WIW x2: one copycat (Aida!) and one original

First outfit is my last entry in the copycat challenge. Today I decided to copy an outfit that Aida posted a couple of weeks ago. For my version, I wore my striped dress/tunic and shrunken black blazer over some legging-esque pants and my Frye Veronicas. I really liked Aida's version with the semi-sheer tights, but my "dress" is too short for tights, plus it was cold today. A blue handknit cowl and my red Longchamps bag completed the look.

Dorothy Perkins tunic, Noblita pants, Nanette Lepore jacket, Frye Veronica shortie boots, handknit cowl, Longchamps bag.

The second outfit is not a copycat. I decided to take a day off from the challenge because I wanted to wear my new blazer (I went to the symphony after work so it was perfect for that). I found this Nanette Lepore blazer at TJ Maxx last weekend and could not resist. Her blazers fit me better than any other ones I've tried (the blazer in the Aida copycat outfit is also a Nanette.) She tends to cut them high waisted, short, and peplumy which is just perfect for me. (Incidentally, this often results in them looking ridiculous on tall, long waisted models. For example, see how ridiculous this Neiman Marcus model looks in the same jacket .) Anyway, my Gap Academy blazer convinced me I could wear light grey, so I was happy to find this jacket, which is lightweight wool with white pinstripes.

Nanette Lepore blazer, Dorothy Perkins top, BR Martin pants, Everybody booties, Maxx New York bag.

Apologies for the less-than-ideal photo quality lately. Winter daylight conditions in my apartment are kind of crummy.

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13 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

fabulous outfits! The striped top looks great on you, and I love the red handbag, your scarf and your boots. You look wonderful in blazers.

Transcona Shannon

Great copycat Diana - beautiful proportions and I love the red handbag and red watch strap.

That Nanette Lepore blazer is great on you - glad you're loving the light grey. It's one of my favourite colours!

Aida

Woo! I'm thrilled to have garnered this lovely copycat Semi-shocked that you didn't go with a teal scarf though (I kid!). I just love how very you it looks, even though our versions are incredibly similar and our styles certainly differ. The second outfit is also great! That jacket looks like it was made for you. And the white diagonal pinstripes are soooo fun, I love the idea!

Suz

Diana, these are beautiful. I love your inspiration AND your version; you found a way to make it *you* while maintaining that fun graphic integrity. And the colour of your cowl is gorgeous on you (even if it isn't teal).

Your original look is just as much fun. Thank you for showing us how awful that jacket looks on the model. It is valuable to see these things. I've been considering a jacket on the Nordstrom's website that looks a bit similar but was worrying about the cut; maybe IRL it would be as good as yours.

Makrame

I like both of these (and Aida's inspiration photo ).

I would have never thought that one can find a Nanette Lepore jacket at TJ Maxx. What a lucky find, it looks great!

Deborah

Awesome outfits Diana! Your copy of Aida's is wonderful and still has your "touch" and #2 is just so Diana:). I love it. The layering of the jacket over the tunic and the skinny leg pant?, it's just a fabulously inspired outfit.

Diana

Thank you, ladies!

Aida, thanks for the inspiration! I did actually want to wear a teal scarf but both my pashmina and my chunky handknit one ended up being too bulky for the neckline of the tunic. This cowl sits higher so it was better proportionally.

Suz, I know, isn't that modeled photo horrid? I mean, I realize that models don't generally come in the 5'4" variety, but at least they could have picked someone who wasn't so long waisted so that the waistband would not have been on her boobs. I generally prefer modeled shots to mannequin shots but in this case a mannequin would have been better. Unfortunately I can't always tell whether it's a case of poor fit or poor cut online unless it's a brand like Nanette Lepore where I am familiar with the cut... so I guess this is a point for Team Brick and Mortar.
For jackets, if I am buying online, I always try to at least get the total length measurement to compare with my existing jackets. For example, this one is 22" which is pretty ideal for me but is cropped for most other women. The black one is shorter.

Makrame, my TJ Maxx has a surprisingly good stock of American designer stuff (Nanette, Rag+Bone, Malandrino, a bunch of premium denim, etc. Even saw a couple of Helmut Langs this time). I think it varies a lot by location. The downtown Boston one has the best stock compared to some of the other nearby ones.

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