Please Critique the Tiger--added history

MsMaven

I have a weakness for animal prints as demonstrated by my new Paul Green sneakers. I found this sweater and put it on my NAS wish list. (I wanted it to be a tiger, but it's a leopard.)

Want to critique it for me? I'm not familiar with the Rails brand. This sweater is somewhat shapeless, says it's 95%cotton with 5% cashmere. Dry clean. Nope, I'm sure I'd wash it. Would the colors run?
Too young?

Description of Rails:

Lifestyle brand Rails creates a unique intersection in fashion by blending the casual comfort of Southern California living with a sleek sophistication. Relaxed yet always refined, its collections draw on influences ranging from international travel to metropolitan living. Thanks to the brand's use of premium fabrics to create classic silhouettes, Rails has become synonymous with accessible luxury.

Price $150, after sale $228.

Nordstrom

RAILS Perci Leopard Cotton & Cashmere Sweater

View Info

Top Pick

4 days ago

Anniversary Sale

12 replies

Latest reply was from MsMary

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I own a Rails shirt. Their plaid shirts have been featured in the sale multiple times. They are more drapey and somewhat more feminine than a traditional flannel shirt, which accounts for their popularity. The quality is decent at the sale price. (I find them somewhat overpriced at regular prices.) My shirt still looks new after 4 years. I wore it at least weekly in winter during the first two years.

I like the sweater! I don't think it is too young. Cotton and cashmere could have a lovely drape and hand -- though the proof is in the pudding. I wouldn't dry clean it, either. Cotton can fade over time but I doubt if it would run. For myself, I avoid black backgrounds.

Nordstrom

RAILS Hunter Plaid Shirt

View Info

Top Pick

4 days ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Suz, thanks and good point about the black background. I've sworn to avoid the thicker or fuzzier fabrics or knits. My fine, silvery hair sticks to the surface. I'm trying to stick to slippery fabrics.

Still, I can see this as a fun sweater to wear on a dreary day.

4 days ago

kkards

Veteran

I have had a couple of Rails items over the years. The blue plaid was a Black Friday add last year and it became a quick favorite. I didn’t buy the denim jacket, one of my sisters did, and she’s been happy with it.

I’d say as a brand, they did walk that line been casual and smart casual. Quality is pretty good, it’s not going to last forever but it’s not going to look a hot mess after a couple of wears.

I think the sweater is cute and fun. It’s a little different in a good way. It would as you say bright up a dreary day. I say give it a try.

Nordstrom

RAILS Steffi Plaid Wool Blend Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

RAILS Denver Quilted Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

4 days ago

Peri

Veteran

That sweater caught my eye too, but when I saw it I thought of hyenas! I'm glad it's not that...maybe they don't even look like that! I bet in person they look more like leopards.

I've only bought one Rails item, the famous flannel shirt. I didn't end up wearing it because it turns out flannel shirts are just not for me. I gave it to my niece. But those shirts at least run small.

4 days ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I meant to add, they have another big cat item at the sale this year -- I am intrigued by this one!

Nordstrom

RAILS Charli Wild Cat Print Linen Blend Button-Up Shirt

View Info

Top Pick

4 days ago

April

Veteran

Suz, echoing MsMaven, though the relentless pulling of long silver hairs off a garment has not made me swear off black backgrounds.

FWIW, I like the sweater and think you would rock it. Although if, as you point out, it's going to be a good season for big cat prints, maybe hold out for the tiger you want?

3 days ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I think it could be fun, depending on how styled.
Because.. last year I bought a practically exact same pattern& style top from TJMAXX ( for probably $ 20-25) that is solid raspberry with black leopards. The high- hip length is good for wider trousers. But I had the most fun pattern- mixing it with a Club Monaco (Nordstrom) floral midiskirt in an all-over, every-color including raspberry floral on black background, and stompy boots. I had a whisper of concern for its being “ too young” but I just loved it so had to go with my own feelings, and I got tons of compliments.

I prefer mine to the Rails, for me of course, because the raspberry background color is a good face color and black is just a bit but ties in with my various black pants, but also I think the repeating black leopards look more “graphic”, and simpler , than multicolor, or any color. I think it also depends on how much you like to wear black tops and the bright colors in the pattern.

It helped me to know, when purchasing, that it was easy to return if my home tryons hadn’t worked out. So you trial it.

If you like the idea but not the exact colors, you also could do a search for similar items and see what turns up.

2 days ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think this would be soooo fun, cheeky and stylish, with the Paul Green leopard print shoes! The combination of cotton and cashmere sounds soft and cozy, and perhaps not likely to pill. You can always get a tiger print later, too! This one is unusual with the colors and the actual animal, rather than animal-skin, pattern.

I have a Rails sweater that is one of my favorite wardrobe items, a plaid cardigan (it looks similar to one that is featured in NAS this season, too). I think the quality is good, though more than I typically want to spend at full price. But that's true of most things--haha!

Big thumbs-up vote from me.

Nordstrom

RAILS Reese Plaid Cardigan

View Info

Top Pick

2 days ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I like it and think it's appropriate for any age. I like the description as a casual SoCal brand. Increasingly there seems to be a move towards elegant-casual. I could see wearing this sweater to take a child to a read-aloud at the library, then in the evening pairing taking it out to a noisy seafood restaurant.

20 hours ago

MsMaven

Veteran

Where it began: Our neighbors barn cat had kittens on our roof and abandoned them. We were able to save 3. They joined our male cat, and our female dog, Daisy. Daisy became their surrogate Mom.

I found this tee shirt on our first cruise ever, year after Atticus, Skylight, and Rufina joined us. Here I am, I think this is Santorini.

I keep the felines to a minimum, but I do love the tigers and leopard prints.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

15 hours ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

If you have a thing for cats -- then you ought to try it!

I have two kitty print blouses. Both Siamese cat prints. Like my Max.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

J.Crew

Silk cat-print blouse

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

Equipment 'Adriana' Silk Shirt

View Info

Top Pick

13 hours ago

MsMary

Veteran

I have the Rails big cat print shirt Suz posted (in a different color) and I love it. I have always been happy with my Rails pieces so I say go for it!

Amazon

RAILS Women's Kathryn Shirt

View Info

Top Pick

9 hours ago

Category