My statement of the season - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

About: Forgoing Trends with Equestrian Golden Oldies

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

My statement of the season

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Tailored Modern Classic pieces with a dramatic flare have a long and happy style life.

Wardrobe pieces - like my equestrian Smythe jacket - that defy trends, can
be remixed with new trends each season. And it’s fun to see them evolve into their updated look as you change up the support act.

The tailored fit is important. Oversized and bodycon fits have over the decades shown an expiry date. Tailored fits have gone the distance. My hunch is that the slightly fluid side of tailored is the next timeless fit.

NOTE: I'm not saying don't wear other fits. Not at all. I'm merely making an observation about a tailored fit. Wear whichever fits tickle your fancy. And personally, I like mixing up the fits in one outfit.

(I also wanted to use the new YLF feature by writing this thread). xo

Dressing

42 replies

Latest reply was from MRL

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I agree that tailored fit is important and seems to have stood the test of time. What is the slightly fluid side of tailored? More fluid fabrics, similar tailored fit?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Now, all I need to do is find a jacket like that one!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Actually, Alexandra, most of my tailored fits err on the side of fluid, although still very structured. Meaning that they are "a little looser" all over for extra comfort. And to my eye - that slightly looser fit creates a more flattering and modern finish.

I am VERY picky about fit. More picky than most. So I pick up on fit details that make little difference to others - but they make a big difference to me.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Suz - Me too. I need more structure in my life.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Alexandra, I think of recent tailored fits (up until a year or two ago) as being on the body con side of tailored. Does that make any sense? There really wasn't a whole lot of wiggle room -- hence the use of stretch component in many tailored garments.

Compared to the tailored fits of my younger days, those fits were actually on the snug side. Not TIGHT, you understand. Not tacky-looking. But let them get much tighter and on some bodies they would be. You know?

I imagine a fluid tailored fit would have just a bit more ease throughout. Still nicely contoured to the shoulders, no sloppiness to it, and clear definition of the waist, etc. But more room overall. This would be most obvious I suspect in trousers. And knits.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz, I think there's a Smythe jacket on your shopping list.

Naz, lovely to see you chime in. And you crack me up.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And yes, Suz. Great explanation. Thanks.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I just wish Smythe would fit me. Although I do have my amazing navy Isabel Marant blazer.

Catnip

Veteran

I love the way a tailored fit looks, but it is so hard for me to find a tailored jacket that really fits me. I'm very picky about fit (perhaps not as picky as you), and I have almost given up on finding a jacket or blazer, but more about this in another post.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think so, too, Angie. With my great love of jackets, it only makes sense.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Anna, your navy Isabel Marant blazer is a brilliant example of what I'm talking about. Perhaps you can post some of the outfits that showcase the blazer here - for visual reference.

Catnip, I'd love to take you jacket shopping.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And that's my thinking for you too, Suz.

Diana

Veteran

Amen. You know I love a good tailored fit in jackets. I'll go oversize or bodycon in other aspects but for me the shoulders on a jacket HAVE to have a tailored fit to avoid looking sloppy on my body.

And I really want a Smythe riding jacket. Was looking at the plaid ones this winter but I wasn't super fond of any of the colors.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Angie and Suz, thank you for the explanation. Yes, a little extra ease, that makes sense.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

High five, Diana. (Yup. You really have to love the pattern of a patterned jacket in order to commit to it).

Glad that made sense, Alexandra.

Thistle

Veteran

Reminding me I need more jackets, and the associcated structure, in my life, too!

cheryl

Veteran

I love the new feature. I must say fashion fascinates me and all of the variables involved. It's so fun to read and learn from you every day.

deb

Veteran

I wore tailored fit jackets for so long when I worked in the banking industry that I am now partial to a more fluid fit. Or maybe it is just as I age the fluid fit is more suitable. Looking in my closet, I have 4 tailored jackets and 9 jackets with a more fluid fit.

Neel

Veteran

In jackets I definitely prefer the tailored fit. It adds so much structure to even sloppy under layers IMO. But when it comes to tops .... And pants .... Give me fluid please! I might have a style shift sometime. But for now enjoying the fluid fit!

Anonymous

I love the idea of fluid fits. Just enough extra fabric to feel easy and luxurious, but not enough to be overwhelming.

I feel a little clueless about figuring out how to find fluid fits that work on me, though. I think that might tie back to the petite discussion in a way. I've sort of trained myself to equate extra fabric with things that hit me wrong because they're made for someone taller, so I think I need to re-train myself out of that!

Lisa

Veteran

Tailored fits, always look lovely to my eye. Some of the other fits take me time to adjust the eye, but tailored always seems to work.

Joy

Veteran

This is an excellent reminder that I should be looking for a great black blazer to update my old thrifted one, or maybe navy would be better. I wear them as part of a smart casual outfit.
Angie, for staying power, is there a best length for blazers?

rachylou

Veteran

I haven't had a tailored jacket in years. My father would pick them and make me wear them. They were very preppy, which only my youth saved from dowdiness. I'm not sure where I'd start without him.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Nice to see this. I honestly feel like truly tailored fits are the most flattering on me. After I lost weight, I was so overjoyed to fit back in single digit sizes that I deferred to the smallest size I *fit* in, even if it felt like I'd be more comfortable a size up. So now I have some jackets in my wardrobe that are definitely more on the snug fitted side. Since I don't often wear them buttoned up, they're still passable, but I'm getting pickier about comfort as well as fit.

I would love a Smythe riding jacket in charcoal or black, but I don't really want flap pockets at the hip -- don't need more volume there, thanks. I continue to keep an eye on their offerings because I hope to have one of their jackets someday too, if the fit is right for me. I've never seen them in any stores to try them on.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Greg and Angie, I like this new YLF feature!

I am curious what everyone thinks about the role of classics in styles that are not, Modern Classic. Or straight up Classic. For example, how does a classic blazer work in Avant Garde style (since we've been talking about that a lot lately). In Boho style. In an Earthy, Arty style. In a Gamine style. In a Ladylike style. Etc.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I found fluid shirts under more tailored jackets is the perfect balance for me. right now anyway lol.

nancylee

Veteran

This is such a useful tip, Angie. And I couldn't be happier about your prediction that the slightly fluid side of tailored might be the next timeless fit. That sounds just perfect.

unfrumped

Veteran

Great post, Angie!

And I like Suz's observation. Blazers,for example evolved to those high-armhole styles that you could only wear over a tank or shell, and if it fit in the shoulders, you could barely button it, or things like that.

I almost was able to retain a blazer or 2 from several years before that, because they were almost in the zone of perfect tailored fluid fit--fashion had come round. But not quite, and there were some other issues, so I let them go.

It is so brand-dependent. It's not just a matter of sizing up. You have to find the brand or maker in whom you can get a GOOD fit that has that slight fluid feel. I am finding that very hard, but I'm scrutinizing the fit for that very thing.

gryffin

Veteran

Angie - I think this is one of the things I loved about the AT equestrian blazers of the late 90"s. The wool crepe material was substantial but fluid. The shoulders were fitted and the sleeves were narrow, the body was shaped but not tight. It allowed a slightly fuller underlayer or the jacket could be worn buttoned like a coat dress. Now the jackets, like the Theory Marcela, to fit well in the shoulder have a more tailored body. They can be buttoned and smooth but less ease, plus the fabric is less fluid, stiffer and thinner. I'm not articulating this well but I just can't what I am looking for within this aesthetic, fit or fabric. Sad.

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