Business casual and holding zone

jill58

Love the EF tee.
Agree on the trousers (#2 and #3).
#4 looks great.
BR blazer doesn't look linebacker like but I'm all too familiar with the feeling when the shoulders somehow feel wrong.
Love the Limited slim pants--moto jacket looks great.
Definitely keep the WHBM jacket--it only looks a tad snug.
I have no idea on peplums.
Love 15/16!
Agree about filling in the top of orange and navy dress.
I like the black print dress and love #20!
You seem ready to let go of the top in #21--I would pass it on.

8 years ago

troff3

Active Member

Just a quick take -- hope it's useful. I like all the pieces on you, except for the blue blazer (#3), the white long-sleeve tee (#14), and the top/tank combo (#21). Might just be my poison eye for blue+blazer though (since I kinda overdid the black/cobalt combo when I worked in an office). Does it work with the EF silk tee (#1)? That one seems a little large -- maybe it's just properly slouchy -- and I'd like to see how it looks under a topper.

The white tee seems not-so-special, and the last piece somewhat old-fashioned looking (is it beaded or printed)? I'm on the fence about the peplum (#12-13). Again, could just be my bias against peplums -- they're impossible for me to wear for just the opposite reason to yours (extreme short-waistedness). Maybe it's that the ruffle seems too skimpy/not deep enough? I'm sure other YLFers could suggest fab ways to style it though.

All in all you've got a GREAT bus-cas capsule (and beyond)!

8 years ago

delurked

Veteran

Thanks Jill and troff3. Your feedback is definitely useful. I am going to move on the white top, two piece top in 21, and probably the blue blazer. It's so weird that I used to feel so good in that blazer and now it doesn't make me feel confident at all. Also, for the EF top, it is slouchy, but I kinda wanted it that way. TBH, I got it on sale and they don't have a smaller size. Plus, I think I need that size for my arms. I've got very muscular biceps, which sounds weird as a reason to size up. I think I'm going to return the peplum sweater, or at least try it in a couple more ways, including wearing it open. Part of the issue with the trousers is it feels like been there, done that. They aren't terrible as work wear, but they don't make me feel updated either.

8 years ago

troff3

Active Member

Meant to add that the blue blazer should def go if it makes you feel squeezed, frumpy and linebacker-y! (Not good for your mood at work or anywhere else, and you have so much other good stuff.) Doesn't look that way from pic #3, but side-view #7 shows the fit issues a bit more. Ditto the pants. Will be illuminating to see what Angie thinks! Prob completely opposite to me...

8 years ago

skylurker

Veteran

I think the blue blazer doesn’t fit because sleeves are too narrow.

I like the new blue tee, I don’t like the peplum, I find the colour dull on you and the design sloppy - that said I find long thin cardis sloppy in general.

Other stuff : I see nothing glaringly wrong with them, either you love them enough to make the effort of outfit creation and try to style them in a way you currently like, or you don’t want to bother because they don’t inspire you at all : then move on.

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I like the white shirt. Fits nice, seems versatile. I also like the moto and leopard capris... hehe, I would. The others feel a little limp to me...

8 years ago

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Gah, just lost my reply. I'll be quick.

I'd pass on cardigan in 13, blouse in 14 and keep the rest. Dress in 19 would be great this year with OTK boots and a moto. Paisley in 21 is retro-glam fabulous, so I would keep if quality and condition is good.

If you're carrying extra weight, it really doesn't show in the pictures.

8 years ago

Anonymous

That Eileen Fisher top is fabulous!!! It looks very business casual!! FAB. Love it with those pants as well. The lines and proportions work beautifully.

I have to agree with you. Perhaps the trousers in number 2 are not your best look and if you have sufficient items in your capsule, you could donate those trousers. I really like the color of the jacket in number 2, but I understand why you opted to purge it.

I like numbers 4 and 5.

If you feel frumpy in numbers 6 and 7, PASS them on. That frumpy feeling will ruin your day every single time. Ask me how I know.

I really like numbers 8 and 9. Very sleek.

It is too dark for me to see the collar in numbers 10 and 11. What don't you like about it? Is it uncomfortable in any way?

Number 12 and 13. I think this looks fine. I have a hard time seeing peplum. However I'm back to if you are not sure about an item, pass on it. Shape and proportion are so important in making us feel good about ourselves.

Number 14. Not my thing. If it has been the holding zone for along time, pass it on.

Numbers 15 and 16. LOVE. I agree you should keep these pieces. YAY.

Number 17. Definitely not work appropriate.

Number 18. Possibly work appropriate with a topper of some sort.

Number 19. Not bad. I don't love it though.

Number 20. Not bad.

Number 21. Not bad.

A side note: I am in the middle of a major closet purge. I am being ruthless so I may be reflecting that attitude here. Only purge what you can afford to purge. If you feel you need a certain item to get dressed, by all means, keep it with the intentions of upgrading when the time is right.

8 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I LOVE the EF Top!

#1 - Love the top, like the pants

#4 - Like the jacket

#8-9 I like these, as staples.

#10-11 I love how this jacket fits your body, and I really like the pants with it. But I'm not sure about the collar, I can't make out the detailing.

#12-13 I had to study awhile, because I'm not sure about the ruffle. But then I remembered that my gut reaction was that I really liked the peplum. If you're on the fence and you can return, I would do that, because Betty Halbreich said in one of her books, "you never keep at looking at something and love it more than you do at first glance", so if your first feeling isn't love, I say let it go.

#15-16 LOVE

#18 I love this, lower-case, as a staple that you can wear most of the year, with flats/sandals in summer, with tights/leggings/jeans and boots in winter.

#19 LOVE

#20 I like the pants, but I'm not sure what your climate is, and if you have to put them away until warmer weather comes back. If you're good with waiting until spring, I'd say hang onto 'em.

If you're on the fence about some of this, I find the best litmus test is to put it on and wear it. If you change into something else before you even walk out the door, it's probably time to part ways.

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

i generally like everything expect the dress in #18...to me the proprotions seem off...
that being said...i do think the pants in #4 either need different shoes or a shorter hem....i'm leaning towards a shorter hem...

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

EF top is a great layering item. Keep.

Black jacket in #4 is good. Keep.

Skirt and top in #15 and #16 are good. Keep.

Blue blazer is ill-fitting. Pass on.

#17 and 18 - not a biz casual look. Too short and tight. Pass on, or wear on other occasions.

Nice leopard pants. Keep.

Not sure the rest deserves a place in your closet. Trousers aren't the best. Tops okay. Up to you.

8 years ago

delurked

Veteran

Skylurker - thanks for the assessment. It's weird about the peplum in that last time I tried it on I really liked it, but this time I didn't. I got it from Nordstrom, so I should still be able to return it.

Rachy - you seem to be an outlier on the white tee (you rebel you)

Approprio - I hate losing my reply. Always a danger when looking at too many pics. I wish I had OTK boots, but I only have a pair of riding boots. I'll try with them. I can see the vision.

Thanks Sterling. I'm going to test out that EF top. I think I'll be able to wear it a ton. The jacket in 10 I plan to keep. I had my hair up, and the collar lays against my neck in a vampire like way, but with the hair down its barely noticeable. A bit snug, I didn't like it with the tops I tried till the one I took with the photo, so I think problem is solved. The dresses weren't business casual, just random holding zone items. I'll try the black one with tights. I have cleared up some space in the closet, and it's making me happy.

LBD - I'm going to try the peplum one more time with other items. I truly liked it when I first tried it, but it I can't recreate the love it's going back. As far as the pants in 20, I could probably wear them all year round in my mild winter. Whining cause it's still in the 90s here.

Kkards - I'll check that hem. For the dress in 18, I also don't like the proportion in the pic. I'll try with tights and boots before I decide its fate.

8 years ago

delurked

Veteran

Thanks Angie. I haven't shopped for bus casual in about 4 years. The jacket in 4 is the navy moto I couldn't resist earlier this year.

(17 & 18 def not intended as business casual. Just the last of my holding zone, and not worth posting separately)

I'll ditch the trousers and keep what I need to get through until I update a few things. I don't need a lot just yet because I'm not sure exactly my future needs, but maybe one pant, one jacket, and a top or two to get me started. Fit must be spot on or I will skip.

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I know! What is up with that? Here I am liking something straightforward for once peeps! Lol. Is it because it seems a little twisted on your left side?

8 years ago

Category