Holding Zone Review. First four pieces

Hi All,

I don't have a large holding zone and it is mixed in with my seasonal storage. Plus I have a couple of pieces that were in my wardrobe that were unworn for various reasons.

1) Kimono from holding zone. This was a duplicate of my black kimono which I prefer (the black is six years old, the navy about 3-4 years old). I have worn it a handful of times (5-8 at a guess). It won't date and is easy to store, but does it work on me? (Finds below for the favoured black and the less favoured navy)

2) Floral abstract blouse. Five years old. I only like it in summer for work and I don't have a jacket that I like over the top. I wear it with white or black pants. I am a bit sick of it but it is flattering and classic. Find below.

3) Black merino turtleneck sweater. About eight years old (or more). I kept this for skiing or trips to even colder places as it is a good layering piece. But I think it can come back into my main closet as a basic piece as more fitted tops look right again.

4) Gifted scarf. A friend gave me this - she was given it herself and thought it would suit me. I like it but have never worn it. I tried yesterday and am still unsure. Is it worth trying again with? (I didn't think the outfit worked in general so this may be colouring my view - I felt quite fuddy duddy in this look.

My moniker - aspiration - is Grown Up Charlies Angel - relaxed, bold, elegant.

Your advice is very welcome on these four pieces. The first two photos are older but the items fit the same way.

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4 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

I love your blue kimono and would wear it with white jeans or over teeshirt dress ( like in today's blog post ). It works really well in pic #1.
The abstract blouse and black turtleneck sweater are both classics and useful in different seasons.
The scarf is pretty but not quite right in terms of size and print/color. I see it as a bit too big ( and with lots of white color in it ) - smaller, more narrow/rectangular shape could be easier to handle. The print has a lot of negative space and that could be the problem ( your other printed pieces has much less negative space - like fav black kimono ).

Joy

I agree with slim cat. Try tying the scarf different wats like the Euro knot (scarf is doubled) to shorten it a bit. You may like the dramatic length best.

Sal

Thanks Slimcat - yes I should try this kimono over a sheath dress - I have a black one that it would work with!! Thank you. Interesting re the scarf and I will ponder that.

Thanks Joy - the scarf is very large (but lightweight and flowing). I think it could be the large amount of crisp white - I don't really like crisp white near my face. It would suit someone with cooler colouring than me. So I am thinking that it might go to Dress for Success along with the sleeveless abstract blouse?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Keep the scarf, Sal! Try a Euro knot to shorten the length. Soooo yummy with your jacket.

I really like the blouse, but get when you are sick of a pattern. Pass on to its next home.

I find the newer kimono topper a little short. You are tall! Pass on too.

A black polo neck comes in handy from time to time. I kept mine, although I always choose the navy blue

Brooklyn

Hi Sally

The kimono in the photo is the black one, is that right? No photo of the navy one? I definitely prefer the pattern of the black version but pattern is personal of course. I think it might be worth keeping the navy version for the occasional wear.

I vote pass on the abstract blouse.

The jumper looks great.

With the scarf, does the pattern speak to you? I think that’s important. Assuming it does, it may be that it’s too big to wear how you are wearing it. I have a couple of very long scarves that I don’t wear tied or looped - I feel like it creates too much volume on my chest. I just wear them draped around my neck. Like in this photo.

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Thanks Angie- I think you are right re the length of the kimono - a more dramatic one would probably suit me better. The blog post today reminded me how good longer dusters and kimonos can look.......

unfrumped

I am mentally comparing these to other outfits I’ve seen you in and the do seem not as “ you”. I agree the checked kimono looks too short for you and the blouse is too ordinary or something.
The scarf- in that photo I think actually too much white on white and too much going on. Have you tried it with a darker solid sheath dress or similar?

Jaime

Patterns are personal and if you are tired or uninspired by them, they should go. Black sweater seems like a good supporting piece. I like the kimono but you never wear it and Angie has an excellent point about the length.

Suz

I am nodding along with Brooklyn and Angie. I think the scarf has potential if tied / worn differently...the kimono is too short -- needs to be longer, but could potentially work with a sheath dress at this length. (I have a short black one like this that I keep *only* to wear with a sheath -- and I don't wear sheath dresses at the moment, but the kimono is a super useful summer topper for when sheaths and shifts inevitably come back, and it is vintage -- so it stays in my occasion wear capsule.)

I also still have a slim ribbed black turtleneck -- I hardly ever wear it, but keep it just in case. This one looks good.

Custom Find

by Suz

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nemosmom

I like the print top on you, but understand feeling sick of a piece. I am with others on the scarf and kimono - worn differently they could work, if you want to keep trying to make them work. The turtleneck sweater is a must keep!

I think I am going to pass on the kimono, scarf and blouse.

The kimono I am keeping is black with a red floral print, and will pass on the navy/white. They are the same shape. I always prefer the floral. This is why duplicating rarely works for me!

The blouse I am just over...... it is nice but not quite me.

I agree with Brooklyn, Suz and Shevia - this scarf would look better long and loose or tied differently. But I think if I am honest - I just don't love it. I have quite a few scarves that I prefer for one reason or another. I think you picked it Unfrumped.

The sweater is not exciting but it feels good and after a few years of not wearing a turtleneck it feels fresh again. I will keep NemosMom!!

And if anyone takes a fancy to the scarf, I am very happy to post it free of charge anywhere in the world. It would suit someone with cool colouring who likes a large scarf. I think it is polyester rather than silk.

I will take a look at a couple of other items. I think there are two pairs of heels and one pair of sandals that a decision should be made on.

Ah, on my phone the Shibori kimono looks black and the floral looks blue. So I was confused. Anyhow, I do like the shibori but these things are personal. Go with your instincts.

Thanks Brooklyn! I Have now learnt the correct name for the print too.

Jenni NZ

Sally I like the black kimono far better too but think it is because I like the floral print better. I like the top but understand your getting bored. Black merino is great, and I am not a scarf person so no opinion there.
Fuddy duddy is such a great expression, I love it! It might be a bit of an old fashioned expression... from the days of “ladies a plate”

Synne

(Love your moniker! Spot on!!)
Agree the kimono is too short. I also have a posion eye for printed fabrics where the "wrong side" shows when worn. The print on the blouse is good, and a great fit, but maybe not "you"? I can def see the use for the black turtleneck (very Steve Jobs-uniform with the jeans! I do the same from time to time :-D). Scarf looks glam and beautiful!

Goodbye scarf! The pattern has to make you happy....

Anonymous

Actually I like all of the print pieces! The turtleneck seems too high to me, but I may like it more with a topper over it.

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