WIW: Casual statement for Suz, out to dinner, and more

catgirl

I got this poncho sweater at F21 - it's wool, nylon and acrylic but honestly doesn't feel any different than some of my less expensive cashmere. Worn with old Rag & Bone moto skinnies, an old favorite finding new life!

Up for consideration is this white top from F21. Yes, WHITE. It has a cool bubbled texture. Does this work on me? Please be honest.

Thrifted London Fog jacket and outfit worn to take a friend to her birthday dinner (Lysse coated ponte skinnies and Equipment shirt).

All feedback welcome!

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11 years ago

What I Wore

27 replies

Latest reply was from tulle

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The poncho looks great on you, Una. Now here is a case of a statement that would be overstating it for me, I suspect -- your shoulder line lets you carry this off brilliantly, but I would be swamped.

Meanwhile -- white on you is also a statement! And I do think it works. How are you thinking of wearing it?

Love the new coat -- it looks great on you, and the whole outfit is fab. That silk shirt is so vibrant. Perfect for a dark night.

So...remember that ruched Athleta dress you got last year and similar ruched skirts? Well, all the talk of leggings and skirted versions of leggings in my casual statement thread reminded me of those dresses.

I don't like leggings. Who knows why, but I've tried them, and I don't. (Jeggings and ponte pants are fine, just not leggings.) But I DO like knit skirts.

The VC skirts don't work for me in winter because they grab ahold of tights and won't let go. Plus, they aren't really warm enough anyway, although that might be fixed with fleece lined tights, I suppose. Which is moot as long as they bunch and twist.

But maybe a shorter skirt in similar fabric would work better. Thinking of your example, I decided to give it a try. So I have a few similar ones winging their way to me. I am hoping the fabric will not cling to tights. If so, there might be my new at-home silhouette -- similar to your more casual workday uniform.

Stay tuned....

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I wore the ruched skirt with tights the other day and it wasn't too clingy - they were smooth tights though (not textured or wooly). I did return the dress.

I know you don't like leggings... these ponte bottoms are actually thicker than our Kuts and feel substantial. They look like leather. I have worn them and washed them and they don't bag out. I still need front and rear coverage but it I were more confident they would not be obscene with a shorter top. Just sayin'!

I'm not sure about the white top now that I look at the neckline - it might be too high for me, although it might also be the way I'm holding my head.

The poncho sweater has structure because of the sleeves. You have a good shoulder line and could totally work this look!

11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Love the poncho, looks like an EF one? I also really like the white top, Im a little envious as the combination of white and that style is frightful on me

The thrifted jacket looks great and may I say just how much I love you in that Equipment shirt. That to me is a quintessential "Una" garment. I not sure exactly what it is, but the fit, the colour, the silhouette creates an effortless Una look.

11 years ago

Meow

Veteran

Alaskagirl,
So I read in one of your other posts that F21 is a good store for inexpensive statement pieces. Then, coincidently I discovered the blog Penny Pincher Fashion and love her style AND discovered that half her closet is from F21! I can relate very much to SUZ in that most of my closet is essentials. Like SUZ (shout out : hi ya Suz!) I want to add some statement pieces. Since this is a new and scary thing for me - statement means exposing your inner self, after all - it seems an inexpensive yet not cheap looking option is a dream come true. F21 is a store I would never have gone into - I have 3 boys and I'm FAR from 21! So....blah blah....I'm getting wordy as my sons would say....I love your F21 poncho and quilted white top which BTW I think is featured on PPF.

Is photo 5 a snake print? I think if I were at Hogwarts the hat would put me in Slytherin- that's how much I love snake print.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Love all the F21 stuff ! I guess I'm really going to have to venture in there. I object to their non-existent return policy though - has it changed? I won't buy from stores who do credit only. I'm an Equipment snake print shirt lover too ! In fact, I have that print in a short sleeved t-body . And back to the white - it looks wow on you! Really striking against your skin and hair.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hey, Sarah! Clearly I need to get me to an F21 ASAP. The closest one is 3 hours away from me, but I need to check it out next time I'm in the city.

11 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

Love the poncho top especially. You look fab in everything though! Great white top!

11 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

Love the poncho look. Everything looks great. You do well at Forever 21.

11 years ago

Meow

Veteran

Hey Suz- so I've only walked by F21 in our mall. Never had the courage to go in. Lots of cute young girls in there - with their mothers. Maybe I could pretend I was one of the mothers -:) I will say that it's not one of those stores that blasts music so loud you can't hear and the lighting is so dark you can't even tell what you're buying. OMG - I'm sounding like MY mother! So they do have free shipping if you spend over $30 (gotta laugh at that). Not sure about shipping to Canada.

11 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Love the poncho and I really don't understand your fear of white - I think it looks brilliant on you. Jacket is perfect too!

11 years ago

Neel

Veteran

That poncho is perfect on you! And who would gave thought it came from F21? Nice jacket too! Great fit.

Suz - I shop at F21 many a times and truth be told, they are a bit twee (I really wouldn't get my hopes too high ) The summer collection only had skater skirts and cropped tops. But ... I have found fun items there too .. Tube skirts and their jackets are cheap and cute. Boots and shoes for less fussy feet and chunky statement jewellery for the accessory lovers. I haven't yet checked out their winter selection .. If they have upped their game like Una says ... Then I think I would be shopping only in F21 ;). It might be a good idea to check their stock online before you take the long drive (I am off to check it out too :D).

11 years ago

Deb

Veteran

Fabulous times four!! Love each of these looks on you. You've nailed the styles and the colours Una.

11 years ago

viva

Veteran

Una, you are clearly the master at finding the interesting things at F21. I was there this weekend with DD and did not see either of these items or I definitely would have tried both! The problem with F21 is the incredible # of items they have at one time. It's so overwhelming. I'd love to know your strategy. Or maybe it's just a gift.

I love both tops. The white especially -- but I love high-necks. Amazing texture to that one.

11 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

My fave is your equipment shirt, but the poncho is totally working for you. And that white sweatshirt is usually the sort of thing that says stiff marshmallow to me, but for some reason is working very well on you.

11 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Una, F21 is working great for you. I LOVE the grey asymmetric hem sweater! I agree that white is quite a statement for you but I think it looks good...although I think I can see what you mean about the neckline. Interestingly the grey sweater has a high neckline too but it works better on you.
I always love to see that beautiful green snake shirt and the new LF coat is great!
We have a huge F21 opened in our mall which takes 2 floors. I braved it several times but the biggest size was always too small for me so I stopped trying. Some stuff looks really fun but of course the quality is not that great and often puts me off too. Suz, I think you should give it a try next time you are in Toronto: at least you really fit their size spectrum if not the demographic one

11 years ago

Anonymous

I think all the different sweaters/tops look great on you! I really like the drape of the poncho and I'm liking the texture of the white one. You night out outfit is fab. Love the coated pants.

11 years ago

marianna

Veteran

Looking very chic! Those F21 pieces look great on you!

11 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

Just loving your looks lately. I see what you mean about the neck of the white sweater, but I didn't notice it until you pointed it out. Is it irritating at the neck?

11 years ago

Elly

Veteran

I noticed the neckline of the white sweater-- I'd like to see you in more fun white, but in this pic it kinda looks choking.

I love the grey poncho sweater and all your existing pieces.

11 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

You've done really well at F21! I was actually planning a little foray into our big one this week. I "discovered" it 3 years ago and like to pick up cheap versions of new trends there. I've actually scored a few long lasting winners (and a few losers - but the cost is worth it just to try). I have a big stash of $3 camis from there as well that are coming up on 3 years old.... That London Fog jacket is great!! Loving those leggings - are those the ones you linked for Suz in her other thread? They seemed a bit spendy but sound like they were worth it.

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YOU ARE WEARING WHITE.

I need to recover before I comment further on the outfits.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Jackie, yes - these are the leggings! They are so substantial they really feel more like leather skinnies and are a good substitute. They are incredibly warm too (the inside is almost like a windproof fabric), and stretchy without bagging.

Angie, please recover soon! I may exchange this top for a similar one with a banded bottom, which didn't have as high a neckline.

Yes, F21 only does exchanges, but I can always find something or get a gift card for later.

Viva, I treat F21 the way I do a thrift store - I only look for certain colors, fabrics and styles. I stay away entirely from the "cartoon" area, with all the Disney prints, for instance. My store is grouped loosely into the F21 Collection, Love 21 (which runs larger and a little less juniors), and other categories they have. I also avoid the sale section, which is entirely too chaotic.

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*recovered*

First of all, you wear white SO WELL, like I thought you would. What are you smoking thinking that you can't wear white? Enough said.

The poncho top AND white top are both 10's to my eye. I like the higher neck for a change. You don't look like you're being strangled. Rock on. xo

11 years ago

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

You look fabulous in white! In the poncho, too, but the white... wow!

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Angie, thanks! I'm not admitting to smoking anything here. But I have had more than one person shopping with me agree that white does not suit me. This was before I knew there were SHADES of white, and that plus choosing the wrong styles may have been the problem. A plain white Eddie Bauer style crewneck tee is not ever going to suit me.

There was a similar top with a slightly different cut that didn't cut right across my neck that I may go back and get - it sat a little better. This is my cheap experiment, and if it works out, I will have a new option in my color palette! Excited.

11 years ago

tulle

Veteran

I like it all, but the dark & silky thrifted jacket (HOORAY for thrifting!) is quite amazing with those oil-slick pants. You look so tall and skinny!

11 years ago

tulle

Veteran

Oh--and I agree with Angie 100%. That white top is wonderful and you wear it beautifully. Wear more white!

11 years ago

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