David Lerner high-waisted coated leggings
Everlane Cashmere turtleneck
James Perse jacket | in Carbon at Off Fifth
Veja sustainable sneakers
Kara small dry bag
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As I analyze what’s in my closet and why, trying to be more careful about what I add, I’m beginning to realize that I just don’t wear jackets. I can’t say exactly why not, maybe because they completely hide my shape if they’re long, or hip-length, and I tend to prefer the more drapey, flowy look of a cardigan over the structure of a jacket.
I like them in theory though, and certain have worn them in the past. And jackets are great for certain occasions (travel is one – they make good extra layers), but my reality is that I just don’t wear them. I bought this James Perse jacket during last summer’s sale, and had been waiting for it to go on sale for months before I got it. I really thought I NEEDED it.
It turns out, I’ve only worn it a handful of times. And I certainly could have worn it much more often, with the cooler weather, but I haven’t; I don’t reach for it. Of course, it could be THIS jacket – it might be a little big on me, and it’s completely shapeless unless I cinch the waist in and close the jacket.
AND, as far as styling goes, a lighter layer underneath instead of the black turtleneck would have shown my shape better and allowed some definition, but that’s not what I wore! (I don’t dress for the pictures…)
Anyway, all this is to say that although I’m always tempted by jackets, and I love the idea of them, I don’t wear them, which relegates them to my list of things I should avoid buying more of. Jackets are great, and I should have one or two for certain occasions, but now that I know they don’t work for my everyday life, when I’m tempted, I should focus my attention on finding one that would be better for travel: something that is lighter-weight (easier to pack) and rain-resistant.
What do you love in theory but never end up wearing?
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I find jackets easier to wear in summer than in winter. In winter, I tend to reach for woolly things more (sweaters, cardies, even coats). For me, I love the idea of white shirts (and even own a few) and love it styled on others but never reach for it when getting dressed.
Btw I love how the Everlane turtleneck looks on you! I ‘be been on a turtleneck quest and ordered the Everlane waffle knit turtleneck (in grey). Love the waffle-knit (so soft!!) and the neck was not too tight and quite comfy. But sadly the style was just too boxy for me and way too chunky around the shoulders so I’m sending it back.
I think it might be the length that doesn’t work. I don’t know. I’m similarly shaped as you (very close height and weight) and I avoid anything mid-thigh length. Which of course doesn’t mean that anyone else should too, it’s just that I think this length looks weird on me–the proportion doesn’t work. I like my tunics, coats, etc. to be about knee length, at least. I don’t know if this is something that others have observed too. It might be just in my head.
you’re absolutely right – i prefer things to fall just under my butt/above my thighs, instead of mid-thigh, but that’s very hard to find for me!! either things are cropped, mid-hip length (which i don’t love) or way long …
Terminology is confounding me a bit. You’re talking here about jackets = outerwear? Because one thing I *want* to be able to wear but never do is a blazer! I don’t need one for work; I own a few but always find myself reaching for a cardigan for work instead (as my “completer” piece – yes, a decade of What Not to Wear did weasel into my psyche 😉 Anyway, I have a ton of coats (outerwear) because I spent the first 25 years of my life in cold places and I can’t throw anything out, especially classic coats (I have – and still wear if it gets cold enough- a black watch plaid Ralph Lauren duffel coat from 1987 😉
But I’m in NC now. Even today – high of 35 – I brought a lightweight barn jacket to work – didn’t even wear it on my walk in, though I did wear it on my lunchtime walk through the gardens.
I don’t ever think about “jackets” as a piece of an outfit (except I try not to clash too badly) because I’m not wearing one long enough. The exception is vacations, where the opposite is true. If we’re traveling somewhere I expect to be walking outside all day, in the cold, I plan all my outfits around my coat. I’ll bring extra scarves and fewer sweaters/pants because those can be the same every day – no one will notice or care.
yes, jacket as outerwear AND jacket as part of my outfit. including blazers. i’ve never liked wearing coats, and luckliy i don’t really have to, but now it appears, i just don’t like jackets either…
my problem is that i plan my outfit – and that NEVER includes something to potentially take off. which is why i don’t wear coats; i don’t want to get somewhere and peel off layers, who knows what you’ll find underneath!!
when we travel, then yes, i do bring jackets/coats because i’m deathly afraid of being cold, and i don’t care about my outfit if i’m cold! but at home, i go from garage to car to wherever i’m going, with not much time outside in between. if i’m going to be outside for a while, or if i’m walking dagny then, yes, i do wear a jacket/outerwear.
so, i guess i’m referring to jackets/blazers as part of an outfit. not necessarily as outerwear. although, i did say i don’t like outerwear much either LOL . yes, confusing. but i can be that!
thanks edie! i love the cashmere turtleneck, although i do wish it was a teeny bit bigger around my hips, although not quite as HUGE as the waffle knit! i love the feel of that, and it is comfy, but man…it is chunky and giant…
AH yes, the white shirt. i have two white shirts, and i love them, and have worn them with a lot more frequency than i have lately. they’re just not me anymore perhaps. too fussy, i think?
I love those beautiful strappy sandals – the ones that are barely there and make everyone who wears them look as if their legs are a mile long. They are, however, completely impractical for the realities of day to day living and as much as I wish I were a fairy princess who went to the ball every Friday I am not, so I have them in many colors and wear them once/year (if that!) to a Christmas party. I also love the idea of knee socks, but every time I put them on, they come right back off b/c they make my already huge calves look even bigger.
List of things I think I need but really don’t as evidenced by the fact that I never wear them:
1) White button-up shirts (Thanks for reminding me, Edie, of the 6 that sit unworn in my closet!)
2)20,000 pairs of jeans. My Paige Jimmy Jimmy Skinny Boyfriend Oxymoron jeans are just fine, thank you.
3)Heels. Anything 3″ and above qualifies. Or those ones that meow, for that matter. Or have a platform. I’m tall and have foot problems that aren’t going anywhere. My feet go places, but not the problems.
4)Leopard print. Always sounds like an edgy idea…and then I realize that I’m about as edgy as apple pie.
5)Wool anything! I love, love, love some of the cozy looking oversized sweaters this year. So, I buy them, put them on….and 5 minutes later I have red welts forming wherever the sweater touches my skin. (Ever see that “Big Bang Theory” Episode where Leonard loses a bet and had to wear the itchy red sweater? Yup. That’s me.)
You live and you learn. Or you just repeat the same mistakes over and over again. 😉
I’m as bland and as preppy as can be (and I’ve been that way a LONG time) but for some reason, leopard works for me. In small accessory size doses, of course, Though this year I bought a Lands End ponte dress in leopard print – and I wear it to work! (black tights, boots, cardigan) I have leopard flats, a leopard purse, and a couple of cardigans in various animal patters (one is black and white so I can’t really call it “leopard” right?) It is the thought of this little bit of personality that allows me to wear the same black pants & tee day after day 😉
But no white button downs 😉 It’s good to know what we like & don’t like. Always good to try new stuff – but ok to say “that’s not for me” 🙂
I agree about jackets/blazers. I think I should own them but I never wear them. I do have two lightweight cardigans I wear year-round (and I need to replace one, any thoughts?) and two wool cardigans that are currently in heavy rotation (one need to be repaired, thoughts of repairing a sweater seam?).
jeans are the worst. i think because they’re so hard to get right, and there are SO MANY styles out there, we’re always tempted to try something new. i am anyway.
on leopard print – i think about it sometimes, when i see something interesting, but never seriously – thank goodness. i am happy to just admire it on others!!
i wish it didn’t take so much time to learn LOL – and so many mistakes…
oh, if i was going to get a lightweight cardigan for year-round, it would be this organic by john patrick one, absolutely – i’ve wanted it since i first saw it (since it’s a nice length for me), and keep waiting for it to get cheaper, but it never does in my size…i have a 6-7 year old organic by john patrick cardigan that is still beautiful – i don’t wear it because it’s a little big on me, but i did for years.
i think you’d be able to have a sweater repaired by a good tailor – GOOD being the operative word. one that you trust immensely…
but i can’t say i’ve ever had that done. do you still have the extra yarn? or did it come with it? i guess i’d take that and see if your tailor could do it.
Oh wow! That John Patrick cardigan is gorgeous! That’s exactly what I want!
The sweater is from Nordstrom’s (their label). I was thinking of taking it back there to see if they could/would fix it.
oh, yes, do that. they will either do it for you or send it away and have it fixed. i’ve never done that at nordstrom, but i did that with a darylk blazer i got from barney’s a million years ago, they sent it away and it turned out it couldn’t be fixed, so they gave me store credit for it, even though i’d already had it for a year or so…
that organic cardigan IS perfect. i’ve wanted it forever (probably in black though) but can’t bring myself to pay full price. i’d like to pay about $200 for it…lol – but i’ve not found it for that in my size…
I know that I have a pair of leopard booties by Senso, somewhere in the bottom of my closet, that haven’t even been worn yet because of a bout with foot problems that’s now under control. I’m going to pull those out and hope that they work. They’re flat and very simple, so I can get on-board with that! “Trying new stuff”, Kelly!
My new rule, since I order so much online, is “Only buy jeans online that I’ve already worn and know work for me”! Shoes are another story. I’m still in “Shoe ordering 101” & not doing well 🙁
A seam should be an easy repair, Laurie. I’d take it to someone reputable and they should be able to take care of it.
I love this topic!
– Wrap dresses (I’m busty, and I don’t want to wear a tank to hide the cleavage)
– Sweater dresses (I’m curvy)
– Peplum tops (I’m busty)
– Anything above 2″ (I’m in San Francisco, and I love to walk so practicality is everything)
– Ditto white shirt–I just never seem to reach for it!
– High-waisted mom jeans (see busty)