A Girl And Her Wardrobe

WIB: Patterned Monochrome Jacket

July 16, 2015

Hi Ladies,

Further to my post on the Five Piece French Wardrobe, I was considering further how this concept might work for me.

My wardrobe is in good shape and I am very comfortable with my all black looks.  I recognise that I can happily wear a black bottom and a black top every day but when I perused my jackets, I realise I am partial to a "statement-y" jacket/ topper and if I am going to choose a patterned garment, it usually a jacket.   So I started to think that my 5 items per season could be good quality "Wardrobe Stars".  Items that 'elevate' my all black and mix things up a bit.

 I am feeling a little adventurous (hence the striped dress - it's a bust btw and is going to a new home) so I ventured out and bought a jacket that I have had my eye on for a short while.   I had tried it on before in a size too big and couldn't find my size but today they had my size:).  I can return it.

It is from Esprit and is their Monochrome Cotton Coat from this season.  I have a real love for this type of pattern but it's hard to get the right mix of jacket style and pattern to work for me being a petite.

Fit is good, length is good, sleeves need adjusting as they are too long.

I have just put it on over what I was wearing today (excuse the ratty jersey cami, I was wearing it under my tunic).  I promise I would wear a more suitable top:)  So there is no styling to speak of here.

The jacket works over pants, and I think it would work over the right shape and length dress too.  IRL is is a lovely fabrication and quite dressy.  I have a few styling ideas already and can see it over cropped skinny black pants and a soft sligthly draped white top.  It's quite a transeasonal weight and in the cooler months it could be left on in the office for warmth, and in the warmer months you might wear with less under layers and remove it or keep it on depending on the a/c.

I have added in the Finds area below my non solid black jackets just to give you an idea of what I have.  I think the Scarf Print Jacket and the Coloured Geometric Jacket would qualify as statement pieces, the others are more subdued.

Ok, so I am not invested but I *think* I really like it.  

Over to you.  

Thanks for looking
xxx Deborah

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Posted in the Shopping category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

29 Comments

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    I love the idea of this for you, but I don't know about this particular jacket. Something about the scale of the pattern seems off to me. It reminds me of something a more conservative person would wear to seem arty. It doesn't fit with the Rick Owens esthetic to me. However, I'm not an expert at this type of styling, and I hate being the first to chime in!

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    I really appreciate your thoughts Una..  I am also unsure.  It may be too that I like the idea of it:)

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    I am kind of leaning in the same direction as Una. While the coat by itself is rather pretty, I don't think that pattern is in sync with your modern sense of style. It may be that I don't see it in the same light as you do, because I don't know your wardrobe very well yet, and you seem to already have some styling ideas. The other jackets you've shown are a better fit for your style....the print and the cut make a 'statement' without looking too artsy or conventional. 

    But I am NOT an expert by a long shot! I hope someone who knows your style better chimes in soon!

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    Maneera, thank you for your thoughts.  I suspect you are right.  The more I look at it, the more I realise my heart is not singing:)

  • Cococat replied 8 years ago

    Well, I like it..it has a slight mod look to me....and it looks perfectly fine.......but I think that it's not dramatic/futuristic/avant garde enough for your amazing sense of style.

    To me, it's the 'comfort shoe' of jackets. You are too young and modern for it. I hope you don't mind me saying that and please, please be similarly honest with your thoughts about my things when I'm unsure.

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    CocoC I appreciate your honesty always:)  I don't think it's 'sharp' enough for me.  The more I look, the more I am seeing frump lol

  • Cococat replied 8 years ago

    Not frump, but not fabulous either. You ALWAYS look fabulous! :-)

  • Lucy replied 8 years ago

    Interesting. Looking at the image of the jacket itself, I thought it would make the wearer look heavier - it's the kind of shape that I try and always reject! But I think on you it was actually very flattering. At the same time, it wasn't quite as FAB as some of your clothes I guess. I'm half-hearted, so what CocoC says!  

  • unfrumped replied 8 years ago

    Hmm, I really like the print and contrast, actually.
    What I think is throwing it off is it is too boxy, especially with straight hem and the trim. Should be more fitted and/ or more drapey for your frame as well as style. Yes , some more abstract prints might also be more " arty" but I think you need your statement to be in the fit as well as in any color or print.

  • approprio replied 8 years ago

    I like it. The collar detail really elevates it. I'd wear it myself with bright colours or some advanced pattern-mixing, but somehow I don't see you doing that ;)

    I'm on the fence. I think I'd keep it if the quality was absolutely top-notch. Does it make your heart sing? Are you filled with joy at the thought of wearing it? If not, maybe pass.

  • dakotacheryl replied 8 years ago

    I think that it's wearing you, not vice versa if you know what I mean??

  • lyn67 replied 8 years ago

    Dunno, we are just used to see you in more sleeker and drapier silhouettes including the magic relaxing effect  a plain black/dark color has to it. I am not really a print girl still generally I love  aztec/bold geom prints---but in smaller doses or smaller scale if repetitive all around. (Or bigger but more of a blocked placements, like here and there).
    This keeps my eyes so busy and is so boxy- I really dunno...

  • amiable replied 8 years ago

    I like it!  It's statement-y, drapey, and overall flattering.  Sure, it surrenders your waistline - but so do a lot of your looks.  And it's a lot of pattern - but that's what you want, and you carry it off well, I think.

  • crutcher replied 8 years ago

    The problem here is you would look good in sackcloth...I am not sure of this one but you are on the right track..
    I like the redish geometric print...
    Keep looking...

  • frannieb replied 8 years ago

    This is so perfect for you and where you wardrobe is. Taking your statement look up a notch.
    I will be the spanner and say I love the coat on you and see it as fab for a work day when you want a great statement outfit that is easy. Yes it is much more of a smart casual/classic  look then you normally wear but I think it looks gorgeous on you.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 8 years ago

    I absolutely LOVE this jacket for you Deborah - seriously! I really like the length and the somewhat straight fit of it. The shoulders fit perfectly. I like the detail of the collar. As for the pattern, I love black and white (as you know) and the find the scale quite pleasing to me eye. I think this could work very well with your current wardrobe.

    That having been said, if it's not making you happy then let it go. Go with your heart :)

  • donnat replied 8 years ago

    My vote is with Una and CocoC. It is not up to your fabulous standards.

  • shedev replied 8 years ago

    It does look a little retro to me.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Sorry to be another one who doesn't love it.  I'm getting a retro vibe from it too, and the pattern doesn't strike me as very sophisticated, which your look most definitely is.  I didn't know Esprit was even still in business - they long ago closed up shop in Canada.  

  • Nebraskim replied 8 years ago

    I thinks its exceptionally flattering.

  • shedev replied 8 years ago

    Deb, are you doing the 5 piece thing yet? I'm planning to officially start after NAS.

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    Here's more of my issue - it reminds me of those lovely Norwegian sweaters which are worn here a lot by women with a certain style which is not your style - wool clogs and turtlenecks and jeans. I'm just trying to pinpoint where my reaction is coming from...

  • Carole replied 8 years ago

    For what it's worth ...I love it!

  • Brooklyn replied 8 years ago

    I think it's fabulous too! I am very partial to this kind of bold black and white geo print so that could be influencing me more than others. I like that it's cotton (both for breathability and making it more suitable for trans seasonal wear) and really like the collar detail. I can imagine it styled as you suggest. To me it looks Japanese influenced which I think is consistent with your style. Although it is more structured than some of your other jackets.
    That said, it is probably best to pass on this if you are unsure - especially if you are to limit yourself to 5 pieces.

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    I don't love it on you. The inner detail is good but the outer silhouette seems borderless or unstructured, but not in a drapey way. 

  • MsMaven replied 8 years ago

    I like it better on you than on the model. It reminds me of a coat from another era--maybe the early 60s. I agree with others, it doesn't seem quite your style, but maybe worn with a different top it would be better.

  • carolbee replied 8 years ago

    Hmmm, I love it on you. However this could be influenced by the fact that I would love it on me!! Its difficult to judge because you have been branching out a bit lately. No point keeping it unless you love it.

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    Just came back to see how others feel about this jacket. I'm surprised to see so many of you love this jacket.

    I'm still with Una. Just like it reminds her of Norwegian sweaters, it reminds me of an Aztec print duvet I recently bought. Its possible that I feel so because I've seen Aztec being OVERDONE with furnishings lately.....

    But there is no denying it, the jacket is beautiful....just now sharp enough for Deb's style, in my opinion.  

  • Deborah replied 8 years ago

    Thank you all so much for your wisdom.  I honestly appreciate all thoughts both positive and for lack of a better work, negative.

    So!  One thing I know is I don't tend to put anything in a keep / return type post unless I am having doubts.  So I relooked at the photos, tried it on again at home, wandered around in it and while I do love it, I decided it's not loving me back... enough.  It's a stiff cotton fabrication which is lovely, but I realised that it is actually kind of constricting so really what turned it into a return was the comfort level and how freely I felt I could move in it.  Does that make sense?

    It is now back at the store hanging with it's friends :)

    Shedev haven't started yet as I have two gift vouchers to utilise this month:)  But I am thinking of going on SYC for August and commencing in our Spring.  We could support each other??

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