Pix-Elated

I was so excited about Brooklyn's cotton-linen Grace Kelly tops that I did a search and ordered them (on sale!) to see if they might work for me. 

Alas, 'twas not to be. The green (which is gorgeous, by the way, and I think suits me -- though you can't really tell it is green in my photo, it's a lovely dark forest) is the correct size, but proportioned wrong for my short body. The neck part is much too tall (it might be hard to tell from the photo, but I assure you, it's true) so the back sort of sags, while the bust was snug, and the bottom part of the wrap was also snug because it was coming down too low over my shortish waist. 

Meanwhile, the white one had a defective zip, so I couldn't even try it on. :(   I am sad, because they could have been perfect for me. But such is life. 

I also tried a skirt -- a version of which I had in the 90s. I love the idea of this (cotton-linen, gored) and don't even mind the colour (though I might have dyed it) but the fabric was too thin and didn't feel like good quality. 

Finally, a pair of oyster white PJ style wide wale cords. Like the top, these are technically the right size (though a bit long) but I don't like the fit -- too snug in the thigh, just not comfy. So back they go. 

Onwards! But I do encourage others to try the tops if they are of interest -- on the right person, these would be fab, as we've already seen! I think if I were even an inch or two taller (or longer waisted) this would have worked great. 

Or, what I wore to look like Santa....  :; 

This is my last purchase of the year and I thought I would review it on the off chance that anyone is in the market. Earlier this year Angie mentioned that the Athleta puffers were looking good. When this one went on sale for half price and I also had some rewards $$, I decided to pounce -- and get it at approximately 1/3 original price. 

It's the Downtown puffer. And I really like it! For me, the colour was one of the main draws.  (A white coat is really practical for me because I walk in a dark suburb in the night throughout the winter.)

Features that add to its appeal: 

• Removable hood. 
• DWR coating (which works -- I was out in the rain all afternoon and did not get wet.) 
• Pockets lined in flannel. 
• Deep side slash pockets. 
• Inner pocket for phone. 
• Two way zipper; zipper does not catch. 
• Zippers on the sides to open it further for movement. 
• Cuffs. 
• Knee length (good walking length). 
• Washable.

It is only 550 fill down, so lighter weight than some, but it feels quite warm without being heavy and some reviewers in Minnesota said they thought it would work for their winters. 

It's a bit fitted through the waist, so not entirely in line with the trend for looser, sack like puffers -- but the side slits make for ease of movement. I suppose I could have sized up for a looser fit but it would have been too big in the shoulders and too long in the arms, so I went with my usual size.  

It comes (or came) in white, a lovely dark green, black and a bright tomato red. Might be sold out now, but might also show up in stores via returns. 

Happy holidays, all! 

PS...while I did get a comment or two about looking like Santa while wearing this, what I got most often was compliments on my pants -- thus proving our earlier point about red standing out more against a contrasting colour than it does in an all-red outfit! ;)

Hi, all -- my wardrobe is in a pretty strong place, but my mission this fall/ winter has been to replace/ upgrade some knitwear. Most of my knit tops are between 5-12 years old. Many are still going strong and I don't intend to let those go, especially the pricier J. Crew and Boden cashmere sweaters, all of which remain in decent to excellent shape. (Yay for relatively non-pilling knits! As we all know, there is no predicting about that, but I have been pretty lucky in many of my choices.)

However, much as I love my older knits and value their durability, I have to admit I'm a bit tired of some of these sweaters. Most are fluid fit/ longer and while they work well semi-tucked as sweater-tees, that's not always the look I am going for with higher waist jeans and trousers. Moreover, I find cashmere a little harder to wear out here on the west coast. Or rather, perhaps it's more accurate to say that my season for cashmere is a bit shorter, especially if it is heavier weight. I often find merino works better in this climate, or other blends. 

Anyway, I've made a few new purchases already this season -- an Ann Taylor cotton sweater and an Everlane alpaca, and a J. Crew polo collar cashmere -- but I have also been scouting sales for a few more options. Here are a few from BR, plus a pair of trousers I'm considering. 

A note: I am not currently at home and only had one pair of footwear to try, and could not do a whole lot of outfit styling -- these are just try-ons, not fully styled outfits. 

First, the Sienna trouser. My review. This trouser is lightweight 3 season wool (in my climate), double pleat, very wide leg, and high waist -- a real Katherine Hepburn type trouser. It is beautifully made, truly, with elastic waist adjustment inside (you can wear it higher or lower on your waist, to a degree) and many other lovely features. There is seam allowance at the hem if I wanted to let these down to become "pooling pants." (They would actually pool on me as is, if I wore with sneakers.) There are slash pockets as well but I haven't opened those up in case I don't keep. These are a tiny bit creased from packaging but if I hung them up, those creases would drop out in a minute. 

Sizing: I took a risk and tried petite (for the length). Typically, despite my borderline petite height, I can't wear petite pants because the rise is not long enough for me, but I figured in a style this loose, that would not prove a problem. This proved true. Also, I sized down. They are a perfect fit. At the sale price, they are a great price. My only question is whether they are just too much! :) 

Note: there is also a pinstripe version which looks fantastic, but it is not currently on sale and reviews suggest that the fabric is thicker and does not drape as well as the solids. FWIW. 

I am inclined to keep...except...if the trend is away from wide legs and high waists, will I get enough wear from these, do you think? Maybe I should put this money into a pair of nice wool cigarette pants. :) 

Merino sweaters. BR currently has a few styles in ribbed merino and they are lovely, lovely quality! Not at all scratchy, and quite warm. They are on the body con side (due to ribbing) and they all have very long sleeves with a sort of V (so it looks like a thumbhole sweater when extended) but you can also easily roll up the sleeve if you don't want that feature. I tried a few styles -- the mock neck and the polo collar. I am considering the colours here. This blue is warmer than I typically wear, but I do think it works, and I like it. I also ordered the red to try, but it has not arrived yet. The mock neck stands nicely on me -- it doesn't collapse, as on the model. The cream is possibly a bit warm for me (thoughts?) and I might want to size up in that style -- so I have ordered grey in a size up to compare. Would love your thoughts! 

Cotton-silk blend sweater. I ordered two of these, one in my regular size in lilac and one a size down in the stripe. At first I thought I would just keep the lilac, but looking at the pics, I'm not sure. The sleeves are very long on these, but the cuffs can be rolled back neatly. In my regular size, the sweater is a bit boxy, but nice. Obviously, I wouldn't wear it out with these pants -- I'd choose different bottoms to wear it that way.

Quality is gorgeous! The silk component makes the sweater drape and gives it a hint of sheen. Now, looking at the stripe, I quite like that one as well -- it looks more like a traditional welted sweater on me, a neater, more tailored fit but also nice? 

I can keep any or none of these -- all are returnable and they are within the budget. I'd love to hear your thoughts! And I hope these reviews may help others in the market at the moment. Thanks in advance! 

Following on Janet's and Chris's posts, I'd already made an order to Zara for a blue eyelet top to try. Here it is, along with the barrel leg jeans in Ecru that I also ordered.

The top is all cotton, a bright sky blue, and slightly cropped. It can be worn untucked or tucked, though untucked is probably the intention. The sleeves are full length with a sewn narrow band -- I am wearing them pushed up, which is how I would wear IRL.

I like it a lot. My sole hesitation is the puff sleeve, which is a bit femme for my style as a rule. But I think I'm ok with it. :) I am also keeping the jeans. They are a nice lightweight cotton, just cropped enough for ankle length on me, and easy to wear. They are not true white, but near-white ecru. 

Wildcards! Star recently posted about wild cards and items waiting in the wings. My wild card waitlisted (until hot weather) item is a sandal in neon orange (!!!) from Cole Haan.

I'd been looking for a bright sandal for about 4 years, no joke -- ideally in red or fuchsia. But none to be found. Orange is one of my most unwearable colours, but on my feet? Why not? It works with blue and white, right? These are comfy and exactly the kind of style I was after, and were on super sale --  so I decided to keep. 

But what, apart from blue and white (which is basically my whole summer closet) to wear them with? 

How about a little scarf in orange and ecru? Is this a nutty idea? 

Oh, and how about a cotton voile top? It looked a lot more cream in the stock photo -- IRL it is more yellow. Maybe too yellow. But talk about a wild card for me -- orange and yellow!! 

Have I truly gone wild and lost my mind? 

To be clear: the jeans are a keep, the blue top is most likely a keep, and the other items are maybes. Would love your thoughts! 

 

Hi, all! 

Well, after asking your advice on trenches for my upcoming trip to London several months ago and deciding on the blue....I have had second thoughts. 

Don't get me wrong. I love the blue trench. The colour is gorgeous. I love the classic style. BUT it has four serious downfalls as a travel coat. 

1. It is quite fitted, so difficult to layer under. 
2. It is not packable or easy carry for a day spent out and about. 
3. It is on the heavy side for the current temperatures -- I would be hot in it (and then would have to carry it...in and out of museums, shops, restaurants, etc. etc. for a full day or sightseeing). I find it awkward to spend an entire day with a (possibly damp) coat on my arm. Of course I can check it in museums and such but not while walking. 
4. It lacks a hood, so if it actually rains, I would get quite wet. I do have a packable umbrella and a rain hat, but the less I have to lug around with me most days, the better. 

So I started looking for packable raincoats. I tried several and promptly sent them back for one reason or another. Here is one I think I may keep. 

This is the Lole Piper Oversized Raincoat. https://www.lolelife.com/en-ca.....8;gad_sour

I have had very good luck with Lole coats. One of my first YLF purchases, way back in 2012, was a puffer coat from Lole. I  wore it up until last winter and the only reason I don't have it any more is that it is too warm for my current climate. I finally passed it on, in near-perfect condition, after 7 years of very heavy wear (daily for months on end) and several more years of lighter wear. 

(I also own a lightweight puffer jacket by Lole, purchased on major sale this year.) 

The colour is called "Abalone." It's almost exactly like the "oyster" puffer coat I own. A sort of cool greyish beige? Stone? Something like that. Not my best, but not (I hope) soul-sucking beige on me. (The coat comes in a lot of other neutrals and a few colours but this was the one that looked most promising for my needs.) 

It's basically an oversized anorak with extras. Much more casual than my classic Hobbs trench, but not without a bit of attitude and style. It is lightweight, seam-sealed, and lined, so it will be quite water-repellant (while not truly waterproof.) It has a high collar, a double zip (bottom and top), zippered pockets on the sides and one on the inside for a phone, a sewn on hood that is very adjustable, and adjustable waist and arms. 

It also packs away into its own little backpack. This is a very nifty feature! 

Because of the ties and the double zip, you can wear the sleeves and waist in different ways -- you can push the sleeves up to show your wrists or have the sleeves long. 

It is very oversized, BTW. I sized down. 

As I have said, I am inclined to keep this and use it on the trip and afterwards. I think it could prove quite a versatile piece. What think you? 

In one sense, this is the most obvious purchase in the world for me. My first fashion memory is a pair of red Mary Janes! (I called them my "tapping" shoes at age 3.) I have always loved footwear, and always especially loved red footwear, and I have not owned a pair of red shoes in ages. 

In another sense, it is a wild card for me. Flats are risky for my plantar fasciitis and often tire my arches. 

My review: these Camper Mary Janes are a really fun shoe. Unlined, extremely soft leather, but with rubbery bottoms and a very slight heel also in rubbery stuff that (I hope!) will provide enough protection from hard pavement. I have worn them around the house -- they accommodate my wider forefoot and narrow heel very well and the strap keeps them in place. They are not a perfect match for my Pom Pom bag, but close enough. 

I would recommend these to anyone in the market (they come in off-white and black also). And I'm delighted to have found a new brand that may work decently for my increasingly fussy feet!  

Questions and comments welcome. 

Last week, I did the closet switchover from fall/winter to spring/ summer, and in the process edited out a number of items that had worn out or that I wasn't wearing. 

I also visited a recently bereaved friend for several days to offer comfort and support, and together we visited a well curated boutique. And -- ooops!  Somehow I managed to come home with a couple of wild cards! 

#1 A skirt from Allison Wonderland, a local (Vancouver) slow fashion sustainable company. Yes, I just bought another skirt. And...in the "never say never" line of the ledger -- this one has a ruffle, which I almost never like or wear!

But I put it on and didn't want to take it off. Sustainably made, local company, 60% off, and so "me." It was a no-brainer.

Note, I would much more likely be wearing this with boots or booties in fall/ winter -- but I'd put those away as part of the seasonal switch out. And I think it works ok with the oxfords, too. 

#2 Rails silver top. Not on sale, alas, and pricey, but I could not resist it.

I did not splurge on the matching pants, which were also pretty special. Maybe if they go on super discount later, I'll consider that. :) For now, I'm pretty sure I'll get a lot of wear from the top, based on the length of time and amount of wear I have got from a silver foil decal tee from Zara that I have owned for a decade. 

This was definitely a case of emotional shopping. I had no intention of buying anything when we walked into the store. 

What's your last wild card purchase? Did it work out for you well? 

Showing the Everlane Way-High Curve jean. By the way, these ones are labelled on the tag as "way-high curve" jeans as well as on the order form. They are definitely different from the utlility barrel pants, which I own in a different colour. (Also in Finds) 

Like the Gardener jean (which I sent back -- in Finds), these are a smidge short in the rise for me. It's possible a size up would solve the problem, so I can consider sending back and re-ordering, though I think they may be too large elsewhere if I size up. 

I like the fabric -- this is a nice, slightly lighter weight denim than the very substantial denim of the Gardener jean, and more suitable for spring/ summer/ early fall in my climate. A good thing, since that is what I was hoping for. I love the shape -- the reined in volume is totally up my style alley. :) 

On me, they are "new full length." The question is, if I keep them, should I shorten so that they are just above the ankle?  The problem with the current length is that they bump up against the tops of shoes and laces.  But maybe they looks better longer?  I was planning to wear these oxfords with them, and sneakers, and maybe a dressier flat as well. (A few options I'd thought of, in Finds). 

Not styled -- just thrown on with the sweater I was wearing. I show them first full length and then various ways of cuffing, tucking, holding up to try to approximate the look should I hem them by an inch and a half or so, so they are the length they are on the model. 

I've been much enamoured of Brooklyn's skirt formula for summer over the past few years, and thought a version of it would work well for me -- except, with a few exceptions, I have not been able to source the skirts that would work for me as well as she has done. :(  This year, I was especially interested in her basque style skirts (with the dropped waist). Despite being slightly short legged or at least long in the rise, it is a style I like a lot and think can work for me. 

I ordered two from Zara to test this out. 

1. Is navy with a slight built-in crinkle and sheen -- not like satin but more like a less shiny taffeta. It is some kind of polyester blend, lined in poly. It has a lot of body and heft -- it will not wrinkle more than the intentional wrinkles. 

As BrieN mentioned, Zara now gives exact garment measurements. I took my normal Zara size, based on measurements given and previous experience. I would say this is on the generous side of TTS. The waist is a bit large on me, but not to the point that the skirt would twist around (I don't think) as some skirts do, when they are on the larger side. The quality is surprisingly nice. Fabric is unusual and a bit distinctive; it has a depth to it. 

Pros: I like the fit, the length, it feels like a ballerina skirt! Swishy and glam! Could be an excellent dress up item and could be worn in early spring/ fall/ winter -- could also be dressed down with boots, denim, etc. 

Cons: It won't really work for summer for me at all except perhaps for evening wear of some kind. And is a bit too dressy for my regular daily lifestyle. 

So I am debating it.  Do you think the style has staying power? I might try to style it up a few ways before making a decision -- here, I just tossed it on with my silver Zara top to try on. Not properly styled, though I do like with the silver slingbacks. 

2. Off-white cotton. Also not really styled -- just a try on. This one is the same style, and 100% cotton and had lots of potential as casual summer wear, but I am sending it back. It's a little too see-through (even though it is lined in cotton), a little fuller than the other skirt, and also longer. I suppose I might consider dyeing it to some colour that would prevent the see-through aspect, and hemming it a bit....but I think it's not quite right, regardless. 

I hope these reviews are helpful to others who may be considering the style and of course I would appreciate your thoughts! 

Fab friends, I need some shopping help. My two beloved Icebreaker merino hoodies are toast, and cannot be repaired. (One, after 5 years, had an irreparable zipper issue, sob!; the other, after 7 years, has holes that are too big to darn any more. I wore it through multiple times.) 

Both gave me loyal service. Except for the hottest days, I wore one or the other of these every single morning and most evenings (as loungewear) and often throughout the day for neighbourhood walks or as layering pieces on hikes or with my regular clothing, as well. 

Alas -- the replacement styles are no longer the same. Not made with 100% (or nearly 100% merino) for one thing. Not as thick/ warm. Not in colours that work for me. Cut differently. The issues go on and on. I ordered a few to try and knew they'd wear out within a year. 

Knowing these were inevitably going to wear out, I've been canvassing options for several years. Have tried on hoodies (in different fabrics) from all kinds of places -- everything from BR and GAP to Aritzia to all the gear companies I can think of. And I am coming up empty. None combines the easy fit and drape, breathability with coziness, zip-front style (important to me, because I wear them most often as a top layer) and all round versatility and durability of these items. 

Can anyone help me find something similar? I've looked at Smartwool already without luck. I would prefer wool but will consider cotton but reluctantly because it won't be cozy enough for all year wear in my climate.