Thanks, K! I actually don't have a problem with the non-fitted waist, as long as it doesn't look too big. I do need to revisit it when my head is together. Plus shopping by mail order for jackets is a one-at-a-time endeavor and I don't think I have the stamina for a search like that - if this works, it's filling a hole for conservative workwear and doesn't have to be the love of my life per se.

Zap, the KL reference makes me want to keep this - I'm a fan too!

I'll be interested in what Angie says about the Theory blazer. I much prefer it's dark moodiness to the cheap and cheerful of the striped blazer for your style. The fit looks fine to me, as long as you are happy with the cut.

I only have two Theory tops, but I wonder if they are cut small in the shoulders and back? I have a silk blouse in a size 4 and I'm scared to do anything too athletic in it for fear of tearing the back out! Too bad it doesn't have stretch.

This is what I meant

I like the Theory jacket a lot, it does not look bulky to me at all. It does have a man jacket vibe to it which I really like - like a refined BF jacket.
I think it is a very good option for you to have a jacket fitting into a conservative workspace but which has modern look about it.
I also agree that sleeves should be altered so you have options to wear them full length if needed: I found that as much as I love to scrunch my jacket sleeves sometimes it is just too cold to have the bare arms - I really need my sleeve length options!

The Theory blazer looks fine to me but I have to admit I'm no expert when it comes to the fit of blazers. I actually really like the grey/yellow jacket but that doesn't seem to be the general consensus so far.

Interesting... I really like the Theory with the arms scrunched. Zap and I are on the same wavelength today - it has that menswear/androgynous thing going on that I think you were going for in your work capsule anyway. It does stand out less than your other blazer, but that would mean you get to wear a fun equipment blouse etc. underneath.

I'm with the others on the striped jacket, though. And FWIW, those jackets are NOT selling at all where I am.

I like the Theory blazer, and it actually looks slim, not 'boxy'. I Agree that it looks 'boyfriend' but it looks refined as well. The fabric comes across as quite luxe in the pictures. Does it feel good?

My first impression was that I liked the Theory jacket with the arms scrunched. Now I have read all the comments and have to examine the pictures again. :-/

I like the Theory blazer (cut the size tag off!) but it definitely needs to be altered to make it a "10." Even if you are going to scrunch the sleeves, I would have them shortened. While the jacket fits in the shoulders, it looks like w/o alterations in the body it could be worn as a BF fit. What does it look like closed? That would determine for me if further alterations are needed.

The striped blazer - so sorry, my dear - it's a return for me. I don't know what size it is, but it looks several sizes bigger than the Theory blazer.

I love the Theory blazer just as it is - and having said that, I might consider having the sleeves shortened a wee bit, but this can wait until fall, as far as I'm concerned. Fab jacket - and you can wear the heck out of it right now....

When the weather gets a bit cooler and you're not as inclined to scrunch up the sleeves - take the jacket into a tailor to be shorted just a teensy bit - and voila - you have a good fall/winter jacket too.

Wear now (scrunched sleeves and all)....take to tailor in early-to-mid-September to have the sleeves shortened just a teeny-tiny bit, and it's perfect.

Wow, that was a turnaround! And thank you all for the detailed analysis, especially since I have been absent and not putting in my dues here. I think I will go ahead and get the alterations done now - since I don't start my new job till the end of June.

Zap, that picture absolutely cinched it for me. It's exactly what I needed, a visual to focus my pea-brain.

These sleeves are actually stretchy enough that they stay scrunched both cuffed and not cuffed, but I do think the alteration will be worth it, as several have said.

YAY! And about "paying your dues", please! Don't be silly, it all comes out in the wash. <<<<hugs>>>>>