jacket shopping frustrations

Maya

A few years ago I remember anticipating that I wasn't going to fit into my current selection of jackets so I went shopping for a new one. Jackets are one of my favorite things to wear so I figured it would be easy, but it wasn't, and after looking EVERYWHERE under the sun I finally just bought one that I didn't even really like, only because the others were all so impractical or unflattering that they actually made the one I chose look good.

Now of course I regret that purchase and want a new one, but the same problems are still there in addition to some new ones.

-Jackets are still way too boxy. I appreciate trapeze styles and swing jackets on other people, but I can't understand how they became so mainstream. Most stores seem to have just as many or more of these as they do fitted jackets, which is outrageous. Fitted jackets will always look good on all body types, but that's not true for boxy styles.

-The jackets I do like all seem to come in a variety of sleeve lengths, excluding full length. I don't understand this look either. I guess it depends where you live, but where I live, if it's cold enough for a jacket, it's too cold to be in short sleeves. I am seeing sleeves in all lengths from short to 3/4, but full length? Dream on. I love the look of many of these jackets, but I think designers need to bear in mind that jackets do have an actual functional purpose.

-Moto and bomber jackets are a new problem. Don't get me wrong--I love the look, but it's a novelty for me and not something I want to wear every day.

-Plaid. There is SO MUCH PLAID out right now. Again, plaid is fine and good but it's too much right now. I love the silhouette and look of this jacket but it's just so loud: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....rchresults I prefer the color palette of the Smythe jacket to the right, but yeah, $595...

-Jackets that do meet my requirements of being fitted and long sleeved just look as boring as can be, or they're way too expensive. Often boring neutral colors like gray or black, made to look like standard "career woman" blazers

I'm not looking for advice or anything, just looking to blow off some steam. Until I find a nice flattering jacket that I like, or until it gets cold enough to start wearing my trench (whichever comes first), I'll have to wear that ugly jacket I got from before. Sigh.

Edit: I definitely put this in the wrong category. Oops.

17 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from Maya

Nicole

Veteran

I know you're not looking for advice--but I can't help myself....

Maya, what is it about your current jacket that you don't like? Is it something you could alter to make it into something you do like?

Have you tried looking in consignment shops? You're more likely to see jackets that don't have short sleeves or plaid, because these are too current to show up in consignment.

But I do hear you. Everytime I am looking for something specific--I have such a difficult time finding exactly what I'm looking for. It does get frustrating. And then when you do see something you love, it's either ridiculously priced, or not available in your size, or does not look as good on as you had hoped. You have commented before that you don't enjoy shopping--so the process of getting there is not fun for you. Maybe if you describe what you are looking for, someone (like Tanya and Inge) who love to look for specific things can take some of the work out of the process for you.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Vent away!

I cleaned the house so I'm ready to veg out on the 'puter again ....

I agree it's been a frustrating jacket season this fall. Especially the part about the sleeve length. I think this may just be a transitional seasonal thing, and that in coming weeks we'll start to see more full-length styles. Meanwhile, I bought elbow-length leather gloves to go with my 3/4 length jackets.

Otherwise, a boring black but WELL-FITTED jacket can work great if you style it up with something fun underneath, funky shoes, etc. And practical for the city, IMO. But then again, I live in Boston where black and more black is the standard acceptable uniform!

The plaid would be fun - and I've tried a few on myself. But what I crave is a fitted jacket with long sleeves in a gorgeous, rich fall color like purple or teal or green.... I've been on the hunt and haven't seen anything. I did get that AT aubergine jacket, but it's boxier and 3/4 length. I responded to the color. I will wear it, but I totally hear you. If I found one in same color with full length sleeves and more fitted, I'd buy. Just love that color!

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Oh - and my other huge frustration is that I will see a jacket at BR that is offered in a few gorgeous colors - only to discover that in Petites all they are offering is plain old boring Black.

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Nicole, this is the jacket I got:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....0956-1.jpg

Maybe it looks better closed, but it's a hook-n-eye closure all the way down so often it's more trouble than its worth to close it. I had it taken in at the waist and now I feel like it poofs out a lot at the bottom. I'm also not sure about the oatmealy color.

Shiny, I think NY is the capital of black. It's just that I'm feeling a black overload lately. My trench is black. My bag is black. My shoes and boots are almost all black. So when I'm outside, I'm often black head to toe...literally. Black hair, black trench, black shoes, and very dark jeans or black pants. Of course I would not be wearing my trench and my jacket at the same time, but I'd rather not have them be so interchangeable.

Here's a black jacket I would consider though (pretending for a moment that I could afford it): http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....;color=bla

Love the double lapel and the shape is divine.

http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....;color=bla

That one also made me swoon. Still $$$ though.

http://www.tulle4us.com/jacket.....ats/S7172/

I like that one as well but I fear the chambray might be too close to denim for me to wear with jeans, and it's still kinda pricey for me.

http://www.tulle4us.com/jacket.....ats/S7174/

Adorable, love the little scrunchy sleeves, but they're out of teal

Nicole, all those reasons you mentioned are the reasons I don't like to shop. I like shopping when I have a successful experience (like I did a few weeks ago), but that is so rare. Usually I just end up feeling like I wasted a whole lot of time.

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Ok how about any of these? I was trying to keep your price point in mind.

http://kohls.com/kohlsStore/wo.....Blazer.jsp

http://www.nyandcompany.com/ny.....d=cat60072

http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X.....atId=50434|58022|58024

http://www.overstock.com/Cloth.....oduct.html

Can you wear junior sizing?

http://kohls.com/kohlsStore/ju.....Jacket.jsp
http://kohls.com/kohlsStore/ju.....Jacket.jsp
http://www.aeropostale.com/pro.....age=family

http://www.spiegel.com/shop/pr.....y_id=13016

17 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Aaah Maya I completely understand (and share) your frustration. Why is that only the higher-end brands seem to be able to come up with blazers and jackets with great details. It can't be that hard for more affordable stores to make something a little more imaginative, can it?!

Every time I see a blazer that I like, be it in a colour that I want (purple or teal or a fun pattern), or something other than your standard 'boring' work blazer, the price is steep, sigh.

I've already had a look around for you, but pickings are very slim.
I found two more at Victoria's Secret, they're both $78, so maybe still a bit more than you want to pay. They're not super special, but at least not black or grey;-)
Oh, and I don't know if VS jackets are good quality?
http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....rfnbr=2201
http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....rfnbr=2201

If you like, you could tell us which colours you would prefer and how much you would be willing to spend maximum, and I will definitely keep an eye out for something suitable for you?

By the way, the Anthropologie jacket is beautiful!

17 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Oh yes: do you need a petite in jackets Maya?

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Inge and Nicole, you're both lovely. I appreciate your determination to find me the perfect jacket

I feel like my standards have dropped dramatically since I started looking. Before I was set on not getting black. Now I'm giving in. If it's black but it has some contrast, I can accept it.

To answer your questions: I don't need a petite size. It's great if it comes in petite, but it's not a requirement. And yes, I can and do wear juniors sizes.

To that point, Macys has some adorable jackets at a good price in the juniors dept. But they are #@!ing shorter sleeves.

This one sends me into orbit, as Angie would say:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen

This one too:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen

And while wearing anything Paris Hilston makes me cringe, I have to admit I really like this. I'd probably go ahead and get it and just rip out the inside tags, but I don't wear leather:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....=EverGreen

The others (aka the ones with full sleeves) are all boring, and only in black/brown/gray. I wonder what teenager would require a suit because all of these appear to be part of a matching set.

Tomorrow I'm going to check out Zara and H&M. If I don't find anything there, I'm giving up and stopping by St. Patrick's to pray for this stupid short sleeve jacket trend to go away.

(Can you tell I"m INCREDIBLY frustrated?)

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Is there a consignment shop near St. Patricks?

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I wouldn't know. There are hundreds of consignment stores in Manhattan--no idea which ones are good or would suit my style. I went to one in NJ but it had a lot of high end stuff that was still out of my budget.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I think the "problem" Maya is that you have IMPECCABLE taste. Those blazers send me into orbit too.

17 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I've been trying to find ways of making them work since I saw them Shiny. The schoolboy blazer might work since the sleeves are a little longer than 3/4 on the model. I'm petite so they might be longer on me...? I want to try them on so I'll probably go to the big Macys tomorrow and see if they have either of them in stock.

17 years ago

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