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WIW: Jacket challenge, oldies in black and white

catgirl

Veteran

First off, the white in my hair! Yes, I have greys, but that's actually this dry powder I use to get some lift, and apparently it shows up in photos! Horrifying! Hence my particularly grumpy expression.

This shirt is as close as white gets to my face. I'm not sure this outfit works, but it's 4 degrees today and I'm not up to changing now. Feedback or suggestions welcome! Is the skirt dated? The jacket? I'm terrible with skirt proportions.

Old BCBG blazer
F21 top
Old thrifted skirt
Gidigio boots

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

http://www.bumbleandbumble.com.....index.tmpl

http://www.bumbleandbumble.com.....index.tmpl

Not loving the skirt, honestly.
ETA The look is bit of a mish-mash. UWP boots, modern minimalist top half and foofy romantic skirt.

Asingh

(website)

Veteran

I like the outfit, especially the jacket.

Thistle

Veteran

I love the boots!

Not sure about the skirt or jacket though. They just don't scream Una like so many of your outfits do. I think it is just the styling though, as I could see you in either piece, just not together.

K. Period.

Veteran

Soooooo, I have to say that I'm leaning towards Anna's take on this. I know you are doing your jacket challenge, so here's my take on it. This jacket is very nice, but it doesn't look very Una to me. It looks more like something that I'd wear --other than the fact that I've given up on BCBG jackets because they just don't fit me. They aren't cut high enough in the armpit and that makes them just look badly fitting. I've given away four BCBG jackets in the past year, so I know the pain of it. They aren't cheap. They call out with a siren song. And then you are shipwrecked on the cliffs of your credit card bill with your sole companion a jacket that is doing nothing but lounging around lazily in your closet demanding its space. I don't think this one deserves a place in your wonderful wardrobe, Una. It is none of the fabulous UWP that is you.

BTW, since you are using the powder for hair volume, can I recommend Aveda's light elements shaping wax? http://www.aveda.com/product/5.....index.tmpl
I'm not generally a fan of Aveda (no matter how much I want to love it, I generally don't), but I love this stuff. It gives real boost at the roots. Like amazing boost at the roots. Seriously. I have thin hair and it makes me look like I have lots and lots of volume. Plus since it is a paste, and not a powder, you won't see it.

catgirl

Veteran

Anna, I think you're right. I was trying to edge up the skirt but don't know if that is possible. Used to wear it all the time - however, it may no longer be my style. Too bad, because I like the way it gives me some volume on the bottom half. Any suggestions?

Thanks Thistle and Asingh!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I really like the blazer - of course that could be because I have a black/white striped one! And although the skirt is nice, it doesn't seem "you" Una - I would pass it on. It's hard to comment on the top underneath without seeing it all.

Anonymous

I think you have outgrown the blazer and skirt, from what I have seen of your style. Those boots are glorious though, I am so glad you bought them.

Anonymous

I like the skirt, probably with a different jacket and boots.

Diana

Veteran

OK, so I actually like the combo of the skirt and boots, but maybe that's because it's totally a combination I would put together. What I'm not sold on is the top half. The jacket in particular reads very classic and maybe a little preppy, not very "Una" at all, especially in combination with the colorblocked top underneath.

The bottom half of the outfit reads steampunk/UWP to me, and the top part reads classic/nautical. That's the disconnect I see.

Carole

Veteran

My first thought was the jacket needs to be shorter, more "cheeky" as Angie would say.

bj1111

Veteran

i think i know what you're trying to do...how about limiting the use of old pieces to one to two at a time esp if they are "showstoppers" like the skirt. how about swapping the striped jacket with the helmut lang jacket in black...same colors provide cohesion. here i'm treating pattern as a "color"

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with bj1111. I would try styling the skirt with other jackets & the jacket with other bottoms before you make a decision.

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks for all the great suggestions! This outfit definitely feels off for me. I guess that's what this challenge is about. I may be over the skirt, which has been a workhorse for years and was thrifted to boot, so PPW is below 0 at this point. The jacket may be better with pants. Or I may be over it too, which is too bad - I wore it a lot last summer and still like it.

Now the hair products I will have to try! My hair tends toward dry, so powder may not be the right thing at all... I should have gotten that styling wax that Aida and Rae pounced on in CA!

Oh, well - onward and upward!

DonnaF

Veteran

Jacket - Sweater - Skirt. Basically, I agree with Anna. However, I think that by judiciously substituting in only ONE item, whether jacket/sweater/skirt, you can get the whole outfit to work. Don't be too quick to get rid of the skirt.

Aida

Veteran

Hm I think that this blazer is still fine for you. Just needs to be paired with different bottoms. The skirt... I'm not sold on. It's got a romantic vibe, but not in the rich-velvet-romantic vibe I associate with your style. Though it does look good with the boots. So maybe we need to split this into two outfits! Take the top half of this and pair with dark slouchy trousers+booties; take the bottom half and pair with a fitted tee and cropped leather jacket.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I don't mind the skirt, I think the romantic aspect of it works to soften up the boots. It's the jacket that feels off to me, too corporate. I leather jacket or even a sweater would work better to balance the casual UWP bottom half.

moira

Veteran

I think each one could be a keeper, especially that jacket. It is a classic and I think you would regret letting it go.
The skirt with the boots just looks too busy to me. I think the skirt with a bootie and no details might work better and for a spring summer outfit with sandals or ballet flats and a T would be mighty cute.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think that you have too many really fantastic jackets to struggle with this one. Ditto for the skirt. The boots are, obviously, amazing! I do hope you try some of the hair product suggestions, because I like your hair like that!

Day Vies

Veteran

I love the different textures at play. Ruffles, big stripe/little stripe. Very nice!

Anonymous

This is grad level work!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Skipping ahead a bit, but I kind of agree that the skirt doesn't look like your current style. It reminds me of that (Banana Republic?) fit & flare dress that looked great but you felt was too conservative for you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Such an interesting conversation.

I suspect it's time to let go of the skirt. You got your joy of it; now it goes to someone else.

I'd totally wear the jacket with jeans. For you, I worry that with any skirt it will seem too corporate and "suit-like." But is it short enough to wear with slouchy trousers?

Deborah

Veteran

I think it's all been said but the skirt just doesn't look like you. The top and jacket are great but these pieces just don't quite work together to my eye.