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Re-thinking the R Taylor matching suit blazer

unfrumped

Veteran

As in a previous post, I got some Rebecca Taylor pinstriped, slightly bootcut pants which work as a wardrobe essential for me. When I saw that there was a matching blazer, on sale and selling out of sizes, I ordered it to try before it would sell out.
I surprisingly liked the slightly puffed shoulders and thought the flared fit was good for my pear shape.

HOWEVER--now that I have the pants in rotation and have NOT cut tags on the blazer, I'm rethinking it. I know, as Suz points out, that photos foreshorten the look but the blazer seems a little long even for my pants look. In addition it is a dark suit look which overwhelms me, and I don't really NEED matching suits unless one is totally fab somehow and probably would be better in a "best color" (which alas, will probably never happen). Lastly, while I and some online reviewers were perplexed at the actual color, it is a very dark navy. That is fine/great for the pants, which go with all my darker "colors" in winter and with spring pale gray, blush, pinks--but it makes it much less likely-prob zippo- I will wear it as an unmatched blazer over black pants,and I have blazers I like better for jeans.

I showed a try-on pic though not very expertly styled. (I'm also about to cull the JC sweater which now feels too small, but I've held onto due to HEWI color in merino, but then I keep not wearing it. )

So, probably if any of you have read this far are rolling your eyes and wondering, duh, where's the question here? The answer seems obvious.
I am having my aha moment of, this is another item that may be okay but is NOT going to be either a wardrobe essential, a super statement piece, a necessary (interview, funeral!) piece, and I am preparing to release it back to Nordstrom. I just get those, "but it's a suit! I never can find a suit" goggles. I am Unfrumped and I have FOMO!

Can someone give me a swift kick and/or share similar decisions, or if feeling diabolical, play Devil's advocate!

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19 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Helena

Veteran

Unfrumped, it LOOKS really nice to me, BUT based on what you are saying, I vote return ... my feeling is, if you are having doubts this early in the game, they are unlikely to get better - and you have some pretty clear reasons why it's not a good fit for you. As Angie would say - onwards! And consider that budget earmarked for something you love

rachylou

Veteran

You know, it does look a little big to me. I think you’d be happier with a suit that reads ‘sharp.’

unfrumped

Veteran

Torontogirl, thanks for your thoughts. That is what I’m thinking now. This will bug me, sitting in closet for a lot if the year. I have to encourage my imagination that the “ next” could be so much better!

rachylou, I think you are hitting on it. I do much better with some “ definition “ and that’s a HEWI concept for suits because of being different size on top vs bottom, needing some length but not too much , needing sharp shoulder fit but not big shoulder pads etc.
I made a specific exception for the Vince jacket because it is so fun and interesting to me and I can offset it with different pants and footwear, and it works with jeans. So at second- hand pricing it was worth experimenting with.

Katerina

Veteran

What Torontogirl says.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER

Stop second guessing!

unfrumped

Veteran

Oh my— a BIG devil’s advocate has weighed in!

Roxanna

Veteran

Unfrumped - I have felt exactly like you, but still held on too things for their 'potential.' what you say here about likely not wearing it with black pants BC it is too dark, and likely not wearing it with jeans because there are others you like better - that seems like smart analysis to me so I vote return. I have also kept things because they are suits! Or excellent quality! Or perfect for my shape! Or whatever, but then I find other things in my closet that I like better on me, or that are easier to pair, and I never wear them. I like the thinking through here that you did - I need to do more of that when I purchase an item. I like this on you but it feels a bit too dark all together and the jacket - do you see yourself wearing it like this often? It is a beautiful jacket, but only if you wear it

Dottie

It looks good but follow your heart.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like it on you!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think the suit is a statement.

Gigi

Veteran

"I am Unfrumped, and I have FOMO." Ha ha! I can so identify.

I think that the blazer looks nice. I don't think it looks too long at all. I see what Angie is saying about the suit being a statement. I would say that if you enjoy the suit as a statement and think you would enjoy wearing the blazer in that way, then it doesn't matter whether you would get a lot of use out of the blazer otherwise. If it creates happiness as part of this statement outfit, then it's worth keeping.

I would maybe set it aside for a few days and then try it on again and see how you're feeling. If you're not feeling it, then I would take it back. I've found that it's really helpful to play around with things every two or three days for a week or two; that helps my eye get used to the item on me, and then I either get more and more excited to actually cut the tags and wear the item, or I feel more and more "ho-hum" and ready to take it back.

LaPed

Veteran

Oh, I've been struggling with something similar, although I haven't actually bought the blazer half, I just keep thinking about it. I picked up these Boden Mirabelle pants at a good discount right after the holidays, and keep looking at the adorable matching blazer (which Angie has in navy). The only reason I've hesitated is that my current blazers only see a moderate amount of wear. Unfortunately it's been further marked down and put into "Final Sale" clearance, which makes me even more hesitant, even though I'm fairly certain of my size with Boden.

Anyway, I can be of no help at all. The sensible part of me says, "If you don't have need of a suit and won't wear the blazer on its own, then don't keep it." But, another, more adventurous, part of me thinks, "If you feel smashing in it, maybe you do have need of THIS suit after all..."

Mirabelle 7/8 Pants

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Mirabelle Blazer

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unfrumped

Veteran

Well. I did some more tryons and it Dies feel pretty fab except for being dark. But it’s not as dark as solid black, which is why I gave the jacket a go in the first place. It is MYCH more...? (something good) in motion ( and in good light!) because the bootcut and the flared jacket work that way. That is when I see the “ statement” Angie may be referring to.

Here are some “ I wonders”:
If I ever find my HEWI “ black summer booties” I’d feel I could wear it more in spring
It’d be the perfect “ desk to dinner” suit with heels and a sparkly top or necklace. Only prob is, I don’t do the magazine- article day to night deal. My drab life! But I could think of something...
Here are some other thoughts about wearing it outside the workplace:
- if I did put a dressy or sparkly top with it, for say some events DH and I go to where the a/c is bone chilling and I would otherwise wear a different jacket outfit, would it look too corporate? Would I look like a pharmaceutical rep on holiday?
How about a graphic T ?
Just brainstorming about ways to “ own” it.

SarahD8

Veteran

I LOVE the graphic tee idea!

And I love your process on this thread. Seriously helpful for me in working through things I might buy in the future. Thanks for sharing this.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I love suits. And I like this one on you.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Ms FOMO --

I use a head/heart questioning process for these items.

HEART:

-- do I love it as-is -- if it couldn't get any better with alterations / dying color would I really truly wear it ASAP *or* would I rather risk alterations/dying than send it back?

-- do I start trying it on with other things right away?

-- do I start thinking of places to wear it / would I wear it immediately if it's seasonally appropriate?

HEAD:

-- do I really and truly like it -- or do I like the idea of it?

-- even if my usual checkboxes aren't ticked, does it still make me feel great when I put it on and thus seem like a smart purchase?

-- will I stop looking for other Items Almost Exactly Like This (aka the better version of this)?

-- am I ok spending the money and writing it off if I don't wear it (obviously resale might help this a bit)!

-- does past experience tell me that I will most regret keeping -- or letting it go?

...let us know the verdict!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Vix, thanks. I will keep those questions on my phone or in my purse. SO useful.

Unfrumped, this has been a very useful thread, both for your thought process and the ideas in response.

gryffin

Veteran

Unfrumped - sorry I have not read all the responses including yours. I just had to sal.....That suit is TDF fabulous on you!! The jacket is not too long, the pants are perfect with it. It's powerful, elegant, chic, chic, chic. I absolutely adore it on you. Of course, I'm a suit girl. Split up or worn together, there is nothing I find more useful. If you are not used to wearing a suit, it may feel literally more powerful than you are used to If that look is just not you, then fantastic as it is, it's not right. I felt this way in my teen to early 20's, it's a different psychological place than other outfits. In a way, you need to own the drama, the yang elegance, the dominance, the sheer power of a great suit. Unfrumped....feel the force..... So I will only say follow your heart, but if you were ever going to experiment with whether a suit was right for you, you simply could not do better than this one!! Really amazing on!!

ETA: Day to night suit - lace edge cami fitted for silk and slightly loose, sequin tank (best if it can be worn back to front - scoop vs crewneck gets extra points) these looks will never be confused with drug rep. And change out your shoes for pumps with a low vamp or stappy peau de soie evening shoes, can even go for some bling on them. For a slightly less formal occasion I like a suede fitted bootie - something very refined with a pointy toe. A dressy belt - yes, you get it bling, maybe patent for shine, suzi roher has old nice and unusual evening belts would also change up the contest. Hope that helps.

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unfrumped

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I appreciate all of the responses!

gryffin, thank you for such positive remarks. Certainly a boost! And also very interesting.

This discussion has been somewhat confusing to me but in a good, kind of exhilarating way. Looking at things a little differently can lead to new style revelations!

—I hadn’t thought about it as a statement outfit- so that’s fun to consider.
— I HAD thought it’s been years since a matched suit topper and bottoms worked together in items that are “ me”. So not expecting it to rain suits, for me.
—I do know that some kind of lighter color neutral would be better as being easier for face flattery, but then also might look less “ statement” or less “ powerful.
—I’m not on the hunt for another suit or looking for above HEW. But IF such a thing fell into my lap, so to speak, I could buy it, within the limits being my usual sort of comfort zone- range for me.
—I think I’m moving toward having more “ statement “ items and trying not to have as large a number of essential pants , tops etc. Not necessarily wearing statements a lot more, but
repeating essentials ( since they would be less noticeable) .
- At work my “ statements” need to still be considered professional workwear as my role and workplace remain serious/ conservative. ( hard for me to define even myself at times, as I’ve experimented some, not dull but not too playful or trendy). The suit is certainly fine for workwear but interestingly, its role is not so much “ at work” ( meaning a normal workday) because I won’t be in the jacket but for moments, but in conferences or meetings or some other events as brainstormed above.
- I might consider it “ style research “ or “style experimenting” and it could be good no matter how it turns out ( for example, the pants are already a go, it is just deciding on the jacket).