What is your impressive piece? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

About: A Tribute To an Impressive Piece

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What is your impressive piece?

Roxanna

Veteran

Loved Angie's post today...I love to see quality pieces that fit into people's lives and go the mile!

My impressive piece is probably the first quality item I ever bought - a Jax II check midi sheath dress from Eaton's when it was going out of business in 1997. I was 21. It is the perfect mix of cotton and stretch, it ALWAYS FITS and always looks polished, and always feels comfortable. It never wrinkles and travels well - it can be layered over and under for year-round wear. It's perfect.

I have worn this dress to death year-round for 21 years amd it is still gong strong.

At 21, I used to wear it with a short sleeved viscose drapey cardigan, pearls and stilettos (can you tell I was trying to look grown up?)

Then I wore it with a short sleeve knit inside and a rhinestone brooch.

Now I most often wear it with a thin black turtleneck inside, a leather moto and black boots.

And it is still going strong! I literally had to put it away last winter because I was wearing it so much.And this from the woman who never wears the same outfit twice.

If you had to do a tribute to a shining star in your wardrobe, what would you pick and why?

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Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from Roxanna

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow--that is incredible, Roxanna! It must give you shopping confidence to know you did so well with the first quality item you ever purchased. And that would also tend to reinforce your desire to purchase quality things going forward. No wonder!

Shining stars for me include my navy Reiss tuxedo jacket. Also a high-quality (and pricey) purchase and one I have never regretted for a second.

Another is my David Meister sheath dress. Exceptionally versatile, packs well, always looks great.

Belmonte Dark Navy Tuxedo Jacket

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David Meister Side Pleat Woven Sheath Dress

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Anonymous

Jax !! Eaton's !! Great dress I'm envious that you can still wear pieces from that long ago - I had such great clothes then too, but my weight fluctuates so much that I have not been able to hang on to anything from that era.

My impressive piece would be my black linen Smythe blazer with striped lining and a polka dot (removable ) pocket square. Can't remember the style name, nor is a find available. It's now about 4 years old (?) and although it doesn't get worn weekly , it's always there when I want to look extra spiffed-up. Truthfully, I need some other pieces to make this blazer more of a workhorse (trousers in a fabric that works with the linen, and a silk underpinning of some sort).

Oh - you know what? I'm forgetting my all-time best thing: my AMcQ scarf, below. I wear that thing all the time, and have for years now. Casual, dressed up, with jeans, with other patterns, with workout clothes and a wrap on my way to the gym, you name it, I'll work it in. Expensive (then) and quite precious because of how thin the silk is, it has never let me down . I've let IT down once, when I lost my original, but I know it's out there somewhere, remembering me

Saks Fifth Avenue

Alexander McQueen Classic Skull Silk Chiffon Scarf

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Joy

Veteran

Mine is a black leather moto styled jacket that elevates anything I wear with it. Second would be a couple of Calvin Klein sheath dresses that always look fabulous and are basic enough to style different ways.
I also need to give a shout out for my Kate Spade metallic hand bags.
I see that I need to make some finds.
Fabulous dress, Roxana, and Suz, those are both great looking items to have to fall back on when the occasion pops up.

Roxanna

Veteran

Suz - I have seen you rock that blazer on long flights and you're right - you look so polished! I love when blazers stand the test of tiem like that/

Lisa - That scarf is your signature piece - I always think of you when I see one. And I'd love to see that Smythe blazer on!

that is probably the only piece of clothing pre-kids that still fits me, and it's because of the magical cut. I fluctuate a lot in sizing too, and I'll never be down to that weight again.Everything else was given away long ago

Joy - Moto jackets are magical that way, aren't they?

Dana

(website)

Veteran

Roxanna, great dress and I love the way you styled it!

I have had a lot of my clothes for a long time, but my most impressive piece would be a black, knit skirt by Drama. I bought it in '04 I think. It's a cross between an a-line and a trumpet. And it can be worn year round . I often wear it with a black top tucked in with a belt, so it mimics a dress. There's not a lot I can't do with it! Admittedly, I haven't worn it straight for all those years. Sometimes it was a little big or small, but it's still impressive!

The Cat

Veteran

My midi winter coats from the '90s, one bottle green, one black. Excellent quality, and I still get compliments about every time I wear them.

kkards

Veteran

these Manolo Blahnik pumps...bought in 2008(ish)....soooo comfortable and resoled 2 or 3 times...they are starting to show wear and tear, and i almost get rid of them in last years closet clean up...but since i only wear heels now a couple of time a year, i decided to keep them....

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Style Fan

Veteran

Eaton's!!! What a great store! That is a beautiful dress.
My impressive purchase would have to be my Burberry Trench coat. It never lets me down. I feel like it doesn't really matter what else I have on when I wear the Trench. I bought it almost 14 years ago.

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Anonymous

My black trench coat, purchased 30+ years ago, on sale. It's been all over the world, used and sometimes abused countless times, but maintains its elegant style and shows no signs of wear. Due to climate change, I don't wear it now, but Mr. Xtabay won't let me pass it on because he likes how I look in it. Sincere admiration to the designer and constructor of that coat!

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. Perhaps my black A-line Marc Jacobs skirt or these knit bodycon dresses I got at Ross (I duplicated in every pattern an colour)(sleeveless with a bit of ruching at the waist, work for going up AND the bakery), or my old old black and white gingham sundress from Neiman’s.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A 21 year old dress that is still going strong.....

KILLER to the POWER of KILLER

Extremely impressed!

Sal

Veteran

The Underarmour hoodie worn in these photos.

Purchased in 2012 for $150 with $50 off loyalty voucher.

Worn 2-3 times a week 80% of the weeks since. It still looks immaculate. I wear it walking, biking, lounging and to and from the gym.

I still really like it.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Fun seeing your magical pieces. That dress is amazing Roxanna! I am wracking my mind but I think I am stuck. Too much churn in my wardrobe to have any such piece, although I do have some pieces that have been in my closet for years they are more of the statement and rarely worn variety.

ClaraT

Veteran

I have a favorite blazer that (so far?) seems timeless. Like Angie’s, it’s by Theory. It is crisp but comfy, maintains its shape, and adds a little business vibe to less structured clothes. I love the cut, which is like-custom for me, and the buttons! The coat closes with button pairs that are attached with a chain (?!) and to me, this elevates it beyond the ordinary. It’s grey—the color is better represented in the second pic. It’s my favorite sort of item—ordinary but also special, when you take a closer look. PS really enjoy seeing everyone else’s favorites!

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Runcarla

Veteran

My short black trench coat. Though not a high end brand, it looks like it could be. It is 98%cotton/2% Lycra brocade with a floral motif. It is so beautifully finished inside, I could wear it inside out. It fits beautifully and I feel fab every time I wear it. I've had it for 4 years now. It is from Suzy Shier and cost < $50.

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Jenni NZ

Veteran

I looked at my lists. I’m not sure that you all agree that mine looks the best of my clothes, but for longevity in my wardrobe the Mondi jumper( sweater) is the best. The most expensive item I had ever bought at the time- $300 in 1986- it was only exceeded in cost by my $900 wedding dress later that same year. I was 25 then and loved the item with a passion. I wore it for about 10 years, put it in holding for another 10, and in about 2008 pulled it out and have worn each winter since a number of times. I still have part of the “feeling 25” feeling every time I wear it even now I am 58. And although it is very 80s looking, and some of you think dated, that’s still a good feeling and worth it to me

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Cee

Veteran

You lot... so cool

SarahD8

Veteran

Jenni actually that sweater looks really fresh to me right now. I mean....fuchsia and orange!!! I say milk it while the 80s trend continues.

Anonymous

My Lauren Ralph Lauren lbd. It's my go to for business formal, doesn't crease, and is forgiving of weight changes.

And my peacock laptop bag, Etsy find (Janine King). It has a little wear now on the bottom corners, but is really well made.

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Helena

Veteran

Wow, I don't have anything quite so impressive! But I will say that my Roots hoodies are THE best from a holding-up standpoint - I'm sure one is 10 years old and looks like I just bought it, and as you can imagine, I am not precious with my hoodies

My BR Gemma wrap dresses are still going strong; one I'm sure is almost 10 years old, and the other well over 5.

Bijou

Veteran

For my 21st birthday my parents bought me a diamond ring. I have worn it every day since receiving it on my right hand. At 24 I got engaged, so I have a nice ring on that hand to balance things up. My hands feel weird not wearing them. Since losing both parents in the last 2 years, I like having my daily reminder of them with me.

In terms of clothes purchases with longevity, I have a black Burberry trench that I bought in 2006 - still great quality and a cropped red leather jacket that I bought in 2000. I will find these items hard to let go.

Roxanna

Veteran

I love reading all these stories and seeing all your magical pieces!

Shevia - with your thrifting skills, you probably have too many to count

@Carla - don't you LOVE it when a reasonable piece turns out to be a well-made one that lasts for the long haul?!

@JenniNZ - I an see the quality of that knit! And i htink what we hold onto and why is intensely personal, and not for others to judge. I too have put some items away for years, and then brought them out to a renewed life.

@Style Fan, @Bijou, @Xtabay - Looks like trenches are popular items that go the distance!

@Suntiger - My Lauren Ralph Lauren dresses go the distance too. I love how flattering they are. @Helena same goes for the Gemma wraps!

@ClaraT - now I want a Theory blazer too

keep 'em coming!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

What a gorgeous dress! Mine is a BCBG blazer I bought at the Boston meetup back in 2014. It is one of the most expensive blazers I own, it’s beautiful, it works dressed up or down (my fav way to wear it is with distressed jeans), and I have wonderful memories of meeting fab YLFers at that meetup!

BCBGMAXAZRIA Noah Floral-Lace Jacket

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Kari

Veteran

My specs. Because I wear glasses almost daily (except for rare contacts days), I definitely invest the most $ compared to other clothing items, they are statement glasses that add interesting contrast shades from different angles, and my oldest pair is 8+ years old and still holding up. From oldest to newest:

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Kari

Veteran

As for the item that is the biggest compliment magnet, these velvet emerald and royal blue pumps that I had made from Shoes of Prey before they went out of business.

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Staysfit

Veteran

Hmm, I have two, or maybe three. One is a dark chocolate brown wool and alpaca blend Cole Han coat. It’s at least 15 years old, and I still love it. I wear it every winter when the temperatures are mild. It has no creases, or signs of wear. It’s one of my highest quality purchases ever.

The second is a dark chocolate colored midi length dress with lighter colored polka dots, maybe they are ivory? It’s silk, sleeveless, has a swishy skirt, a long wide sash tie belt that wraps twice around my waist and then still hangs long down the skirt. It’s from Adrianna Papell, which may not be the best designer, but it seems well made. It is lined, and has withstood the dry cleaners, etc. It’s the first item of clothing I purchased for my professional wardrobe in 1995 when I finished my training. (You do the math). I still love it. It always gets complements. I remember the salesman who helped me choose it. He told me he had the perfect dress that would last forever in my closet. He was correct. I have become picky about when I wear it. I don’t want to snag it on furniture, or ruin it at work. I usually wear it for casual parties, or when I give talks.

The third item is an Eddie Bauer Jean jacket. This may be the oldest item in my wardrobe that I purchased for myself. I have mixed feelings about jean jackets, but not this one. Whenever I put it on, the fit is so good that I feel wonderful. I honestly cannot remember when I purchased it, but I know I had it when I was in college because I am wearing it in the apartment with my college roommates. I don’t wear it often anymore, but I do wear it, and it has held up well.

anne

Veteran

I have a grey sleeveless sheath that's still in great condition - I bought it in around 2000 and it's still a FFBO.

Worn alone or with cropped cardi in summer, or over tights and long sleeve tees or thins sweaters in winter.

I took have had to repair the seams, but the fabric is fine.

I was $60 from Portmans. Australians, I have to say, everything I have from Portmans that is woven has lasted - now I think about it I have another, black, dress from around 2000 from there that is only now slightly faded and otherwise fine.

Off to my phone to see if I can find a pic, although I know both of these have been on YLF before multiple times!

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nuancedream

Veteran

Hmm, perhaps my summer topper from the brand Skirtin Around...kind of reminds me of Lily Pulitzer or the joke wall on Laugh-In! OK, I just seriously dated myself with the reference to Laugh-In but I love the topper, which I have had since 2007.

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nemosmom

Veteran

My most-impressive piece that has gone the distance is my waxed cotton Barbour jacket (similar find below). Not the dressiest item, to be sure, but I have put it through the ringer and it still looks great after 14 years. It goes on every trip with me; DH jokingly calls it my security blanket.

I love that it has an interior pocket to hold my phone and tiny wallet so I don't have to carry a bag. The waxed cotton keeps out wind and light drizzle, yet it is super breathable. I can wear a hoodie, pullover sweater, or puffer vest under it for warmth.

Barbour Classic Beadnell Waxed Cotton Jacket

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