NAS vs. Sierra Showdown: Lole Piper Raincoat and a color shock to my system

I ordered two sizes of the Lole Piper raincoat since I could really use a new raincoat. Based on the size chart, I wasn't sure which size I would need, particularly since it stated that it tended to run a bit large.

But Nordstrom had sold out of the smaller of the two potential sizes, so I ordered the olive in the larger size (photo 1). In the meantime, I found that Sierra had a teal version in the smaller size for a significantly lower price and I ordered that too (photo 2).

Size wise, I feel confident that the smaller size is the one I need-- I'm just swimming in the olive one. And I just love the beautiful teal color, which is what my heart wants.

But I'm shocked that the olive might be more flattering on me? I had a color analysis done many years ago and still use the colors from my palette as a guide (photo 3). And olive is nowhere to be found in my palette. I'm trying to be a lot more open minded about colors right now which is why I tried the olive because I know that black washes me out.

I am wearing makeup to cover my rosacea and it's possible that is changing my skin tone slightly, but I can't deny that the olive looks great with my hair.

I still think I will keep the teal because the color makes me happy. And did I mention it was a lot less money?

All comments welcome.

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Nordstrom

Lole Piper Waterproof Oversize Rain Jacket

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4 months ago

MsMaven

Veteran

I like the teal better. Looks like it fits you better, and I love the color on you. To me the teal makes you look more lively. (Not sure if this is the best way to describe it.)

Hard to say from just two photos, but I like think the teal brings out your pretty skin better.

I admit I don't love the color "olive" but I do like teal.

kkards

Well from my screen the teal color lights you up! Plus right size & right price!!!
Since you like the olive color I’d just keep my eye out for other things to try in that color

donna

Active Member

The teal brings out your beautiful features!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm the spanner today, Jenny H! I much prefer the olive with your hair and complexion! To my eye, you wear earthier tones well

The smaller size of the teal is the better fit, for sure.

Jenni NZ

I think both look nice with your skin and hair, but teal fits a lot better.

Roberta

This particular olive is quite deep and rich, and that may be why you like it. I think it's very flattering on you, even more so than the teal. But then teal has never really been my favorite color. I am awaiting my Piper raincoat in plain old black and I did order a size smaller than my usual.

Star

Just to add what I have found with olive is that it can be cool or warm. I can wear some olive shades well and others make me look sick. Maybe this is your olive shade.

Jenny H

I totally see it too, Angie!

I will say, I feel good about keeping the teal because I think it looks great with my eye color (they are a deep grayish blue but when I wear the teal, they look quite teal too).

But, this experience has me super excited to try some earthier tones up near my face on other clothing items.

Suz

DEFINITELY the smaller size, and I would go with the colour that makes your heart sing.

Roberta, teal is my very favorite color, so it's easy for me to pick that one even if it isn't as flattering as the olive.

A sound decision, Jenny H! If teal matched my eye colour and made my heart sing - I'd wear it too

elke

Both colours look good, and I would also choose the teal on you. (Even though I tend to choose neutrals myself.).

JAileen

You can wear your new earrings with the raincoat.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Sounds like a wise choice, Jenny; teal for the better size, bringing out your eye color, and the happiness factor.

That said, I am a fan of dark, cooler toned olive, and I really love the olive color of the Piper coat. It looked dynamite on my cool-toned friend, who has never worn olive before. So I hope you come across other equally flattering olive or earthy colors to try.

Jaime

I see what you are seeing with the olive, but the teal also looks great on you and I would keep that one for all the reasons above - but be open to olive in the future.

FWIW I now can wear (certain) earth tones and brights. I have always considered myself a winter (jewel colours being my friend) but in the last years consider myself a (bright) Summer. Not too much of the pastel summer shades. I recently took the Kettlwell color free quiz and it confirmed this, which I have been thinking for a while. I was a winter when my natural hair was very dark brunette. Although probably Summer would have been correct too. For me the tell-tale trait is that I can wear gold and silver jewellery well, although silver or rose gold is my best - this is a Summer. Winters only wears silver well.

Val

Olive color looks great, I think it suits cooler skin tones very well. I feel palettes are a good starting point, but can become restrictive. I am cool colored, and winter colors are uncomplicated and trusted friends. But for exemple, olive is a great neutral for me. Bright terracota, which is nowhere near my recomended colors, is great too. Also many corals. And yellows - I feel they are a 'poor relative' of the pallets' world, one or two exemples, never more, but there are many DIFFERENT yellows I can wear. Persimon orange is fantastic too. And many icy shades, which are pastels, but if without grayish overcast are very flattering.

I think you could wear all these with ease.

April

Another thumbs up for what makes your heart sing.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

You've said something important here, related to color theory, and that's "I can't deny that the olive looks great with my hair." I love to watch YouTube videos on color theory, and that's one of the things I keep seeing stylist say: if the color is right, your skin will glow, and your hair will shine.

That said, if teal makes your heart sing, keep the teal! The teal is lovely on you as well. And keep that clear darker olive in mind as a color to add to your palette. Maybe thrift a scarf or a sweater, and see how you like it.

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