Would you buy a blazer from this woman? - YouLookFab Forum

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Would you buy a blazer from this woman?

Anonymous

Going through Nordstrom's site to collect some finds for a couple of recent purchases, I came upon this gem. Now this is an $800 jacket. Is it possible for it to look worse? More ill-fitting? Less tempting? Good lord.

On that note my friends, have a good weekend. I'll be contemplating the issue of white-privilege racism, and coming to terms with being part of it . And then what to do about it. Sorry for the heavy ending to a funny post - but it's that kind of a day.

SMYTHE Check Print Blazer

$595.00 $237.98

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Eliza

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It is that kind of day, isn't it Lisa.

As for the jacket, that is just pathetic -- I would not even know it was Smythe!

Style Fan

Veteran

Now that is disappointing. Yes it is that kind of day.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I bet if the model sized up, the jacket would look a whole lot better. Smythe runs small.

Lisa, do you have a diverse group of friends? I find our own circle of diverse friends around the globe very comforting and enriching. We also live in a diverse part of town.

Anonymous

You know something Angie? I don't, really. I have a close male friend who is black, and only from being friends with him have I really noticed my lack of real understanding of the issues he faces living in Toronto as a black man. I'm the first to admit: I live in a very insulated privileged white society here . Read this post, if you're interested - and it may explain why I'm feeling this way:https://thsppl.com/i-racist-53......2yg8uzgrx

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My family is multi-ethnic and multi-racial and includes several close relatives who identify as gay, including my child. My friendship group is diverse and includes people of numerous nationalities, ethnicities, and races, different sexual and gender orientations, etc. And still, to a large degree, I am insulated by white privilege. I want to learn how to be a better ally.

I would not want to be a black man living in Toronto or any other major city. I would not want to be a gay man living in my small city (I have too many friends who have been beaten up to think it is safe for young gay men here.)

I think if we all, across the world, black and white, gay and straight had access to that Smythe jacket in the correct size, the world would be a a more beautiful place. Frivolous? Maybe. But fashion can also be love.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

And that is a powerful blog post. Thank you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I look forward to reading that post, Lisa. Good questions to ponder.

Suz, I love the sound of your diverse family. You are blessed and wise. For most of my life I lived in Asia and Africa as a Euro expat. I also had a Eurasian Mum. Now I live in diverse Seattle and am enormously grateful for the very rich exposure I have received my entire life. It has shaped me in the best way, and why I want to continue travelling to see what is out there.

Right! This is a fashion forum. Back to Smythe. They need to address the fits on their models.

JAileen

Veteran

Oops
I don't care for the jacket.

Sal

Veteran

Powerful blog post Lisa, We are not immune to different but similar problems here..... And our own part in the system is worth pondering.....

And yes, it would cost me over $800 for that jacket. I am sure it is stunning but styled that way I would not pay $8.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Apart from those pockets, which give me pause, this would actually be the perfect jacket for me. Maybe it will go on sale.

Bonnie

Veteran

I agree that the jacket looks awful on the model. I've had a similar experience with Nordstrom's. I tried on an orange jacket and loved it but didn't buy it. I kept thinking about it when I got home and tried to find it online. I almost didn't recognize it because the photo they show of it is terrible. I don't know how they expect anyone to buy it as shown in the photos. It's hard to believe, but this is a great topper. I'm thinking that no one will buy it and they'll lower the price, so it's waiting for me in my cart.

June & Hudson Drape Jacket

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Suz

(website)

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Ha, Bonnie, that is incredible!!!

I wish you took photos in the change room to compare.

Actually, that would be a super fun exercise. A lot of times we imagine that every item must by definition look best on the tall, skinny, IT or rectangular models. But guess what? It isn't true. Many, many items actually look a whole lot better on curvier or shorter or more typically proportioned bodies and look better styled in our own personal ways. It would be so much fun to do a "Looking better than the model" series as a way of celebrating body positivity. And real life fashion.

Maybe we could make it a challenge on the forum.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES, Bonnie and Suz. It's remarkable how bad an item can look online - but is stunning in person. That's why getting reviews is important. The NAS often photographs their items poorly, which is why first hand tips are invaluable. I do my best to give them to you.

I bet that trench is great, Bonnie.

rachylou

Veteran

I can't believe how many items I've see on YLF that look so good but I would have passed up looking at the ad pic! I wouldn't have known that Angie's dress this morning was such a cute A-line either.

Will read the link. I lived 15 years in a ghetto and that was mind blowing. It's really like being interred...

tulle

Veteran

I've bought (and refrained from buying) several things based on your tips, Angie, thanks!

Bonnie, I'm guessing that well-defined shoulders make all the difference with that jacket? Hope you get it for a song!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Tulle, that's sweet and good to know - and I answered your blog post question about my eye make-up back on the post.

Rachy, my lace dress looks SO much more A-line on me, doesn't it? See exhibit A, B & C. And I love that it's A-line, (a very underestimated silhouette).

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shedev

Veteran

I also have a multicultural family. I don't even know what to say about this article. Did he really mean to say that we love serial killers? I just typed 5 different sentances and then erased them. I just can't even.

I agree that the picture of the Smythe blazer doesn't look appealing. I'm not privilaged enough to afford it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love the A-line, too, and the fact that it is just the right length and right proportions. A -lines can sometimes overwhelm a small frame if they are not proportionate. But this one does not and looks so feminine.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Suz, you're dead right. Too short A-lines look juvenile on me and make my legs look even less shapely. Too long A-lines are overwhelming on my slight frame. Around the knee is PERFECT. Wouldn't have minded the hem to cover knee caps either. I want MORE A-lines.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes!! The short ones look downright silly on me, and the long or too voluminous ones can just sort of hang there limp. Joy and I had a long discussion about this at one point because she was disappointed in A-lines for the same reason. This one is just perfect for you!!

Staysfit

Veteran

First, the pictures are ridiculous! I have encountered that multiple times. I have learned that if I like the color and somewhat like the details of an item I should try it because it is likely to look different on me than in the pic.

Privelege? Yes. I'm not sure what to say about the rest. The majority of the families I work with fall into the highly segregated, at or below poverty level, racial and culturally isolated section of our community.

rachylou

Veteran

Should move to OT but just wanted to say that was a good essay to me. But maybe a person needs background to unpack everything in it.

Shedev... I laughed at the serial killer movie line because I found it poignant... BECAUSE my brother makes his living in Hollywood and has worked on a lot of those serial killer movies. Those straight to DVD movies are BIG business. People LOVE them. They celebrate them. I hate them, but even I never think to mention how weird it is to like them.

rabbit

Veteran

Heh the blazer looks pretty good in the shot posted from the back? But I wonder about catalog shoots and kind of imagine assembly line photography with tired models shrugging into whatever is handed to them and then moving to the next thing with very little fine-tuning.

It's a good and thought provoking essay, I remember reading it awhile ago, and it's one of those things where I feel like yeah, worth re-reading now and in the future, because learning to be aware and shift perspective is a lifelong process, and not linear.

Mac

Veteran

Have a good weekend, everyone. I will be praying about the difficult, dangerous job undertaken by our police officers on a daily basis: what we ask of them, the limited support with give them and, particularly, my gratitude for those willing to put their lives on the line to serve others. I am well aware the toll that kind of pressure must take on them and their families, year in year out. My heart aches.

Eliza

Veteran

Wow- quite the poor fit and photo choice.

Fascinating blog post. The absence of dialogues and how fraught it is to start one is powerful and circular.