Ask Angie/All: K/R Fuchsia Topper - YouLookFab Forum

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Ask Angie/All: K/R Fuchsia Topper

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Hi Angie and all! I am having a dillema that requires your objective input. I mentioned in my previous post called "My Coat Capsule is Complete" that I had hoped to find a bright pink topper similar to the color of the man coat that you (Angie) have/has. I love this color but don't a) find much in it, and b) have but maybe one top in it. Well, I went into Nordies with a pile of things to return last weekend and stayed for the holiday shopping suarez, and while browsing the sales racks, I came upon a couple of items (toppers really) in colors that I had been searching for. One, which is not the topic of this post, was a Max Mara wool/cashmere long jacket, steep reduction, but still quite pricey (pic #1). The other was/is a fuchsia St. John wool/cashmere jacket (pic #2, the Find is the wrong color). I decided to go with the latter, because I prefered the length, color and price, and brought it home to try with some outfits and get your opinions. I really need to be sure about this one, because even reduced, it's still expensive. I know nothing about St. John other than their ads in magazines and really have never ventured into that area of Nordstroms before this event. The color works well with my heavily grey, charcoal and black/white wardrobe and I'm hoping it looks good against my skin (no need for a scarf to transition). I need feedback on the cut and length, and I think this may be because...and now I'm going to out myself...I had always thought of St. John as an "older" vibe than what I normally go for <ducking the rotten tomatoes>. I've "styled" it with a few different tops but didn't bother to change bottoms/shoes yet. Thanks for looking and full-on honesty appreciated, as this will need to be the last purchase for some time if it stays (probably should be anyway, but that's another topic. ;-))

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20 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

kellygirl

Veteran

St. John usually looks like St. John, at least to me, and this doesn't look like it at all. I really like it forward facing. The only thing that gives me pause is the side view. Will those panels relax? They seem to stand away from your body. Probably something that looks even better in motion?

unfrumped

Veteran

The color is fantastic but I share kellygirl's concern about the lack of drape.
If it is intentional, it's something you probably either like or don't, and it would bother me--I would want my topper to be more conforming, though not necessarily limp. I would be concerned about being a little costume-y, but maybe I am just not statement-oriented enough?
How does it feel?

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

You guys have hit the nail on the head...it's the rigidity of the lapels that is throwing me. I am OK with the statement-ness of the color, but cannot tell if the boxy side view is a deal breaker.

Anonymous

I love it, but I have the same reservation that Kellygirl and unfrumped mention. The coat seems to wear you from the side view. It would be hard for me to get past that.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I love that color, especially on you, but i am wondering how you like the way it hangs in the front. It seems like it is a structured fabric but I am not sure if it is meant to drape or be origami-like.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

The color is great but I don't think the shape, length and stiffness are doing you any favors.

jackiec

Veteran

I am agreeing with the others. Something about the side-view rigidity, but maybe that's the intention. Curious to see what Angie says. I'm not good at all about fit & this sort of thing. I do like the colour, and can I say you look super-cute in those last 3 shots with the white background?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is more of a cardi than a coat - no?

Ann. My first reaction was that I love it on you. I went back a few times to recheck fit - especially the sleeves - because that's where there could be an issue. But it all looks good to me. The fit is very fashionable. That said, only YOU can decide if the flaps are wearable, and that you don't get annoyed with them.

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Yep Angie, unlined but a heavy, structured cardigan. The sleeves are a knit underneath (see pic) and, although long, fit pretty well. I don't think the flaps would annoy me per se, but maybe everyone else I come into contact with? Arghhhh, I love the color and fabrication...

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Aha. Yes. I saw the knit sleeves.

FWIW, I don't have a problem with the side view or flaps at all. Question is - do you?

Sleep on it for a while. This is Nordies. No need to make a decision this weekend.

In solidarity to this gorgeous shocking pink colour, I'm posting the pics below for good measure. xo

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Anonymous

I like it. I did react to your comment though about not having to wear a scarf with it .....and I will voice my disagreement with that. There is something about a bare neck and chest under a coat that looks wrong to me. A scarf is such a luxurious finishing piece if done well - sigh, I love scarves. Anyways, to me it looks unfinished not to have something around your neck when you wear a jacket like this . If you had a turtleneck on , that would be a different story.

This has nothing to do with anything. Sorry. I am not a fashion editor I like the colour on you, and think it works well with your pieces here . St. John used to be for an older customer - the lady who lunches etc - but in recent years they've tried to target a different, more contemporary market. Luxe pricing for sure though.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like the side flaps! The color is great, but this is one that is hard to judge in pictures. I think you have to see how it moves with you.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Before you said it was St. John, I was thinking Helmut Lang or Eileen Fisher. (Not that I've seen HL do colors like that, but that was my thought, anyway.) So, very much in keeping with your style. I like the cool front on the jacket. With the stiffness I might find that front opening hard to wear (it's the kind of thing I might be fussing with, wanting it to stay closed or folded back, and tyring to get it to cooperate). So that's worth considering--whether it's comfortable to wear. But looks wise, I really like it on you. I like the length. The cutaway front design makes it flattering, too. I love that neckline, kind of a stylized lapel.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ann, I love fuchsia toppers. I don't own one now, but boy, do I want to. I bought a cheap shrunken jacket from H&M a few years back, thinking it would be an orphan, and it was the surprise closet workhorse of the year. I wore it out.

I really like this on you, and the more if it is a cardigan. I suspect that it will relax a little bit over time if it is knit construction. I prefer the proportions with a slightly higher neckline underneath. And I think it wants a quiet supporting act. (Except for footwear).

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

The pink color is magnificent ad the fit looks good. My concern would be the practicality: it seems like a coat fabric weight (aka outdoors) but without an option to close there would be a very limited window to wear it (in my climate anyway). I need my coats to keep me warm which means they need to close.
If this is strictly an indoor topper then this would not be a concern.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FWIW, as a fellow Seattleite, I know that Ann has plenty of opportunity to wear this thickness of sweater jacket without a scarf. She can pull it out on a mild Winter or Spring day, or even on a bad Summer day. We have lots of that type of in-between weather around here.

Helena

Veteran

I really love it - I say keep!

shiny

Veteran

I love it and vote "Keep."

I like that you can flip the flaps back like you've done in the 4th pic. Or, not. And like Suz, I suspect it'll relax, but even if it doesn't, it's just fine. Us bustier women simply fill out our coats differently!

Color is gorgeous and looks gorgeous on you.

I'd love to see how this works with a pair of wide legged jeans or trousers. I bet it would be stunning. Have you tried over a dress? I imagine this topper will be quite versatile.

Thistle

Veteran

I love the color on you! Looks like Angie has already weighed in, and she is the expert!

So the color is fab, the fit great, and it meets climate needs. However, NONE of that matters if you won't wear it. Heaven knows how many of those orphans have lived in my closet

So, do what feels best to you. If you truly are excited for it, keep. If not, something else will come along. Remember, you will almost never be as excited about a purchase as you are when you make it. (aka, most things won't grow on ya. If you don't love 'em now, you never will)

unfrumped

Veteran

I agree that the wear-ability is so personal and will depend on how you feel when you have it on. The main thing for me with toppers is I need to be able to feel good about tossing them on, moving around and not feel like I have to stand or sit just so adjust it. The bold color is not a problem, but you want it to look like you're the boss of the jacket. Maybe have someone you like and trust as a fashion-eye see it in motion? Because we know static pics can be problematic.

These pics confirm this is a fantastic color for you, and not just in little bits, but in a statement piece. You just have to decide if this is "the one" (and you can take time for pondering it a bit and trying it on multiple times and ways) or if it just whets your appetite to find the right piece(s) in this color.

I have been so frustrated to have something almost what I want. OTOH, I am also the person who went back and re-purchased a sweater in one of my less-available target colors (in another size, in my defense) after first returning it and swearing I was so smart to have done so.