"Poncho" and vest

I had been wanting to try this ensemble ever since Angie featured it a month ago.

But I didn't have cords. And I didn't have a poncho.

I like the look of ponchos on others but they aren't very practical for my climate or my lifestyle, alas. Yet when I saw this oversize, cropped, sleeved turtleneck at Zara, it reminded me somewhat of the poncho shape. 

Also, I wondered if its curving drape might help me wear the cropped sweater-over-a-shirt look a little more successfully. Some of you might remember that I tried that look quite a few times last season with a straight-across-the-bottom sweater and really didn't care for it much on myself (I think I succeeded with a look I genuinely liked maybe once?)

Anyway, it turns out that I do like the curved lines on this sweater -- it seems to flatter in a similar way to the semi-tuck, or is that just my imagination? In any case, it's really comfortable to wear layered because it is so loose on the bottom. Yet because it is fitted at the neckline and on the sleeve it doesn't overwhelm me. 

Wearing with old DL1961 ultra-skinnies that I hadn't been using much. They have a fairly high rise so I decided to crop them, to see if I would wear them more often. I like them this way. (These are my first "designer" jeans and one of my earliest YLF purchases! They're not exactly what's in the Finds but they are similar.)

I also tried a vest outfit with the Gap cropped Sloans. This was also fun to wear.

Thanks for the inspiration, Angie! 

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33 Comments

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    Suz, those are both fantastic.  I love your interpretation of Angie's ensemble.  And yes, I agree totally that the curved hemline works well.  Straight across doesn't work for me at all, so I take note of these things.  And that VEST!!  Where is it from?

  • TraceyLiz65 replied 9 years ago

    Both looks are wonderful, love the vest and the curve hemmed sweater is a flattering silhouette.

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 9 years ago

    I love the vest look.  

    I also really like the curved him cropped sweater but (I seem like such a negative Nellie lately) I would like to see it with a shirt underneath that has a straight hem instead of a curve that is opposite.  Know what I mean?

    I see you are wearing the boots.  I am packing and considered taking them with me but  changed my mind and went with black since it works with absolutely everything I packed and the purple wouldn't.  

  • Alassë replied 9 years ago

    Oh, yes, that sweater definitely reminds me of a poncho. Great job interpreting!

  • Peri replied 9 years ago

    Yay, so happy to see your WIWs again! I'm a big fan of the vest outfit!

  • merwoman replied 9 years ago

    Those boots are so versatile, they work so well in your wardrobe. I lemminged up and bought them in black last week. I like what you've done with the cropped sweater to turn it into a pseudo poncho, and I love the vest! The scarf provides a nice focus and the colour is perfect next to your face.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Thanks, all. Elizabeth, the vest is from Winner's. Inexpensive. I have only worn it twice and already it is developing some runs and pills. I have managed to tidy it up for now but I think it may prove to be a one-season wonder, alas. 

    Sue, Cheryle -- I have been wearing the boots almost every day! Shocking. They're fun and easy to wear for me -- good walking boots. I am always in search of footwear that is both fashionable and goes the distance. They fit the bill. And they seem to "go" with more than I had expected. 

    Cheryle, I don't know if I have a single straight across the bottom shirt, now that you mention it. Hmmm. If i do, I'll try it. 

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    #1 is Killer to the power of Killer. I LOVE THIS ON YOU, Suz. Amazing new boots and great hack job on the jeans. Well done. 

    (Diagonal lines for the win - you are dead right about their flattering effect). 

    The vest look is super cute too. I see arty drape with crisp polish. NICE! 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Super cool outfits, Suz. Both are stellar! I agree that the curved hem of the sweater in 1 is flattering like a semi-tuck. That's a favorite shape of mine, too.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Great look - you do these proportions so well!

  • Elly replied 9 years ago

    love the turtle!

  • Maneera replied 9 years ago

    Love these, Suz! I think #1 totally works because of the curved hem of the sweater. I especially love the second outfit - that vest looks stellar on you! You've created perfect proportions in both outfits

  • chouette22 replied 9 years ago

    I LOVE both outfits! The Zara turtleneck is perfection on you. With your fab hairstyle you look like a model! I too just hacked a few inches off two pants I wasn't wearing anymore and now they are back in rotation. 

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Love both outfits! The curve hem is just the ticket for you and the boots are gorgeous with the hemmed jeans. You have double my determination to hack some jeans myself. The second outfit is also excellent - evolving style Suz for the win! 

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Great outfit Suz.  Love the cropped sweater so much.  Clever interpretation of the ensemble :)

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    Fab outfits! The cropped sweater is very flattering on you and I can see how the silhouette is similar to the semi-tuck. I like the Sloans on you too - I've been meaning to try them for myself but never seem to get around to it. Do they have a curvy fit or a straight fit? 

  • viva replied 9 years ago

    I love that Zara cropped sweater on you - looks fantastic over the plaid shirt. What a great way to cheat a poncho style!

  • Style Fan replied 9 years ago

    I love this look.  I may have to be a lemming and pop over to Zara.  Is it a warm burgundy?  And I love the boots.  I have been off the forum and look what I missed.  Poor internet connection. 

  • Aquamarine replied 9 years ago

    Gorgeous faux poncho look. You have given me ideas. The vest outfit is fab, too. At least you know the look works for you if you decide to upgrade to a better quality version.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Thank you all. 

    Style Fan, the sweater is more cool-toned but it is a true burgundy, not a red or purple or berry kind of burgundy, if that makes sense. There is a black undertone (black flecks in the knit). At the same time, it doesn't seem to clash with the boots which are more a purple toned burgundy. 

    Karie, the Sloans are a typical BR fit, I'd say, but maybe on the slim side. So, not as straight cut as some J. Crew offerings but not super curvy, either. I actually sized up in this pair. Their sizing seems a bit wonky this year and (in truth!) I am up a few pounds as well. 

  • replied 9 years ago

    Love, love love! Both are fab outfits. I really like the curvy hemmed cropped sweater, sooo flattering, and the vest outfit with plaid scarf is delish.

  • abc replied 9 years ago

    What everyone else said. As usual, Suz, your rendition is amazing! I love the curved hem of the topper, it reminds me of when you and Rae and others were sporting cropped over long and I so wanted to copycat. Feeling the urge again but I will probably just admire from afar. I love this color palette on you with the sweater and boots and the lighter top underneath to keep it from getting too heavy visually.

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    Gorgeous pieces, both+new burgundy boots! Yes, I do think curved hems (besides are more interesting and flatering) are easier to style to what you wanted and wow, do both outfits look super amazing on you! 

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    Love your new "poncho," Suz.   Noticing the trends, and adding them in a form that supports our own bodies and lifestyles seems to be essential to developing a real personal style.  

    Do you find the vest working well at home? I've been keeping my eyes open for a drapey vest for at home days --- I don't like the warmth or interference of sweater sleeves when I'm cooking or cleaning --- I'm forever pushing the sleeves up!

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    Both outfits are great!  I love the new Zara sweater.  That curved hem is very flattering and I liked the layered look on you.  Man, I really need new sweaters this winter but I emptied my clothing fund to start baby boy's college fund.  New sweaters will just have to wait. 

  • KikiG replied 9 years ago

    I love this to the power of 10.  There is a magic to a curve. 

  • shedev replied 9 years ago

    I love both outfits.

  • MTBGirl replied 9 years ago

    I love both of these outfits on you! And I would totally copy the "poncho" sweater but looking at their size chart (I've never ordered from Zara) it looks like I would need a large : (   

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Donna, it's super oversized. I'll bet you could wear it. How tall are you? That would be the key issue. 

    Zara do size on the smaller end, as a rule, though. Not always. But if Sveta can wear Zara (she is almost 6 feet tall and slender but not skinny) anyone can! 

  • MTBGirl replied 9 years ago

    Thanks for the info Suz! I'm 5'6" plus, with a long torso. What do you think?

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Super fun Suz! A great way to work a poncho for you (and of course I am now pondering the top for me, too). I love the curved hemline, and yes that type of hem is flattering in a way similar to semi-tucking. I have a few tops with this hem and find exactly the same thing to be true. Extra fun with the cropped jeans and also good idea to crop 'em up. Make those clothes work for you! Too bad the vest is already pilling, it's a fabulous arty-lite piece for you.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Donna, for sure you could make this work. I have the sweater in small -- I am 5'4". Short waisted but long rise so overall an average torso length. I think medium would be plenty big for you.  

     Aida, I know -- it's a shame about the vest, eh? But I'm taking good care of it. One good thing -- it does "repair" pretty easily. (You know when you can draw the thread back into the fabric pretty well?) 

  • MTBGirl replied 9 years ago

    So I just ordered it from Zara! Here's hoping! : )

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