(Almost) Last of the NAS: Chelsea 28s, Halogen kick crops, Bobeau cardigan

My parcel from the US arrived and I have to say, it has been an incredible NAS for me. Between the higher end "thoroughbreds" and probable workhorses that I got from within Canada, and the basics and store-brand stuff that I got from the US, I have pretty much covered my wardrobe needs in many categories this fall. (That will teach me...I actually thought I wasn't going to find anything when I looked at the pre-sale offerings the first day they opened for viewing!!) 

I refreshed my underwear and activewear capsules. I really like the Zella top that I think Una also has.  I got the Zella live in leggings to try for gym/ runs. The Chantelle bra fits and I cut the tags but I wasn't loving it after a day of wear. I think my next bra purchase will be in-store. In the meantime, this will do in place of my old worn ones. 

I love the Halogen sleeveless scrunch neck and wish I got a few more. I also got the DKNY watch that Angie has. (Not on sale). I love it. I need to get some links removed from the band before I can wear. 

Up for review/ consideration (although I am inclined to keep unless someone tells me I am foolish): 

Chelsea 28 denim culotte, Halogen ankle crop, Bobeau cardigan. 

The Chelsea 28s are high waisted on me (to my belly button) and longer than on the model. They are stretchy. Usually I don't care for that in a jean, but in these I quite like the slight girdling effect. I think they make me look wider than I am and probably shorter than I am, although part of that is the camera angle. (My daughter had borrowed the tripod and didn't put it back the way I had it.)

They're super comfortable. I've semi-tucked the top in a few photos to show how high they come. I'm showing them with a few potential early fall and later fall footwear options -- cage sandals, Zara sock booties, my trusty Stuart Weitzman chelsea boots (one on one foot, one on another!) and the new Aquatalias. 

If I keep these -- -- are they too long? If I chop them, I lose the fun hem detail and much of the dramatic flare, and I might lose wearability as well, although if I could use with knee high boots, perhaps not. And how does one style them? With what would I wear them? (DUH, I know, go back and read some of Angie's blog posts. I will, I promise!!) 

Halogen kicks -- Oh beautiful travelling pant, where were you all the years I was travelling once per month? Sheesh, these are a brilliant fabric for the price!! Gorgeous quality!! Perfection for my winters. 

So. In my regular size they are on the snug side. Not too tight (I hope) although I would have liked to try a size up for comparison. (Should I try? It's a big hassle.) In these photos you see the difficulties of a short pant on short-legged me. They make me look shorter. So styling them in a tonal way will be helpful. If I keep. (Tell me if I should not). Again -- should I hem? If I do, they will definitely lose wearability in my winters. At this length they will work with a higher shaft bootie because they just barely "close the gap." 

Bobeau cardigan. I know that several of you were displeased with this piece but for my purposes it is perfection. I got it as a loungewear item, in lieu of a robe. And it is seriously cozy, a ridiculously flattering but not easy to find colour, and can even be worn in multiple ways (see example). I even like the raw edge detail. I am in love and almost wish I got another colour as well!! Paired with ponte pants or a soft sweatpant, this is going to be the foundation of my at-home work capsule in winter!! 

It's crazy hot today again so I didn't really make attempts to style. Please use your imaginations if you can. 

I have one final NAS reveal (and it's a biggie!!!) but that is going to have to wait until tomorrow. :) 

Would love your thoughts if you have time. Thank you.

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36 Comments

  • Runs With Scissors replied 8 years ago

    I *love* the Chelsea28 culottes -- I'm glad someone got them!  I do think they look a little long on you, but at least that is an easy fix!

    On the Halogen kick flares -- maybe someone who has them can comment on whether they loosen up much with wear.   If not, I would say it is worth it to try the next size up.  Whenever I have been lazy about that, I have regretted not doing it.   Of course I have a low tolerance for tight-fitting stuff too, so YMMV.

    The cardigan looks great, and I love the color on you.

  • Staysfit replied 8 years ago

    Suz, I think I love the kick flares and the cardigan too, it's a great color. It's hard to see the details of the fit of the kick flares on my screen, the picture is too dark. The silhouette looks great on you, and the length looks perfect. I'm not sure what difference a larger size would make?

    The culottes look like a good fit, but I'm not sure about the length. I think they should be a tiny bit shorter maybe to be the most flattering. I would like to see a bit more of your ankle/leg to provide structure because they are so flared and overwhelm your petite frame. I would like to see what other forum members say because maybe the length is JFE?

  • Roxanna replied 8 years ago

    My, you have really scored this sale, Suz! Those kick flares and that cardigan are both perfection. That cardigan is so ridiculously flattering it makes me wish I had gotten one too!

    I like the culottes on you a lot - but I do think they are a touch long. If like to see them a few inches below the knee as I think the proportions would work much better that way. But let's see what others say, I'm no expert!

  • Barbara Diane replied 8 years ago

    I love the kicks-but are they uncomfortable? I also really like the black and white top and the Bobeau. I'm not loving the culottes the same, but maybe it's the camera angle, maybe I'd like it more with different pieces, maybe it's my own personal preferences.

  • catgirl replied 8 years ago

    The only thing I don't like here are the culottes. What I see is that they are really giving you a disproportionate look on the bottom because of the volume. If I cover your torso with my finger in the pics, your lower half is just overwhelmed. I'm sorry because I'm sure everyone else will love them, and I wouldn't chime in except that it's so strong an issue to my eye.

    Everything else looks fabulous!

  • Tanya replied 8 years ago

    Congrats on great NAS, Suz!  What a start of the season for you :)

    The active wear, undies, watch look like great scores and the  cardigan  looks amazing.

    Halogen crop kick flares: I have them too and they are a little long on me as well. Attaching a photo of the only time I wore them this past week. They did loosen a little bit with wear so I wouldn't size up. About the length, when  starting to try out possible outfits for the fall, I have realized that one can get away with longer crop kick flares with booties then with shoes.  Shoes always seem to  require shorter ones, while with booties one can do both, though the shorter lengths will expose some skin and not be so practical in colder weather.  So the length will depend on the shoes you plan to wear with them the  most.  I am personally inclined to leave mine longer to wear with booties, and  hack another, dressier black pair of flares shorter to wear with shoes.

    Culottes: They do look a little long.  I have a similar pair, minus the fancy hem. (photo #2).  I kept the hem as is, but I remember Angie commenting that I could shorten them a little. 

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Thank you all so much for the great feedback. 

    Tanya, your comments re shoes and booties are particularly helpful. I will probably wear the kicks exclusively with booties. Their weight is such that they feel like a late fall/ winter item to me and that means booties for sure in my climate. So probably they are good as is. 

    Una, I fear you may be right, alas. It may be fixed by hemming. I'll have to see. I'd be sad to lose that fun folded hem detail, though -- then they become like many others around. Or perhaps I'd be better served by some with tencel in them for better drape. I think my sequinned culottes are shorter. I'll do a comparison post tomorrow. 

    Barbara Diane -- the kicks are not at all uncomfortable, no -- they are super stretchy. And they button up without problem. I tend to wear my tailored items a little bit looser than this, is all. Thanks for the input on the culottes as well. All opinions valued!

    Roxanna, Staysfit, RunswithScissors, thank you. I suspect you are right re the length. 

  • Karie replied 8 years ago

    I love the Halogen crops and the Bobeau cardigan. Because of the lighting in the photo and the dark pants, I can't really tell if they look too tight or not. Did you do the sit test? Can you order through your store in Canada to try the bigger size and avoid shipping costs? You might want to wear those around the house for a while and see if they stretch out a bit before you do anything. The length of the kick flares looks just a tad long, but I would go back to Angie's posts about that to be sure (2 to 4 inches above the ankle bone, I think?).

    And the Chelsea28's, oh the Chelsea28's! The culottes I wish I had ordered. I think they're too long, Suz. Do they come in a petite size? If not, I would take them a good tailor and see if they can shorten them while keeping the integrity of the hemline. They probably can't, but hey, it doesn't hurt to ask!

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Suz, I am heading out and will reply in more detail later, but I had to chime in quickly to say that I LOVE the denim culottes. No need to hack if you wear a heel. Tomorrow's outfit post might help with seeing these differently. 

    Tanya, I like your denim culottes length too. I think the length looks good. I don't mean to sound inconsistent. 

  • Joyce B replied 8 years ago

    You got some very nice items, Suz. The kick flares are fab with that top and I also love the Bobeau topper on you.
    I agree that the culottes are a bit long and I also see what Una is saying about the proportions. The web says the front rise is 10", could that rise be a little too high for your lovely figure? That's the best I can say from looking at the picts on my phone.

  • Joyce B replied 8 years ago

    I am glad Angie chimed in with good news about the culottes.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Joyce, a ten inch rise is definitely a high rise on me -- but not too high, I mean if you like high rises, LOL.  I am short in stature and short waisted but weirdly long in the rise. So it's actually comfortable for me, which is one reason these culottes tempt me. My sequinned culottes have a much lower rise and it is almost too low, I think. 

    By the way to clarify, that top is not from NAS -- it's just what I had on, on this super hot day!!

    Angie, THANK YOU and I will look forward to tomorrow's post. I would always wear a 2 to 2.5 or 3 inch heel with these, I think. I'd either wear with sandal booties, cage sandals, block heel gladiators, or booties with a 2 to 2.5 inch heel. 

    Karie - -good point about sit test! They totally pass the sit test. I know it's so hard to judge with black pants. Oy. In Canada they are out of these babies. I could order a 4 from the US and have them sent to my US address but I suspect these are the right size. The 4s might work equally well but these are fine. They're an ankle pant, not a shorter length -- a bit different from some -- so I don't think the length is necessarily wrong on me -- especially when I see it on others. On the super tall Fabbers like you they are shorter but on most of us (and even on the model) they are just above ankle length. 

  • replied 8 years ago

    I think it's all great. I would wear the culottes with the shirt untucked because the tuck is making you look a bit short waisted (although I love the short waist/long leg look).

    I love that cardigan, especially done up.

    I think the kick crops are fab on you but do you need some higher shaft booties?

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    I like the Chelsea28 pants with the top untucked. I think the length is almost short enough or perhaps just right, and would work great with booties. I'm surprised I don't really care for the semi-tuck look with them (though I know you were just giving us a view of the top part of the pants).
    I can't tell anything about the fit of the Halogens, but they are cute on you.
    The cardigan is a luscious color and looks great on you as well.
    Looks like you scored, Suz! I will impatiently await tomorrow's reveal.

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    Ok, first of all what is the black and white top? I love it! You know I am crazy for culottes so keep that in mind - I say keep! Try with a darker heel and some skin. You make me regret not ordering the kick flares - are these regular length or petite? I was sure they would be too long and shortening them would mess them up, but they look perfect on you. Sweater- I have a slight poison eye for cardigans today (moody) but the color is beautiful.

  • tulle replied 8 years ago

    To me, the denims look fine at that length, the black pants are keepers unless they feel constricting, and that cardigan really is a lovely color for you--nice shape, too.  You might want to let it out of the house once in a while . . .

  • Beth Ann replied 8 years ago

    You look terrific, Suz -- glad to see the Bobeau top on you -- it will be so cozy for working at home!  The crop flares will be excellent for at home and travel -- good score.

    As for the culottes, the length doesn't bother me.  I think I"d prefer a more even wash, however, and a bit more drape.  However, I know you like a sense of structure in your clothes, and the heavier weight fabric does convey that.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    I wonder about the drape, too, Beth Ann. They'd feel more "culotte" like and less "Jean" like with that and I might like them better. But who is to say that one pair are enough?  :) 

    Tulle, thanks. No constriction in the pants. Just no extra fabric, really. 

    Shevia, the top is not really black and white -- it's just the lousy lighting. It's ink, white, palest ice blue, and a sort of royal blue. And despite the too-low-for-me neckline is one of my most worn items in this extremely hot summer we are having. It's actually too large for me in the side body as well, but I was desperate for tops so kept it anyway and the looseness has proved a virtue. 

  • rachylou replied 8 years ago

    I love the cardigan. Hard for me to see the kicks, but they look good at the hem from the back, lol. The culottes seem like a lot of culotte to me, esp with the dark shoe...

  • skylurker replied 8 years ago

    I love the cardi on you (open) and the black trousers seem to fit well (hard to tell in pic though).

    I don't think the culottes are too long for boots, and I agree with Tanya that, when it comes to the length of cropped pants, it very much depends on what shoes you'll wear with them.

    I don't find the culottes flattering. You could make them JFE with styling though (and I know wide pants look awful in pictures in general).

  • Style Fan replied 8 years ago

    Suz you did well at the NAS.  I love that cardigan.  I had it in my shopping bag in green and then took it out.  :(  It looks great on you.  The kick flares look great too.  I am curious to hear more from Angie about the culottes.  I think they can be hard to style if you are not use to them.  The hem and flare is a big feature for those culottes.  I wouldn't shorten them.

  • viva replied 8 years ago

    Wow, quite a NAS haul for you overall! I ended up with only two things this year: the fringe vest and the booties, as both the Halogen crops and the Vince T-neck went back. The Halogens squinched my waist in my regular size and were not nearly as comfortable as my JCrew Teddis, so I let them go. I wonder if that's what you're experiencing?

    I love that purple sweater and am intrigued by your way of wearing it pinned closed - I'd never do that on my own and it looks great that way. And the color is really delicious. 

  • Joyce B replied 8 years ago

    Suz, I am liking the culottes on you today after reading Angie's blog. Maybe I just needed a little education on them... I think they will be fab for colder weather. Maybe that's what it was, I did not want to think about Fall or Winter.
    I hope you will keep and enjoy them.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Thanks, Vivian. The kicks don't exactly squinch my waist but it's close -- if I gained a couple more pounds they would do so. Plus they are snug on my thighs. That is usually my "problem area" in pants. My thighs are disproportionately large it seems. Because they stretch, they do fit, but they don't fit with ease. Though maybe that is to be expected in a ponte pant. 

    I am going to have to try the Teddies. I had been avoiding them out of fear of the $12.50 delivery charge and the idea that I would not wear. But maybe they are worth a shot! I like that they come on so many colours and look great on you, Diana, and Angie. 

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Joyce, thank you for coming back. I'm not sure how I feel about them because of the fading. If they were unfaded like Angie's, I would not even have a question about them -- I could figure out the styling more easily. 

  • Janet replied 8 years ago

    100% agree with Una. I don't care for the culottes, but I am very sensitive to how they seem to create a wider effect on your lower half. I never ever think of this as an issue for your slim self, but I just don't find them flattering. I realize I might be in a small minority. I find culottes very tricky.

  • anchie replied 8 years ago

    Everything looks great. I have a feeling that angle of picture is creating proportion issues with culottes. 
    And now we are all waiting for the promised big reveal :)

  • Colette replied 8 years ago

    You did great! I snagged the cropped version of the Zella leggings and a tank this year. I am really impressed with the Zella brand, especially the leggings. I actually like them more than my Lululemon, Nike Legendary and Athleta that were all 4x the price.

    Regarding the Halogen pants, I think the fit is right on you. I had the luxury of trying my usual size, a size up and a size down. The fit is forgiving and I could have really gone with any of them, depending on how I wanted them to fit, but I kept my usual size.

    The denim culottes. I love the idea of these but my eyes have not adjusted to this look, on anyone, yet. And I have no idea how they should fit so I'm no help at all. But I like they way you styled them in the first picture the best.

    I really like the cardigan! Earlier this year I bought a longer cardigan to use as a robe and I love it so much (I've worn it every day) my actual robes are in the holding zone on the way to the donate pile.

  • texstyle replied 8 years ago

    I didn't read everyone's reply, I stopped at Una's because I'm afraid I feel the same way. I really like everything else you got!

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    It seems the culottes are unpopular. Thank you SO much for speaking honestly!! I see what you see in the photos. However, it's not exactly or not completely what I was seeing in the mirror and Angie especially encouraged me to try these -- so I'm going to play around with styling and take more photos this afternoon. 

    I do suspect that one reason hers in today's post are more flattering is the even wash. The fading emphasizes the thickness of my thighs. Like Janet, I am a bit sensitive on that point. I don't have hips to speak of, but I do have thighs -- mine is a bit like a gymnast's build, actually -- though I'm taller and not as strong as a gymnast! And while that sounds fine in theory it can actually be trickier to get proportions right than it is for a woman with wide hips to match the thighs! For instance, curvy fits are a complete no-go on me. Yet my thighs could use that extra fabric.  :) 

  • replied 8 years ago

    I say this earnestly ... IMO, you don't need to worry about your thighs, Suz. Personally, I think the culottes look great and are a fun wash. I don't find them unflattering on you and don't feel like they create any problem areas, of course, I am a culotte fan. No, they are not totally streamlined but that isn't the only key to flattery. Most important though, is how you feel in them. I believe you could work them into some cute outfits. I also think the length is definitely good for booties.

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    I’m back. Sorry for the delay, Suz.

    Hacking a few inches off the hems of the denim culottes WILL make them more streamlined, and less maximal. The released hem has an unexpectedly overwhelming effect. Try pinning them that way, just to be sure. I do like them the way they are too - with an untucked top like this, or a fitted tucked top. They could be a fun wild card, and quite affordable to get your foot in the door. The distressing is good for your casual lifestyle, and a great way to wear dressier tops and shoes. Play around a bit with them at home. Wear them for a few ours and assess whether you like what you see when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. Try lighter booties too. And if all that still makes you unsure - send them back.

    Personally, I think the denim culottes would be more popular on this thread if you styled them YOUR way. People are reacting to the bad light in the pics, the slight distortion of the camera angle, and the semi tuck that does not work here. Also - again, try pinning the length too.

    The Halogen crops look great from what I can see, and the purple fleece top is perfect for your work at home or lounging needs.  

    Can I also applaud Jen, and I echo every word that she wrote. FWIW, I never see proportionally larger thighs when I look at your outfits.

    (The Teddies run big, and I sized down in them. Just in case you want them too).                                                                                      

  • replied 8 years ago

    I sized down in the teddies too, FYI. (Did not purchase but tried on.)

  • viva replied 8 years ago

    I did not, but I did take the smaller of my two sizes. Reviews of the Teddies tend to rate them as TTS or just slightly larger than.

  • Tanya replied 8 years ago

    I also own the Teddies, in blush, and I sort-of sized down: I wear 0 or 2 in pants, and I got these in 0.  They are even a little loose on me, especially at the waist (what's new, sigh...) but I refuse to even consider 00.  I am hoping to get them in teal too for the fall.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Thx Angie!

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