First off, Suz, turn down the volume on the reviewers in close proximity to you. You are exploring at the moment and need to be gentle with yourself. In fact, I saw a great quote on the bottom of an Honest Tea bottle cap which said: "Always listened; followed my own directions."

I immediately loved the color and drape of the second top. It's a lovely, vibrant blue and Jonesy and the others gave you excellent advice. Your Doc Marcies would be great with this or knee-high boots. Or, wearing cigarette pants and some interesting caged heels.

The black dress didn't give me any avant-garde feelings as much as your second item.

As for the Zara jackets, my preference is for the lighter one with the metal trim. I could see that working with a column of black, any of your whites, your Report Marks booties. It's just a great jacket with such an interesting color. Is it oyster or silver?

Just sharing my two cents as I find my way to the edge, as well.

Uh, you can shoot me for bad manners or something, but I think the first dress is kinda... ordinary. Nice, but ordinary. The sewing doesn't seem up to your usual quality, but that may be the darkness of the dress and my screen interacting.

As for the second: Hon, that is OUTSTANDING.

ETA: I think you've found avant garde with these dresses, judging by the total lack of consensus. LOL.

Suz, you can always layer a knit skirt or light dress underneath the blue "thing" to make up for the lack of coverage resulting from the asymmetrical hem. The "thing" allows for lots of experimentation. Please keep!!!!

Yes, I love the blazer!!! Thank you so much for the compliment!

Suz, I LOVE that first dress on you! It's beautiful and I think you can wear it many ways. Personally, I'd try to funk it up with bright shoes or something. But in any case, it's perfection I think.
I'm not personally a huge fan of the blue dress because I'm just not that into all that draping, but I don't think it looks bad on you. Really a matter of personal taste, not of fit, I think.

Suz, I haven't read the comments yet so hope I'm not totally out there!

I see the appeal in both of these dresses and I think they look very nice on you. My issue with these kinds of pieces is that they can easily be mistaken for ordinary, though they are not. It's like the gorgeous Native baskets woven here - I always want to get them for wedding presents, but I'm afraid that if I don't leave the price tag on, people who don't know better will mistake them for something I picked up for 50 cents in Tijuana.

My take is that you are looking for something more structured/architectural. These are strong, simple and asymmetrical but they are "soft" in fabric and look. Is that what you want? How do you FEEL in these outfits? What attracted you to them? I think you need pieces with more structured fabric yet interesting angles. Again, my MMK jacket from the NAS is that type of item. Or my Theory jacket.

Sorry if that's not helpful - I could be completely off track.

OH MY GOSH, GO BACK AND GET THAT BLACK ZARA JACKET!!!! The cut is so cute and the way you describe the weave sounds perfect. I don't think the dresses are that bad, but I also wouldn't keep either. The blue color is striking with your eyes though. I stepped into COS quickly the other day. Such a shame that they aren't in Canada. You would really be able to experiment with a different look there. They have such cute dresses at the moment.

Oh, and I'll take the blue dress if you refuse to wear it. LOL. I don't even care what size it is. LOL.

And I'm serious.

LOL, Scarlet!! Maybe I should order the jacket from Zara. I think I can shop online here....not sure. I am sad about COS, too. Are they available in England? If so, I might have some luck in the spring.

Una, not only are you not wrong, you are dead right. I do not want drape and softness. Or rather, I might *want* it in theory, and like it on others...but I don't think, ultimately, that it works well on me. I need the kinds of pieces you are talking about. But what, other than jackets, ARE those pieces? That is the question.

Antje, thank you - it is nice to hear that dress get a bit of love. I don't think I was completely off my head when I bought it! I can really see you in this item and think it would suit you better than me.

Zap - that is very smart thinking. I even have a midi made of the same fabric that I could try under this dress for a different look. And other jersey skirts as well to try. Great thoughts.

Rachylou - it's a deal. If I don't keep and wear that blue, it's yours.

Vicki - thank you for your comments - very helpful! The lighter Zara jacket is a very light silvery grey. I was worried that it washed me out a bit, which is one reason I didn't snap it right up. But it was the end of a long few days and I was burdened with suitcases and not wearing the right bottoms for trying things on....so I wasn't entirely sure.

This turned into a really educational thread - thanks Suz! I wouldnl't be quick to ditch either of my purchases if I were you. Sometimes once we absorb the newness of something we figure out how we will take advantage of it.

Oh, Suz - I can shop for you all day! (If my clients would just stop calling...) I can see you in pants like Angie's slim slouchy ones, or a funky woven shirt like Ceit's asymmetrical shirt. Or a cool chopped-up vest. Lots of these items are going to be black, because that's the color of the avant-garde, yes? But I'm sure there ARE options.

Let's play "price is no object" for a moment. This skirt:

http://www.dkny.com/women/shop.....ered-skirt

Or this one:

http://www.ssense.com/women/pr.....gn=generic

Love this despite the ruffles:

http://www.theoutnet.com/produ.....2g_XZZnG9w

Maybe too short?

http://www.theoutnet.com/produ.....uyh73jBP1g

Any of those look appealing?

Blazers:

http://elizabeth-charles.com/b10.html

http://www.shopbop.com/smoking.....rg-2178999

http://www.intermixonline.com/.....038;cid=LS

http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....lTo4iidCUQ

Again, Bill Gates is funding your wardrobe, so price is no object.

I am so glad Bill is with me! I love the Helmut Lang....not sure about the others. Would have to try them on. I think I need to go to a place that carries such clothes. Where IS such a place? Does it even exist in Canada?

Texstyle - I always find other people's mistakes so enlightening! So I figured this was worth posting, and it has been VERY educational for me. I have learned that draping is really not my direction - but I can probably save these pieces for now and enjoy them.

I have learned to look more for asymmetry with structure. Or for structure, period...I can take a bit of flounce or drape if the structure is there.

Wow, not much cheaper than Helmut Lang:

http://www.theory.com/womens-j.....lt,sc.html

I just skimmed through your post and then came to the bottom to comment because I don't have time to read through everyone else's comments - but, just wanted to say that I think the blue has real potential - the color, the draping - just perfect! I would not however, wear it with the cropped black leggings and black flat shoes. I'd try it out with black skinnies and boots - you know, sharpen it up a bit!
As far as the black one goes - I can't see the details of the front, but to me it just looks like a regular sporty dress - nothing really avant garde about it? - unless I'm missing something? I like it OK - but it doesn't seem like anything special. Also, your footwear in the pic - are those the new sandals? - pretty sporty looking - if you're going for avant garde sometimes all it takes is a pair of shoes/boots with that element and then the entire outfit is more avant garde-ish!
One last thing - never, never go by what family members tell you about your clothes when you are trying out new looks - they just don't get it and probably aren't going to be real enthused about your attempts to change things up! Its that old "family systems" theory - family members are going to rally around to keep things status quo, no matter what!

Who can notice the clothes - your mega-watt smile is blinding me to everything else!
Love you in dress #2 - the blue is so radiant on you. I don't dislike dress#1 - I think there are better footware options.
You could wear a sack (ok - a blue sack)- and still look fantastic - but you have to feel comfortable. I think this has been a fantastic exercise for you (and all of us) to better appreciate what we are looking for in a garment.

I quite like #1 ... after all, it was made in ze Paris But I think your family members are more used to seeing things like pencil skirts? This seems more poof than that

I am not fond of #2 though ... maybe you could use the sling to carry things?

Yay on the shoes!

Una, you can shop for me any time! Wow! Do I love that DKNY skirt link and then the smoking jacket, too! Suz, may I go shopping with you and Bill, now that she has given you this amazing list?

Once I saw what Una said and posted, the direction of our style goals all seemed to make sense. What a group we have here. Enlightened!

I'm late to this, and haven't read any responses yet, but I agree #1 is off somehow. Perhaps it's too much volume too low for your height and body type. I love #2! You're right, the color is fantastic and unlike #1 the proportions don't look 'off' to me.
But perhaps you do want to just dip your toe in instead of jump headlong into the avant garde pool. Start with an interesting top, or a jacket that is tailored, like you are longing for, but in an interesting shape or with funky lapels or shoulders.
Don't give up! This look could be fab for you!

That black Zara jacket - I didn't think I liked boyfriend jeans until I looked at your Zara link and saw the outfit with the black jacket. That's how to do boyfriend jeans - please consider that jacket!

That Helmut Lang jacket is gorgeous. Even if I can't afford it now, looking at items like that help me set the direction for my style evolution.

And, Suz, why not play around with those two items to see what it would take to make them yours. Somehow I could see the blue dress looking quite striking if worn with tall boots and tights to a event, like a writer's conference, where you were introducing a speaker.

Una, you're an excellent shopper. Now, to make the money to buy the items!

Mo - I suspect you are right. That's what's wrong with the black dress. Alas....

Marley - the details of the black dress are a bit difficult to see. It has some complicated draping at the front and an uneven hem. But you're right - it probably ISN'T anything special on me. I was swayed on this one by a number of factors, not least that I saw someone else try it on and she looked (I thought) FABULOUS in it. Dumb, dumb, dumb. You're right about the footwear, though - I had imagined wearing it with my Doc Marcies in cooler weather but it was just too hot today to put them on. And I had also hoped I could wear it like this in summery weather.

Lyn, interesting how people's responses are so different. A few people have loved the black and hated the blue; more have seen potential in the blue and felt MEH about the black.

Vicki, you're so right - YLF is the best!

Marlene - yeah, that jacket is enough to convert anyone to la BF! I agree it is a great look, and hey, I already have the jeans!!

Gaylene, I"ll definitely play around and see if I can make these work for a season. Even if I ultimately decide they aren't "me" at least I can get some use from them and maybe enjoy them. And I agree - the blue one has some potential as a presentation outfit with the right accessories. Maybe I can wear it to the WritersFest events I have in late September.

Suz, rushing to take Master 9 to school but very briefly...Stop! Pack them both up and send them to me! Lol. I love them both. These styles are popular here. The draping, oddly placed pockets, unusual silhouettes. Give your family time, they are just not used to these looks on you. Will pop back later xx

Ceit, did you post that Etsy link? I can't find it in my foolishness....

Thanks!

Oh! Search idea2lifestyle --- I am drooling over a few new things they have like the Immortelle tunic!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/10.....blouse-and

Thank you!! Off to peruse!

Great thread, Suz I think #1 is too sporty for you, and not really workable for the direction you want. However that blue dress is gorgeous!! I'm with Angie and Jonesy on that one: it needs black tights/skinnies and heels/boots. I do think this piece is worth experimenting further with. Also agree with Una that you are after architectural arty, but not soft/romantic arty. Do you have any hi-low hem tops? They are everywhere, and could be an easy way to add just a little of this.

I do have one hi-low T, Aida - just a simple cheap summer piece. I like it quite a lot. I also used to wear trapeze tops back in the early 90s when those were "in" and loved them. They worked for me despite being on the short side, possibly because I am small busted. So I can see the right hi-low top working. The issue is finding the RIGHT ones. I wasn't so keen on that hemline for skirts/dresses for some reason.

I'm glad you think the blue one has some potential. I have the black tights/skinnies/ and three different boots/booties to try, so maybe I will do some styling with the blue one. Thanks!!

Suz I wasn't keen on them for skirts/dresses either, but then I found the right one :} A handkerchief hem for skirts, dresses, and tops might also appeal to you.

Okay - I copied and pasted the quote below from you because it got my spidey senses going and I read through all of the comments to see if anyone addressed it:

"Still not myself, exactly, though - not the way I feel in a jacket, a crisp shirt (or even a layering T) and denim or a pencil skirt."

I am just wondering if there's a part of you that believes/thinks that the only way to look "put-together" is the formula you mention above, and not the dresses or tunics you've purchased. This formula is also the norm for many others out there, so is it possible you're just uncomfortable with deviating from the norm? Is there a part of you that feels like unstructured and avant-garde looks sloppy? Just questions for thoughts!

I love both of these items on you, but I can see how they are so different from other things you wear. Trying out the styling ideas suggested by others may help you see how these items can look totally awesome and may challenge some of the beliefs about avant-garde/edgy/unstructured dressing that you weren't aware that you had.

I apologize if this is too deep! It's been a long day....