Is that a chopstick in your hair? (Victoriana jacket part II)

So, while I should have been working, I was trying to figure out how to put my hair up and pairing this jacket with this, that and the other. Looking at the pictures, I'm not sure it's great on me, but I'll let you guys tell me.

1. skinnies and old OTK boots (these have a broken heel--worth repairing? I have sleek black equestrian boots to the knee, I'm not sure whether or not I need the OTK pair)
2. berry camisole and patent pumps, leather skirt (I think I'd like this better with a black wool pencil skirt, which I have)
3. navy pinstripe skirt (from vintage suit), red pumps and ages-old top from Express (needs to be replaced)
4. same skirt, white shirt, red belt (the jacket shouldn't really be belted because of detailing, but I was experimenting. Also I have no neck in this picture, so obv I shouldn't wear it with a collared blouse.)
5. brown wool walkshorts, pussybow blouse, vintage taupe boots (wow, how unflattering).
6. I worry that this jacket swallows up my neck, and I wish the pockets didn't bulge slightly. I can tack them down, but I wonder if the jacket looks too small to your eye. It's totally comfortable, I'm just not sure all the seaming and detailing at my waist is the best thing for my figure, such as it is. Also I wonder if the cropped, fitted jacket makes me look pear-shaped, which I don't even think I am. I do really love the jacket--it's just a matter of whether it works on me.

I'm sure that's more than enough from me. Thanks for your thoughts!

PS. Yes, that's a chopstick in my hair.

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15 years ago

Megan

Active Member

Others will probably disagree with me (and maybe it's my eye that needs adjusting to the look) but I'm not sure that I love it on you- but I'm still a newbie and not very brave with fashion!

I like it best in the first picture with the dark top and I prefer it done up than undone. I do like the colour combination in the outfit with the white blouse but agree with you about the collared shirt.

I went back to Angie's blog post with the jacket and hers seems to fit more loosely (but it might just be that you have your hands on your hips) and I think her long neck makes it work really well for her.

Sorry- this is such an unhelpful post! Hopefully others who are better at evaluating will pipe in.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

I do wonder if how you are standing (shoulders raised and hands on hips) is making me wonder along the same lines of Megan about it being the right style for your body. But since I wear drop waists and probably shouldn't, I think it is about making it work for your body type, especially if you are in love with it (I am!)

I think that I would mix up some of your combinations - boots and top from photo one, skirt from photos 3 and 4. I think that it might be better open, and I would try wearing a long, but simple necklace with it to give you a bit of a longer line.

rute

I will not comment the hair because I do not know much about hair
Maybe it's the way you stand with hands on the hips that makes you neck shorter.. look 4 is lovely but it has too much around your neck. I think you can make it work using the jacket open (look 5).

Queen Mum

I'm not liking it in the outfits that you have it closed.. (2,3,4) but I do like it in #1. Not so much in #5 against the white shirt.

Sveta

(website)

Stephanie, I am sorry to say that but I think that collar is too high for you: it makes your neck appear shorter. I think this jacket style is very hard to pull off (unless you are Angie of course :-)) because of the collar. It is beautiful but hard to wear.
If not for that collar issue I would like #1 the best.

Kristine

I think it's pretty cool, I like the texture of the collar. My favorite is #1, I like the simplicity of the rest of the outfit and the black undershirt versus something colored or white.

Polly (thunalata)

I love it on you. But I think the others sound as if they've thought about it a bit more carefully than I have!

PS what a tiny waist you have.

Sarah

Yes, I can't tell if your shoulders are raised in all the photos, or if it's the jacket. If it's the jacket, then it's not my fave for you.
But I must say, YES repair the boots and I love, LOVE the skirt in photo 3, and I love the outfit in photo 5 (with a different jacket, maybe?).

medusa

I think the jacket looks good on you. My favorites are #1 and #2 (with caveats). I think it looks better partially buttoned, like in #2. I think #2 is the best silhouette but my caveats are that the skirt in #2 looks a bit short and shiny to my eye. I think the pencil skirt silhouette works best with this jacket (since it is kind of voluminous with the ruffles).

Debora

What a beautiful jacket! Outfit #1 is my favorite. I love the contrast of the feminine jacket with the jeans and boots. I hope you keep it!

Jonesy

Hopefully Angie will swing by and give you her take. To my eye, I tend to agree with your comment that it swallows up your neck. I think this sort of jacket looks best on someone with a really long neck (e.g., Angie!). But if you are in love with it, then keep it!

Lisa

The boots in #1 are killer on you, certainly worth repairing. You look lovely in gray but I agree with others that I do not think your neck is long enough to pull off a high collar such as this.

Poppy

I guess its something about the way u r standing ( shoulders up etc ) .. is making the jacket tight .. # 1 is the best look.. Boots might be worth repairing if its leather or otherwise well kept pair without wear or visible damage..

Irene

I love the skirt in number 2!!!!!!!!!!! As for the jacket, I don't like it so much and maybe the ruffles around the neckline are too much.

Stephanie

well, this is sad, as it always is when something beautiful is not beautiful on us. I'm trying to get better about only keeping pieces that really work for me, so I guess this one will have to go. Thanks, all, for your thoughts.

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

I had the same thought as Sarah. I would like to see another photo of you in it with your arms down at your sides, shoulders relaxed. In #5 you still look like you have some tension in your shoulders, raising them up a little (I do this when I'm uncomfortable sometimes).

I like the jacket but if the problem is not the way you're holding your shoulders, then I think the collar is too high/busy for you.

Crystal

Not sure about the jacket. I like it best in number one because it seems to lay better and not cut off your neck so much.

I have to say though.... LOVE the OTK boots! Definitely get those fixed!

catgirl

This is a lovely jacket and I would love to be able to wear it. It has to be difficult to wear if you don't have a swan neck, though... Honestly, and I am so SORRY to say it, I don't think it's working on you. It just seems like too much bunching around the neck and shoulders. You are adorable and this jacket should be sorry it doesn't love you back!

Maya

Hmm, I just saw your post offering it to others, but I really think before you give up, you should just show a picture with a different stance. Your shoulders are hunched up and shortening your neck because of how you are posed.

Sally

You have some great pieces there. ..the skinnies look great and I love the skirts on you.... The jacket is a gorgeous jacket. I assumed it was the way you were standing that made it look more bunched around the shoulders. If you stand with your hands on your hips, your shoulders move up and it shortens your neck. LIke Maya suggested, try a different posture.

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