Keep or return animal print coat - ETA photos with other outfits - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep or return animal print coat - ETA photos with other outfits

Shirley

I love animal prints and wanted an animal print coat this season. This Ann Taylor coat came on sale a months ago and I ordered it. It's XS regular but the sleeve is bracelet so it works out for me. And I think the shoulder fits real well too. However, I am shy about wearing a print coat like this for some reason. I tried it on many time at home but never wore it out. And finally I put it on this morning and got negative to mixed reviews from the guys at home.

So I asked my son to take a picture for me and request your input. I love the coat, the concept of the coat. I can really just keep it and wear it at home. That is crazy, I know. But rationally, I shouldn't. Please give me your honest opinion. Thank you in advance for your help.

ETA: I took the tags off and wore over a purple dress for church this morning. Then put on the same jeans and a black top for a casual look.

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Jewell

Veteran

First off, don't listen to the guys at home...what do they know?

My teenage son has tried to talk me out of many an item that got rave reviews from forum members and real-life friends and coworkers, so there.

The coat seems to fit well, and the animal print is lovely. I think it would look especially flattering if your hair color mirrors any of the colors in the coat. It looks a bit dressy for what you currently have on, so my question is what sort of things would you wear it with?

Vildy

Veteran

See if this makes sense: instead of just wearing it at home, why don't you
wear it outside as if it were your bathrobe you just threw on. In other words,
it's all about attitude. If you act like it's no big deal and you're on your way somewhere, then it'll work just fine. Nice coat. Saw a picture recently of someone famous and fashiony - Emmanuel Alt? - wearing the same thing and hurrying along.

Echo

Veteran

I quite like this coat. The black and white always tone down an animal print in my eyes, and the fit looks good. My only suggestion would be to wear neutrals with it to let the coat be the star and the center of attention. It can easily add one too many elements to an outfit that is otherwise visually complicated. But I say keep!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Here is what I read in your words: you LOVE this coat. You are thrilled and excited about this coat, and how you feel when you wear it - but you're bothered by what others might think or say.

You should put on this fabulous coat, and wear it wherever and whenever you like, and enjoy yourself Sometimes, you have to just wear something for you, and not anybody else!

Shirley

Jewell, LOL, the teenage sons...

I know it's dressy, DH actually had the same comment. He is more diplomatic than my son. But I wanted it to work casually; like dress ironically? Maybe that is not for me. I also wanted to wear to work over a black skirt or dress. I see it as a statement coat but not over the top. BTW, I have black hair.

Jewell

Veteran

This coat will be fab over a black skirt or dress, especially with your black hair. It gets a big Yay from me, I vote KEEP!

Gigi

Veteran

I agree that if you love this coat, you should keep it. Sometimes family react this way simply because you're doing something different. They'll get used to it. If we want to develop our style, we simply have to try new things.

I think that if you wore this coat to work over a black skirt, it would be perfect. Like Echo says, the coat will be the star of the show.

karymk

Veteran

I love this coat! keep! When are we all going to learn not to ask men what they think! I tried this on and loved it so much. Please keep it and work it. It looks so amazing with the bright sweater underneath.

Shirley

Thanks ladies. I should try more outfits on instead working it in my head. I do consult my guys from time to time, when I am afraid that I would look silly. They are a conservative bunch, just like me. But of course I wanted to be a bit more edgy or to express myself a little bit. That is when I need your help and encouragement.

Anonymous

Shirley, I know how you feel. It took me ages to wear a rather conservative motorcycle jacket out, but I finally just did it and no one died. I loved the casual elements of the style and it just took getting used to seeing them on myself. Please wear that beautiful coat and enjoy it. You and the family will get used to it. The coat looks like a classic, not over the top at all.

Susie

Veteran

Keep keep keep I love it!!!!

Gigi

Veteran

Shirley, I think many of us have been in this boat--you want to try something a little daring, and it can be really uncomfortable wondering what people will think. My first attempt at this was wearing some leopard-print booties to an appointment. I could tell from the expression on the person's face that she was shocked I was wearing such a thing (I regularly go to appointments to this person). That was kind of a downer. I was surprised that I felt so crushed. But she said I should show the booties to the receptionist, who was really into fashion. Well, the receptionist practically swooned over the booties! That was a huge boost. And that really taught me that everyone's ideas about what looks good are different, and it's OK if some people don't like the way I look. Wearing these kinds of things are what *I* need to develop my own personality, and so people will just have to get used to it.

I still have a problem sometimes with wearing things outside of my comfort zone, because I wonder what people will think of me. But it is getting easier. I think that for us to be really happy people in all areas of our lives, we need to be able to freely express ourselves, and fashion is one way to do it.

SandyG

Veteran

Shirley, I bought this coat in early November for a trip and love it! The wool knit doesn't wrinkle, it's fairly light in weight yet warm, and travels with ease. It's dressy enough for NYC opera and casual enough for jeans.

Smile sweetly at your guys but believe -- the coat is fab. You look good!

Shirley

There are a lot of wisdom on this forum. I knew I can count on you fabbers for advice and support! I will play in my closet some today to come up with some combination.

Nanabear

You look gorgeous in this coat! Honestly, if you love it, then keep it. YOU can create the occasion for wearing it. I wore a formal dress and a really nice coat to the grocery store, just because I wanted to. Carry yourself with confidence, and I'm sure everyone around you will see the fabness of the coat

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I wish we could see your head, but the coat looks great to me. I say wear it with jeans and casual outfits to give them a twist. No need to view it as only a dressy piece. It may take a little getting used to, because it's more visible than what you're used to, but I think it's fab.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Huh? Unless the guys at home are Michael Kors and Tommy HIlfiger, who cares what they think! This coat is fabulous, a definite keep. No, wait a sec, don't keep - send to me instead

P.S. WEAR IT OUT OF THE HOUSE TODAY (yes, I am shouting at you).

unfrumped

Veteran

I think the most important thing is how the coat fits, and not whether it's animal print. Meaning, I would not get an animal print coat just for "woohoo, animal print," but would want it to be flattering and go with my outfits and then also be special because of the print. I've had this dilemma with colors as well as prints--I am so drawn to certain colors and to animal prints, and first I get over whether it's a bit bold, but then get down to analyzing whether the item itself is right vs. whether I want it to be right. So how does this coat compare to coats you love, in terms of fit and silhouette?

If it ticks those boxes, and if I were feeling a bit shy about wearing a major animal print item, I might start by keeping everything else about the outfit neutral and streamlined--say dark wash jeans and black sweater--to start with.

Shirley

Thanks fabbers. The tag is off and I wore the coat out today. I added two pictures mirror selfies because I can't get a photographer anymore. I think it looks better in person in natural light but it gives you the idea. I took the advice of pairing with dark neutrals. Even DH is more receptive with the outfit.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I love it even more now. Glad you're keeping and wearing!