Keep or return: Chie Mihara (and other misc Gap stuff) - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep or return: Chie Mihara (and other misc Gap stuff)

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I ordered a pair of the Chie Mihara Eloisa sandals that captivated me when I first saw them. And they are gorgeous. But they are a lot higher than I realized--I think the heel is 4 inches! I'm normally used to wearing 1-2 inches. I don't think these will be wearable for work and I'd have to train myself to wear them without toppling over, LOL! How do they look and should I keep or return?

1-6. Here I am wearing the Chie Miharas with an old Anthro top and BR skirt, and for comparison I have a pair of Clark pumps with my more typical heel height (keep in mind I previously wore mainly clogs/mocs and felt like these Clark heels were "too high" for work...but lately I have been wearing heels more often to work on lighter days so I am getting used to them). Are these CMs fabulous enough to make room for them in my wardrobe or should I look for something more sensible? LOL!

7-10. Gap denim jacket. I love how several of you wear denim jackets with everything so when I saw one at the sale yesterday I put it in the bag. But I'm wondering if it's too plain/cheap looking. Also the buttons are small and denim covered so pretty hard to button and unbutton. What do you think?

11-12. I bought a striped T shirt and a cardigan. I thought it was a pretty plum, but when I got home I realized it's just plain brown. Also I'm not sure how to style it and I think it's a bit bulky and makes me look big. Thoughts?

13. The striped T by itself.

14. I bought some tanks to go as layering shells. Are these too big in the tummy?

15. Tights, socks (over knee & trouser) & belts, because I don't have any. The only tights they had were footless--are these useful or should I be looking for footed tights?

16. Two scarves.

Thanks for the feedback! I am not attached to the Gap stuff...I just grabbed because everything was on sale but if it's ugly be honest!

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Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

DressLover

Veteran

I can't get past anything but the shoes right now - those are fantastic! KEEP!

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

1. love the new shoes- much better look than the Clarks although Clarks are not bad. Only keep if comfy.
2. denim jacket looks too big, I think.
I like the cardigan belted and everything else is great!!

Makrame

Veteran

Shoes are gorgeous! They definitely up the style quotient for the outfit in 3-5 but I know what you mean about heels at work. I end up mostly wearing relatively "frumpy" shoes because the higher heels are just not comfortable. But if you feel you can wear them, then definitely keep.

It seems the denim jacket is too big and too long, and the cardigan is a bit bulky, although it look nice with the belt. Love the scarves and the long tank in #14. If you decide to keep the tank in this size, I think it would look best under long, flowing, open cardigans.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Shoes are gorgeous but you need to think hard how you are going to use them if this heel height is uncomfortable for you. If you can handle the heels and have enoygh occasions to wear them to to justify the price for yourself then definitely keep!
Denim jackets is too big on you. Are you looking to wear it mostly with skirts and dresses? Then I would look for more cropped one. Also I find that I like my denim jackets very fitted - then they look good open and this is how I wear them most of the time.

Kate

Veteran

I'm going to be the voice of dissent here, goldenpig, when it comes to the shoes. They are beautiful shoes, but I think they look too big and heavy on your delicate frame. I don't think they do your pretty legs justice. Keep looking.

The denim jacket is very cute; you just need a smaller size in it. I think the brown cardigan is too big and bulky for you. I'd love to see the striped top untucked.

The scarves and belts are very cute; keep. I like the tank too, though you might want to try a smaller size for comparison and see which looks better to your eye, and which feels better on.

Vildy

Veteran

I'm agreeing with Kate. The clever shoes make the outfit but don't enhance the gal inside the outfit. Some things that are oversize or heavy emphasize delicacy but you do look more exquisite in the comparison black shoes.

Jean jacket too big and moves on its own and not as one with you. Anything that has buttons that are awkward can quickly have buttons
replaced.

Now, I disagree with lots of folks about the sweater outfit in #12. I loved it on you. I think this might be the sort of heavy, oversize that does emphasize delicacy. But since we don't have video I can't be sure from a still photo.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Tee hee....I also bought that scarf on the left! I guess I won't be telling you to return that one, LOL!

Accessories/socks all look excellent. I was also tempted by that animal print belt but did not buy it.

Re your shoes: They are lovely shoes, but I was concerned they looked a bit large (in actual size, perhaps) and also large for your frame. However, worn with a different outfit the scale might not be too bad. I would think super hard about them, especially if expensive. On the other hand, if you just LOVE them, then what the heck? You have been waiting a long time to splurge a bit on yourself!

I agree that the jacket looks a bit big on you. I also don't feel crazy about the cardigan, although I definitely like you in the belted cardigan look.

The T and tank seem fine, although if there is a smaller size in the tank you might want to try it just in case.

You did great yesterday! Congratulations on your new fab jeans and whatever else you decide to keep!

ironkurtin

Veteran

I love the shoes. I actually like the way they set off your legs. If you're concerned about the heel height, a decent shoe repairman can cut the heel down a little bit - to see how much, put the shoe on a table near the edge, then tip the heel off. S/he can cut off just as much as keeps the front sole flat.

The jacket is too big, and cut very casually. I am a giant Helmut Lang fan and you can often find his iconic denim jackets on ebay for not much (including the ones with the large turn-up cuffs, love). They are cut slim and are more sophisticated than the Gap cuts:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HELMUT.....223wt_1297

A size 42 is a size 4-6 in HL jeanspeak for jackets. I am a 36B and roughly a size 6-8 and my 42s are snug. Just a thought!

christy

Veteran

I really like the shoes! I guess the question is, do you have the opportunity to wear them? I wear 3-4 inch heels daily, but I'm driving a desk and not on my feet all day. I love the colors and I think they will look great with skirts, pants and jeans. HOWEVER, you can't wear pants that are hemmed to be worn with 2" heels with a pair of 4" heels, so you'll need to think about that also.

I agree that the denim jacket is too big - it might work if you size down, but I think a cropped style might be better for you. I like the cardigan best belted and think it looks great how you've styled it here with skinnies. Maybe try it with the darker skinny belt too? Love the accessories - I just picked up that animal print belt too!

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Those shoes are to die for! The color is fabulous. I can't see the jacket very well - the photos look pretty dark to me.

I do like the cardigan belted, adn the light jeans are great. Great haul on the socks, scarves and belts!

lex

Look, I have multiple pairs of Chie Miharas - they're my favourite shoes - but I couldn't walk in heels that high either. Hence I vote RETURN even though they're gorgeous.

She makes lower heels that are also gorgeous and more practical, which you will get a lot more wear out of.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Sorry I have not read anyone's comments... quick insomnia reading for me, here.

I LOVE the shoes... if you think you can use them, then keep. If they will become pretty bookends, then return... as much as it pains me to say that.

Is the denim jacket too big?

Love the belted sweater look in twelve!!

I think the tank looks really nice, but I'm meh on the tee.

I also love the scarves, and I actually like footless tights sometimes because you can wear your own socks. Sometimes tights don't breathe or warm the best, but with footless ones you can control the foot environment!

Deborah

Veteran

Goldie, I love those shoes but like others have commented you need to work out will you wear them. I find that heel style quite comfortable despite the hight. Jacket definitely looks too big to me, however I really like the style. T Shirt is ok but I don't love Tshirts so probably best not for me to comment. Cardigan looks great belted but unbelted it does look rather uninspiring. Accessories look great.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Actually, I checked the Chie Mihara website and the heels aren't *quite* as high as I thought--they are 3.5 inches on the back heel but there is a 0.5 inch platform on the front so the real walking height is more like 3 inches. So I'm trying it out on the carpet at home...if I can walk comfortably and can come up with 10 outfits I could wear it with, then I think the Eloisa sandals can stay. I've looked at the other shoes and the only other ones with lower heels I'd be interested in are the purple flowered T-strap Rampo and the navy/brown stars & stripes Rostar, but I don't know if either of them would be as versatile in terms of matching my clothing because their coloring is so distinctive.

Gap denim jacket and cardigan are going back...still looking for the perfect ones. I'm going to look for a more cropped jacket and a thinner cardigan. The jacket is too big and the cardigan makes me feel fat, so back they go! And I have a few pairs of jeans to return (keeping 5 for now--L&L charcoal, L&L dark blue trouser, AS dark blue, HRS black & HRS gray...although still debating a bit on the high rise skinnies). I'm think I'm keeping the tank and T-shirt and the rest of the accessories too.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like the Gap red tank and the accessories. I agree with your decision to return the sweater and the jacket. I adore the CM shoes. They are so beautiful and unique. I am crossing my fingers that you can deal with the heel height and that you can come up with 10 outfits for them! Seriously, they add a lot of style to any outfit.

Jonesy

Veteran

I wonder about the heels, to be frank. Are they an impulse buy that are going to end up being orphaned, or are they going to be workhorses for you day in and day out? It seems like you are in a serious building phase with your wardrobe. I would go for footwear that is versatile, comfortable, and chic, so you can get lots of bang for your buck. If you are on your feet all day long, and feel best in mid-height or low-heeled shoes, then I would stick with those. There are so many options out there, just online. And if you buy from Nordstrom (with their generous return policy) you can wear shoes a bit and if they are uncomfortable in any way, you can return them.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, and this is just my two cents, of course :)! Maybe I am just speaking from my own experience: I used to talk myself into fun, jazzy, not-quite-perfectly-comfortable shoes a lot, then they would never get worn and I would eventually donate them after they had sat in my closet for a while. Not a good pattern!

lpr200

Veteran

I think I was at the same sale! I agree with the others about the jacket- can you exchange it for a size down? It's so stretchy (I bought a black one!) that it will move with you. If the shoes are not comfortable for you, as beautiful as they are, they will probably sit in the closet, as others have said. The striped t shirt and accessories are cute, as is the tank. I think the brown sweater is a bit big, too (I almost bought it, too, it's so cozy). I love outfit 3!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Hmm...I've looked and I haven't seen any similar suede platform sandals with a lower heel...they all seem to be about the same or higher heel height. And it's a really pretty color. And I love ankle straps and "vintage-y" heels. So tempted...

I think if I have time later tonight I'll try on some outfits with the sandals to see if they will work with my wardrobe.

Freckles

Veteran

Great choice re the shoes. Hope they work out for you.

In agreement with everyone re denim jacket and brown cardigan.

I like the t. I think it pairs really well with the pants and I love the fluid, drapey tank.

Wonderful accessories!

Jonesy

Veteran

It is definitely not sandal season anymore, so that may be why you aren't seeing a lot of suede platform sandals with a lower heel to pick from :)!

These shoes are cool, don't get me wrong, they just strike me as a high-degree-of-difficulty pair of sandals: They are not a neutral color, they are two-tone, with a peep toe, in a '40s-inspired shape. So, not the easiest shoe to style and wear with abandon, at least in my opinion. One question: What is your dominant season? If it's summer, then you probably could get quite a bit more wear out of these with bare legs, shorts, skirts, etc. vs. fall/winter.

But maybe if your heart sings with these, then they are meant to be yours, practical issues be damned :).