Re- thinking the JCrew field jacket - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Re- thinking the JCrew field jacket

unfrumped

Veteran

Well, I got my burgundy version in the mail. Too pooped for more pics. But, despite the great color , and my love of the general jacket style, it feels " not me". Maybe too stiff and maybe also the cut. And that's even for outdoor wear. I feel it's one of those items I get tempted to keep because it seems like it ought to work, and its really nice of itself, but it will end up as an orphan or I'll wear it " because it's JCrew" but I'll wish it were different.
I think I almost knew that in the store, but needed to see the right color and right size still not being right in order to be sure.

Does this happen to you? Is it the inner
voice or the home mirror or what?

The downtown field jacket

View Info

Top Pick

5

Shopping

25 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

deb

Veteran

This happens to me all of the time. Return it, the perfect piece will show up.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

If you are not sure if you need or want it, send it back. There are a lot of options that will make you want to wear them and wear them again. Don't settle.

Colette

Veteran

This happens to me all the time. I can love something in store only to get it home and in my mirror it's just not as fabulous. I think I get caught up in the excitement of shopping when I'm in store and at home I'm more relaxed and thinking clearly.

Joy

Veteran

It happens to me but I've found that I eventually adjust and come to wear the new piece often.

JAileen

Veteran

I've bought and returned an amazing number of jackets this year. I also tried that exact one on in the store. Angie, it isn't grey! I also bought and returned the quilted down version. I do want an outdoorsy jacket, and didn't mind the stiffness. But the problem with that particular one is that it did not fit me. Cuteness does not trump fit and comfort. If it isn't right, return it.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, that happens to me with everything. I see something beautiful or clever and think of all the ways it can be worn... rarely is it my instinct to ask if any of these ways are my way...

Gaylene

Veteran

Hmm, that feeling can go both ways. Sometimes my inner voice is right, but sometimes it's just stuck in a rut. If I only kept things that "feel like me" immediately when I put them on at home, my style would never evolve or change. Something about that jacket intrigued you enough to bring it home. Why not give it a chance by playing around with it for a few days before you make your final decision.

unfrumped

Veteran

Thanks for thinking- through support!
Gaylene, wise advice as usual.
Maybe " not me" is too suggestive of style comfort zone than what I'm finding.
So I am trying it on more and to be more analytical or objective about what works or not. 3 things maybe:
It's heavier and stiffer and looks more like gear( but good gear!) so it doesn't really enhance a skirt outfit.
It's bixier than ideal and tightening the snap gives more waist definition but .with the stiffness, more is a stuffed look.
The gold hardware plus the warmer burgundy color is reading very warm and glowy and seems to outglow me. I compared to cooler burgundies that read very differently This might be the most important thing, since the point was to strike at a best color when it came up, and if it did better that way, I'd maybe be redirecting it to outdoor use with no problem.
Haven't packed it into the car yet but am feeling more comfortable on goals.

Anonymous

Yes, this does happen to me,esp when I've chosen an item that I like immediately in some way (maybe it's the color or the style) and then try it on and I start to question, why am I not feelin it? I have a J Crew field jacket and it's a several years old. They used to make them hardy and soft. I'm a creature of touch so the stff quality would make me pause. Even outside, I want to be comfortable. I have not seen that jacket in person. I picked one up at the Gap in olive and really like it. Let it hang around a bit, try it on again, still not feelin it? pop it in the mail, no loss.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I saw this in the store, and yes, it's kind of stiff, and the gold hardware seems a bit too much for the style. I love the color though. I bet something better will come along!

Meredith

Veteran

You might want to try this NAS pick (although no pretty burgundy) Angie suggests that it will look good with skirts, so it could be closer to what you're looking for. I liked it for the softer fabrication and relaxed vibe. It's not really a safari or field jacket, but it's more along those lines than a blazer. I'm still mulling over whether to keep, so maybe I'll do a post later so you can see it on.

Pleione Roll Sleeve Drawstring Waist Jacket

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

2

unfrumped

Veteran

So now my butterfly brain circuit will show.
Tried on with dark slim ( nit skinny!) jeans and THAT is the look it was meant for. BF's work to some extent. Not chino's. Silhouette and sporty and cool down the supporting colors. Gold hardware still not ideal( it's that there is a lot of it, not that I can't wear some and mix metals) but for some reason it's not as notable.
With the jeans it really looks good!
-- I only get to do the jeans look a few times per month. At some level it competes then with blazers and other jackets. Is it worth it?
-- in my "next life", if I'm so lucky to have good retirement years, I'll wear jeans more often and Use cool outdoor weather clothing more. If this is classic maybe it's fun now but also has longevity and I flip back to the burgundy's being a find.
Would this be an easier decision if I were getting a great sale price?( not for meh, but CPW).
Back & forth!

Glory

Veteran

This happens to me all the time. Lovely item, great color, good brand. But there are loads more jackets out there and I try to keep Angie's "Next" in my mind when I fall into this.
Also if I am in doubt about something it is best to return it. Gut instinct is usually right.
I have an item like this right now! They are going back as soon as I get a chance to get to the mall.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It IS a stiff jacket. Send it back. Onto something that feels more right.

unfrumped

Veteran

Thanks, Angie! I do like it with jeans but I'd probably reach more for something less weather-proof.

Meredith--thanks for link. I "tried to try" that very jacket, in gray, during NAS and it was sold out.
I am trying out this Target jacket because the collar, with hood zipped in, pops up nicely and I like the long look. But at home it looks quite casual and the quality is not high, so it may also be, "next".

Women's Anorak Jacket - Mossimo Supply Co.

View Info

Top Pick

0

always trying

Veteran

Happens to me too. also sometimes I get something and then find something more perfect. now I am taking longer to make purchasing decisions and keeping tags on things longer. Trying now to get to the point where there is nothing in my closet that I don't actually love. Not easy!

Anonymous

I think it's definitely a nice jacket, and looks nice on you, but I guess it's just not 'you'.

Sigh, yes. This happens to me, most recently with a pair of slingbacks and a pair of palazzo pants. It's funny how now, in hindsight, I can state exactly why I didn't like these things, but in the moment, I'm was so confused!

Maybe this is an opportunity for you to learn something about your style.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Whenever I feel that niggling doubt, I get rid of it...

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

If they still have it, I got a soft knit burgundy jacket from Express that might be of interest. I have the jcrew field jacket in olive and really like it for my needs (outdoors only as a *winter* jacket as my temps are very mild in winter) but I like this one for potential indoor use.

Textured Knit Moto Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

3

Anonymous

You know what's interesting? Almost every piece I buy from J Crew ends up in that " I wear it anyways because it's J Crew". And I never realized it until you wrote it .. I'm not sure what it is about their clothes, because they look so good on line and in print catalogues, and I THINK I should love them, but they never look that great on me. Hmmm. Now I have to go and worry about that for awhile...

Style Fan

Veteran

I have not had great luck with J. Crew either. Look amazing in the store and on line. So so on me. I think I will pass on them.
J. Crew tends to make clothes for straight up and down women. That is definitely not me.
Regarding the field jacket---the bright gold hardware seems off to me. I can't stand stiff clothes. I like the colour.

Anonymous

It seems like you're trying too hard to make it work.
Yes, you can be reasonably sure now that you'll be retiring, but you don't actually know for sure what that means your life will be about, or which clothes you'll want to dress it.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I gave up on JCrew for a long time after buying and not wearing a few items. Their sizing was so inconsistent it was ridiculous.

unfrumped

Veteran

It does look good with jeans, but I have to say, even for weatherproof jackets, I have never gone this stiff. I think I'm easily over- stiffed by clothing and need that touch of collapsibility ( is that a word? Phone thinks so. ) both for looks and for comfort.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Your reasoning seems sound. It's an "almost but not quite" item for you. Hold out. There seems to be a lot of burgundy popping up already; I think there will be more options in that color.

What about something like these from Eddie Bauer?

Women's Year-Round Field Jacket

View Info

Top Pick

1

Women's Year-Round Field Coat

View Info

Top Pick

2