Trying to shop for toppers at Macy's..

First of all I apologize for the amount of photos - please feel free to skip!
A few weeks ago I made an attempt to build spring/summer capsules with Stylebook app, and came to a (rather sad) conclusion that most of my toppers are either tired-looking, or ill-fitting, or don't go well color wise with the rest of my wardrobe (and some of them had more than one of the sins above).
Toppers are a necessity, because my office is very generously air-conditioned and I always run cold. However - toppers are not really in the budget.
Long story short (it's not really short already though..) I ended up trying toppers at Macy's because I happen to have some gift cards.
I tried pretty much everything available in sizes 0, 2 or XS/S (which was not that much).
Is there anything you ladies find promising that might also go well with at least some of my summer tops (photo #10)? Or should I spend aforesaid gift card on summer essentials for my girls instead?
Here are descriptions and my thoughts.
#1: Lacy INC jacket, size S. Kind of interesting.. but probably not versatile enough.
#2: Cardigan thingy (INC also, size S - not sure the brand exists in XS at all).
#3: Linen jacket (INC, size S) - fairly nice, but is it a repeat of my short green Antro blazer I posted about recently?
#4: Cobalt Calvin Klein blazer (size 2) - not sure about the fit and while I love cobalt in theory, in practice not sure how it will play with my tops.
#5: Light blue Nine West blazer (size 2) - same as above
#6: Pink Nine West blazer (size 2) - I'm definitely not into pink, but the cut is interesting
#7: Blue blazer thingy (Kasper - never heard of the brand, size 4)
#8: Another Kasper blazer, obviously too big
#9: Formal blazer (Anne Klein, size 0) - it's more formal than I need/want but since it was size 0 (a rarity in Macy's!) I tried it on.
Thank you for reading and sorry again for the length! Any comments are welcome. If anybody can comment on the quality of these brands, it will be greatly appreciated.

This post has 10 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

#2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9 fit the best. Remember that you would not button those blazers so make sure they hang right UN-buttoned. I'm pretty sure they do.

Karin L H

Veteran

I like the cardigan in #2, and also the colourful open blazers #6 and #7, such fun colours!

Daria

Active Member

Sorry ladies - I posted the pics from my phone first, and then it took me a while to write the "novel" to go with them. Thanks for your comments.

rachylou

Ok, out of Angie's picks... #7 is the only one I don't like. I find the blue 'meh' and something scrawnifying about the sweater on the whole... All the others, fantastic! I hope you don't just want one... hehe

rachylou - sadly not more than 2. Sigh.. (And I agree about the blue color..)

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

2, 7, and 9 are my favorites. I like the idea of 1 but it looks too big unbuttoned, and in the sleeves.

keruchina

I like 2 and 3 the best, but they are also both casual. How formal is your office?

Laura, keruchina - thanks! INC cardi seems to be the favorite so far.
My office is very casual.

MTBGirl

I think #2 and #9. They look like they fit well and would go with all the tops you've shown. Together they cover casual and nicer, light and dark, and softer and crisper fabric.

Oh, about the brands, I've had good luck with all of them. Calvin Klein and Ann Klein both make good jackets, and Kasper is a solid suiting brand. INC can vary since they make a lot of things, just make sure the fabrication and construction are ok.

If you're tight on budget another good place to look might be Target. They've got some cute toppers this spring. Oh yeah, and Dress Barn, which is casual toppers / cardigans central, and surprisingly high quality for the price. I know they've got a petite section if that's a factor.

rabbit

#7 (especially if it was in a neutral that paired well with your top colors - maybe a light neutral) and #9 are my favorites. I really like the cut of 7 on you because it seems to fit your body shape so well. #9 is such a classic color and shape that I think it would be fairly easy to dress up and down.

#2 Is a bit busy for me in texture to envision pairing easily with anything besides neutrals and tonal colors, unless you are going for more boho -- but that might just be my own style preference.

Debbie

I like 2 and 7. To me they look like they would get you through the summer.

jackiec

I like 2 & 4. I think the cobalt would play nicely with your tops but you'd have to try them together.

PS your stylebook photos are good. I took a whole weekend to try to inventory my stuff on there and my pics are disasters....

Anonymous

I like 2 and 7 for toppers with your summer tops. They also give you variety. The turquoise blue loos like it will go well with the print tops.

Jaime

I like the shape of #7 and the fit of #4 and #2 if that is your look.

Thanks again ladies for your opinions! Interestingly, hubby likes #3 and #7 and doesn't care about everything else. (And he is right that I shouldn't have worn the shapeless jeans..)
Laura - good to know the brands are decent quality. I'm not really on a tight budget, would rather call it shopping diet.
rabbit - good point about #2. My tops do tend to be either bright, or busy (or both) so it's something to consider.
jackiec - thank you! The photos could be better, even though I did my best massaging them in that lousy editor Stylebook provides.
Another question - do you think any of the toppers are worth trying in a smaller size? As I mentioned, these are the smallest sizes available at my local store, but smaller sizes are available online. I'm thinking #4 might be worth trying in 0, and perhaps #7?

Carole

I love #2, 3 and 7 best on you...some great choices here! Good luck:)

Category