So, having been noodling on moving my color palette into more deep lavenders and orchids , I saw this VB blazer. I think it might have bobbled back & forth on sale but maybe not. Anyway when it went on sale I ordered.
It’s a luscious color, very happy but also muted for my coloring and, due to the tweedy nature, which is what caught my eye, it goes with lots of colors-a wide range of light and dark berries and blues, not just more mauvy- orchids, black & navy, white of course, and also with patterns I already have, and great with jeans or solid dark pants. And it fits and I think looks good in my first quick try- ons.
Here are some details which I’m thinking through, ‘ cause that’s how I am:
It’s a warmer than I thought - I knew it had wool, so not high- summer weight, but also cotton, but it’s kind of felt- y. Of course I was trying it on in 80 + degrees . It has ruched sleeves which then may be less versatile at cooler temps, and less classic. But they’re “ longer ruched”, if that makes sense, compared to some VB, so very similar to how I’d turn back a blazer sleeve hem.
It’s “ faux double- breasted”( doesn’t overlap and button, and has a hook closure, which I’ll never use and might want to remove.
So here are my ponderings:
- it’s spendy relative to % wear time of blazers in my new lifestyle. Also re: investment, it isn’t a super fine fabrication- I’m paying for VB name and the dickey option which I’ll likely not use. But OTOH it’s more “ casually versatile “ than some more refined jackets.
- I likely can’t wear until fall ( though we do have random cooler dips) , but then in my climate, I’d be able to wear off & on, with different weights and colors of tops & pants & outerwear, for about 9 months.
- are the ruched sleeves , just, no? Cheapie? I have tried to avoid after wearing out a ruched- sleeve linen blazer just because I wanted to stay very versatile and because a lot of time the ruching is done poorly and I admit I associate it with cheaper construction. These seem more subtle. For the sewists, can ruching be “ released “ or are the sleeves not constructed properly for that ? ( it’s in the fabric sleeve and so under the lining, and frankly I doubt I want to pay to try it )
- it’s a HEWI color blend, so I may have FOMO. Or I might get tired of it.
- would I do 1in/ 1 out with another blazer/ jacket? I have a wonderful Talbots camel hair blazer that’s great quality but the camel color doesn’t suit me, so I’m always trying to compensate with top colors or trying to use a print. Also my BR gray blazer, which is indestructible wool suiting, but maybe slightly off in fit or silhouette now, depending on what I wear. Due to pandemic I feel I’ve not been able to evaluate these types of items by trial wears.