In-vested? Plus a wild card.

So, here are some photos of stuff I ordered to try from Zara at home. I am not going to keep all of this, no way, and so I need to make some decisions. 

Pic 1: First, the cotton-linen pant and vest. The pants are still too long for me, alas. I hitched them up a bit on one leg with paper clips (could not find my fashion tape) -- they could easily be shortened in this way. But it means the "balloon" part of the pant perhaps falls slightly differently than I think it is meant to. Still, maybe that does not matter. They are so lovely and lightweight and non-wrinkling. 

Pic 2-3: I worked out that the vest should actually be a bit shorter, too -- and it could be altered, as most sleeveless tops can, by simply taking it up at the top shoulder, but it's lined, which might increase the alteration cost. (The lining is cotton -- so perfect for high summer!) Adding alterations to both pieces of this outfit may just make it too pricey considering the amount of wear it would or would not get in my life. Despite my love for the fabric, I'm likely to send it back but I will keep an eye on the summer sale. And I'm happy to be talked out of this decision, too. It's possible it could be a sleeper workhorse for me, separately or together....

Pics 4/5/6: The pants thrown on with the top I happened to be wearing and then with the little white lacey burnout tee I wore in the last post with the jorts. I think I will keep the tee -- I have been wanting more texture in the closet. 

Pic 7.  A blue textured sweater. Cotton. I quite like this but worry it might be bait for my kitty's claws, so need to deliberate some more. Excuse the wrinkles on white jeans! Need to iron. 

Pics 8/9: Another vest I am trying. This one has princess lines. Linen but alas the lining is poly. I do like it a lot, though and like the fit -- though again, it needs to be taken up at the shoulder to fit me properly. I ordered the matching pants but they have not arrived yet. 

Pic 10: Wild card mustard viscose pants and another tee. 

Pic 11: With a vest. 

Pic. 12: With the more cropped pinstripe vest. 

Pics 13/14/15: with yet another vest -- this one knit. It is not a summer weight item in my world and the buttons are gold, so I would need/ want to change them out. Being knit, the fit is more forgiving. 

Pic. 16: Pair of grey pants I'm not keeping as I they need hemming and I don't like the fit as well as the mustard ones. 

At the moment, I'm inclined to keep the tees, the mustard pants, and maybe the vest with princess lines, especially if the pants turn out to work as well. But I'm open to conversations about all and any of these! And I will take a few days to think this through before boxing things away. Would love any thoughts! 

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29 Comments

  • Cookie replied 5 months ago

    Really digging the balloon pants. They are just so cool. I think I like them better with a black or some other neutral top more than white. But I do really like the lacy top and the sleeveless one with the mustard pants, which I also like. That sleeveless T-shirt really is perfection.

    If the mustard pants are to be worn with a vest, I would think if should be a lighter weight material. These vests that need altering seem like more trouble than they are worth, perhaps. The knit one is nice but not with these super lightweight floaty pants.

    The blue sweater is great! But not if it will become a kitty victim.

  • Irina replied 5 months ago

    Love the mustard pants, blue sweater (absolutely gorgeous on you) and the tees. 

    Something about the balloon pants that is off to my eye. 
    Altering shoulders in a lined garment might be pricey, it is not a simple alteration. 

  • Sal replied 5 months ago

    I feel similarly to Cookie.

    The white lacy tee is a definite keeper and I think the mustard pants are a fun way to add a new colour - I love mustard with navy and denim so I think you will have a few options to mix it with.

    It's hard to see the blue sweater and I do know a navy blue sweater is an essential for me - but hesitations on weave would make me return it.

    I love the balloon pants and like both woven vests.  I would choose the best one - there was one from another thread too or am I getting confused?  Whilst I think a knit vest has a practical aspect I do prefer the woven ones visually.

    Great collection!!

  • Jenni NZ replied 5 months ago

    Now I see the balloon pants again I am really not into them. I liked them less than the vest in the previous post but that was mainly their being too long with the shoes in that post. Have you tried them here with the shoes you would wear? I still like the vest, even unaltered. I actually suspect my not liking the pants is just my own preferences showing through so you should absolutely ignore me! Just being honest with my thoughts here.
    Will do a separate response about other items.

  • Dee replied 5 months ago

    Although the mustard colour pants are a departure from your usual colour palette, they are a nice relaxed addition and it looks like you can easily incorporate them into your wardrobe. The princess line vest looks fab especially with the white crops, all tees look lovely too. The balloon pants I have reservations about, but probably because I'm not that avant garde,

  • LJP replied 5 months ago

    I agree with your choices, plus I do like the navy sweater.  Are the white pants part of this or are they already yours? I like them :)  

  • Janet replied 5 months ago

    I *love* the pinstripe balloon pants! The vests look good to me, so I’d go with whatever is most comfortable and versatile. I usually expect to have the shoulder taken up in garments like this (or sleeveless dresses or tops), so I kinda factor that cost into the price of an item when I’m considering it.

    I think the mustard pants are nice on you too — the color plays well with your blues.

    And I really, really like the boatneck tank. I wish they had it in more colors. I had a top in that cut many years ago that I wore to death — it was multicolored, almost a Missoni-ish effect. It would be too snug even if I still owned it, and I wonder if the cut would suit me as well now, at my larger size (I was probably 15 lbs smaller then). I’d be willing to try if I found the right color and fabrication — nothing too fitted. This one looks great on you and is a definite keep!

  • Angie replied 5 months ago

    WOW! Fun haul, Suz! Lots of potential, and rocking it! 

    My faves:

    • KILLER white burnout tee. Sooo pretty!
    • KILLER blue sweater. I'm with Irina. Trendy classic fabness. 
    • KILLER wildcard mustard pants! Love that you're rocking earth tones and venturing further afield! Slam dunk with cool blues and whites to bring it back to your palette. 
    • Fab white sleeveless top. Elegant.
    The peplum vest WITH shoulder alteration has KILLER waiting to happen! (#8)

    Like Janet, I love the pinstriped set in #1! I see no length issue with the pants in the pics, and the vest looks good in the pics too. You will know better about the fits in person! 

    EXCITING stuff! Let us know what you end up with. Mr. Suz has a good eye too. Ask him what he thinks :) 

  • Suz replied 5 months ago

    Thank you everyone! It seems I'm going to have some tough decisions to make and I might need to try some of these items with other things from the closet and do some deep deliberation on actual needs. 

    Good idea to check with Mr. Suz, too, Angie

    It seems the balloon pants are divisive, which I guess makes sense because they are more fashion forward than the other items. I may try them with other tops in my closet as well, to see how they feel.how I might style them IRL I really do like the fabric, and (aside from the length) I also love the fit -- they are supremely comfortable. 

    The burnout tee is a definite keep. I might shorten it, though -- I think it would be more versatile then. I'm also keeping the sleeveless envelope neck tank -- it could be a useful item for me. And I am pretty sure I'll hang onto the mustard pants. They are comfy and easy and as many of you have said, they go with all my blues and whites. Plus I have a mustard bag. 

    The blue sweater -- i will try it again and consider Max's potential to ruin it. BTW, it's not navy, but more of a royal blue (brighter blue, as in the Find). It just looks darker in my photo because of the impossibility of getting good photos with my mirror / light situation here. 

    Lisa, the white jeans are also Zara but already in my wardrobe. Find below. 

    As for the vests -- what I might do is take them to my alterationist and ask her how much she would charge. If it is a reasonable amount, then I will definitely keep one of the vests (which one to be determined). 

  • Jaime replied 5 months ago

    I looked at the photos and sort of formed an opinion before I read your post or comments so I will just give it as a first impression: I love you in the vest and balloon pants. So dramatic and yet tailored. Perhaps keep the pants and alter them and look for a similar vest that fits better. I think you are a vest person. 
    I also like the mustard pants. Not as dramatic as the first pair but an interesting color that will work well with your blues and a good cut.
    Now I will admit I did not even notice the tops - not because they are bad but because they are playing supporting roles and if they work seamlessly doing that then they are keepers. Will look again now.

    ETA - agree with the top consensus and definitely remain on team balloon pants ;)

  • Bijou replied 5 months ago

    My favourite look is the pinstripe vest and balloon pants - I LOVE that for you. 

  • Jenni NZ replied 5 months ago

    If it were me, I would be keeping the pinstripe vest and the white burnout tee. And waiting for the matching pants to see about the other vest. The Find is very nice for that set.
    I don’t wear mustard ever so no comment there.

  • Star (Lise) replied 5 months ago

    Late to this. All are fab but my personal favourites for you are the mustard pants, the blue knit and the vest with the princess lines. The white tee I already approved in a different thread. Lovely to have so many good choices and to be able to be picky. What is a sleeper workhorse?
    .

  • kkards replied 5 months ago

    Love all the vests! The blue sweater is a great color, but, I personally find 3/4 sleeves a no go. Is this a sleeve length you wear? Does it work for you? 


  • Olive Green replied 5 months ago

    Love the blue sweater on you. Looks like a workhorse. 

  • Suz replied 5 months ago

    Lots of love for the blue sweater. And yes, kkards, these are actually elbow length sleeves and I wear those or 3/4 with great happiness -- I almost always scrunch long sleeves and love a shorter length. 

    Star, a "sleeper workhorse" (term I may have just invented!) is an item that may seem a bit fashion forward or difficult to style on first purchase but shows its worth more and more over the course of a few years. Trendy bottoms are almost always sleeper workhorses for me. I may or may not wear them a ton during their first year in my closet. By year two, though, they are in full swing, constant rotation. This is a pattern for me. 

    Bijou, thanks for popping in -- you are missed! 

    Thanks, Jaime -- I think you have an excellent eye for the sleeper workhorse! 

  • Lisa replied 5 months ago

    Wow this is not easy. I'm not reading other comments, here's my picks:

    1-cotton linen pants and vest look like a killer in the making set, with a few alteration tweaks. But if alterations put this outside the price range you want to spend, I'd pass because the mustard pants are delightful on you!

    6-the burnout top in white is so pretty for summer.

    7-This open weave blue sweater is such a pretty color on you and it drapes nicely as well. I especially like how you've styled it here with white pants and orange sandals! Orange works so well with blues and as a fellow member of team blue I've been adding more orange, peach, and coral colors in my wardrobe over time. 

    10-These mustard pants are amazing and I like how you've styled them here! You simply must keep. Perfect drape and fit and I think the mustard color will be very versatile with your blue heavy wardrobe. I have a mustard handbag and it pairs well with so many outfits!

  • Helena replied 5 months ago

    I just want to chime in with another vote to add the blue sweater to the list ... it looks SO good! I get the practicality though and no point getting if it's likely to get ruined, but I hope it makes the cut!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 5 months ago

    I love the pinstripe outfit on you. I prefer that vest to the princess seam one, if there's decision to be made between them, because I like the more cropped length of the stripe one on you, and with your wider-legged pants. To me, the striped pieces look like they dress down a bit easier than the other vest-pant outfit (so, more versatile). Maybe I'm mistaken--hard to tell from photos.
    Love the tees. Love the blue sweater. Love the mustard pants.
    Could take or leave the knit vest--again, I think it's the length. I like the fit of it, and if you switched the buttons to something less GOLD (haha--meaning very bright gold at that!) then possibly....And especially since you're seeing it as a piece for seasons other than summer. Then I would probably vote keep on that one, too!

  • Laurie replied 5 months ago

    My eye went straight to #10 - the pants, and the boatneck are just great. Boatnecks are having a moment this summer, which makes me very happy!

  • Angie replied 5 months ago

    Suz, you have the mustard bag to wear with the mustard pants! 

  • Joyce replied 5 months ago

    Love the balloon pants and vest on you and what could be better than comfort and style in one outfit.
    The mustard pants are a fun change, not everyone's choice but so easy to up your style with colour for the warmer weather especially because it plays so well with white and blue.

  • Suz replied 5 months ago

    Thank you all, everyone! This is helpful. 

    I have made some decisions. 

    With regret, I'm sending back the pinstripe vest and balloon pants for now. Mr. Suz noted that they were wrinkling from try-on alone which should not happen so easily with cotton-linen. However, it's more the cost of alterations added to the initial cost that is giving me pause. I'm going to watch and see if they go on sale in a month or so. If they do, I will probably jump on them. 

    Keeping the tees, the jorts, the blue sweater, and will make another post on the princess vest outfit! 

  • Star (Lise) replied 5 months ago

    Good call. What about the mustard pants?

  • Suz replied 5 months ago

    Keeping the mustard pants! Team Wear! 

  • Angie replied 5 months ago

    YAY! Love the mustard pants, Suz! KILLER cute casual summery look, and a fun change to mix it up with earth tones. Add your mustard bag! 

  • Lisa replied 5 months ago

    *high five for team wear* I adore how you've styled the mustard pants for their maiden outing! The printed top is perfection with these pants and the orange sandals add a nice dash of extra color and pair so well with yellow. Love this outfit on you Suz!

  • Star (Lise) replied 5 months ago

    Fun to see you in a new colour. YLF!

  • lyn67 replied 5 months ago

    Late to this-and others have given my opinions, too, basically I love ALL featured here! Especially the burnout tee, the boat neck sleeveless, pinstripe set(after altering), and the royal bue open knit is beyond fab!! (+still in awe from the culotte jeans in 2-3).  Happy you kept and already worn  the yellow pants- I've tried them in our Zara and loved the texture. I didn't buy as I have a pair of linen joggers in mustard and cannot justify a new  purchase in the same color but perhaps will consider them in brown. Great haul!

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