More items for review: Club Monaco

So...I shopped up a storm, apparently, in the last two months of the year! 

I sent all the M&S order back. 

Re the Boden: I changed my mind and am sending back everything except the plain t-shirt and the skirt, but I have also ordered the skirt in a different size to compare. I decided the sweater is just a bit too oversized and too warm for my purposes, and the sweatshirt feels a bit too "cute" for my style. 

The skirt is borderline too large so I want to compare the size down. 

Next up, 2 items from Club Monaco. I love them both and intend to keep so my question is about the length of the pants. 

They are meant to be cropped but on me are almost but not quite full length. There is a huge seam allowance so they could potentially be let down but I think I'd wear them more cropped as intended. Thoughts? 

1-5 at the current length with various footwear. My sense is that they are not quite right at this length. 
 6-8 shortened a little. 
9 sweater and skirt with taupe booties as per Angie's suggestion.
10 detailing on sweater. It's not pure white -- more like an ivory, but I think it works. 

Reviews: the sweater is gorgeous soft merino. When I said that M&S merino was thin, I meant it was a bit scratchy, almost see-through. Recent J. Crew merino is one step up from that, but still not as good as it used to be -- and after three seasons it looks very tired. (Admittedly, I wear my merino tops hard all winter.) None of that nonsense here -- this is a lovely quality knit. 

The pants are a light, all season wool blend. In this colourway they are not lined but they do not require a lining. There is a tiny bit of stretch. Nice pockets. Wide, but not overly wide. The check is very faint -- it is white or cream and also a very faint green or aqua -- I am thinking I might look for a shirt with that colour in the pattern for spring. They work with white, ivory, almost all my greys, some navies, reds. I really like the quality. 

Thanks in advance for thoughts! 

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21 Comments

  • Irina replied 1 year ago

    Well, I was thinking to suggest letting pants out and to try “new” full length but when I saw it at a cropped length with white boots, I am now vote to crop it. 

    I’ll leave the skirt styling to others, not my cup of tea but that sweater is an obvious winner on you. 

  • Jenni NZ replied 1 year ago

    I thought I liked them at the current length but looking at the pics of “cropped” I like those even better.
    Maybe there is something to that “gamine” ankle-showing thing?
    Do you regard yourself as a “flamboyant gamine”?
    I like the skirt with those booties and like the merino top.
    Bit of a surprise you sent so much back but good to be PPP!

  • phoebe replied 1 year ago

    Supporting your inclination to shorten the pants to a cropped length, and also the decision to send back the paisley sweatshirt as I did not think the length ideal with pants.

  • Jenn replied 1 year ago

    My eye STILL hasn’t adjusted to that new “full” length and I’m not sure I will, so the cropped version looks more right to me. Both these items seem great for you!

  • Runcarla replied 1 year ago

    I like the pants best cropped, with the cuff.  Glad the Boden skirt is a keeper (in whatever size works best.). Good for you to not settle, and hold out for only what is fab.  

  • jussie replied 1 year ago

    I like them best cuffed up too.  I admire how committed you are to getting the right fits and lengths. 

  • LJP replied 1 year ago

    I might like the pants full length , to be honest . I know shorter is easier in winter, but these could look really luxe with a black or cream loafer, and a leather belt ( I don’t love the self belt ) . I can’t comment on the sweater as I never wear merino- just too conservative for me . Love the skirt w those boots , not sure about the sweater with the skirt though . Colour is fine but the pieces together are a little too “ lady “ to my eye . Take my opinion for what it’s worth though .

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    Interesting thoughts so far, thanks all! And keep them coming. 

    Lisa, I can understand a style of sweater feeling conservative, and I'll happily grant that most (though not all)  of the merino in my own closet consists of  simple, classic sweaters -- they function more or less the way that t-shirts might, for another person. Easy to layer over (and under). 

    But I'm curious -- how can a a specific fibre be conservative by its nature? You can make many items out of merino wool. Half my gear is merino. :)  

    Here are my current merino pieces (plus the sweater I'm sending back). Different weights, different styles...

  • replied 1 year ago

    I'm with Lisa, I'd like them just a bit longer, but otherwise perfect!

  • Jaime replied 1 year ago

    My reaction to the pants length was similar to Irina's - at first I thought keep them long, but they do look awfully good cropped. I love the white sweater on you!
    I am also puzzled (in an interested way) about Lisa's comment. Merino wool is inherently conservative or the typical wool sweater is conservative? Inquiring minds want to know :) !

  • LJP replied 1 year ago

    I see it again with the photos , Suz . It’s that merino wool seems to be used in very conservative , basic shapes . No volume , basic welted hems , set in sleeves , etc. I get that they are essentials /basics and are easily styled . But as stand -alone pieces they lack edge or interest ……to me . The pointelle CM here does have interest …..I’d just style it differently - perhaps with a wide leg fluid crepe pant to offset the sweater’s conservative nature and to not have two fitted pieces worn together …..unless you’re putting an oversize blazer or moto jacket over it . But now I’m getting into style preference differences and should shut right up :)

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    No no, Lisa, you should not shut up -- I asked what you meant and you've answered! I absolutely understand that your preferred styling might be different. I actually wasn't showing the sweater styled as I might wear it -- except maybe with the skirt --I was just trying it out -- but mostly, I was just showing the two new items. 

    Still, I'd argue that merino is used in all kinds of garments. Even in the samples here (as we agree, mostly super classic) there are two oversized, dropped shouldered sweaters, one slightly cropped with a back zipper detail, one with a frilled stand collar and ""pleated" sleeve detail, one cut in a traditional style but with an unusual knit (the new CM).

    I do take your point-- the kind of merino sweater I mostly buy and wear is a very flat weave in a classic style -- it's a slightly elevated (and warmer) t-shirt. But there's lots more out there -- at price points beyond mine, on the whole, but even at my budget. 

  • LJP replied 1 year ago

    Understood :)

  • lyn67 replied 1 year ago

    Oh, went back to see what you are sending back from Boden(+M&S) and agree, loved the bl&w stripe merino sweater but is a bit too oversized on you even in the smallest size meanwhile the sweatshirt I find it to be a bit too short on your waist, even if is a cropped style.
    The patterned midi skirt has potential-see if sized down will feel better and wow, I like the new pants and white sweater here! Think the pants can still work with their original length if wearing dark boots or loafers with black sheers-but they look fab croped with the white boots, indeed. Then the white merino sweater- looks gorgeous with your hair! The classic cut is offset by the bright neutral color and the geometric knit pattern. Wearing it with your new and existing essential items (which are all curent) + bookending it with white&bl log boots will keep them modern. Please keep.

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Suz, good idea ordering a size down on the Boden skirt. I'm a stickler for perfect fit and would have done the same thing! Got to compare sizes. Glad that the items you aren't completely happy with are going back too.

    KILLER pants and jumper! Perfect fits. I like the way the stitch-interest on the sweater matches the texture in your hair. So pretty! Refined and chic.

    If you want the jumper to look richer, wear a white camisole underneath it.

    Love the pants long - on trend at that length - although also super cute cropped :) - If they are catching your boots awkwardly, try hemming them just an inch. 

    LOVE the pants with the red sweater, but best of all with the white boots and top in #3! Cobalt might work too. And navy of course! Can you pattern mix the pants with your red plaid boots? Or is that too much of a good thing.....

    The cream jumper is gorgeous with the skirt! Lovely with the taupe boots. Try your white boots instead of the taupe boots too. Might look more punchy with the white sweater. 

    Lots of fun end of year shopping for you! 

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    ETA:

    I have the same CM pants in blush. They are GORGEOUS, so I get why you love your version in the check :)

    Mine are the length on the model. So a little shorter. They work well with my loafers, boots, sneakers, caged sandals, ballet flats and hi-tops! 

  • Dee replied 1 year ago

    I prefer the longer length with all your footwear options and to me they are just the right width. Sweater looks lovely and works as a perfect tee substitute for winter wear.

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    Thanks, all! I think I'm going to hem the pants to just above the ankle as in the model in Angie's pair because they will be more wearable cross-seasonally for me that way. 

    Absolutely, I will wear them with the red plaid boots, Angie! No question! I have lots of footwear to use with them -- white boots, red boots, navy boots, loafers (maybe -- might get a lighter pair as well), sneakers, various sandals. So no problems on that score. 

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Woohooo! They work sooo well with your style.

    Hemming them a little shorter will make them all the more versatile.

  • Jonesy replied 1 year ago

    Love the pants (prefer them at the shorter length) and the sweater looks beautiful! You wear that mock turtleneck so well!

  • rachylou replied 1 year ago

    I love the pants! I like the sweater with the pants but not the skirt… I think I feel it’s a lot of material with the skirt…

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