Ask Angie: Should I order the blazer? - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie: Should I order the blazer?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Angie, remember on the Boston meet up I tried on the Harper blazer from Club Monaco in light grey? The fit was excellent and your thumbs were way up.

I decided to leave it in the store because Sveta and I knew I could get it for the same price in CAD (in other words, for less money). I also thought I would wait for it to go on sale.

Well, as one of their continuing styles, I discovered that it almost never goes on sale. But it is on sale right now.

I am tempted to order but am quarrelling with myself -- will I simply split wears with the Elie Tahari Taupe (or the Reiss blue), is it going to see enough wear?

Jackets are crucial to my style, especially dressed down with denim. My very favourite outfits almost always seem to include great jeans and a great jacket. Yet in the past year, I've reached more for cardigans, especially when working at home, where I seem to crave "cozy" in winter. On the other hand, I'm about to embark on a more "outside the home" life as I return to school. Several days a week I'll be in classrooms as student. I will also be teaching again this year.

I currently own the Elie Tahari taupe (part of my suit), the Reiss navy, and the Trouve black jacket, as well as two leather jackets and two denim jackets.

The price is very reasonable.

Thoughts?

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Elie Tahari 'Kristina' Jacket

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Belmonte Dark Navy Tuxedo Jacket

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Trouvé Trouvé Mixed Texture Jacket

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32 replies

Latest reply was from Style Fan

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

The price is very good with 40% off on top of the sale price. If you are willing to risk $8 you can order it and play with it in your closet.

However, the main question is - do you NEED another jacket? It is hard to say. I do not wear cardigans at all and work in the office 5 days a week. I have 3 indoor leather jackets, 3 wool blazers and 1 wool moto jacket I wear October to May. I also added one more indoor leather blazer this summer which brings my number to a whooping 8. (I don't count denim jackets here as for me they are purely summer items).

I wear them all during the season and I think I have a room to add more The only one jacket I don't wear as often is my black BR BF tuxedo and this is because it is a bit big now and also beciase I have another black jacket - BCBG mixed media one with sharp shoulders. They both look a bit alike in color and length so basically serve the same purpose.
Do you think your taupe jacket and this grey may be too similar for you? They are different colors and also different styles - grey being more classic and taupe is more trendy.
I guess I ma not much help today

Word Lily

Veteran

I think you should get it. You look amazing in grey, and even the style is a bit different, with the prominent button. And you already know it looks good on you. With the teaching and the out of the house parts of your life increasing, it's a no brainer (as long as you can afford it).

Anonymous

I have two thoughts here - and you can (and should) take both with a huge grain of salt:

1. I know this jacket and this colour well, and it has always struck me as looking like part of a suit (i.e. needs to have the pant or skirt with it) I'm not sure if I can articulate why, and that might just be me , but the fabrication doesn't give it a stand-alone jacket look. Again, it's just a thought i have always had - I owned this suit at one point.

2. as Sveta says: do you really need another jacket? Playing devil's advocate here while I wait for dinner to cook. I see it as the perfect teaching and school uniform look for you, but how many days a week is this going to be? Just curious.

3. I think you might want to consider, if you do add another jacket, something in a completely different cut, or with some different design features, that will set it apart style-wise from the others. I realize that the black one has no collar, and neither does the Theory (correct?) but they are all essentially variations on the same thing body and fabric wise.

Again, tell me to go back to dinner if I'm way off base

Runcarla

Veteran

I was shaking my head and thinking 'don't do it!' As I read your post. I knew you were going to be a student, and when you mentioned reaching for cardigans more.

Then I came to the bit about your return to teaching. Donning a jacket over a casual or dressy casual outfit will allow a simple transition that will send a clear message. So you might want to make the investment. Especially if you love it. Are you thinking of addding academichic to your style persona?

Be aware, that a jacket can be a bulky layer under a winter coat and a back pack can cause wear damage to some fabrics. (DS's have both experienced some pilling of their wool and woolblend coats from backpack straps.)

catgirl

Veteran

I agree with Lisa. Although my Lanai blazer doesn't feel that way, the grey Theory blazer did - it was too crisp for me to wear casually and yet I didn't have matching pants. I'm not much of a structured casual person though - as we've discussed, I prefer the illusion of structure in softer items, even for work.

If you can see yourself wearing more of this look when working it will be useful but bear in mind it may be more of a capsule addition.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, this is tough. That blazer has been on your radar for two years now, right? At this point has it achieved mythical status (perhaps like we talked about in my thread earlier), or is this a HEWI that you will kick yourself for if you don't try it?

I remember how you left that behind but went on to eventually get the Reiss and the Tahari. Do you feel like those along with the Trouve are sufficient for your needs considering your upcoming teaching gig? Or do you feel like you'll be craving more variety in your blazer collection? If you think you'll want more variety, is that the color and style you *really* want, or do you want it because you know it fits and looks good. There might be another blazer out there in a more interesting color and cut that provides more variety in your wardrobe. Looking at the collection you've posted, there is a very common vibe, and I could see you shaking things up a bit more with a great tweed or plaid or a fun color, IF you decide another blazer is needed.

Just my meanderings....

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I'm so glad you added the other jackets in your collection to this post, because as I looked at them all, my gut instinct is that if you'd like to add another jacket, add one with some colour. This is starting to be a lot of neutrals...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz, you have not been wearing your blazers very frequently at all. I vote pass.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. You are all great....thank you!!

I would like something with more colour and texture, maybe. I'd also like a moto style jacket. And/ or some kind of structured vest.

But probably not leather since I don't really wear my leather jackets very much as indoor wear, especially the white one. To wear leather as an indoor jacket, I've learned, it has to be really thin and supple or I just won't reach for it. The taupe leather jacket has knit inset sleeves and it is shaped like a fitted blazer, so I reach for it a bit more often. But I usually prefer a fabric one to the leather.

This is all very helpful grist for the mill...I have a few more hours before I pull the trigger (or not). Oh, and I also have free shipping, by the way. And would return in person.

Astrid

Veteran

I think your tempted by the sale - stay strong! You don't need that blazer just because it's on mark down and you know it fits well. And if you want to wear more blazers again teaching you will have a nice selection already.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ah, Angie. Cross posted.

Yes, it's true -- but the part that is sort of invisible is this --

1. I never wear my blazers in the summer. (Far too hot here -- the only topper I wear is a denim jacket or cotton sweater).

2. I love structured for outside the home and I am about to be outside the home (in a professional role) much more than I have been for the past 5 or more years.

So basically we are looking at a change of lifestyle here. Some things will remain the same -- I will still live in this climate, in this city, and I will still have some work-from-home days. But teaching days will be one or two a week and class time (as a student) will be the same.

Travel needs will also remain.

Hmmm....I do think something non-neutral might be smarter, though...on the other hand, this is a steal of a price.

catgirl

Veteran

Is there any chance you would try one of these? They are comfortable and nicely cut but not stiff.

http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/.....wordsearch

Joy

Veteran

Get a jacket that will look great over your school pride graphic tee that you will need to wear every game day

Anonymous

I agree with lisap on point 3.
You have 3 neutral, classic blazers. You could do something a little more punchy with the fourth.
OTOH, grey is a good staple colour for you.

Lucy

Veteran

My two cents. When teaching adults, IMO it is good to be more dressed up than the students. It doesn't pay to be over the top - especially with shoes, high heels end up looking ridiculous on campus when you are running between classes. But a jacket is a good thing to dress up denim.

Thistle

Veteran

I just don't see you wearing it much. How much do you wear the Blazers you have? I know you can't wear them in the summer, but my concern is you're purchasing for a more imaginary lifestyle. You know it fits and looks good. Only you can answer if it'll get worn enough.

Thistle

Veteran

I also hesitate that you might have on sale goggles. That it has resurfaced on your radar because of price after 2 years . . .

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I haven't read the other comments - hectic day! - but Suz, if you want another jacket, perhaps do a COMPLETELY different style.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You are all talking wisdom here, friends.

Thistle, I'd say it "resurfaced" because I keep looking for it. Seriously -- every time I visit the store or the site I look to see if it is on sale -- this is the first time I've seen it. So in a sense I may have been pining for it. Gosh, who pines for a basic neutral blazer? Am I nuts? Apparently. I never think twice about most other stuff I leave on the shop floor.

Hmm. Well, I am mostly decided not to buy it. Something coloured and/or more texturally interesting would probably be a smarter bet, and possibly something less "corporate" looking, although honestly, the way I would wear this, it wouldn't look corporate.

Astrid

Veteran

You sound like you're trying to talk yourself into it. If it were the right decision to buy you would have already done it. Just what I think...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Can you order, try with outfits and return if it's not love? That would settle the question I think.

Anonymous

I wonder what it is about this blazer that is causing you to think about it all the time...

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I am going to give you a different opinion here.

You say you've wanted this jacket for 2 years now. And you didn't buy it...be coz you knew you might not wear it as much. Now with a shift in lifestyle, you'll be outside the home 4 days a week minimum? 2 as a teacher and 2 as a student. I think your wardrobe will HAVE to change.

The reason I think you should get this jacket is that you really seem to WANT it and already know how you'll style it. You've got it all planned in your head. Because you have it figured out, you'll also wear it more often, in my opinion. You already sound like you're in love. You won't even have to convince yourself much to wear it as often as possible! Plus u say the fit really works on you and this jacket makes you look and feel great.

So why not? What's so special about trying a new colour? I think you could achieve a color pop with a scarf, bag, footwear etc. I think you look GREAT in grey.

My advice is to go for it.....try it in person....return if you think it may not wrk. But I don't think you MUST try color.

Personally speaking, I don't have any blazers that are in bright colours. Al my blazers are neutral. I achieve color by wearing a thin cotton sweater, fine knit, shirt inside the blazer in a nice, rich colour.

It's worked so far. I don't wear my blazers much....so a classic neutral design means I can keep wearing it for next 20 years by just changing the sweater and denim style! (Which I do update seasonally).

unfrumped

Veteran

What lisap said.
Not no to jackets , but this jacket.
Be on the lookout for a fabric jacket especially for jeans.
Yes, I know the bit about wearing Any jacket with denim, but I haven't found it to be so. Need more of a true blazer, or even a novelty jacket.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I'm in a transition, too, Suz. It makes it so difficult to plan ahead, doesn't it? I love the blazers you have in your wardrobe already, and I second the input that suggests another jacket, but one that is more different from the others.

Such an exciting time for you! Look forward to seeing how it changes your style!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I can't say anything re teaching but...

My second degree was as a much older student. Obviously I already stood out even though about 1/4-1/3 of my class were on their second degree. One of the young-uns told me at one point that I should stop dressing so nice, I made her feel bad. I muttered something about being older and having a job before going back to school. So as a student you may consider not looking too formal.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay. Thanks all for the input. I am not buying it. It's not a need. It's a want, and a billion other wants will come and go, and I think I'll get more pleasure from something a little different from my usual.

Anna, that was a good point. Although I think at this point I'm so much older that the other students won't even look at me. Then again, you never know. The department I'm entering is known for admitting a lot of non-traditional students.

As for teaching, I don't need to look formal there, either. I'll be teaching in the film department. But I do know I like a bit of structure in my outside the home outfits, whereas at home it's all about being cozy (in winter) and cool (in summer).

Hmm. Maybe a leather moto jacket is not such a bad idea after all. If I could find the right buttery soft navy one, I'd be sold.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

Suz, glad you are holding out for something that's not a replicate but just in a different color.

Grey is such a great neutral to add to your wardrobe, I hope you find a jacket that's a little different from the other blazers in your closet!! That's one of the reasons I love the "Finds" on this Forum. Other wonderful ladies help me shop the internet!!

viva

Veteran

I'm inspired that you held off, Suz. This would have been a tough one for me, too. But I think you made the right decision -- and if you find a buttery navy moto, I'll be swooning right alongside you.

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