Irrational saga of the Banana Republic jacket - YouLookFab Forum

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Irrational saga of the Banana Republic jacket

Mochi

Veteran

I realize I probably need to return the BR jacket that I posted on here last week.

The update is that I brought it back for return, and they gave me a nearly 50% discount on it. That's about $200 off the original price. I found out that it would be $50 to shorten the sleeves, which keeps it well within a price point I'm comfortable with.

It's not a perfect 10, maybe not a 9.5 or a 9. I don't usually care that much, but I'm having a hard time psychologically giving up the jacket. I know that I shouldn't even figure price into it.

It's so well made, and I love it so much on the model, who has a body that couldn't be more different from mine.

I'm thinking of getting fitted for a new bra at Nordstrom to see if and how much the fit would improve. (Yes, I'm that busty and this is just another reminder of all the clothes that never really fit me the way I want them to.)

I'm not sad, but I feel unusually stubborn about giving up on this one, and I know it makes no sense....

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28 replies

Latest reply was from Mochi

Anonymous

I am so sorry. This happens to ALL of us on occasion. I would gently encourage you to keep it.

Mochi

Veteran

No worries, Sterling. It is truly a First World Problem. : )

catgirl

Veteran

Just keep it!

Anonymous

I'm the opposite of Sterling and Una: Let it go! You don't need it and other jackets will come along. Spend the money on a great bra! (Or two!)

Mochi

Veteran

But WWAD? You know what Plus I overthink everything. It's so much fun to be me

Jules

Veteran

I dunno, if this sequence of events happened to me I think I'd just be thrilled to get a good price and consider it a sign from above. But you don't seem thrilled, rather, stressed? Like the jacket is bringing up bad feelings? I'm just not getting good vibes
Since you have another new jacket that seems perfect for you, maybe this one can go. I can admit that I'm biased as I don't like this one as much as the other, based purely on my personal taste (the roughness of the leather reminds me of what I perceive as poor quality leather from maybe the 90s, but maybe it's a specific finish I just wasn't into then or now). So YMMV.

Anonymous

I rarely disagree with Smittie, but I do in this case. Here are my thoughts. Every once in a while something enters our lives that speaks to our fantasy life. I personally own a tulle skirt (tags still on), but I can't part with that skirt because it says something to me when I see it in the closet. It is purely emotional. It speaks to a "maybe some day ...."

But whatever your final decision, let us know because we are interested.

YMMV?

Mochi

Veteran

Wow, Sterling. Your point is so interesting. I hadn't thought of it, but I do get a huge heap of pleasure at looking at nice things in my closet. Most of my stuff is kind of run of the mill, but the few special things really are as much of a spectator pleasure as a sartorial one. I will think about it, since I have about a month to return it. Maybe my mood will change? Thanks, all.

Anonymous

I can understand over thinking things as that's what I do too.

I don't know what Angie would do! hopefully she chimes in.

Mochi

Veteran

Oh, she would hold out for the perfect (for her) item.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ok, here's a question. Are you so excited to wear it that you hate to even wait for it to be altered? If you're champing at the bit to wear this jacket, you should keep it. If you're hesitating, that's reason to consider it more. I know I have some things that did not get overwhelming forum approval but I love them and couldn't wait to wear them anyway.

I totally get the overthinking thing. I have one thing with tags in my closet now that may go back because I'm not so sure I'm excited to wear it as I should be. Contrasted with the lace up sandals I just received that got me excited for warm weather.

Gaylene

Veteran

Hmm, so you have a jacket (1) you decided to return but changed your mind because they offered you a 50% discount, (2) requires further investment to be wearable, and (3) appears to be destined to hang in your closet as a "maybe, someday..." artifact?

Onward, I'd say.

Kari

Veteran

If the sleeves can be shortened for that reasonable of a price considering the material AND the discount you got-provided the alteration is done well-I think it has great potential. I really liked it in you, it just seemed like the long sleeves were obvious in how they caused a lot of wrinkling.

One option to consider. I LIKE my sleeves a little long but I hate it when they are tight on the wrist, so I've been seeking out leather jackets with zips at the wrist. Not sure if that's something that interests you but wanted to throw it out there.

It's a beautiful jacket and I hope it works out in a way to make this a 10, and a piece that's easy to wear rather than risk being orphaned.

Mochi

Veteran

Heh, all the varying viewpoints make sense to me at once.

Kari, the lower sleeves do have zippers. Do you mean you unzip and roll them up? I tried scrunching tge sleeves (without unzipping) and it looked terrible.

Kari

Veteran

I don't roll them up (and I've NEVER had luck scrunching heavy fabrics like leather!) but I leave the wrists half unzipped almost all the time, unless I'm outside and need extra warmth to close the gap over gloves.

gryffin

Veteran

Mochi - sometimes the heart understands more than we give it credit for. If you give it up you will always regret it. Just enjoy it. The few things I have rescued from the return pile have worked out really well. Trust your self!

Anonymous

I totally understand, but in general I find if I am questioning something too much, then it needs to be returned. I don't want to question it more every time I wear it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I liked the jacket. Keep it!

Greenjeans

Veteran

It's sounds like there's something in the picture of the model wearing the jacket that's really speaking to you and not so much the jacket itself.

Tanya

Veteran

I think the main question is how much do you think you will wear it. Would you happily put it on and get out of the house now if the sleeve fit was to your liking, never to take it of? Or would you pass on it every time thinking "if only x was different about it" I would wear it all the time? For all that is worth, I quite liked it on you.

Mochi

Veteran

Well, guess what? I took the tags off and I am wearing it tonight out, with the overlong sleeves, to see some Icelandic bands play at the Middle East in Cambridge. I really like the jacket and I hope to get a lot of wear out of it.

As I was thinking about it five minutes ago, I recalled the tailor, who was this Chinese gentleman with very basic English skills, who kept telling me I could order up a size (and I kept telling him there was no more inventory, and anyway this was the largest size). So I think I felt "wrong" about the jacket from this encounter. I will still go back and have him do the sleeves, probably.

I really appreciate everyone's input! I can be so indecisive! Or more like, I am a genius at considering things from multiple perspectives. And yes, I do write fiction.

Clothes are fascinating. They can mean so much on so many complex levels.

Anonymous

So many good comments. I read every single one of them and thought long and hard about what the commenter had to say.

Tanya

Veteran

Mochi, I thing you answered my question by putting it on and wearing it now despite the sleeves. That tells me that you made the right choice.

Bonnie

Veteran

That is a great jacket and I'm glad you are keeping it.

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

I am late to the conversation, but surely I'd have taken the price reduction as a sign.
It really is a beautiful piece of clothing, I am glad you already wore it. How did it feel?

Staysfit

Veteran

Late to the conversation, but I'm glad you are going with your heart. I think you should wear what makes you happy. Indulge your fantasy and who cares. It's JFE!

Colette

Veteran

From one over thinker to another, I think you made the right choice keeping it. FYI, I have a leather jacket, or two, with zippers at the wrists that I will sometimes unzip and roll back one cuff.

Mochi

Veteran

chirico, that is an interesting question, since I guess up till now I was focused on how I looked in it.

Emotionally it made me feel great.
Physically, maybe that was even better. It felt like a comfortable part of me. It had a really nice weight and drape. It did a good job keeping me warm under my coat--it was a cold night.

Sometimes you just gotta cut the tags! : )

Well, I'm sure that's not the last indecisive post you'll be reading from me.....