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Styling ideas for dressy orphans

Sal

Veteran

Hello my lovely forum friends,

I have these four orphans sitting unloved in my closet. They are all relatively dressy so in good condition, but I have not called for any of them in a while. Does anyone have any ideas or comments about whether they are worth keeping for me?

1) Silk silver cropped jacket. Purchased four years ago to wear to a wedding over a sheath dress (still owned) and worn once since to a 1980s party - styled as Krystal from Dynasty. Quality designer garment but hard to wear? Keep, sell or thrift?

2). Black short sleeve jacket, bought for my DH 40th party over eight years ago. FRom a chain store but well constructed. Polyester, but nice sheen. Keep or thrift.

3) Black cardigan, fine gauge knit back, with sequinned front. Good condition. Looks better on me loose rather than buttoned up. About five years old, in mint condition. Has been worn over dresses for occasion wear. Keep or thrift.

4) Silk top, converted from a scarf to a blouse by a friend. Worn in the past with jeans and heels, or with white wide legged pants (no longer owned). I love this but find it a challenge to wear. I am a little sentimental about this but would consider passing it on. I don't like it with black, and my only white pants need longer tops. My only styling option right now is jeans but I am open to looking for the right skirt or pants as I do see this as timeless.

Throw out some styling ideas for me!! I have room to keep them all and I can add them to my fancy dress closet too. I only have sons who own one pair of jeans and one pair of tracksuit pants each ( their choice) so their closets are fair game for these types of things.....

I can model them for you if you want.

Thanks in advance.

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Cococat

Aida

Veteran

Sally, I am not feeling the second jacket for you at all. I vote pass that one along. I am having a little trouble picturing #1. Is it very very short on you? I like the sequin cardigan best though I see it as a way to add a little sparkle to a casual outfit; would be particularly great with denim. The silk blouse looks lovely and I agree that it would be best with white bottoms, or perhaps bright red or blue (to pull colors from the print).

Sal

Veteran

I is very cropped, more of a bolero. I bought it desperation to wear to an Autumn wedding over a sleeveless sheath. I feel is it is a bit 1980s, and I am not sure in a good or bad way.

The black cardigan is pretty versatile, I just am not pulling it out. Maybe I should try some casual stylings.

Yes red could work with the floral -I have looked for purple and cobalt with no success in the past.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Hi Sally, N.B. I've been working towards having more versatile items in my wardrobe, so I'm in purge mode If they were mine I'd keep #3 as clothing & keep #4 as a sentimental item (somewhere other than my wardrobe). If you want to keep wearing the top in #4 what about making it more casual with shorts or a linen skirt?

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Caro. I am in purge mode too.....but I do have space and I do have a fancy dress closet with a few choice pieces in it. Sort of a family tradition around here as my grandmothers and mother always had one. Not much use to the sons but maybe one day their partners might appreciate them.

I can see the floral top with linen culottes or a long skirt, or with a pleated midi skirt. To my mind it is a summer evening top, to be worn on a hot day, or maybe a going out for dinner top, to be a bit disco glam.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Ah - it looked more casual to me - culottes would be great too
I love the idea of a fancy dress closet

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

#1 is great over soft dresses. Have you tried that, Sally?

Purge #2 unless you want to keep it for sentimental reasons.

#3 I need to see on.

#4 could be cute with white jeans or skirt.

carter

Veteran

I'd love to see #4 on. I think the pattern is great, but I can't really figure out the shape/length/drape of the top. Possible? I'm not feeling either of the jackets (at least as they hang), but I think you could have some fun with the sequinned sweater.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Angie, Carter and Caro. I can see I am going to have to do some dressing up!!

I am happy to hand on 2 Angie- I feel ready to do so. I am not sure that I have the perfect dress for 1, but I will do my best.

3 I can style a couple of ways and 4 I will show with jeans. Maybe tomorrow as today I am wearing gear in anticipation of a run soon:)

Style Fan

Veteran

I like #3 and #4. I could see wearing the sequin cardigan with jeans and other things. A very useful piece. I need one really.
#4 has all kinds of potential. White shorts would be great. Or really faded denim. Coloured denim. (is that still around? I only wear blue denim).
I don't know what to say about #1 or #2. I like Angie's idea for #1. But I always have problems with boleros and shrugs. I never wear them.

Brooklyn

Veteran

On no 2, you could consider taking the sleeves off and turning it into a vest. Depending on whether you like vests of course. They can be handy in warmer weather as a third piece. Otherwise, I think I would hand it on. Gotta rush now but I will try to come back later

celia

Veteran

I really like the sequins cardigan. Maybe you could wear it with a plaid shirt and grey or black skinny jeans.
#1 I like Angie's idea although I cannot picture how it might fit.
#2 I have a soft spot for this kind of jacket but maybe I am just being sentimental. Belted over a skirt would be fun to wear imo
#4 I would basically pair it with every bottom that has a color similar to one on the print.
Looking forward to see what looks you come up with.

Gail

Veteran

I would purge 1 and 2 and keep 3 and 4. I love 4 and think it would great with jeans .

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I really want to see #4 on you. It's beautiful and I have seen those colours elsewhere in your wardrobe -- your leather jackets, for instance? (Not sure if either might work as a topper). I think it would work with white or with denim.

I think #3 has potential as a casual item, for sure.

Pass on #2.

Not sure about #1. Could work but would need to see, and if you never crave wearing it, maybe let it go.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Brooklyn, Stylefan, Suz, Celia and Gail.

The black jacket is in the donation bag.

I am going to style 3-4 and get some ideas.

I will style the silver jacket but I am considering donating it to the fancy dress closet. It is a designer piece but I bought it on sale, and I suspect I won't get much/anything for it as it is very specific. It was fun to dress as Krystal Carrington for the party and I have also dressed as Princess Diana for a couple of parties too and this could be good for that as well.

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Brooklyn

Veteran

You sure have some fun! I would try wearing no 3 open underneath a jacket. So you just see a little of the sequins, like a scarf.

Helen11

Veteran

You do look like Princess Diana!
I am rather sentimental, and I love having a dressing up box, so if I were making the decisions I would keep the silver jacket for fancy dress. I agree with you moving the black jacket along. I'd also try moving 3 and 4 into more casual outfits as others have suggested. How is the silk top with white shorts?

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Brooklyn - I will try that - it is a little outside my comfort zone but that is good - and what I need.

Thanks Helen - I have a slight Princess Diana air except I am 10 years older than her when she died which is sobering!

The silk top could work with shorts - I don't have any dressy shorts at the moment. It does look good with white and I used to wear it with wide legged white trousers and some flat gold sandals and hoop earrings and sort of imagine I was on a Greek Island.........

Inge

(website)

Liking all the suggestions here.
For the sequined cardigan I was also thinking it might work with a drapey top or blouse or button-down + (p)leather trousers or skirt (I like the mix of the different textures):
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/246642517071290902/

- simple white tee + light-wash jeans
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/295408056789757596/

- column of colour with white jeans + white tee (or both items in light grey) + necklace that echoes the sparkle of the sequins:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/105342078763869388/

- with shorts and a drapey tank or blouse (can you tell that I like the juxtaposition of a dressy piece like your cardigan with casual items?-)

Oh, and how would you feel about wearing the cardigan closed if you can wear some kind of lightweight topper with it?
For example: semi or faux tuck the closed cardigan + boyfriend jeans or cargo pants + denim jacket (or vest)/blazer/bomber jacket...

Cococat

Veteran

I really like 3 and 4. I would probably wear 3 like Inge suggested, buttoned like v neck top with skinny or slim black jeans and a long skinny scarf. I imagine that it would look fab with white jeans too.

I can imagine the silk top over a light weight slim maxi skirt or white jeans.