Ask Angie & All: K/R Vintage Chanel-style Suit - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Ask Angie & All: K/R Vintage Chanel-style Suit

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I found a vintage black bouclé suit yesterday. The skirt is midi length with two box pleats on each side, and the jacket is slightly fitted, without shoulder pads. It has a wide collar, cropped sleeves and is hip length. It also has a hidden hook closure. The brand is probably Dutch: Maison Kuiper Zeist. There are no washing instructions, but it feels like wool or a wool blend. I'm guessing it is from 1960 +/- a couple of years. It is worn and need a little TLC, but the material in the jacket in particular is in great condition. The lining needs a little mending, but there are no stains or funny smells.

Question 1 (#1): What do you think about the fit? The length of the skirt?

Question 2 (#2-6): How do I style it? I don't want to look too retro. I've tried a few ideas here. Shoes are tricky, besides black heeled boots and pumps I've got very little to choose from. I also think it's hard to get the proportions right. What do you think? Any suggestions are most welcome.

Thanks!

This post has 6 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Shopping

41 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah A

Carla

Veteran

Worn as a suit, I was wondering if the skirt might be just a little on the long side, and it does look retro, but when I see it broken up and styled...I think it doesn't need anything done to it and is a keep! The skirt looks super versatile and so sharpe with the coloured tops (#3 set pops when compared to #2) and the jacket appears to fit you perfectly. Love how you styled it in #5 and # 6.

Great find!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Carla. I like the pieces separately - especially the jacket - but not as much together. I just looked at the pics again and was about to say I really liked the last two pics and then noticed that they were without the skirt. I think it may be the length that is throwing it off for me too.

pil

Veteran

The jacket looks like it fits you really well - I like the snap/ button detail in the front a lot. For me the skirt works best with the tall boots, particlarly in the picture with the leather jacket. Would this suit jacket work with your plum skirt? I was just thinking of the longer length.

Sarah A

Veteran

I like both peices. To me the skirt works best with the boots. The jacket works in every styling youve show. Ill look forward to hearing the more expert opinions.

Anonymous

I like it broken up, the skirt looks great with the boots, and I like all the ways you have styled the jacket!

krishnidoux

Veteran

The skirt is not too long on you, but this length has not been on trend recently. We are used to either knee length pencils or midis. However, you wear this well. I like it with knee high boots and heels much better than with booties or flats. However I really like the combo with the green jacket. That way the skirt looks like a dress.

Pros: Lots of versatility, jacket fits you to a t, awesome look with a pencil, the two pieces together look exquisite on you now.
Cons: Length is not usual and maybe a bit dated, requires some "feminine" heel, jacket looks good with skirt, not so much with jeans, two pieces together may look matronly on an older you.

donnat

Veteran

The jacket looks terrific. I like the skirt styled with high boots. I think a little too retro together.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Fascinating, Ingunn. I am so impressed by how your eye has developed over the year and how thought-out your choices have become. This, if it works, has the potential to work for you very well.

I like the skirt in 2/3 -- I think it needs the height of the boots' heel if you keep it that length. As you say, the proportions are a bit tricky. I also like the jacket on you a lot -- looks like a fun piece with denim, especially.

Do you find the collar makes the jacket tricky to style? That would be one question. Is the weight good (or too hot) for indoor wear?

How would the jacket look over your houndstooth dress? Or with your purple dress? Does the black skirt work with any other jackets in your wardrobe, or just these?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Ingunn I just love when you style your vintage finds and make them look so modern and fab. I think this suit is a keeper. I love the skirt with the light moto in #3 and the jeans jacket in #2 (also love both without the jacket) and I especially like the jacket with the jeans. I think it can be worn in a modern way as a suit but someone else is going have to help you there!

Vildy

Veteran

okay, you had me confused with the description of a Chanel jacket paired with "fitted." But now I see. Was just reading Jess Cartner-Morley on the Guardian who was saying to wear denim shirt with a stuffy suit. Also, a recent interview with Ines de la Fressange who was changing her classics recommendation from a white shirt to a denim/chambray shirt. I liked her take on why to wear jackets shrunken - to avoid looking like a politician. I can see that with this suit, if not careful.

One suggestion I have is that I read that Chanel used to take an extra inch in on the skirt so that it wouldn't be perfectly fitted. Go figure. Anyway, the skirt on this suit strikes me as way too baggy and I think it would be better to have it strictly fitted through the hip portion. That would make it modern, too, in terms of how they're showing a lot of skirts with fullness flaring out from a fitted top half.

Nicole D

Veteran

I agree with Vildy, would like to see the skirt just a wee bit more fitted in the hip but I love the length and texture, and I really like the jacket. Nice find! Keep.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Carla and dianthus! I like it best as separates, too.

Pil - great suggestion. I haven't tried this yet, but I suppose it will work with my purple skirt. My only worry is that it will read very retro, but I will definitely try.

Sarah, Donna and Ceit, I definitely agree that boots are the best option. Thanks!

Krish, thank you for elaborating. I agree for the most part. There's definitely a granny issue to consider when wearing the pieces as a suit.

Suz, more good questions. The weight and comfort of the jacket is very well suited for indoor wear. It is soft and flexible, and probably not too warm. I'm not sure about the collar: At first I thought it was too wide, but now I actually like it. Is has a retro element that works well with the slightly fitted lines of the jacket. Normally, Chanel style jackets look funny on me, but this one makes me feel more feminine than the usual types do. I haven't tried it with the houndstooth dress yet, but I worry that the fabrics will clash as they are both quite heavy textures. I don't have many short jackets to pair with the skirt. Another (leather) moto would definitely be fun.

Thank you, Shevia. I agree, pairing it with denim definitely helps upping the modern factor. I struggle a lot more with it as a suit.

Vildy, you impress me again with your eye for detail and fashion knowledge. The politician look is definitely a no-go for me, and I don't want stuffy, either. I am intrigued by your suggestions for the skirt. The fact is, it is quite fitted already, but the fabric is quite heavy. I consider taking off the waistband to lower the waistline a little. It could then probably betaken in a little more along the seams to give a better shape. I completely agree with you that it reads as too baggy now.

Nicole, we double posted Yes, I agree, Vildy is right about that. Thanks!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I looked at the first picture and was like, "Ehhhh..." but I like the pieces split up and styled the way you have done in the following photos. As long as this isn't meant to fill the need for a suit, I think the individual pieces are working well for you. But together as a suit, it just seems a bit overwhelming on you.

Vildy

Veteran

That's because I used to be a small time politician.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Aha, I see! Politician style is fascinating indeed. I don't get why it is necessary to have that look at all.

What do you think of my suggestion to remove the waistband entirely, and take in the skirt through the hip instead? I think I had a skirt like that once, in fact.

Anonymous

What a treat to see your find in action. Love it! I like your idea of removing the waistband and fitting it a bit more. Proportions might be easier if the skirt were just a tad shorter, but longer skirts seen to be on the runway, so I don't know. You did an expert job styling and all the looks are great on you, especially the jacket ones. Ultimately it comes down to how you feel and how you would most like to wear this find.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

What beautiful pieces Ingunn - I love the fit of both the jacket and the skirt and think they will be very versatile. I'm not crazy about them together as a suit though. I actually love the fit and length of the skirt as is but I would adjust it to how you are comfortable.

Anonymous

Ingunn, these are some great looks! Taking the waist band of the skirt is a great idea, and taking in the hip/side seams. I particularly love the jacket over your sheath dress. Pile on some pearls and you're ready for a cocktail party! The denim pieces really work to modernize the skirt, too.

Vildy

Veteran

I think it moving from the upper hip and not from the waistband would possibly make it more modern. I love that kind of fix myself. See what Diane the tailor says. She always has great advice.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Diane, have you seen this? What do you think of removing the waistband and taking in the skirt in the side/hip seams?

Anonymous

Gosh, I must be telepathic! I felt compelled to click here and there my name was! That sounds like a fab idea. Taking off the band would lift the length a little and you can easily take the skirt in a bit. I like the idea of it being slimmer through the hips. I like the skirt with knee high boots a lot and I love how you styled the jacket. With the skirt a little shorter it would look great with the booties too, as I find it a smidge long.

Anonymous

I meant to say, you could use a grosgrain ribbon and stitch it around the waist and then turn it to the inside of the skirt waist. It would give a nice firmish non stretchy edge.

missvee

Veteran

I just adore the skirt belted with the light tops in picture 3. It might be a tiny bit long but really it's lovely too just as it is. As long as you wear a belt I think the waist looks great. You could wear it a few times as is, and then decide what to do based on how it feels. Oh, btw the jacket is great too, especially with the shorter black skirt. You're finding some wonderful pieces lately :-).

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Diane, I'm very grateful you chimed in! You must be telepathic

My idea was to lower the waist a little, and also let the skirt hug my hips a bit more to create a slimmer line. Now, I feel it poofs un-intentionally around my hips because the waistband is too tight for me. This makes it a little uncomfortable, too. The length is good, but it can also be a little shorter, I agree on that. It is a great solution to use a grosgrain ribbon on the reverse side for stability!

Thank you, missvee, I'm feeling lucky, too

Anonymous

Ahh yes taking off the band will help to ease the waist and then you can add the ribbon to the size that feels comfy as I suspect the fabric will have a tiny bit of give too and you can work with that. I know you're good at sewing so I look forward to seeing the result

retailgirl

Veteran

I love this suit! I love it as a suit but also as separates. The longer skirt is lovely and graceful. It looks modern in 6 but great in all the pics. I always check your posts, I like your individual style.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, retailgirl!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think the suit is stunningly beautiful as is. Sorry to chime in late - I am hectic today. xo

JAileen

Veteran

I like it separated. To me, the skirt is not a midi, it is too short for that. But it looks really great with tall boots, especially with the leather jacket and the jean jacket. Those look very smart! The jacket looks great both ways you styled it. Together as a suit, I guess you might need something for a court appearance or a funeral. It's not at all bad, but what you might describe as "sober".

12