I'm not sure I've commented on any of your NAS posts, but I've enjoyed reading your saga. I like all these items and I appreciate reading your careful analysis of fit and function. I hope it's possible to mend the sweater in an unnoticeable way since exchanging sounds like a lot of trouble.

*plonk*

You know I am a HUGE fan of the striped blouse! And you have completely won me over on the boots, too!

But ZOMG!! Photo 6 just slew. me. dead.

Gaylene is spot on. It is a nightmare dealing with the shipping!

As a matter of fact, I never did receive that the bulk of order, Gaylene. (A few items made it through in separate packages -- a belt and some boots. They were very SLOW to come, but they did come...eventually.)

Nordstrom's was prompt to reverse the charges and did not argue with me a bit about the clothing items. And I liked the belt. Phew!

But now I am dealing with another issue. The boots ordered at the same time did not fit. I finally got around to returning them a few months ago. And guess what? They have disappeared into limbo, too. Worse yet, I was not home when the DHL guy came to get them, and DH did not get any slip from the DHL guy proving that we had sent them. So I have no evidence. I haven't called Nordstrom's yet about this, but I fear we've lost a couple of hundred dollars on this.

Which is why I will never order online from Nordstrom's for Canadian delivery again. ALL my orders will go to that Michigan store and I will be picking them up! Even if it costs me 2 days, train fare, and some careful planning to do it!

ETA: Thank you, Sara, and Mary!

You had a great NAS this year. I was one of the nay sayers to the striped blouse when I first saw it. Since then, I actually ordered and quickly returned it on myself (it was too much volume on me). But now that I know how it fits IRL and I've seen how other items I had are fitting on you compared to myself, I can comfortably say yes, keep! I like the high contrast look with this top.

The booties, I like a rugged style boot and it works well with the jeans. I'm still not a fan of them with the skirt, just because the skirt looks streamlined, so I want a streamlined bootie here too as the other purple booties you got were style wise. But for jeans, big fat yes from me.

The JCrew top, I'm in a slouchy mood this season so I vote for more slouch. But after seeing the pink dots sweater, I prefer that one over this one actually.

And the pink dot sweater, I mentioned in my last NAS post thread that I returned mine. But it is a great piece and not only lovely with your coloring, but I also really like how you styled it with the shirt.

Super successful NAS this year! Enjoy all your new fab things!

My phone has swallowed half-written replies twice. So short version: keep the lot! All look great though the #2 proportions are unusual for the picky prince. But hey, I would've worn happily and only wish I could take the docs off you! Only suggestion is to size up in j crew if you will mostly wear as such or layer under, this fit being better for putting under other toppers. As for last dotted sweater, I would've called for a discount and mended any tear smaller than my little fingernail, were I in your fab boots!

You have to keep the cobalt skirt and Pleione blouse. They both look so incredible on you.

If you need the quilted boots and they're for rain and snow, that seems OK to me. Although I think a pair of Sorel's would look better, less kid-like.

I just caught up on all your NAS threads. I don't have anything to add that hasn't already been said, but I'm so happy for both you and Sveta that you found so many slam-dunk items. I love everything you chose. Does it feel great to have your closet in such beautiful shape? I hope so!

Since you already have so many comments I am going to write this before I read them so I remember my first impressions.
1. I love the crossover blouse every way but tucked and think you are right to keep it.
2. The boots look great with jeans but not sure about them with skirts, at least with the sheer stockings.
3. Regarding the sweater, your dilemma reminds me of what happened with the Funktional blouse I ordered a couple of months ago. Try writing or calling Nordstrom's customer service and see what they suggest. I was pleasantly surprise when I finally did that with Shopbop (they told me to keep the blouse AND refunded my money!)

I don't remember your other questions but will add more if I missed something when I reread and check the comments.

I vote keep the blouse and boots; not sure what I'd recommend on the sweater. It looks fab on you, so if you can find a way to resolve its holiness, it would be best kept in your wardrobe.
I just adore the blouse each way you've styled it, including tucked. I do see that the high contrast is different for you, but I don't think the stripes overwhelm you; I see still you in the outifts, not just the blouse.
The boots are simply awesome on you. They are a fantastic replacement for your Marcies. They are a sleek tomboy look, and I think you could probably wear them most days of the week. Definitely with skirts as well as pants.

Oh, I love the sweater in that size on you, too. As long as it's comfy, keep. It does not look too close-fitting to still be current. (ETA: I mean the J. Crew sweater here)

Great finds, Suz.

So sorry to hear about Dottie! It is possible to darn or mend a hole, as long as it isn't large. If you can't return, you might consider trying a tailor for this.

I think the J. Crew sweater works at this size. It looks lightweight, and sometimes sizing up in a lightweight item can look saggy, rather than roomy.

The blouse is high-contrast for your coloring, true, but it is clean and graphic, and that makes a difference. Also, it suits your style and makes you happy. And the happy shows!

I love the boots with pants, a little less so with skirts. I have some mid-calf boots, but I find they look best on me when the top of the shaft is a little bit below the major curve in the calf --- so the calf isn't bissected. Now, you mention that you usually wear more opaque hose, and that might well make a big difference, creating a longer leg line. I certainly know what you mean regarding the challenges of finding waterproof tall boots!

I second Shannon. You did brilliantly on your first NAS!

I must be the odd one out because I LIKE the striped top tucked. Indeed, I think it helps make it less overwhelming on you and brings the pattern to a more manageable scale.

The boots are PERFECT. They look absolutely perfect with everything you have posted them with here. Love, love, LOVE them!

I've missed some of your NAS reports, but am glad you have decided to keep the striped top. I really like it on you with all of the pants as well as the black skirt (tucked). I would just trade out black tights for the nude leg to create more of a 1/3 - 2/3 proportion rather than a 1/3 - 1/3 - 1/3. Or is it a 1/2-1/2? Can't recall the guidelines exactly.

I love the mid-calf boots on you! Especially with all of your pants options or the black above-the-knee skirt outfit.

I echo Echo (haha) in that I actually like the top tucked... and I love the boots and pretty much everything else! Awesome shop Suz!

You've converted me to keeps on the stripe blouse (much prefer with pants and untucked) and the boots (with pants or hosiery).
DHL might be able to track your pickup since they came to your home. Otherwise Nordstrom will likely believe you sent them - they've refunded me for an item I never received (I suspect a neighbor kept a misdelivery).

Can the hole in the sweater be repaired? Ask Nordstrom for a refund to make the repair if so.