Please tell me more about Theory blazers - YouLookFab Forum

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Please tell me more about Theory blazers

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I'm fascinated by all the talk about Theory blazers/jackets lately, in particular the Lanai. Please inform me: What is the sizing like? What are the best styles?

Would a Theory Lanai be something I could consider, or is it not that good for my body type? (I'm 5'4" and have a 35" chest measurement, waist 27/28". My regular size is 4 in J Crew and BR).

Thanks!

ETA: To get one, I think I have to find it on eBay, so sizing advice will be very helpful.

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from Ingunn

Marmee

Veteran

I've never worn a theory blazer, but all their pants and sweaters run extremely small.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think you'd look great in a Lanai, Ingunn. I found the Lanai pretty TTS for me. I have a 2. (If I keep it -- that is still to be determined!) I could possibly wear a 0 except it might be snug in the shoulders.

This jacket is more forgiving than some because it is an open blazer. The main issue for fit with this is not being able to "fill it out." This is my problem with it, but would not be yours, I suspect. It's a function of my long neck, smallish frame with wide shoulders (sounds like a contradiction but isn't, really -- in Claire's terms I am "elliptical") combined with my small bust.

This cutaway style jacket is pretty much a slam dunk for those with a shorter neck, fuller bust, and/ or apple shape.

I think your body type will determine whether or not you consider Theory TTS. Generally they cut for a smaller frame and somewhat rectangular shape, I believe. But the Lanai is a jacket that seems to work on a lot of different bodies.

Golden

Veteran

I will be watching this thread closely....

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, Suz! I read about one Lanai on eBay, and the measurements for a 4 seemed right for me.

Joyce B

Veteran

I am following this thread as I am interested in Theory jackets as well.
Sorry that I have no advice to offer.

nancylee

Veteran

Ingunn, I don't have any direct experience with the Lanai Theory blazer, but I do own a black Theory Gabe blazer. Theory sizing seems to be all over the place. I normally wear a 4-6 or a Small in blazers, but my Gabe is an 8. And I once tried on a Size 4 Theory blazer in a different cut that fit perfectly.

It sounds like you've gotten some sound advice from Suz on the Lanai fit. Size 4 sounds like it would work for you.

catgirl

Veteran

I would say Theory runs one to two sizes smaller depending on your fit issues and the style of the blazer. I am a size 8 in the Lanai and I'm normally a 6 in j. crew because of my shoulders, or even an 8P.

I am about to sell my grey Gabe B. in size 8 and will be offering it up here, but I think it will be too big on you.

Grey Rainbow

Hi Ingunn,
Theory is my #1 go-to label. I'm a 5'5.5" pear, elliptical, with rectangle tendencies and a straight should line. In Theory I always need to size up one in bottoms (from my BR size 8), and size up 2 in structured and woven tops -- jackets, silk and cotton shirts. JCrew doesn't get me at all. In my experience Theory shoulder seams are cut narrow. The design, construction and fabric is so excellent across the board that I've never found sizing up to result in boxy torso fit. I've tried the Lanai in all it's fabric iterations. Haven't bought one because, As Suz said, on this very clean, sharp cut the fit issue is filling it out. On me, 34D, when the shoulder fits (size 12), the bust line has a slight collapse. One size down and the bust fits smoothly, but the shoulder seam is set too close in. To preserve the clean and oh-so-flattering body lines, to me no drape over the bust looks best. This fit challenge is most pronounced in the cotton blends and much less pronounced in the wool blends. I like it best with lower rise bottoms or an untucked top -- so that the angle in front doesn't conflict with a waistband.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

You are all most helpful, thanks a lot!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, this is so informative. Grey Rainbow, I love your analysis. It makes me wonder if I should try the 0 just in case...maybe it would work for me after all. Hmmm.

Ingunn, I forgot to mention, for the sake of comparison, the BR blazer that I got to try is a 0. So I was one size up in the Theory...maybe.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Grey rainbow, that's really interesting and explains why theory jackets work really well for me (narrow shoulders and busty) but the trousers don't (I'm to curvy on my bottom half).

Ingunn, i usually wear a us 8 in tops, but for theory, I went up to a us 10.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I go up two sizes from my Ann Taylor/Banana Republic size. For me the limiting thing is not so much the shoulders as the upper back. In a 6 the armholes were in the wrong place at the back. In an 8 they work.

I think we are similar sizes? I wear a 32D bra and have a 26 inch waist. The bust fits fine, but standing in certain positions I get a lot of overlap in the front of the jacket. This doesn't bother me but might bother you.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I found the Lanai jacket to be between TTS and fitting one size small.

Grey Rainbow makes an excellent point about the bust and shoulder fit. Personally I could have gone one size smaller for my shoulders and bust (I do have some fabric collapse over the bust) but it would have been much too small in the waist. Yes, it's an open jacket so you don't need to worry about anything doing up but I didn't want a 4 inch gap between the two edges at the waist - you want the waist to look like it fits you know?

BTW - that fabric collapse doesn't bother me in the least but that might be different for you Ingunn.

Greyscale

Veteran

Adding another vote for sizing up. I'm a 0 or 2 in other brands but 2 or 4 in Theory. However, although they run small by the numbers, I find that they're cut to accommodate my muscular shoulders and upper arms. J Crew jackets, on the other hand, always pull across my shoulders and the neck doesn't sit properly. (I have only tried on the Gabe, not the Lanai, though.)

Unfortunately, this leads me to suggest that you try a variety of brands on in store, instead of committing to an ebay purchase.

Sona

Veteran

Ingunn thanks for asking the question! Suz your answer really helped me as I was pondering the Lanai. Having a short neck and ample bust I think it will work on me so pulled the trigger on it at Nordie's.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I've got a lot to think about now. I have narrow shoulders and a regular/small bust. How does that fit in here? Trying these on in stores will be impossible since I'm in Norway.