Keep or return: Malandrino cape-esque jacket ETA: full length photo

Picked up this black cape-ish Catherine Malandrino jacket at Filene's Basement yesterday. I like it because it's short enough to not hide my very short waist and has shoulder definition. The material is a coated, slightly shiny linen. It's not a real cape because it has sleeves but I think this is as close to a cape as I will get. (I did try on a real cape and it made me look as if I had neither shoulders nor waist. Not good.)

#1: worn open.
#2: closed using the hook and eyes at the neck. I like the way it looks closed, but I don't think I'll wear it like this often because I have issues with high necklines and choking feeling, but do you guys think it might work to close it lower down with a big brooch or an extra set of hook and eyes or something?
#3: back view.

If it's a keeper, how would you style this?

ETA: added a full-length photo with a different top. Is this better?

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14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Hmm; if I were to style it, I'd pair it with a midi to elongate the body. My only concern about the shortness of the cape is: will it make you look short?

Saretta

Active Member

I don't know... I think it's very, very cute from the back but the front view doesn't quite convince me...especially when closed. Maybe you could try it over a shirt with a simpler, smoother front, or in a lighter color?

Nakidra

It is very cute from the back, but from the front, worn open, it hangs wrong. It's better closed, but since you have issues with that, it doesn't sound practical to me.

rae

Can we see a full body shot?

rachylou

Have to admit I don't love it. Probably would not have picked it for you. There's a lot of material, things going on at the shoulder, at the collar, at the front, at the cuffs, at the back.

That said, I like it closed too. Looking at the overall shape... it makes me think "Victorian" (this is apparently my theme for the day, everything is looking Victorian to me), which lends itself to a few ideas in the styling department.

I'd go for a top and bottom in the same solid colour, make them very plain - no frills, embroidery, etc. And I'd wear a heel with it.

I like the teal of your top by the way. It's a striking contrast with the jacket colour.

Victoria

I'm short waisted as well and the goal is to elongate your torso visually and this style just doesn't quite do it. Its too short and loose, and I think you may want to go with longer and leaner look. Nice jacket and the way you styled it, btw but I don't think it flatters you, I'm sorry:(

Anonymous

Hmmm, something about the proportions looks off to me. I would return.

I'm not loving it. there is so much going on with the collar, military detailing on the shoulders and sleeves, shiny fabric and then the short fullness plus the ruffles on your top. However, the blue color of your top is lovely on you.

geetha

return it. if you have to think that much about what to wear it with, it's not worth it. you shouldn't have to think that hard about your clothes.

catgirl

I love the idea of it, but in practice I'd find it difficult to style. It seems like you could find one or two combos that work, but maybe not diverse enough. Was it a real bargain (LOVE Filene's Basement - used to shop there back when there was only the one store downtown!)?

Queen Mum

not loving it. It looks like it would take a lot of styling tricks to get the proportions right. I'd return and look for something else.

Diana

Hmm, yeah, I think you guys may be right that it will be rather tricky to style... i have a feeling that the cape style may just not be for me. I have to admit that it is fun to wear though.

Rae, I added a full-length photo to my original post. I changed out the top, since you are all right that the ruffly blouse does not work with this at all - I just threw the jacket on this morning over my existing outfit. Anyway, changed to a plain long-sleeve top, and I pinned the jacket closed a little lower down at a non-choking level. Any better?

Una, I paid probably about 20% of retail for this but it was still enough money that I need to be sure... I love Filene's Basement but I have to say that it is only a shadow of its former self. No more automatic markdown... (sad... the original downtown location was supposed to reopen after some construction but a series of bankruptcies and contracting snafus basically means it is currently a giant, ugly hole in the ground.)

I know! I remember when they had the auto markdowns, also rummaging in the shoe bins at the bottom floor... Now that it's a chain it seems to be a lot less fun, sadly. I like the one in the South Shore plaza.

The plain long sleeve top is better. I'd like to see you in a longer cape, cut straighter down, less flare-out.

Like this --> http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/161425

Only not a $1000 bucks, of course. That's just silly.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I really like the cape-esque jacket closed, pretty Diana! Cool

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