At the Bay

Suz

Trying on suiting. Theory jacket. Also tried the one Una has. Looked surprisingly good but it wasn't a good fabric or colour for me.

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13 years ago

Urgent

23 replies

Latest reply was from Tina.b

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, the jacket looks better in the second picture than the first ... don't really know why that is though.

13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

Has a very masculine vibe to it, but looks like it fits well.

13 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

From what I can tell, the fit looks good, but I'm a bit ambivalent about the "corporate" look of the suit jacket. I know Angie told you that you needed a suit, and she is definitely the expert here. But, I've got to tell you that, hands down, my worst purchase for the past two years has been the beautiful black trouser suit that cost $$$ and now hangs in my closet. The fit is perfect, the style is great for my body, and it was going to be a core piece in my capsule. The reality is that, no matter how I style the jacket, it just makes me feel that I'm a boardroom. I've tried to use Angie's styling ideas, but I can't overcome that feeling so I end up wearing something else. The really crazy thing is that I would have worn that bloody jacket to death a few years ago, but it is just so not my style these days. The pants, on the other hand, are a favorite piece in my dressy capsule, so all is not lost (but they would have been a much less expensive purchase if bought alone!).

I think, if the jacket appeals to you, I'd make sure I could return it and then take the jacket home to play around with it to see how you feel when you think of how you'd wear it to ACTUAL events in your life. If you like the outfits you can make with the jacket, you are good to go. In my case, my jacket is a good reminder not to buy for my imaginary life.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Good points, Gaylene. I am not buying now. Just trying for fit and cut. There are several other possible styles of jacket but not all in my size. I would probably be going for a different colour than this. Though maybe not. It has a fine pinstripe.

I don't think I would feel too corporate because I would typically break it up. I wear all kinds of blazers with ease. But I would need it to skew modern vs. classic or it wouldn't work.

13 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Classic and conservative, a timeless investment piece, if that's what you're looking for. (I'm using my Mom's new iPad, it certainly encourages brevity!)

13 years ago

merwoman

Veteran

Dang it all - those shoes look good! Oh yes - back to the suit
Fits you well, but a bit stiff looking as pictured/styled here. I think this is a great idea to have a look and see what suits your body so to speak - and it may be an idea to collect images (pinterest) to hone in on what your ideal suit might look like.

13 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am wondering if it is a bit too long for you in the body. Otherwise it looks like a good fit.
I did not know The Bay stocks Theory, I have never seen this brand there. Are you in Toronto - it may explain different assortment...

13 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi Suz --

Echoing the variety of above comments but adding -- can you size down in the jacket? Theory jackets are cut to be sleek in the arms and torso and this looks big in those spots.

13 years ago

Raisin

Veteran

I like the masculine vibe of this jacket...a LOT! I find fit hard to tell from photos, but I would definitely like to see the size down for comparison purposes. How does the fit feel? It doesn't look ill-fitting though.

13 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

It looks GREAT on you but it also looks very corporate. I'd love to see you in something a bit funkier, like Una's theory blazer, as a comparison.

13 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I thought it looked a bit big in the shoulders and agree with Sveta that it may be a bit long for you. Could you try a suit with a jacket that hits around the hip bone with a higher stance? I also bought a black suit a few years ago that was rarely worn. Mine was a skirt suit from Melanie Lynn. I now know that if I am getting a more corporate looking suit, I need to get in in a fabric that either has a bit of detail or is a non-black neutral. I like my bright navy suit and have worn the pieces much more than the black.

13 years ago

jayne

Veteran

lovely jacket, beautiful style and cut, but just NOT your color Suz!

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sveta, Suz has a long body - so to my eye - this jacket length works.

Gaylene, I can imagine that a suit was very wrong for your current lifestyle, just by what I have picked up from your musings on this forum. Granted, we have never seen your style so I'm just grappling with what I can work with :). It does sound like you and Suz have different style aspirations, body types and lifestyles at the moment, and judging from what I can piece together - Suz could use an androgynous, on trend, yet classic suit that she can pump up with a whole lot of flair. To your point, the items will work as separates as well as a suit.

FWIW, suits are sooooooo fashionable, ladies! It's interesting to hear that to many of you - it just screams corporate.

Suz, I LOVE the fit of the jacket!! SO YOU. But would also encourage trying another colour - like navy or charcoal. Even pinstripes.

13 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I love suits! This appears to fit well; however, I like it when you wear "cheeky" cropped jackets. Have you tried something like that?

13 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love the masculine vibe on you. Your delicate features and blonde hair work wonderfully with this look. I do like Angie's idea of a softer color, but I think a suit should be in your future.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks so much, everyone! Sorry I couldn't pop back in immediately; I had an hour before my train to my mother's left and used it to try stuff on!

Your thoughts are so interesting and helpful.

Sveta, yes, this was Toronto; they certainly don't sell Theory in the Kingston Bay. Ha! As IF!!!!

To those who felt it skewed corporate....I "get" this intellectually, but it's not my feeling about suits (especially trouser suits) maybe because I've never actually worn a corporate type suit for a corporate type job. So it just doesn't have those associations for me automatically. OTOH, if it does for many others, then that is something worth considering.

Angie, I wish I could have had you there to consult about fit and style. This was the 2. The 0 is definitely too small for me in the shoulders. Can't move comfortably in it.

Typically I prefer a shorter jacket, but the shorter jacket was not available to try in my size and didn't look good in the size up or down. The 2 is maybe just fractionally a bit too long in the waist (Sveta might be onto something there) and it is also a bit loose in the bust area (I think) but I wasn't 100% sure of that and could have used better lighting or a helper for my photos. I know it is SO tough to see here. I do think it looked a lot better in real life -- remember I am foreshortened here because of the angle at which I am taking the photo, so the body looks even longer than it does IRL.

Overall, I liked the masculine vibe of it A LOT and could see myself wearing something like this. I also felt that even if the fit was not perfect, it was probably as good as I am likely to find off the rack. I now own several pieces from Theory and my overall feeling is that this brand fits me pretty darn well. Which is nice to know, whether or not I actually buy this or that jacket.

I also tried the Lanai jacket (like Una's) but they only had this version: http://www.theory.com/modern-b.....kets-coats

I don't like the colour or the fabric of this.

The style is a lot better on me than I'd have thought. I would have to wear it with crew necks, turtlenecks, a button down, or a boat neck top, but if I did that it would be good. It is a more forgiving cut than the other jacket so a bit of looseness is not a problem. I could not size down, though, because of the shoulders. I could definitely see myself buying one of these in the right fabrication and colour.

Thanks again for your thoughts on this; it was SUCH a productive day of not buying today!!

ETA: This one is not black, but charcoal, which IS in fact a good colour for me, though with the store lighting any and all could be forgiven for thinking not...and it also has pinstripes, admittedly not visible to the naked eye!)

13 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi again Suz --

Well it's always a good thing to try try try when you're looking to make a significant purchase, so you can congratulate yourself on smart shopping....

As you know Theory makes many variations on the theme as well as a few outliers like the Lanai. [Glad you are coming around to that style if worn with higher necklines...my leather knockoff and I think it's great for straighter figures.]

Is that the Rory you're modeling?

I have both the longer Rory and the shorter-but-not-cropped Gabe B and have to say I feel the latter is a lot more flexible (pants/skirts). I know we share the proportionately shorter leg thing...don't know if you share my preference for long jackets + skirts vs long + pants. [I do wear longer jackets with sleek jeans because I'm a sucker for the equestrian vibe, but I don't think it's my best look.]

Might be worth thinking about if you want your jacket to wear primarily with pants or with skirts/dresses -- or with both equally. Not sure if you were shopping for a pantsuit so you could wear the suit a lot or more the pants + jacket with option of wearing it as a suit.

Can you test drive things in your closet to get at your preferred proportions? It might help you narrow down options in suit jackets.

13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Very Annie Lennox! --- which is meant as a compliment, in case you're unsure!

I've not seen as much androgyny in your other outfits, though, I feel --- new style direction/slant?

I found myself nodding to what Vix said (length for pants vs skirt), though, if you intend to break up the suit rather than wear it as suit.

I do like the sharpness of it, and the colour (after a long day's tux shopping yesterday---don't ask!---I did suspect it was charcoal rather than matte black). The pin stripes sound even more exciting.

13 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I'm so excited for you to find your suit Suz.

Although I work in finance i do not think suit automatically equals corporate, this suit styled with a white shirt, black tote, black mid heeled pumps then perhaps but not by itself.

Perhaps there is a taupe suit out there with your name on it!

13 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Suz, I'm so sorry to differ... I don't think this jacket looks good on you. I mean, length, fit are perfect, but it's the style of it. It's tapered, long, uneventful style is too harsh, too serious too... dare I say, boring (!) for your fun, warm, loving and lively personality. It may be because I am in the capital and see lots of these suits daily. I like the idea of androgyny on you, though.

Looking again at your pick I think what bothers me most is the jacket's length. I think you need a shorter one to flatter you nice, tight little body.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all your thoughts!

I am unsure about the length of the jacket and would need to try on others to compare. Unfortunately there were none of the other styles in my size (except a version of the Lanai) and trying the other styles a size up or down wasn't very informative.

Mani, Krish....androgyny might not have been apparent in previous outfits, but it has always been an element of my style and I've always been drawn to it. So while you could say it would be a new style direction, I think more properly it would be an expression of already existing preferences.

Vix, this isn't the Rory. I think it's the Gabe. It fits me a bit more like the Katherine...perhaps because while long bodied I am short-waisted. And, um, overall short. Although again, the proportions are a bit skewed in this photo...it doesn't look exactly that way IRL.

Very interesting what you say about preferring long jackets with skirts! I think I would like a long jacket with a short straight skirt. Not with a longer skirt, for me. And I do often like a shorter jacket with pants. But like you, I'm a sucker for an equestrian vibe.

Well...trying on was interesting, anyway! Thanks again for all your comments.

13 years ago

Anonymous

It was really interesting seeing you in a long (or just regular length) jacket. A new look for sure! The brand seems to fit you well. I don't feel like it looked overly corporate either, FWIW.

13 years ago

Tina.b

Veteran

I like the shape of the longer jacket on you. I think it would look amazing in a more luxe fabrication, though the pic here probably isn't conveying the fabric to it's full potential (Theory jackets are quite lovely). I think you would look amazing in a white or cream pant suit in this shape specifically. Or a tux style jacket.

13 years ago

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