Reasons why I won't buy another Rails flannel shirt - YouLookFab Forum

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Reasons why I won't buy another Rails flannel shirt

Peri

Veteran

I looked at them for 2 NAS in a row and finally bought one last summer...and I have it on for the first time today. That's a strong signal that it wasn't the best purchase for me. I've been figuring out why. Please note...this is nothing about the shirt itself and all about me. The reason I wanted one for years was from admiring how they looked on others, especially Janet. She is, in fact, the reason I bought this exact one. I often aspire to be Janet! Missed the mark here because:

I don't look rocker chic in it, I look like my rebellious hippie college self when I was surround by a sea of preppy. I'm a whole lot too old to be wanting to recapture those days and the preppies are gone.
I don't like how I look in it enough to wear it in public and $100-something is a whole lot too much to spend on a shirt for the purpose of playing with my dog at home. I was saving it for "nice" but it just doesn't have that look on me so it never gets worn.
I keep feeling like I'm wearing a costume...something I borrowed from my husband or my rancher cousin. Sometimes it's fun to wear costumes but it seems like even then they should have a touch of authenticity.
The fit is good standing still but when I raise my arms the whole shirt rides up, and then doesn't slide back down because the fabric sticks to whatever else I'm wearing so I've already tugged on the hem about 40 times this morning. (Okay, maybe that one is the shirt itself. Or maybe I should have gone more oversized...for even more wearing my husband's clothes vibe.)

Well, I paid so much for it I'll keep trying to give it some use but I'm predicting it's headed for consignment next Fall. Shop and learn...this isn't for me.

What have you learned from a shopping mistake?

RAILS Hunter Plaid Button-Up Shirt

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General

21 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

rachylou

Veteran

I have a shirt very much like this and I also wear it very very rarely. Shirts in general make me feel dumpy. I hang onto it, tho, because once in a blue moon it’s the thing…

slim cat

Veteran

I've got plaid shirt from Lucky Brand - with red and light blue - was good for holiday ( I always wear shirts like that open with fun graphic tank under - easier to feel relaxed ).
I like Rails shirts but leave it for others.
My mistake last year was linen navy jacket - dark flat color did nothing for me and fabric felt scratchy. Need to have some texture, shine, something to reflect the light - avoiding dark flat colors now .

LJP

Veteran

This is exactly my experience and thoughts on Rails shirts and dresses . The quality doesn’t match the price - based on the two pieces I owned . I felt SO out of my element in those clothes .

Dee

Veteran

Oh that’s too bad, I’ve tried different plaid shirts over the years, with no joy, feels too western or something, so no more for me.

MsMaven

Veteran

I don't feel like me in plaid shirts. I buy one every few years, then decide not to do that again. I like plaid--on other people. So I'm with you on this.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That's a shame, Peri. It happens, though -- especially when we admire a piece on someone else or it speaks to a shadow style persona!

I love my Rails shirt but I would not have purchased it full price. I find it expensive for what it is. What makes it more wearable and feminine than a traditional flannel shirt is the drape. That's also the downfall -- rayon wrinkles some, and can catch (in my cat's claws). Still, I wore mine on repeat the first two years I owned it. The colours are great for me and versatile. Haven't worn it much this year but that is largely because of weather differences and my current work situation.

When I was younger, I longed to dress a bit boho. You know...tiered skirts, some open necklines, boho patterns, some ruffles... none of it looks good on me and whenever I go down that route I need to check myself. Can't wear it without feeling costumed. Fortunately, I have not made this mistake in a long while.

Another mistake I am ashamed to admit I have made more than once is the drapey sweater. These sweaters always end up as loungewear and then donations. They appeal to me as cozy items and I imagine each one will be "the" magic one that works on me. But no. (Samples below).

My worst fashion mistake, however, was the skirted legging, aka the butt vest... We won't even go there....

C By Bloomingdale's Cashmere Open Front Cashmere Cardigan - 100% Exclusive

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Barefoot Dreams Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Lite Circle Cardigan | Nordstrom

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RAILS Hunter Plaid Shirt

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DonnaF

Veteran

I rarely wear my similar (but WAY cheaper!!!) NAS plaid shirt. For one, I rarely wear drapey; and for another it does weird things at the shoulder. I will try to wear it draped over my shoulders like a scarf. And if that doesn't happen I will pass it on.

In a post about flannel shirts awhile back, LisaP/ljp mentioned that they felt too masculine for her. Years ago, I lemming'd the LLBean flannel shirt and realized I only wear it with a black ponte or black jeans skirt and that wearing it with blue jeans feels off. The other day, I wore it under a chunky sweater that is a bit scratchy without something underneath, and that seemed to work.

Generally, I keep tags on until the first wear and try to return items to Nordstrom if I haven't worn them after months and months. This is hard though if the item is purchased out of season.

I am still trying to figure out the extent to which my aspirational self aligns with my *true* self. In the past year I've bought a lot of blazers and plain t-shirts and sleeveless tops that work under blazers -- neither of which have been part of my wardrobe in the past. Well, maybe blazers 35 years ago. . .

Caslon Caslon Plaid Shirt (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

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Sloper

Veteran

My mistake - buying things that look good on the model. I'm not a model!

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Oh, it’s too bad the plaid shirt isn’t getting the love, or wear. I’m not sure I’d go for that drapey viscose twill, but I like the neutral colors.

I for one really like plaid shirts and have several, in different color combos, getting regular wear. Some of mine are flannel and some cotton. One is rayon flannel and one is more like gauze. But I mostly layer them under sweaters or over tees.

Though I haven’t made these mistakes for many years, I did at one time succumb to polo shirts. They always made me squirm, maybe similar to how Lisa feels about plaid!

Theses shirts are from Kohls, JCPenney, Macys, J.Crew, LLBean and Old Navy, and TJMaxx (Tommy Hilfiger).

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Anonymous

It's a nice shirt, but understandable that it feels inauthentic. I have two button up shirts in black and dark brown, and mostly just like to wear them as toppers.

cat2

Veteran

My most recent shopping mistake was buying a leather backpack. I thought it would be more casual than my totes, but absolutely hated it. It’s in the next donate box. I also keep buying light washed blue jeans when I look pretty bad in almost all light blues.

Irina

Veteran

Sorry to hear it didn’t work for you. Well, it’s a lesson.

I bought 2 flannel shirts from Uniqlo in the beginning of WFH. Thought I’d be cozy and presentable for meetings. On screen it was OK but in real life I didn’t feel them. I love button down shirts but in this case maybe it was a print or something else. Maybe soft fabric just looked sloppy on me. I made myself wear them for some time but donated them at the end. Not an expensive mistake but one I’m not going to repeat.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Peri, believe it or not, I can relate! I didn’t keep that shirt — it got returned! Rails shirts are not the best fit on me. Unless I size up, they are too narrow on the bust and I get that same pulling, gaping issue. I have one Rails shirt but it’s a solid pale blue gauze that is sized up and very soft and lightweight so somehow the fabric is more forgiving. I’ve resisted the pull of any more plaid flannel shirts, for now!

Runcarla

Veteran

I usually have one flannel shirt in rotation. They are a cozy alternative to sweaters for the cold months. When I got almost 30 wears out of the navy and white plaid I bought last year, I de died to add a second green and blue check. Button downs work for me and my style, so a flannel shirt makes sense.

My biggest, most spendy mistake was a leather backpack bought at the start of my online shopping attempts in the early days of pandemic lockdowns. It was final sale. Perfect colour (olive snakeskin) but so hard and stiff! And it was too small! The zipper to the main compartment scratched my hands and the zippers on the side compartments wouldn’t stay zipped, so small items like coins for parking meter or lippy would fall out. Such a hassle.

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Bonnie

Veteran

I bought these teal sandals because I thought they looked cute and loved the color even though I didn't have any teal in my wardrobe, I thought I'd start a teal capsule. Well, teal anything but shoes was hard to find, especially things I wanted to wear. The shoes are flat and I have a high arch and they don't work for me. I should have returned them after I tried them on but I thought I might get used to them. Lessons Learned: 1 - no flat shoes, 2 - do some research before starting a new color capsule, and 3 - return things promptly.

ROAN By Bed Stu ROAN by Bed Stu

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Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Would it work better if you wore it unbuttoned, like a jacket layer? That would resolve gaping and riding up, anyway…

Peri

Veteran

Jessakams and Janet... it doesn't gape. The fit is just fine, loose even. It's the way the sleeves are cut I guess that I can't move my arms without the body of the shirt going along with the underarms. This happens even with the sleeves rolled up. I don't have a lot of button up shirts (which, duh, should have been another red flag), but some do this and some don't and I don't know why.

I'm going to try it next time worn unbuttoned but for me that's going to feel even more "lounge at home" so I'm not banking on that saving it!

ophelia

Veteran

Peri, I don’t know if it’s similar to what you experienced, but that happens to me when I don’t wear petite size shirt. The arm holes are too long or low.

Bijou

Veteran

Suz's post has reminded me that waterfall anything is not a good look on me - just not flattering at all and makes me look sloppy. Another thing that I just cannot wear is ditsy floral prints - they work so well on many people - but not me. They make me look like I am in a 1950's costume. I love the quality of Liberty cotton fabrics, but the prints don't work on me. Peri, these sorts of posts are always useful, because it can be easy to repeat mistakes.

nuancedream

Veteran

I can remember buying a dropped waist dress in ivory brocade. It was gorgeous on the mannequin. The dress flattened my none too generous bustline to the point that I resembled a plank with a long waist. As I am doing my spring closet/cull, I am noticing that I am first influenced by color/ pattern. Considering whether a garment's shape is right for me seems to be lower on my priority scale and that leads to poor purchases and closet orphans. I'm looking at you, three quarters length tops! Maybe another 2023 wardrobe goal for me is more careful consideration of garment shape before buying anything.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

You're not alone here - I have to keep reminding myself I look terrible in traditional western 'shirts' (i.e. with a pointy collar). I've been slowly culling to 'blouses' instead (either pussybow or collarless), which don't fight with my hair & face/ neck as much.

I have one dress shirt in my alterations pile - working up the courage to remove half of the collar (to make it a mandarin band stand or Nehru) without damaging the neckline... Could that be a possibility for your shirt too?

Mine is a silk blend, which drapes better, but I'm like @suz - I can't do anything *too* drapey. The only loose cardis still in my WFH closet have defined shoulders - must stay away from Barefoot Dreams for this reason!