trying to style the Heed lace jacket w/ different tops (K/R) ETA:w/LBD

So I am still waffling about keeping the Heed lace jacket. Mochi mentioned that she saw a disconnect between how it reads as dashing and romantic from the back, but demure and ladylike from the front and I think the front may be what is bugging me about it too. It also seems a little fussy to me. Others also said that they thought the neckline might be hard to style, so I've tried it here with a bunch of different tops from my closet.
1: v neck tee
2: printed blouse with ruffley collar
3: j crew liberty perfect shirt
4: slouchy dolman printed tee with high-ish neck
5: plain black scoopneck
6: my LBD with elaborate neckline

To be honest, I'm not loving it with most of these tops except maybe the plain black scoop. Also, not sure if it's just the angle, but it seems to look crooked in a lot of these photos and I'm wondering if it enhances the effect of my poor posture. In contrast, my jackets with lapels or lower necklines work with most of these styles.

What do you think? Do any of these work?

ETA: full length shots with the LBD.

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13 years ago

Jules

Veteran

It's hard to tell without full-body shots, but I mostly like it with the black tops (especially the black and white one I think). And I don't think of you as a black-on-black person, your style is more interesting than that.

Lyn D.

Such a pretty jacket!
I think it works best with the plain, collarless tops as in pics 5 & 6.
Would be lovely with a LBD too.

Diana

Jules, the jacket is actually navy but I think you are right and it reads as black. (Incidentally the printed top in #2 is actually also navy and white). I think you're right though - it does seem to work the best with the plain black things, which is kind of boring.

ETA: Lyn, #6 is actually my LBD. I decided you guys needed to see it full length with the dress, so I added a couple of pics.

Suz

(website)

This is what I was wondering about. And yes...it seems to work best with a simple scoop. I don't think it's necessary for it to be a black top (could be another plain). But it fights with most everything else. Still -- you look so super with your hair up that I'm distracted by that!

Yeah I'm not getting black & ink, a look I love, but it could be the photos.
The back is interesting, maybe if you styled it more standalone, with skinnier or leggings, and maybe a white or other light, simple top?

Anonymous

I'm on the fence for the jacket. I too am distracted by your hair up and cool specs! I don't love the jacket with your LBD. It might be a bit bossy in your wardrobe and want to be the star of every outfit it's in. So it just depends on what you want from it. I might prefer it with jeans and high heels to counteract the (what did Mochi call it) *demure and ladylike from the front* vibe.

Beth Ann

Diana:

Claire has hit on something --- This jacket is a "star," and she will keep all her colleagues out of her spotlight. I like the idea of slim pants and a white top.

How do you feel about "star" items? I have a few that I like, but I find that too many can result in me serving the outfit instead of feeling fab.

FWIW -- I like the fact that this jacket has a surprise for the viewer coming and going. That's kind of fun, I think.

rae

Hm. For some reason, I'm not feeling a lot of love... I really like the back/side view but I don't like how the jacket is hanging when left open. It kind of creates the illusion that you're wider than you are and that the jacket can't close because of that, which I know is not true.

morethanbeige

I'm wanting to see it with a very simple layering t. The jacket is stunning and I think needs to be the show.

Ditto about having the most simple backdrop for the jacket to stand out. I like it with the LBD best of the lot.

Hmm, I don't *have* a simple white top. I don't like them on me. I do have a sheer white blouse but it has a shirt collar that won't work with the jacket neckline.

I'm thinking this jacket won't play nice with my wardrobe. And I still like it far better from the back than the front.

Janet

I'm with Rae. I am just not loving it, honestly.

Caro in Oz

I agree the jacket needs simple pieces for it to work. Is this a direction you see your style going?

Transcona Shannon

It is a stunning jacket and I love the back hemline. It also looks beautiful on you...BUT...if it's not going play well with your wardrobe and you are really struggling to find pieces to make it work than it might not be for you.

Robinesque

Active Member

One way this jacket could work would be to keep the neckline of your top as a simple scoop, but then to go with some bold color, like orange, citron yellow, magenta/fuchsia, or emerald green. Your slim pants or skirt should be a shade or two darker in the same color, to ground the outfit a little. To tone this baby down down, you could potentially wear her with dark skinny jeans, your bright toned top, and some heels. If you have a bold colored sheath dress, that would work as well.

Maybe, to bring the attitude of the front of the jacket more in tune with the playful back, you might also consider having the waist nipped in by your tailor? I don't think this girl would mind being a curvier piece, and you can definitely carry that off.

As a topper for your current LBD, though, the jacket seems peeved by neckline competition, and is not above throwing a fit over it. She's blatantly hissing at the collars and prints, too. if you do decide to keep her, she's not going to be the most versatile player in your closet, but there is some potential wow factor here. Hmmmm. Tough call...

JuneBug

Diana this is a beautiful jacket, front and back! I think it might work very well when you define your waist more. Either with a belt, a dress that emphasises your waist or a top tucked into a skirt or pants. A fitted and slim silhouette with something in the middle might be just the thing for this awesome jacket!

I love, love, love the jacket. try it with black skinnies, booties and a cream top.

Karie

The jacket is nice, but from what I've seen of your other posts, it doesn't seem to me to be quite your style. If you don't love it, my advice would be to return it. There are better jackets out there that are better suited to your fun, ultra fashionable style!

cciele

The back of the jacket is awesome, but seems like trying to style the jacket for the front view is a bit of a PITA. I'd pass and get something that really rocks your world!

Thanks, everyone. I think I am going to return this jacket. It's just not playing nice with my wardrobe and while I like statement pieces, I don't like the statement this is making from the front (although I do love the back). I think the front needs to be sharper (literally - I think I want pointy lapels or sharper angles or at the very least a v neck) for it to work for me. As it is, the shape is a little too round and soft and sweet.

PS - thanks for the hair compliments. This is my weekend post workout/shower hairdo, since it only stays put if my hair is wet and unbrushed when I put it up.

moira

It looks kind of expensive and it is not going to be a wardrobe workhorse. More like a prancey show horse.

You should not have to struggle that much with an article of clothing.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

The jacket is STUNNING. It needs scoop necked tops - or necklines of that effect. That's the secret.

But returning is fine too, of course. Just had to get my comment in!

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