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I need a new statement item

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Between our recent move and some mild depression over leaving friends and family, I've been in a state similar to JenniNZ when it comes to buying clothes recently.

However, if the long-term forecast is correct, the weather will finally be shifting from miserably hot to mild soon and, over the past several years, the statement items I've added for fall (in Finds below) have been amongst the highest-happiness pieces in my wardrobe. I'm on the lookout for something wonderful and inspirational to add that will get me excited about dressing for the many months of mild temperatures and rainy days ahead.

What do you think I should look for? Great booties? Another patterned top? A lightweight topper?

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Johnny Was Biya by Black Kaleid Hooded Duster (Medium)

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Eileen Fisher Wool Shibori Herringbone Poncho

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Shopping

53 replies

Latest reply was from annagybe

Inge

(website)

Your statement pieces have served you really well, Jenn, and they make you happy, so I think this is a marvelous idea.

A gorgeous patterned top or statement booties came to mind first for me as well. But I also find that a statement topper can make such an impact. How much wear would you get out of a lightweight topper like that in your new climate?

Oooh, and I just realized you mentioned "many months of rainy days ahead". If it rains regularly, how about an amazing lightweight raincoat? I know that sporting a fun, colourful (patterned) raincoat would cheer me up no end on rainy days.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I don't know if we'll get raincoat levels of precipitation, especially since I already have a trench. Climate data says it rains about 30 or 35 days a year, pretty much all between December and March. There certainly hasn't been a single drop in the month I've been here so far!

I think a lightweight topper will be what I end up wearing instead of a coat most days...at least that was the case when I visited during winter months last year!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the third FIND you posted best, Jenn. The floral tunic. It's a fab Fall piece for SoCal, and I know you'll style it perfectly.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Angie, the finds are all things already in my wardrobe! Funny you should mention that one, though. I had it altered into a blouse a few years ago and I happen to be wearing it TODAY. (As an aside, though, I adore their prints, but I wouldn't purchase a Tolani item again. Both my silk tunics tore along the seams. I ended up having the black one repaired and the burgundy one altered to be cropped above the damage.)

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Here are pieces I like from some online browsing today.

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Susie

Veteran

I assumed that the finds are the statement pieces you previously added? My vote is for an interesting topper that makes your heart sing. It seems you would get a lot of wear with that. But new fab booties are always fun. May I be an enabler and suggest both?

DonnaF

Veteran

Keep in mind that I'm in NorCal and not SoCal, but it seems to me that 30-35 days of precip is pretty optimistic. Sounds like they are including measurable precip, like .1" or .15" so it is not always real rain.

How much time will you be spending outdoors and walking for blocks? When I commuted by casual carpool (like hitchhiking) and bus and walked for a number of blocks, I needed warmer clothes than now since I currently only walk across parking lots or take a train from one indoor platform to another indoor platform and don't have to wait outside.

The other thing I've noticed, and maybe it's a Bay Area energy savings thing, is that we don't heat and air condition as much as other places. This means that I bundle up more indoors than folks in other climes because I rarely turn on my heat. Thus, I own a lot of toppers but rarely wear my true outerwear.

My vote would be for a statement topper or tunic. Maybe a long gilet? Or something that would never fly in Colorado like open-toed booties?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

HHAHAHA!

Well, you have signature style, Jenn! I need more tea.....

Get another patterned top. Head out to the Johnny Was store in Santa Monica

JAileen

Veteran

When members post pieces that are interesting to me, they’re often from Anthropologie. I imagine I’d have a field day there, except they aren’t near me. Anyway, that’s where I’d start.

LaPed

Veteran

Maybe a Pendleton piece? Poncho, scarf, cardigan, or even a bag? They have such a great west coast heritage vibe. And so many of their colours/textures are right in line with your wardrobe.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I’m with Angie about the Johnny Was store. Of the items you already own, it’s the Johnny Was that makes my heart sing, and I looked at the new possible Finds and immediately liked one best- clicked it, yep, Johnny Was again. Only thing is, it’s a bit similar to the one you already own?
Otherwise, I really like that rust boho-looking tunic/dress/“thing” xx

Anonymous

I want you to have a really interesting knit coat/cardigan thing . Longish. And that blouse on the bottom right corner . Actually I want it too

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh, just clicked them all and 3 are Johnny Was! Including the rust one. It was the Kamalah Wrap my eye was immediately drawn to.

Anonymous

Ok, I just got sucked into the Sundance catalogue (new line to me) and wow ! Some really cool stuff there....

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Susie, you are right about the finds in the first post being the things I already have! And I do think I have room for more than one statement this season, especially because it seems like there are really only two seasons here.

DonnaF, it's been my experience that various parts of California have radically different weather, but you're absolutely right about the heat/AC. "Frigid" air-conditioning isn't really a thing here. Almost everyplace we go is temperature-controlled just to the point of being not UNcomfortable. Not necessarily comfortable either, though. I don't have to commute, but I do live in a very urban area and tend to walk for errands, out to restaurants, etc.

Angie, would you believe I just FORGOT I have local Johnny Was stores now?! There's one slightly closer to me than Santa Monica, though, and another downtown that I could easily get to on the metro. I will have to take a field trip.

JAileen, I had a walk through Anthropologie the other day while I was running some other errands and nothing caught my eye. Or rather, everything that caught my eye ended up being dismissed when I read the tags. You're right, though, that the general vibe is very much my style.

LaPedestrienne, I LOVE Pendleton. I actually do have one of their scarves already, though I don't seem to have it in Finds. I added the sweater below as an option after you mentioned them, though.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

JenniNZ, I LOVE the JohnnyWas pieces. They have to be super-perfect, though, because so expensive!

LisaP, I do already have the long Johnny Was cardigan as a true statement long topper, but I've had it for two years now and worn it often enough that I feel I can safely add another piece in that same category. Long toppers work REALLY well for me, and I think they're going to be staple silhouettes all winter here, since there will be no need to fit a coat over them. Also! I will confess I just ordered the rust silk top! Love at first sight.

ETA: Sundance is more of a boutique than a manufacturer. They carry multiple lines, many from independent artisans. I can almost always find things I love there, but because of the boutique aspect, fit can be all over the place.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh yay I do really like that one.

Teresa

Jenn, I live in Portland where the Pendleton flagship store is located—one of the SA’s was wearing that sweater when I went in to shop. It looked fantastic on her, and Pendleton quality just can’t be beat.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Also...

Are my daydreams of wearing a slip dress with booties and a chunky cardigan unrealistic for real life? Probably, but...

(second and third finds are from my wardrobe)

Bed Stu 'Bonnie' Boot

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Sleeping On Snow | Anthropologie DuPont Cardigan

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3

Sal

Veteran

That is a stunning blouse - hope it works.

The thing with statement love is that it is intangible - and sometimes hard to predict.

I would be thinking along the lines of a more urban/walking life - flat footwear that looks great and lasts the distance so interesting boots or even new Allbirds or Converse. Or maybe a midi that would work with a long topper or denim jacket.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Teresa, that's awesome! We had a Pendleton store in Fort Collins and I tried on a bunch of things there last year. My only concern was that their clothes are VERY warm. This sweater is a cotton blend, though, so maybe it would work.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Ha. Sounds like the desire to shop has come back for you

Style Fan

Veteran

I really like the long cardigans from PC or Pendleton. The Pendleton piece is very nice. I am afraid of light colours because dirt chases me but you may not have that problem. Cardigans are workhorses. The rust silk top is gorgeous. Good choices.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

JenniNZ, I guess so! It helps that the temperature dropped ten degrees today, and should drop another ten tomorrow. (That'll put it at 75° F or 24° C. Such a relief!)

Style Fan, I am dipping my toe into lighter colors since the move, but I haven't made the plunge and purchased anything yet!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Sal, new AllBirds are definitely in my future, as my current pair are about done for. You are right about the intangible and unpredictable aspect of statements. I'm thinking of Anchie's new coat. When you know, you just know.

SarahD8

Veteran

I LOVE the slip dress/cardigan/boots idea!!!

(Oh, and what you say about Anthro — love it until you look at the tags — is spot on for me too. Not sure if you mean price tags or fiber content but works either way.)

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

SarahD8, I meant fiber content, but the price:quality calculations also don't usually add up for me.

Anonymous

I'd definitely try the slip dress/boot/sweater combo. I bet it would look fantastic on you. And thanks for the info on Sundance.

Christina F.

Veteran

Those pieces you found browsing all look great.

I've been contemplating a slip dress look too but haven't found one I want to try on yet. I'm having all the 90's feels for that look, though.

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