Talk to me about reversible/convertible clothing. - YouLookFab Forum

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Talk to me about reversible/convertible clothing.

Runcarla

Veteran

You know, the coat that has a colourful print on one side, and plain black on the other, or the pants with zip off legs that convert to shorts, or the dress that can be styled 3 different ways. Then there is the 3 part mix and match coat, or the jacket with the zip in dickie.

Do you find these items useful? Do you style them in different ways (as intended) or do you like one way more than another and wear it that one way?

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29 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don't think I've ever had anything reversible, now that I think of it. Hmm. Oh, I think I had a tote bag that I only used on one side because the other wasn't a color that worked well for me. I tend to use things one way -- a jacket with zip-out sleeves seems to stay a jacket and never get used as a vest; those zip-leg pants seem to get worn as pants, but that's a gear thing.

I do have that Veronica Beard blazer with a black hoodie dickey that I purchased separately, but we are only just now getting to blazer weather here, so I haven't worn it with or without the dickey yet. Soon! I have a feeling I'll wear the dickey more than not, since it casualizes the blazer.

I think the only thing I really take advantage of, as far as wearing it in multiple ways, is a pareo I have that works as a beach cover-up tied a couple of different ways, or a skirt, or a shawl.

notsaf

Veteran

I have been using a new backpack that converts easily to a shoulder bag. I almost never wear it as a shoulder bag, but sometimes it's convenient when I'm holding something and need to dig for my keys.

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rachylou

Veteran

Since I’ve got power ‘til 8pm now... yes! I like convertible clothing! I have a quilted coat that zips to three lengths and has a removable hood. I totally change the length all the time. I also have a strapless jumpsuit that can also be worn as pants or a sweater! That’s nice for travel.

Molly Mac

Veteran

I have a Lole puffer that is reversable and I wear it on both sides depending on what color I am feeling that day.

Vildy

Veteran

I have a reversible sleeveless silk shell that is black and a subdued olive shades print. I guess I wear it both ways.

I have a lightweight preppy looking coat that is supposed to remind of shearling, so it is a toffee brown on one side, with a winter white "grid" - more an actual grid design than the irregularity you might get with actual shearling - and can cuff to winter white and the other side is the opposite. I wear it both ways.

I have a vintage L L Bean lightweight wool jacket that is camel with black and white houndstooth collar and cuffed sleeves. And vice versa. I don't think it's as old as the 40s but has that retro look, something like a shirt jacket. I do wear it both ways but don't wear it a lot because it's annoying that it has no pockets. Unlike the above toffee/winter white coat that has patch pockets.

MsMaven

Veteran

I once bought a reversible travel jacket from a catalogue travel company--can't think of the name now. It was black on one side and black/white checked on the other. Wasn't very good because it wrinkled too easily.

I did have a reversible raincoat: olive on one side and a flowery print on the reverse. I ended up wearing it only on the olive side--I think it was just too much going on for me on the print side. In high school I had a reversible plaid pleated wool skirt that was stitched down and blue one side and open pleats, mostly gray on the other. I caught one of the pleats on a nail when climbing over a fence--think I was going after an errant tennis ball. I wore that skirt through my jr. year in college, but only on the side that didn't show the tear.

So overall, I'd say reversible items haven't worked well for me. Maybe there is something better out there now?

DonnaF

Veteran

I had REI gear pants that zipped to make them shorts. I rarely wore them as shorts until I irreparably ripped the knee of one side so I could never wear them as pants again. Now I try to wear the shorts when it is warm enough so I can give my other gear pants a rest.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I would rather have one really excellent way to wear something than two meh options for the sake of novelty, but if there were ever two equally fantastic options, why not?

notsaf

Veteran

Oh I forgot about this great tank that can be worn with a low scoop or a high neck. I do wear it both ways!

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Anonymous

I had sari skirts with 2 fabrics that could be wrapped different ways, a skirt that could also be a dress, and a bunch of sarongs. I mostly wore all as skirts though, as the dress ways were too unstructured at the waist.
I like the idea of zip off hiking pants/ shorts, and reversable clothes-especially for travel!

rachylou

Veteran

I have a reversible wrap skirt too, both sides of which I like. Mind, none of this helps me cut down on actual numbers in my closet... only my suitcase...

JAileen

Veteran

In high school I had a wrap skirt that was navy on one side and striped on the other. I only wore the navy side out.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Don't tend to buy those, but I once had a coat with removable lining... and that one I did wear w/o lining in spring and fall, with lining in winter. The lining was so thick that I don't know if I was saving room in the end, but I did save some money and got plenty of use out of this coat.

Jane

Veteran

I haven’t anything at the moment in my wardrobe but there is a brand called E+M and they have lovely jumpers with detachable snoods, that I’ve looked at. I’m kind of nodding with Shevia - I would rather have one really good item than two potentially good enough items

Style Fan

Veteran

I have a sweater from Lululemon that can be worn in multiple ways. If I turn it upside down it becomes a short sweater somehow (the SA showed me) and there might be other ways. I never do this. I am not a fan of convertible clothing. I tend not to do the converting. I had a leather coat with a zip-out lining and I liked it.

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I did buy the reversible puffer in August. So far I have only worn it with the animal print side showing, which is my preferred way. The plain side has the pockets though so I imagine will get used next winter.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

When my son was little, I got a khaki travel skirt that converted from midi to just above the knee length. I frequently wore it to teach, and remember clearly wearing it with a T-shirt & jacket for a conference presentation. Afterwards, I took the jacket off and we went to lunch. After that, I zipped the bottom off the skirt & went to the playground with my son.
White Stuff’s reversible skirts have caught my eye; if I find something similar that’s locally made, I’ll probably go for it.

nemosmom

Veteran

Ditto what Shevia said!

Roxanna

Veteran

I actually adore this and have gotten a couple of options this fall that do that - my Vince sweater coat (cinnamon on one side, grey on the other) and my Rag & Bone top coat (which unbuttons to make a separate vest and sweater.) I've actually worn both in all iterations and I love that it gives me the chance to change up a look.

Vince Reversible Cardigan Coat

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6

kate

I have a reversible lightweight quilted vest that is plain black on one side and a deep blue taffeta-like reverse that is quite dressy. Great for travel.

Sal

Veteran

I have had a few successes-
- reversible light puffer. I actually have marked my favourite side so wear it the other way now!
- this dress can be tied at the front or back. I mix it up about evenly and like the variety.

Susie

Veteran

I have this sweater that is reversible (red to orange) but so far I’ve only worn the red side out. But I turn up the cuffs for an extra pop of color. I also have a mink vest that reverses to leather that my husband bought for me years ago. I wear it more often as leather because, well, it’s fur

Is there something you are considering?

Reversible Silk Blend Sweater

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Runcarla

Veteran

Hah, Susie! I’m intrigued by a long puffer in a small independent store in my town. It has an exuberant design on one side and solid black on the other. I want to replace my black puffer, and stay away from black actually, and it is quite spendy. I am wondering if it is worth it. My own experience has been to wear convertible items one way.

Bijou

Veteran

I have a reversible puffer, black on one side and leopard print on the other. For me, this is the ultimate winter travel jacket because I get two looks for one coat, it is lightweight and warm. However, I have never deliberately looked for items like this because in most instances I will prefer one side and not wear the other. I remember buying my son a reversible puffer and being really sad that he preferred wearing the less attractive (to me) version.

Jules

Veteran

I’m generally a nay - my impression of those ‘dresses’ etc that can be worn many ways are that none of the ways are as good as one normally designed dress. The coats with zip-in liners tend to be gear-like and also just strike me as ‘too complicated’ for some reason.
One big exception I have is a wonderfully designed small Roots brand wallet purse with both a detachable strap and small handle. I use it all three ways - as a cross-body, as a wallet in a larger purse, and occasionally as a clutch if I’m just popping down for coffee or something.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well Carla I do think I will wear my new puffer the other way next winter, but it was the animal print side that I bought it for, for sure.

Kari

Veteran

Usually no, with a few exceptions.

• The beautiful Michael Kors and Gallery raincoats I’ve had with removable hoods and liners. The liner truly makes it a 3-season coat; I put it in in winter. I remove the hood if I want a dressier look and it’s not raining, but I want a light coat for a topper.
• A pair of athletic pants that cinch up/ruche rather than zipping off into just below the knee pants. They were awesome for hiking at Mt. Rainier when it started off quite cool but got VERY hot as the day went on and our bodies warmed up. I’ve also used them this way at the beach. (2 looks, same day.)

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Katerina

Veteran

I really like reversible coats and jackets - fun to have two options. I used to have a reversible suede leather jacket which was a workhorse and got worn out, otherwise I would not part with it ever. My most unusual reversible jacket is a mint and cream leather jacket. I wear the mint side more, but the cream is as pretty.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Jules’ comment about these being “too complicated” reminds me of a running conversation I’ve had with someone on a different site about size of living space. I think the ideal for my son & me is around 800 sf. That guy, his wife & their 3 kids live in a 3000 sf house. That’s 400 sf/person vs 600. Having everything fit together in a compact way, where we can pull out just what we need and then slide it back into its slot when we are done just appeals to me. It feels much smarter to me than having everything sprawled out all around us. If more convertible/reversible things were available, I think I’d feel the same way about having them in my wardrobe: everything neat & tidy, available just as I need it, and able to be slipped back away into a not-too-large wardrobe afterwards. He, otoh, spent a lot of time on subs when he was in the Navy and has wanted space ever since then. I expect the clothes I find so clever they make me feel clever for owning them would just feel cramped and forced to him.

If you really do enjoy the changability, then I expect you would use it and would wear the garment both ways. If that feature isn’t the main thing you like, if there is one side you really prefer, what’s wrong with that? You’d have a floral coat with an orange lining or whatever, and then if someone dropped a plate of spaghetti bolognese on you, you could wipe it dry & have an orange could with floral lining for the rest of that day.