Column, what a sweet note.

I hear you on the "not wanting to be too ostentatious/ fashionable" thing. I don't think I will be wearing to my grad school classes. But to events, yes. And it will stand the test of time.

Keep please.

It is gorgeous on you. That is pretty much it.

I own a similar EF structured, lined, but single breasted black, long vest. I love it. I am surprised by how wearable it is and how often it is the perfect third piece. It plays with classic button downs as well as my few Helmut Lang contemporary tops. Spring and fall it is a slam dunk. In the winter, it doesn't bunch over a coat. Guess what, I think Angie is right again. I've worn it out in the summer on a chilly, non-humid evening also.

Enjoy it !

You could be modeling this for Norstrom. It looks wonderful on you. I have one in gray I bought few years ago from Zara's collection. It still is one of my favorite go to pieces.

Must keep! I don't "know" you but it looks like you. If I saw you on the street wearing this I would look at least twice in admiration of not only the cool piece but the radiant lady wearing it (could be the perspiration but I think you're pretty radiant regardless!).

I think it's unanimous.....you MUST keep it Suz! It passes ALL the tests, the most important being that you adore it and can imagine wearing it lots of different ways.

I haven't read others' comments.
Having seen the fabric in person, my feeling is that you should return and find the same thing in a suiting material, which will receive 1,000x more wears.
I agree that it is NOT coat weight but it is also not indoor weight either.

On the plus side, I love the buttons and the lengthening effect it gives. Wow! Wow! Wow! It looks great open and closed. Also, to confuse things, it might be the weight of the fabric that gives it such a great look. But I don't know for sure.

It looked amazing on C1 and Staysfit too. It's a great cut.

"Le superflu, chose très nécessaire" wrote Voltaire

Of course I see it through my lifestyle lenses :
1- useless as outerwear in my climate
2- useless on weekends for housechores and couch potatoe-ing.
3- useless at work because I sit all day in front of a computer. It looks uncomfortable to sit on. Besides, I think it would look much less sharp when sat on

I think you'll be very glad if you keep it. I had a black one for YEARS. I wore it a lot and always got compliments on it. It could be worn so many ways and seemed to have magical fashion powers. It seemed to quadruple the wow factor of whatever it was worn with. Go, be fabulous in it!

Awe Suz this was made for you shift some stuff around if you have to but keep it.

Ahhhh, keep it! What a wonderful garment on you. I like the length as is, but could understand if you wanted to shorten it slightly. As is, the size looks perfect.

You've convinced me to order it.

It looks amazing on you, and if you have a lot of outfits you can wear it for, I would go for it. What size did you get? I tried the 2, and felt like it was a perfect fit (other than length). I especially love it open.

aww, now you're making me reconsider whether I should get it--the Nordstrom sales associate liked it on me. But I still think it's the same weight as some of my wool winter coats, as opposed to wool suiting . The problem is mine is really too long on me, and I don't wear heels.

This is SO YOU. It's amazing awesome and you should totally keep it. I thought it from the first photo, and nothing changed as I kept looking and reading.

Keep Keep Keep!

Just in case you want to see a couple of other options, at a lower price point:

I would not know how to wear this at all. But you clearly do, and it's pretty much made for you so how can you not keep? I would be interested to see how often it gets worn in a year. It's clearly a wow piece yet not loud or OTT. I would find it impractical for my life - for the reasons Skylurker said - but I still covet the look!

If Gryffin has not checked in I bet she'd be a huge yes.

@Suz, you've inspired me to try some of these looks with a tailored wool vest I have! I know it's not as fashionable as a gillet, but it works better for my lifestyle, and I never would have thought to wear it in some of the looks you have here. Thanks for the inspiration!

Aww. Thank you for all your thoughts and considered opinions and also for the compliments. I am blushing.

Word Lily -- you hit the nail on the head. Angie knows me well. I knew this was a "me" item from the second I opened up the bag.

C1, it is the size 2. It's not the same weight as my winter coats...mine are heavier, and lined with thinsulate or similar. If it were a jacket, I would find it too heavy for indoor wear, but not as a vest, because my arms are free.

It did look amazing on you. The SA was right!

Gradfashionista, I think it is worth looking at if nothing else. It doesn't cost to look at it if delivery is free.

Thanks, Ledonna. Will do.

xtbay, Linder, Eliza -- yes, it feels very much like "magical fashion power" at work here. It dresses casual things up (like distressed denim) and it smartens or sharpens other classic items.

Skylurker, yours is highly practical reasoning and is almost what would have made me not order it (and is in fact the reason I sent back a lower end but similar piece from Zara two years ago). I won't wear it while working at home, I won't wear it doing chores, it's not much as an outerwear piece (although layered with jackets, sweaters, or coats, it might be). And yet, and yet...in short, Voltaire was correct!!

Smittie, I hear what you are saying...but maybe I just need two of these -- one summer weight and one winter?

Muffin, I think it was a bit of both! Thank you.

Chris, Linder, Eliza, Shedev -- thanks for the votes of confidence.

Susie, somehow I missed your comment but thank you!! I agree -- what is the NAS for if not for that special piece we otherwise would pass by, sighing? I mean, I ordered bras and underwear, too, but COME ON!!!

Roxanna, that's great!!

Una just for you, I will keep a count. I do know that I can't wear it today because it's killer hot, but I will be wearing it at my first opportunity.

Peri, thank you!!

Xtbay, yes, I had noticed those and they also appealed. But. I think I am just going to go with this. Like I said. Less than half the cost of hair dye for a year.

Suz, try it as a swimsuit coverup while it's still hot! Hee hee.

I certainly love it on you. It looks absolutely stunning and yet, I would think long and hard before committing to it. Since it's quite a memorable item, are you going to wear it often enough to justify its price? I know I wouldn't, but love the look. I actually bought the Trouvé Longline Vest that Xtabay referenced above to play with this silhouette. It's too hot to try on outfits, but I will keep it only if I am sure that I'll wear it often enough (even at this much lower price point). I have gotten so very cautious about impractical purchases that won't get worn enough. Just my five cents. And I don't want to discourage you at all, just to give you my honest opinion.

Oh, I see now only that you have already committed to it. I am looking forward to seeing it in action!

Chiming in between packing and running around. WOW!
KEEP! That size is excellent. You are a tiny person Suz. Mine is a 6!

I was thinking of sizing down to a 4 but then worried about layering underneath with heavier items than the Boss sheath and Tracy Reese dress.

I'm small...but not as small (in frame) as Angie! I'm a LOT shorter than you, also, Staysfit! (Shorter than Angie, too, for that matter).

I agree that it is super easy to layer under it in this size -- clearly, I can wear a jacket under it layered over a shirt and sweater!

Xtbay, as long as it is not a cholorine pool -- just think of the number the bleach would do on this baby!!

Chouette, I am really glad for your considered opinion. I worry about a frivolous waste of money, too -- and yet this is true love enough I think, sort of like my Reiss jacket. Which is a workhorse for me. Worth every penny.

Ah, see the sizing oddness come into play? Now I feel like trying this on just to see how it fits - I bet I'd need at least a 6 and a foot hemmed off (off the vest, not off me!).

Wow. I was not prepared for this tolook so fantastic. It IS you.
What " sells" me is that it works with your style, and the navy is just right slso, and the clincher is that it works with jeans and over a dress with bare legs( / sheer hose) . In fact I was sorting through the pics thinking, will there be a dress. That really ups the times you can wear it.
I think this is more of a standing/ walking piece, as the drama is lost sitting, so you know your occasions ; that will be key to wearing it.

These true love pieces are the best, whether one buys a house or a vest! I am very happy for you!

Looks fantastic on you Suz. I love it with jeans. What a great piece to have in your wardrobe.

Well, it would be a very practical piece here in Victoria, so I think the best plan is to get the gilet and start packing for a cross Canada move.

Late to chime in but OMG YES KEEP IT. It looks like YOU and looks amazing on you. 100% YES.