Caro in Oz

I would wear this & I don't think my style is preppy:)
I think you look fab in it.

Another "not preppy" vote. Thanks, Caro.

Karie

I think the jacket has a boho vibe, I don't see preppy at all. I don't want to be an enabler, but I also like the fit on you. Can you see yourself getting a lot of wear out of it?

Deborah

I do see a touch of preppy possibly by virtue of the vertical stripes. I'm on the fence! It's lovely, is interesting and the styling and what you choose to wear with it will create the vibe/look you want. I think this can work in an arty ensemble. My only concern is your uncertainty. You said it is pricey and it would be awful if it languished in your wardrobe unworn so you need to be certain that this is the one you want:)

lyn67

I don't know what's up with it, but I feel your unsecurities are showing through. Great piece, I know Angie and others love it, but it's not an 11 out of 10 to my eyes as shown here(maybe with white jeans?)
Please take my opinion with a giant grain of salt, as obviously I'm nowhere of an expert.

unfrumped

Not preppy to me--the lapels and stance and slight taper/point in the front seem more edgy than that. Plus the fit is elegant on you--lean and not boxy/frumpy. I think it has loads of potential, and you just need to keep styling it so it skews to your persona. With your hair color, I would also find ways to wear almost-all white outfit (shades of white/cream) and also try some more contrasty pops of colors for other outfits. It IS striped, so you are likely to combine mostly with solids, but a stripe certainly does allow pattern mixing, especially in related colors. So even for a non-solid, I think it's still versatile.
I hear you on the scarcity of lightweight summer jackets that are still structured and stylish. I don't know your CPW calculations but I think this would work for more than one year and I could see wearing it several times per week, especially if you can integrate it into your different "lifestyles" --work, nights out, weekend, errands, dress pants and jeans, etc--that is to me the best way to get a return from a big purchase--it kind of becomes your go-to item for the next year and not saved for special events.

Carole

This is a lovely jacket and fits you so well. I like evaluations using the happiness factor-who wants to be trapped into a "style" 100%?

Parsley

I love that jacket on you, and don't find it too preppy for you at all.
You seem to have plenty of options for layering with it.
If you feel good in it, I vote keep!

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