The spree that went splat...Kit & Ace

So, I ordered up a storm from all kinds of places this week. The good news? It came in record time. 

The good news for my wallet, bad news for my wardrobe? Most of it is going back. I seem to have lost some of my online shopping karma. 

First up, the Kit & Ace order. These (non-returnable final sale --oops! -- Navigator pants fit fine but the colour is more brownish than I'd imagined, and I don't like the fabric at all. I think I have to take the loss, but I'll bring them along to the store when I return the other stuff, just in case.  

The dress is deliciously soft and comfy and would be a great work from home item. But as Carol noted in her thread today, in winter, we Canadians need tights with dresses. A try on session revealed that tights stick to it, not matter what, so it's going back. 

I'm keeping the oversized T-neck though, to beef up my loungewear capsule. I'll wear it with leggings at home. The fabric is the same terry as the dress and it is so soft and comfy. 

The other pants feel like my mother's double knits. If you are a person who likes knit pants, you might like these. They are really nice quality. Just not for me. 

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24 Comments

  • MsMaven replied 2 years ago

    Too bad about the dress--it's so pretty on you. I know what you mean about your mother's double knit pants. Gave me a smile at the memory.

  • Tanya replied 2 years ago

    Sorry to hear this order did not work out, Suz. I am especially sorry about the lovely dress. Would wearing a slip underneath be a possibility, to prevent sticking to the tights?

  • Sal replied 2 years ago

    That's a shame but your reasoning is sound.  In the photos I like them all - but if the fabrication is wrong then that will be annoying.  

    The dress is especially good - but if the window for a long sleeve dress without tights is minimal then I agree with returning.  That is quite a wide range for me (both spring and autumn are often possible so about 6 months a year).  

  • Suz replied 2 years ago

    Yes, I could potentially wear a slip -- but I think the slip would bunch, too, because of the nature of the fabric (not thick enough to weigh the slip down, if that makes sense.) 

    I could wear a long sleeved dress without tights for some time — possibly not quite as long as you can, Sally, but definitely in transitional seasons and even (sometimes!) in summer—but not this dress. The fabrication is such that it would feel too warm to wear it if the weather were more than 12 or 13C, I think. And at that temp, I need tights...

  • Sal replied 2 years ago

    Oh that's a reason to return then Suz - a shame but the right call (something designers should consider and possibly test with winter weight dresses...)

    The lilac top will be a nice winter addition.  I am pleased to see more interesting shape and styles in different colours coming through now.

  • Eliza replied 2 years ago

    See why you ordered what you did. Understand about knit pants; bought many for mother and mother-in-law. Like the drapey T-neck for its fluidity, comfort and terrific for Suz color.
    The dress is beautiful on you. Did you try it with some version of thin, warm leggings? Uniqlo’s HeatTech ones are thin, warm and lack fuzz that could cling to the dress. Just add socks. Perhaps worth a try.

  • Runcarla replied 2 years ago

    The positive of this experiment is that the plum colour is well worth looking for when you are given the choice of a colour palette for a specific item because it is very flattering and will work well with your blues, silvers, blacks, greys, and berry colours.  Make note of the fabric composition of things that don’t work, and note them on your ‘do not buy’ list, and it will help with the assessment of future on-line orders.  


    As Angie says - NEXT!

  • Jaime replied 2 years ago

    Boy you are tough! (In an excellent way!) I would be tempted by that dress just because it looks so nice on you. But you are quite right, there are many cloth fish in the sea and something even better will fall into your net.

  • Brooklyn replied 2 years ago

    What a shame! The dress is so fab. But good for you for being picky!

  • Suz replied 2 years ago

    Carla (and all) -- yes, this is a kind of heathered orchid tone that is fab on me (and Tanya!!! and probably Inge, too!)  A brighter, purer orchid is fab, too, but also quite difficult to source -- despite "radiant orchid" supposedly being a Panetone colour of the year a few years back!! 

    It can be tough to find at retail these days. 

    I do own a few items in this colour, mostly lounge, but one silk blouse and one flannel shirt that includes the colour in its pattern.  I realize these are not identical shades but IRL they are awfully close. I have tried to put a complement of sorts together with these soft orchids, but it has been surprisingly difficult. I do have a couple of scarves that include the orchid. 

    Ideally, I would like to add more of this into my closet. 

  • CocoLion replied 2 years ago

    I think the navigator pants look fantastic on you.  And they work with that paisley top particularly well.  Even though yes they are kind of brown.  Love the turtleneck, did you try it with the brown pants?

  • Suz replied 2 years ago

    Thanks, Denise. If I can't get my money back on the pants, I'll keep them and try to use. It's just that the top I tried them with is pretty much the only top I own that works with them, and I don't want to invest in browns or brown-compatibles. I like chocolate and used to wear it a lot when I had dark blonde hair and it looked good, but it doesn't work as well with the grey. I thought they'd be a bit more burgundy than brown. They do have a brighter burgundy stripe down the side, which is kind of fun,  but in a try on session it wasn't enough to make them work with other items in the closet. I didn't like them with the orchid top, alas. Not quite right. Still, they'd be great biking pants, so...

  • Katerina replied 2 years ago

    What a pity that the items have not met your expectations. I understand why you are returning them, though they look very nice in the pictures you posted. The turtleneck is great - so at least the reward for your effort will be one great item. The dress looks beautiful, but I completely agree with you - if the practical use is very limited, better to wait for another one. Your discipline and being picky inspires me, I sometimes tend to keep items only because they are pretty…

  • Bijou replied 2 years ago

    Suz, you have made a great analysis and given how fabulous you look in the clothes that do make the grade, you should return the items that don't work. I am hoping that better items come your way soon. I would not wear a long sleeve dress that could not be worn with hosiery either, so despite it being lovely, it should go back.

  • Stagiaire Fash replied 2 years ago

    I love that orchid color too. These leggings are slippery enough that I’d try them with that dress, but I can’t tell you where to get more—they’re from Sundance, which no longer has them on their site.  (The top is Uniqlo Heat tech, which you know all about)

  • replied 2 years ago

    Shame about the dress! Couldn't you wear it on transitional days, when it's not cold enough to need tights?

  • Angie replied 2 years ago

    Fab lounging T-neck! That’s a goodie :)

    As for the rest Suz, good job sending it back!

    The dress is gorgeous, but oh my word do I get what you mean about the sticky tights :(

    I’ve found that these types of sweater dress silhouettes are better for me precisely for that reason. I've had these forever, and they are great. Lots more room all round. 

  • rachylou replied 2 years ago

    Bummer. They do look good tho.

  • lyn67 replied 2 years ago

    Maybe use a slip under the dress-I really love it!:-)

  • RobinF replied 2 years ago

    That's disappointing. Good job at staying firm with returns though. I tend to convince myself things are OK when I should just send them back. I am better in brick and mortar in general.

  • Janet replied 2 years ago

    Oh what a bummer especially about the dress, because it looks wonderful on you. I hate when skirts and dresses stick to and ride up tights — one of the reasons I rarely wear dresses in winter. I hope you find a better version.

    The pants look nice too, but I understand your reasoning. Hope they take them back. If not, perhaps resell?

  • Roxanna replied 2 years ago

    How smart to try on your dress with tights first to see if it works (instead of being annoyed that first winter day when you pull it out, as has happened to me many a time!) 

    I just bought an Eileen fisher wool flannel shirtdress (petite) and The Bay online - it is BEAUTIFUL, drapey, warm and soft wool flannel. Colour is a dark charcoal melange. maybe give it a look if you are in the market for a good winter dress...

  • replied 2 years ago

    That's  too bad - all the way around. I haven't paid any attention to Kit & Ace since they disappeared from the retail scene here in Wpg.  They really were some of my best pieces, back in the day.  That dress is  so beautiful on you - I hope you keep an eye out for something similar in that colour and style.  

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 2 years ago

    Too bad, but I appreciate your review. That turtleneck is fab, and it looks really cute with the pants that you're returning. Maybe it could be more than loungewear and work with some narrow-legged jeans.

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