Which size to keep--Halogen pencil skirt and ponte suit - YouLookFab Forum

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Which size to keep--Halogen pencil skirt and ponte suit

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Hi, I hope you're not getting tired of my shopping questions! Sorry for all the pictures.

I feel so lucky to have you guys...it's like going shopping with friends! I need your expert eyes to figure out what is the best fit for me. I am trying to decide which sizes to keep. I ordered the Halogen pencil skirt...they didn't have yellow so I am trying red. I bought a 6 and a 6 petite because the last time I tried these on, some of you suggested trying the petite. Which one do you think is the right length? The regular hits at knee level, the petite is shorter.

Also I ordered a black ponte pencil skirt and a similar (not exactly matching but close) black ponte jacket. Both have these black stripe trims so they look like they match. I don't know why I am determined to find a "suit"--I rarely wear suits, but I feel like it's good to have one in case of emergency. The small fits more closely but I am concerned it may be pulling too tight in the tummy area. There is only one button so it gaps open at the bottom. So I ordered the medium but that does the same thing so I think it's just the design. The medium is a little looser but then it gaps forward a little at the bust area. What do you think, small or medium? Or ditch both jackets and just keep the skirt (I'm OK with doing that too)? One other option is to use the extra button that came with it and add an extra button below so it has two buttons but I'd have to bring it to a tailor for that.

Finally, I found the matching jacket to my Theory pants at the Rack! It's grey but the lace detail keeps it from being boring. I also ordered the matching skirt which is on its way. What do you think? (Sorry I forgot to tuck in the blouse). (ETA: Whoops, they are Classiques Entier, not Theory--thanks MaryK!)

1-4. Halogen pencil skirt in 6 regular.
5-8. Halogen pencil skirt in 6 petite.
9-11. Black ponte pencil skirt.
12-17. Black ponte jacket size small (I added some extra pics because the ones I took today were a bit blurry).
18-21. Black ponte jacket size medium.
22-25. Classiques Entier Apollonia jacket size 4 and matching pants size 6.
ETA:
26-27. Ponte jacket size small, unbuttoned.
ETAA:
28-30. CE jacket and matching size 4 pants (need to be hemmed). Here is what it looks like unbuttoned...I think it does look nicer buttoned though.
31-32. CE jacket and matching size 4 skirt (do you think the lace trimmed skirt looks OK or too risque?)

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30 replies

Latest reply was from goldenpig

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I love the red skirt!! I think the 6 regular is a better fit for you. It needs to come right to the knee to get that sexy long look. Any shorter just kills the pencil skirt super sexy yet work appropriate vibe.

The jacket is great in the smaller size. Does it need to be buttoned? I never button my jackets. The skirt is the bomb.

I do not like that Theory suit, that is just a personal opinion, that underbust lace is weirdly placed... all I can do is stare at your underboob... I would not want my patients or clients doing that to me if I was a doctor. Hold out for a better Theory suit. The fit is good, at least you know their stuff will work for you. It totally doesn't work for me because I am so short.

ETA: The sm and med jackets do the same exact button puckering thing, and I think the sm fits you better at the shoulders and all over. I would get it and plan to wear it unbuttoned with the sleeves scrunched. Love the detailing on the jacket!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I wish we could go shopping together. You have been picking out some fabulous things. I like the shorter length on the red skirt. Is the petite as comfortable as the regular size?

I like the medium sized ponte jacket better. However, if you're not really happy with it, why not hold out until you find the perfect jacket?

The Theory suit is stunning on you. You look sharp!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

@Amy that is so funny, you picked exactly the opposite of everything I picked! What is going on?! Natalie, I'm kinda thinking it's a personal preference and you actually look fab in everything

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Rita, thanks for reminding me. I added a couple pics of the ponte jacket unbuttoned. Yes, I rarely button my jackets either, but I thought for determining the right fit I should button them up.

The shorter pencil skirt is borderline on how comfortable I feel about whether it's work appropriate or not. However, I just bought another Halogen houndstooth printed pencil skirt, it's regular sized, but it seems to be shorter than the regular pencil skirt and almost the same length as the petite.

So funny that everyone has different opinions! That's why I'm collecting votes!

bella

(website)

Veteran

I like the fit of the petite skirt better but I think the few inches of more length on the regular size looks more contemporary.
I have big hang up with non-matching pieces worn as a suit so if you are planning to wear these pieces together, I would look for an actual suit.
The pant suit is very nice and fits you well. I think the lace detail is again very contemporary. I am not a huge fan of it, but it is just an aesthetic preference.

Ginny

Veteran

The red petite skirt is nice and I like the jacket with lace! good choices!

HelenInCanada

Veteran

The skirts are just gorgeous, GP! Definitely keep the red Halogen in Regular - it fits exactly like the midi style it's meant to be! I think I like the black ponte jacket in Small - it's a shrunken style that seems to have the right proportions on you in that size, whereas the Medium just looks like it's meant to be a classic style that's a touch too tight. The Theory Appallonia suit is just lovely and fits perfectly - ladylike yet so tailored.

MsMary

Veteran

I LOVE the Theory suit! I think the lace is just fab!

I strongly prefer the red skirt in the regular size with the longer length. That is such a great color for you!

Not loving the black ponte jacket in any size.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm with Rita's first opinion, but I don't think my opinion on the Theory suit should count because I think I have a poison eye for grey suits after years of wearing them. I'm not a fan of the lace, but I know it suits your ladylike style and the fit is great.

DressLover

Veteran

I love the burnished red color on you even more than the golden yellow. I prefer the regular size as the proportions (it goes beyond just the length) on the petite just look off.

I like the black ponte skirt, but I do not like the jacket on you. The stance is completely off for your body type which is why neither size really works. The single button is right at your chest. For a single button to work, it needs to be right below it. I think double and triple button options will work better for you.

The Theory suit is a nice, non-traditional suit option.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I vote with DressLover all the way. I love the red skirt in regular. The ponte skirt is also nice. Don't like the fit of that ponte jacket on you whatever the size. LOVE you in the Theory suit; to me, the lace detailing gives you a very long leg line. And it seems totally in sync with your ladylike style.

Question, however: if you tend to wear your jackets open, how does this one look when it is open? The risk is that it will look odd due to that lace detail. Would like to see it.

Isabel

Veteran

Great choices ! I agree that the petite looks better.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Hehe...so many different opinions! Obviously there is no right or wrong here...just preference. Good luck deciding what to do!

ETA: I'm going to have to take a strong and hard look at my short-ish skirts to see if they pass the appropriate-for-work test. Perhaps you shouldn't listen to me about skirt length

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

I vote regular size on the red skirt, I think the black ponte skirt is absolutely fabulous, I like the jacket in a small but it does look like a different black than the skirt so would wear them as seperates, and I really like the grey blazer with the lace as well.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I guess I am the only perverted one staring at your underboob.

Anonymous

Hi skirt twin - I have the red halogen skirt
I am indiferent as to either the reg. or petite fit, but I think you should go down a size, in general. The red skirt look too big, IMO

I'm loving everything else.

Kate

Veteran

Halogen pencil skirt: I like the length on the regular size 6 better than the petite, but I would try sizing down to a 4 regular. I'm also a fan of having pencil skirts hit as close as possible to my true waist so, if the 4 feels too small at the waist just wear it a bit higher (if it's too tight through the hips, that's a different story, and then stick with the 6).

Black ponte skirt: It looks good, I would play around with how high on your waist it is, and see if you can get it any higher to accentuate your waist more.

Black ponte jackets: The fit doesn't seem great for either. I would keep looking. And if you want a suit, I would buy a real suit together that fits absolutely perfectly!

Theory Apollonia jacket and pants - It's hard to tell about the pants, they might be a bit big or they might fit perfectly. The fit of the jacket seems off to me again. There's all of this bunching through the waist (see 23), and it seems like a jacket that is meant to be worn closed because of the lace (but please prove me wrong and post a picture with it open!).

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I haven't read the others except the first two I saw at work.

I love that suit on you. The lace gives a beautiful narrow waistline and the grey looks very nice on you.

I really like the black skirt too. It fits well and drapes nicely. It doesn't seem to match the jacket though and I'm not sure if it is supposed to or not. I like the jacket too except for the non-match issue.

I think the halogen skirt looks better in the petite.

Nice haul. I'm enjoying your shopping threads and your style evolution.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Rita, LOL, go ahead and stare! I don't mind!

Thanks for the input everyone! Zapotee & Kate, unfortunately I tried the size 4 a while ago and it normally would be a better size for me in general, however it is too clingy and shows off my apple tummy prominently. So I have to size up to a 6 to keep from looking pregnant/fat.

I think I'm leaning toward keeping the 6 regular since midi lengths are more in right now and my eye has readjusted to the longer lengths. And that way I don't have to worry if it's appropriate or not for work. But I'll try to post a pic of my shorter houndstooth skirt later so you can have a look.

I think I'll keep the ponte skirt since I don't have a black pencil skirt, but ditch both jackets since I'm not totally happy with the fit, and you're right, they're not a match with the skirt...the black does look different.

I see the Theory lace jacket is a bit polarizing. As you know I have a high "twee" tolerance for lace and ruffles, it really goes with my ladylike style. So I'm leaning toward keeping it. I'll try to take a pic of the jacket open. And yes, the pants are a bit too big. I originally bought the size 6 at NAS because that was the size I thought I was, before I realized that I'm really a 4 and was just wearing things too big. So I did order a size 4 of the Theory pants. But I'm thinking about keeping the 6 as well, in case I ever need transitional pants (like if I ever have another baby and need to hide it for a few weeks, LOL).

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I'm voting with the Team Halogen Petite, because I like that shorter, trimmed look on you. I also like the Theory suit with lace, which I think looks really nice on you. The black jacket worked for me best in the last two photos when you had that beautiful, bold blouse underneath it. That was a winning combination. Hope this helps. You've got a lot of diverging opinions here.

MsMary

Veteran

Uh, I don't know how much you paid for the Theory jacket, but Nordstrom Rack has what looks like the exact same jacket on sale under their Classiques Entier label for $99.97: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/cl.....sultback=0 Just sayin'.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

No kidding--it's almost evenly split between petite and regular! I wonder if Angie will chime in to break the tie?

Kate

Veteran

Goldenpig, something else to keep in mind when deciding on length is the rule of thirds or golden mean ratio as Imogen explains here: http://www.insideoutstyleblog......dress.html

I've found that when tucking into a pencil skirt, the skirt that ends on or below my knees makes me look longer, while the skirt ending above my knees makes me look shorter.

catgirl

Veteran

Hey, GP - I'd go with the regular because you can always hem it later if you decide you like a shorter length. That's what I did, anyway.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

OMG MaryK, you're right I did buy it at the Rack online for $99!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/cl.....tback=2874
OK, haha, how embarrassing...maybe they are not Theory after all! I will go and check the tag when I got home. I think I tried on two pants at the same time and bought one of them. I know at least one of them was Theory (Adelson?) but maybe I got mixed up. That was one of my first NAS purchases so sorry if I was not paying attention! I'm pretty sure I bought the Apollonia style though, so I think it is actually Classiques Entier not Theory. Good detective work! You're a great lawyer...nothing gets past you!

MsMary

Veteran

Heh. You have the right to remain stylish. Anything you buy can and will be used to make you look more fab in or out of a court of law...

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

OK MaryK, you are right--I checked the tags and they are Classiques Entier, not Theory! Good pickup!

I added some pics of the jacket unbuttoned, with the slimmer size 4 pants, and the matching skirt...do you think the lace-trimmed skirt looks OK or too risque?

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

I vote red skirt regular - the longer length looks more modern. I vote size medium jacket if you'll be wearing it closed. The small just looks too small. Unbottoned, the small looks fine. So there's my 2 cents.

MsMary

Veteran

I love the lace-trimmed skirt!

I think the jacket may be a bit big, though. Look at it open on the model, and then look at it open on you. See the difference? And the pants are WAY too long. Sorry!

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