The Long Long of It

As Angie says, long blazers are EVERYWHERE. 

Gryffin, this is your year! Go for it! I even saw a very 80s version of long over lean at Aritzia -- long blazer with mini skirt. Not up to your quality standards, but I am betting there is a version somewhere for you! 

There is no store without racks and racks of (usually menswear check) long jackets, mostly double breasted (but not all), some screaming fun fun FUN and some more business sober.  

My eye has adjusted, and even though it can be a tough look for me to wear due to my own proportions—and I cringe when I look back at my 80s photos in those really oversized jackets with the big shoulder pads— I'm ready to give the contemporary version a whirl. Trendy classic is not my moniker for nothing. 

Yesterday between my dentist and hair appointments, I had some time for sleuthing. First stop, a local consignment shop where last year I got my Pink Tartan herringbone jacket. 

First try on, a Sandro double breasted jacket in a sort of taupe/grey plaid. Colours don't reproduce all that well here -- sorry. It was a size 40, which is probably a size or even 2 sizes big for me, but then again, the Paul Smith is a 40, so you just never know. It did feel a bit more than oversized (long sleeves, shoulders just on the edge of being too big) but it wasn't horrible. 

Then, a Smythe jacket. I think the previous owner stretched it out in weird ways...it felt permanently rumpled or something. I wouldn't buy it but it was fun to try it. 

Finally, post-haircut, another Sandro, this season's. This one is size 36 and seemed to fit perfectly, so who knows. I have to confess, I have MAJOR SUGAR EYE for houndstooth. In the 80s I owned a houndstooth jacket that basically defined the last few years of that decade for me. I adored it. I think I've even posted a photo of it on the forum in the archives somewhere. Will hunt it out. In the meantime, here's today's updated version. Thoughts? 

No styling of these since I just threw them on top of my shorts. 

Of course, this jacket is more than 3 times the price of the consignment jacket. So there is that. And I don't actually *need* another jacket, either. But that is a separate discussion, right? :) 

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The Long Short of It

Okay, first I need to sing the praises of my Paul Smith jacket. Best $45 I spent this summer. Wow, what a find. You know when you vaguely think you *might* be able to use a particular item (in my case, a true summer weight jacket) but you put purchasing because you're not really sure you'd wear it as much as you imagine or it seems a bit indulgent (a jacket, for summer?) or you haven't really seen one you like?

Well, I'd vaguely contemplated a nice summer jacket for years before I found this little beauty in my local consignment shop. At first I almost left it because it seemed the shoulder was off a bit -- but no, I was wrong. The fit's actually great. It works brilliantly with a sleeveless top and became an instant workhorse. I wore it on two long travel days and it came out with nary a wrinkle (it's a linen/ summer weight wool blend -- completely breathable). 

Tried it with long shorts and sandals yesterday and really enjoyed the combination. Sorry for photo quality -- did my best. My only nod to fall was the burgundy bag. It was a gorgeous still-summery day here. 

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