K/R Boilersuit and consignment try-ons - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R Boilersuit and consignment try-ons

LaPed

Veteran

Ventured into my local consignment shop today and brought home a few tops — two cashmere tees and a first floral tee. And then the Madewell boilersuit was waiting for me when I got home. Would love to know what you all think; all are returnable and I do have my share of hesitations. I’m trying to move the needle a bit and if I have to file these under “lesson learned” that’s fine.

1. Boilersuit — it fits quite well and is so very soft. However, I’m not sure I have the energy to field housepainter/Ghostbusters comments every time I wear it, so it may go back.

I also tried the denim version, which was quite a bit longer in the torso despite being the same size and otherwise identical to the white. The droopy-crotch effect was bad enough that I will not be posting a pic for you all.

2. Dark olive cashmere tee — this one I will almost certainly keep unless you all tell me otherwise!

3. Camel cashmere tee — I’d love to diss out light neutrals for myself and other folks make this colour look so good. It reads as a creamy cafe au lair on its own, but seems to turn slightly lentil-coloured when I’m wearing it? I would probably style it with black denim most of the time, which would probably be better than the blush jeans, but I’m not sure it’s a keeper. Also, the sleeves have a slight puff to them which I know is in right now but I’m not sure I love it.

3 — Amour Vert floral tee. This is a really nice, soft, sturdy fabric and I love the idea of the tiny mustard-yellow flowers on black. But it’s been a long time since I wore a scoop neck and I’m not sure I like them! The combo of the sleeve length and neckline seems to be emphasizing my shoulders in a way I’ve never encountered (or noticed?) before. It was cheap as chips though, and I’m a bit tempted to chop off the sleeves and turn it into a tank top.

ETA a few extra photos of the two questionable tops. This is more or less how I’d wear the camel cashmere if I keep it. It’s rare for me to wear short sleeves on their own; almost always use them as a layer, and if it’s hot enough to not need layers I usually go for sleeveless...

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34 replies

Latest reply was from LaPed

nuancedream

Veteran

I think the boilersuit is a keeper because it does fit you so well. How you style it will keep you from veering into house painter/Ghostbuster territory. I love the olive cashmere short tee. It will be a great transition piece into early fall. The camel cashmere tee, while pretty, seems kind of dull against your skin. I see you in a richer brown like marsala or a bittersweet dark chocolate. I like the floral tee but I understand your concern about scoop neck tops. Not my favorite neckline. I vote for getting rid of the sleeves and turning it into a tank top

kkards

Veteran

Well, I’m going to say that I really like the boilersuit, but I understand your hesitation. I can’t help with the question of will you be comfortable wearing it, but it’s super cute, and seems to fit really well
Love the olive cashmere tee. The camel not as much, but wondering if it’s partly because I think the bottoms need to be darker or lighter, or if it’s the color of the sweater.
Neutral on the last tee shirt, but I’ve learned the hard way if something feels off when I try it on, that something is always going to bother me. So if your not feeling the scoop neck, I’d pass

Anonymous

I like the dark olive cashmere t , and quite like the boiler suit too . Something about the colour of the second cash top doesn’t wow me , and I have to be honest in saying the body con crew neck looks too junior for you . It’s very pretty , but just so much less sophisticated than the cashmere tops .

Irina

Veteran

I love the fit of the boilersuit but hesitant about the color. Denim is out but do they have other colors?
Both cashmere t-shirts are great, look fab on you. Try camel one with blue or white/cream denim (my favorite combo).
The floral t-shirt is OK but a bit, ehhh oldfashioned, no?

unfrumped

Veteran

Boiler suit is cute for sure. Can’t say whether that’s where you want to go. I’m trying to do more of asking myself, do I prefer this new item over things I’ve got ( as in want to wear ASAP) and, when/ where will I wear it? The pandemic gets in the way for me on more unusual items or seasonal ones, unless I see myself wearing at home or to the grocery store, because I can’t tell if I’ll get a lot of wear from something in next 3-4 months, and/ or still like it a year from now.
Great olive T. I’m not loving the camel as much, partly because I get twee feelings from short puffed sleeves, and partly I can’t tell if the color will read as a rich classic neutral on you, or wash you out.

catherine

Veteran

The boiler suit is cute. It fits great. I also totally get your hesitation.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

The dark cashmere top is definitely a keeper.Looks lovely on you.
l like the boiler suit on you a lot but I agree that the colour says painter and decorator .Do you like it enough to dye another colour?
I also agree with you on the colour of the camel tee,it’s not your best and why settle when there are so many others colours that you look great in.

Sal

Veteran

To me it is a yes yes no no!

The olive is a no brainer. The camel is not quite right - darker or lighter. And the floral I think is not right given your hesitations.

The boiler suit looks amazing in terms of fit and suits your vibe. But you will get smart comments because people are like that. It is a fun way to stretch your style a bit though.

Minaminu

Veteran

The boiler suit and the olive top are fab on you for both colour and fit, the other 2 pieces are not 100% right ...

LaPed

Veteran

I’m glad these comments are basically confirming my own thoughts! I grabbed a few things to show the iffy tops in other contexts. The camel might be all right as neutral glue paired with darker things, but I don’t think I’ll ever love it. And it would probably look amazing on someone else. The little flowers OTOH I really do like a lot.

I’m going to have to play around with the jumpsuit a bit more before I decide on it. It’s 100% cotton and I definitely had the possibility of dyeing it on my mind when I ordered, but seems like a lot of trouble for a brand new piece. I might also wait and see if Madewell releases some other colours later in the season or next fall. Neither Angie’s pink nor Firecracker’s green is quite right for me.

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Bonnie

Veteran

These all fit well and are flattering and I like the way you styled the camel sweater in the last photo. Keep the ones you think you will actually wear.

Sal

Veteran

I do like the two last tops layered and styled. I have a similar need for simple tops to wear under jackets right now....

The camel looks better with the dark colours on you I think. It might also work with burgundies or navy.

nemosmom

Veteran

I love the boilersuit, and the dark olive top! If this isn’t the boilersuit you want, definitely keep looking — I think the style really suits you (pun intended)!

Have you looked at Outerknown? They have short sleeved ones, and shorts versions I think. Lucky brand had long sleeve ones last year in richer colors.

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smittie

Veteran

“However, I’m not sure I have the energy to field housepainter/Ghostbusters comments every time I wear it”

Lol!!

I hear you but it still looks good.

Really like how you’ve styled the tops with your jackets.

notsaf

Veteran

Totally agree with nm about finding another boilersuit or waiting for another color way: it looks great on you. I love all these pieces, and think each might serve it's role in your wardrobe season over season. The scoop neck will feel more right in the summer and the camel cashmere will feel more right in the fall. I'd be tempted to keep them all!

slim cat

Veteran

Boilersuit is great on you. Love dark cashmere tee but not the lighter one ( oatmeal would be better I think ).
The scoop neck tee with flowers is pretty - love it in #5.

Star

Veteran

I think everything is good - so not too much help from me. Once you style the boilersuit it won't look like painter overalls, it fits you very well.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Good to read you kept the floral top. I am loving that scoop neck on you with the longer hair!
I'm neutral about the camel top ;). The color seems fine when paired with darker pieces and I don't see the shoulder widening effect. If it fills a hole (like layering piece under that blazer) I'd keep, otherwise no.
I like the boilersuit but am having panicky thought just from looking at so much white that needs to stay clean

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ok, love the boilersuit but I think that little styling touches like rolling up the sleeves or cuffing the ankles (one or the other, not both) can help mitigate the Ghostbuster vibe. Footwear choice makes a big difference too. I think this is the challenge of white — well, that and my unfortunate habit of getting one stray drop of coffee on every white thing, but that’s just me!

I’m not in love with the color of the camel top on you, but the style/fit is great. I may be alone in this, but I like the scoop neck on you, particularly under the jacket, but I think it would read more sophisticated in an easier fit, even though you look smashing in the fitted version.

That dark green tee is a keeper, for sure!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have the same boiler suit in bubblegum pink and LOVE IT. It's one of my favourite things! I love yours in white. I'm taller so the crotch point hangs higher, which might make a difference. Super cute on you, nonetheless! But only you can assess its comfort levels.

I like the fit of the camel cashmere tee but the colour of the olive. Olive looks a little small, perhaps?

The floral top is VERY 1993....and the '90s are your era. It makes you happy - keep

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Have you gotten Ghostbusters/painter comments already, lol? The suit is cute & fits you well. You could layer over or under it. Good to hear they’re making them for different body shapes in the same size, but it would be nice if they’d explain that & have some kind of sizing system for it.
On the cashmere T—I have just one & am amazed at how comfy-soft it is

rachylou

Veteran

The boiler suit is awesome! I also like the cashmere tees... the camel looks a little washed out alone, but I like it with the jacket. Agree the floral tee feels a bit twee.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

My thoughts, based entirely upon your words:

1) The boilersuit looks AMAZING on you! But if you are not totally in love, I would return it, simply because (in my experience), a boiler suit is already a commitment on its own, and if you don't completely adore it, you're probably going to avoid it. And if you love it, who cares what comments you get? Go with it. Lean into it. Dig up the funniest Peter Venkman quotes you can find, and fire back.

(Fun fact: Atlanta loves Ghostbusters so much, we have a popular venue named after it - Venkmans. And at the Dragon Con parade, there is always a huge army of ghostbusters and vehicles.)

2) Dark Olive Cashmere Tee - you really really like it, so keep it. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. (but for the record, I think it looks great!)

3) Camel Cashmere Tee: send it back. You used "lentil" in a sentence with yourself, and you're never going to unsee that in your mind's eye. Send it back.

4) Floral Tee: this is a tough one. I think it looks great. But I also know what it's like to not be in love with a neckline or a sleeve, talk myself into it, and then be annoyed with myself a year later, when it's sat unworn. I think this is worth a style lab, and some additional consideration, though. I think it looks that good on you!

Jonesy

Veteran

I like all of these tops as layering pieces! And echoing what everyone has said, you were made to wear this boiler suit! But I totally get your hesitation, not wanting to field the inevitable comments. Just the other day I had on a small bandana, tied around my neck in what I felt was a chic look, and my SO said "Total Laverne!" Which was *not* the look I was going for, exactly...(though of course I loved Laverne and Shirley!).

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Gigi

Veteran

The boilersuit looks like it fits quite well, but I agree with you on the associations. If you don't feel happy about reaching for it because of the associations, I would send it back.

I really like the dark cashmere tee, and I don't mind the lighter one on you either. I like the puff sleeves on you. But I know what you mean about the color not being the most flattering, so if you think you have something else that will fulfill a similar function in your wardrobe, I would probably send it back. It's not such a unique piece that you should need to settle.

I think the body-con floral top looks wonderful on you as well. Very nineties, as Angie said! I find that scoopnecks look best on me when my hair is longer and I wear it down, as you have done.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I don't think I would wear the boiler suit in white for the reasons you suggest. Somehow a more fashion color like Angie's pink reads less uniform. But it looks great so it is really up to your feelings. Tricky about the tops - they all have their pros and cons. The color of the camel is probably best assessed in person. Olive color looks great.

Bijou

Veteran

I would send the boiler suit back for these reasons too, a shame because it fits beautifully. All the tops are great, I particularly love the 90’s top.

LaPed

Veteran

Thanks for all the feedback! This is very helpful.

You all are right that the black floral tee speaks to my 90s childhood. When I saw it, my first thought was, "It's just the right colours to wear with Doc Martens!" I don't want to look like I've stepped out of the Delia's catalog, but I think I will keep it and play around with it, and probably shorten/angle or remove the sleeves. I'm short on tees and tanks right now and had to retire my only other ditsy-print tee (navy with red cherries) last year, as it was getting threadbare. I should probably keep an eye out for other layering tops with small-scale prints in good colours...

The camel cashmere I think can go back. I agree that oatmeal would be a better light neutral, but it's hard to find. I like ecru a lot too. And browns that are just a little darker (hickory, chestnut) are better too. The short sleeve cashmere is sort of experimental for me. I'm looking for things to keep me warm during transitional weather that don't feel too bundled-up. I also wouldn't mind a sleeveless shell in cashmere or merino...

I have a long list of possible coveralls to try (below -- Alex Mill, Outerknown, and Amour Vert), so it probably means this isn't the one, but I'm still having a hard time sending it back! It meets a lot of my requirements: nice thick fabric, patch pockets instead of set-in, button-front instead of zip, is not too droopy but also doesn't give me a wedgie. It looks good with all of my sneakers, which is making it hard to say no... I really love the belted wide-leg style of #3 and #5 below; it's a smidge different and dressier than a classic tapered-leg coverall and I could maaaybe justify having both styles... If there's one thing my mood-boarding has taught me this year, it's that I should try adding some overalls and coveralls.

Re: the white factor, if I do keep I'd embrace the utility vibe and not worry if it develops a "patina": https://www.thecut.com/2019/06.....tains.html (Angie may kick me out for posting this! )

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Jules

Veteran

Well I love the boiler suit and my initial reaction to the floral tee was that it highlighted your waist, which I realize is probably the same visual effect as others saw with your shoulders, but with a slightly different perspective!
Vicariously I would like to encourage you to both keep the white suit, and order all the other ones too, for me to check out

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