K/R: I'm stumped! - YouLookFab Forum

In my quest to minimize darks in my wardrobe for Summer, I've been unsuccessful in finding a light topper. Friday I swung by Zara to check out their sale and tried on almost every topper they had. The only one remotely flattering was this linen floral jacket with sleeve zips that is shaped like a jean jacket. It looked a little rough with the outfit I had on that day, so I brought it home to try with my clothes. I need your advice because this piece is outside of my normal comfort zone (not bad, just a stretch). I cannot figure out how to style it, and I tried over numerous tops and bottoms. So, I wonder if the pattern is wearing me, aging me, or both. Or I may have lost the styling mojo for the moment. I have zero red in my closet, because I have a very red complexion without makeup, so I liked this as a way to work on some into my closet in small doses. My head is cut off as I was sans makeup and hair and didn't want that to factor into your advice. Thanks for your thoughts!

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Zara

Short Floral Print Blazer

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Top Pick

9 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

That's a cute jacket! I think it looks great with the outfit you've styled it with. Are there at least two more outfits that you think work with the jacket? IMHO, three is minimum unless one maintains a large wardrobe and has plenty of closet space.

To my eye, the pattern while large does not seem overpowering -- and I am sensitive to that issue because I am relatively small. I also don't think it is aging because it doesn't read *young* to me.

Boy, I sure hope Zara doesn't *get* my body -- too much cute stuff there!

Suz

(website)

Donna has given you some great advice! Can you think of at least two other ways to wear it? Do you have a tube skirt, for instance? Or another pair of pants /jeans and shoes with an underlayer that would work?

It is difficult to see weather it "wears" you without seeing your face/ hair/ colouring. I like it in itself and if it feels comfy, why not give it a bash?

Oh..and have you tried popping the collar?

Anonymous

I like it too! I like how you have styled it here.

Jaime

Agree it is hard to tell without your face, but looks good from what I can see. Agree that you should try to imagine different ways you would wear it.

dashielle (Ann)

Donna F, thanks for the suggestion...I may have to turn over my whole closet to find 3 outfits! There is a lot of cute stuff there, but thankfully many didn't work for me!

Suz, I'm thinking you're right and I should try again with hair and makeup tomorrow. I love your outfits with tube skirts ( well, all of them really) and I do intend to get the VC ruched version in black or navy, but these colors seem too heavy for this jacket. Perhaps I should just get the matching shorts shown on the Zara model, NOT! I also struggled with color on top with this, as most of my jackets are solid and easier to work with over my mostly patterned tops.

Thanks Ceit and Shevia, I really am having a hard time seeing this for some reason. My inner critics were fighting with things like "it looks like your Grandma's sofa" and "Do it! You need to grow!"

Susie

My experience has been that when I hesitate or try to convince myself that I like something- usually a pattern- that I end up not wearing it. I usually have the same hesitation every time I reach for it. Just my experience- you may do better with stretchng your comfort zone. I've also decided that I don't need things that are too hard to make work. There are plenty of things out there that I over and are easy to wear!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

The jacket is a super fit and cut. Do you like the colours?

Neel

Another keep vote. I really love how it looks on you. Pretty colors too.

Isis

I love it. I think the flower pattern is too abstract to look like Grandma's sofa!

The other 3 outfits could be as simple as changing out the underlying t for other colors. A tube skirt would also be great---how about taupe or grey.

Love your sandals!!!!!

CocoLion

I can't tell exactly but are you folding up the sleeve? If so do you intend to alter the garment, given it has a zipper sleeve?

And more love for the sandals… they look fantastic on you!

Don't forget that a small pattern like thin stripes can work with this!

So, tonight with hair/makeup and shopping my closet, this is what I came up with. Dark trouser jeans and white Caslon linen clam diggers, thrown together with a couple of tops normally reserved for more casual pursuits, mostly for color ideas. Feels like we're getting closer. Angie had asked if I like the colors. I found this silk tank (left in #3) that I bought ages ago at Barney's, in the closet. It only comes out in hottttttt weather, which we don't get here. I am drawn to purple with reddish orange on a white background, apparently. This has been a struggle, admittedly, but all growth is. The sleeves are long and don't stay up, but taking a page out of Zara's book, I may stitch them in a permanently 'zhuzhed' state (http://www.urbandictionary.com.....term=zhuzh), as altering would defeat the purpose of buying the jacket on sale. Thoughts? Comments appreciated.

Thanks to Suz for the collar pop idea! High 5!

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I love this jacket on you, Ann. It can be your wild card for the season. It's soooo happy. Great styling.

I do prefer the collar down though - because it lengthens your neck. And I like hugging you too. xo

I love this on you too!

As usual Angie, you have all the answers! Now I know another YLF term (that I'll have to research) to add to my vocab. I had a sneaking suspicion on the collar pop, knowing how lovely it looks on Suz and (irrationally) hoping some of her magic might transfer to me. Alas no, but I'm glad you pointed it out because sometimes we can have blindspots caused by wishful thinking

Thanks a bunch Ceit!

kkards

i missed the orginal post yesterday, but i wanted to tell you that i really like this jacket. i think it looks great in all the outfits you have posted. you might also want to try a column of color with the jacket popped on top.
(also, i'm wearing a jacket with zipppered sleeves today, i've found if you unzip them and then fold back the sleeve, when you push the sleeves up, they will stay better)

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