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Hey Joy!!

Anonymous

I was reading Jill58's thread on purses/bags and I got this sudden urge to drive to the mall. I found this fabulous expandable tote! It only came in black though and I already own so much black. I left it there ... for now.

Anyway, that is not why I reached out to you. I found this duster/coat thing from Eileen Fisher. It is sheer perfection!!!!!! The image does not do it justice.

I tried it on and fell in love. The fabric felt wonderful against my bare skin. The sleeves were exactly the right length (rare for me). Everything about it was close to perfect.

The sole problem was I could not figure out how or when I would wear it. As a coat? As a long blazer? It felt "long blazer-ish." I thought it would be so cool to walk briskly up and down the office halls wearing my long blazer, but that had an imagined costume-like feel to it. I don't think I could pull it off.

You may or may not have seen this piece in the stores. I saw it for the first time just today.

Still what is your opinion on something like this?

Oh, and there is something else. I noticed that all the Eileen Fisher sleeveless tops I tried on had deeper arm holes. This deeper cut was definitely not flattering on me. The older versions fit my body much better. So I will avoid this year's version like the plague.

Eileen Fisher Open Front Duster Jacket

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Michael by Michael Kors Kelsey Extra-Large Expandable Travel Tote

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Susie

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Ugh...the long armholes--it's a deal breaker for me, too.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I love the idea of duster coats, but they don't look as elegant on me as I might wish. But aren't you tall, Sterling? This could be a good look for you, if a bit less tailored than your usual.

Anonymous

Yes. Ummlila! I am 5'10" (5'9" if you speak with my doctor). I thought it looked so elegant!!!!

JAileen

Veteran

I love your first paragraph. I saw something here yesterday, and did the same thing. I managed to get away without buying anything.

The duster looks good for a warm climate. That's what you have, right? Because I wonder how it would work if you had to put a coat over it. So, if I remember correctly, it would work well for you. It would be the coat.

kkards

Veteran

sterling, i wonder if this duster could be part of your business travel capsule. to me, it looks like a piece that would be used to dress up an outfit--over black trousers with "real shoes", or dess down an outfit -over jeans with slip on sneakers. (just 2 examples).

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Joy

Veteran

HI, Sterling. I have been looking for something like that duster but, a 5'3", I have to be so careful. I will try to track one down to try on. I keep wishing I had tried last year's version (and have been watching eBay when I think of it.). The Halogen boyfriend long cardigans from a few years ago got worn until they pilled to death, even though the sleeves were tight. Thank you for thinking of me. The expandable bag sounds fab too.
Big armholes! Yuk. High arm holes and necklines were something I liked about EF. I will need to avoid these or see if they can be shortened.

Anonymous

Jalleen -- I do live in a warm climate. That duster could literally serve as my winter coat for must of the season. There would always be a few days, even weeks, when it might not be workable. But I was thinking coat too.

Thanks for the ideas, Kkards. It would dress anything up!! It just flowed across my body. I swear I looked elegant in a way I haven't felt in a while.

Joy -- I am a bit taller than you. I hope you do manage to find it though. I would still love your thoughts. Sometimes I am between sizes in Eileen Fisher. I opted for the large size because I liked the swish of fabric as I paced the fitting room. The shoulders might have been 1/2 inch too low on the shoulder. I doubt the average person would notice.

Yeah Emily. Deep armholes. It might have been my bra (at least I hope it was the bra), but the tops I tried on were not flattering in the least.

Joy

Veteran

I have to watch where the pockets fall, that they are not too low. Most times when I am wearing a long duster type garment in a WIW or K/R, it does not generate any enthusiasm here. I think such a piece would be gorgeous and elegant on you.

jill58

Veteran

Sterling, I'm glad I could be such a great influence! I do love that EF duster although I'm not sure that I could pull it off either--but I'm only
5' 5." -- at 5' 10" I would think it could work. Maybe wear it in the fall as an outer layer?

Anonymous

It was a fun outing. Jill58!! I appreciated the excuse to go to the mall.

Style Fan

Veteran

I like the look of long dusters on other people but when I put them on they look like bathrobes. I think shoulders are the issue. I am reasonably tall at 5'7" but I have mini shoulders.

Anonymous

Style Fan -- I am seriously thinking about buying it. I would use it as my Winter Coat. I'm now wondering if that was actually the purpose of this garment (coat versus blazer).

SO I have been trying to get away from buying so much black. For years (decades), it was the cornerstone of my wardrobe. I made a serious effort in 2016/2017 to stop buying black. Now I find myself drawn to two items that are very black and would be huge statement pieces. Is that a serious conflict.

Michael by Michael Kors Kelsey Extra-Large Expandable Travel Tote

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Eileen Fisher Open Front Duster Jacket

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jill58

Veteran

Both of these items are very elegant. For awhile, I tried to not buy so much black but I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not someone who feels comfortable in a lot of color -- even though I admire it on others. I feel most like myself in black and neutrals. You could try the duster at home and see how it seems with your current wardrobe. I like the expandable tote a lot too and if you don't have anything similar, I see it as a very practical purchase.

Staysfit

Veteran

Sterling, I have taken a likening to wearing duster coats and sweaters year round. I have a small collection of 4 of them now in various materials (linen, silk, merino, cashmere). I love them in an air conditioned building because they are cozy and warm. I think they look very elegant on tall ladies. I joke that the back flies out like a superhero cape, but I work with children, and have a playful side to me. In reality, there isn't anything costume like about them, especially when paired with a nice outfit underneath. They lengthen your line, so whatever you are wearing will pretty much work. I am a sheath dress person, so I wear sheaths, but I also wear my jeans and tops, or trousers and knit sweaters when it's cold. They can be wrapped around and belted with an Obi or some other sort of belt if you want, if you want to prevent the cape like effect.

I am not a big fan of the deep cut sleeve opening, however, it allows for easier use of the sweater/coat over whatever you may want to wear underneath. I suppose you could even put it over another light jacket of some sort if the opening is big enough. Also, I am aware that there have been complaints that arm openings have been too snug, so this carries the problem to the opposite extreme!

In the end, if you love it, I hope you can find a way to wear it with confidence in your workplace!

jill58

Veteran

This: "It would dress anything up!! It just flowed across my body. I swear I looked elegant in a way I haven't felt in a while."
If you feel that good in it I would head back to the mall. I like both items. I'm sure they're both returnable if you don't like them as much at home. Not trying to be an enabler but I do think your feelings are worth listening to.

Joy

Veteran

What Jill said. I always feel comfortable buying expensive pieces in black as it always seems to work. I found that some navies do not work with other navies or greys with other greys. Black seems to work with other blacks even if they do not match.

Anonymous

The next opportunity I have to stop by the mall is Wednesday after work. If it is still there, I'll bring it home and begin the experimentation.

Anonymous

Joy -- I think you are going to be disappointed in this seasons' Eileen Fisher offerings. The fit was different and a lot of the fabrics were synthetic mixtures. I was sad. Let me know if you find this not to be the case in your stores.

Style Fan

Veteran

This might be a great winter coat. Maybe it is time to go back to black. Black is a very elegant.

Joy

Veteran

Sterling, that is very disappointing, especially the synthetic mixture of fabrics. A big draw for me is the natural fabrics.

Sal

Veteran

I can see this on you Sterling. It is simple, elegant and classic - it won't date.

I used to have an unstructured trench and I wore it with very simple pieces underneath. Jeans and a nice tee, black pants and a blouse etc.. Perfect with flat shoes. Maybe a scarf but no need.

I think it would look gorgeous over a light pair of pants (white or bone or grey) and a similar toned top. It would also work with black pants and a light tee and light shoes. Or with olive pants.... I think it would be great to wear into meetings or conferences. I don't think it would work with a blazer or heavy knit under, but gorgeous with a fine knit.

I experimented with black and navy and found I can make it work. For me the simplest was to have at least two pieces in the minor colour. If it is only one it feels spotty to me - because navy and black are close it needs to look intentional.

eg. Black pants and jacket and bag - navy top and shoes

Black pants and bag and shoes, navy top and earrings.

black duster, black bag, navy top, pants and shoes

I think you can wear a third colour too - white, off white or maybe grey could work....

Susie

Veteran

Sterling, with the way you describe how you felt in it, I think you should get it. I am only 5'1" and I wear a long velvet duster- also EF. As soon as I tried it on, it just felt so amazing that I had to have it, height (lack of) be damned! I don't know if I ever think of myself as elegant, but it did feel like ME.

Last year I got a long black jacket in a nice crepe that could be worn as either a blazer or a coat...I do both!