The unexpected refresh

After an unintentionally low buy year and major edits in spring and fall, I suddenly bought a lot of new items in the last few weeks! Quite a few from Canadian retailers but quite a lot also from Banana Republic. My knits in particular were in dire need of an update and the sales and easy returns if things did not work out overpowered my buy Canadian rule. At least the warehousing is here. If that counts? 

Here are a few of my new items with reviews. I'll post the rest as I wear them. 

1 - 4. Oversized cashmere sweater in burgundy. I took my usual size. Reviewers complained about the neckline being fussy but I did not find that. The cashmere is soft and I like the cut. I don't know yet about pilling of course. This one fits the way that gorgeous blue sweater from Simon's should have fit. Wearing it with Zara jeans, La Canadienne boots (last year) and a new puffer from Peak Performance. I love the bright red interior with dark red outer side. 

5-8. Cashmere turtleneck in charcoal. I love the boxy cut with the slits. Unlike the other sweater it is not truly oversized -- the shoulder fit is very neat. I took my regular BR size. I am also wearing light grey wool wide legs from BR. I love their lightweight wool pants and wear them for WFH as well as teaching days. These ones are fun because you can casualize them by wearing the tie waist out, or dress them up by pulling the strings in. 

I would highly recommend these two sweaters. The grey comes in many colours. The burgundy comes in several other colours as well. 

Apologies for the lighting. I know you all get it! 

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This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

17 Comments

  • Star (Lise) replied 1 month ago

    Those look so plush! Love the side slits on the grey. New puffer is fab too. Nice refresh pieces.

  • Cookie replied 1 month ago

    You look so cozy and cute! I think I am coveting those buckled boots.

  • RobinF replied 1 month ago

    Nice looking sweaters, they look like they fit you perfectly. Love the dramatic wide leg pants too.

  • Angie replied 1 month ago

    A smashing refresh, Suz! Every new item fits beautifully, and is KILLER. Well done! The right oversized fit makes quite the difference, doesn't it....

    BR is back in our good graces ;) 

    Speaking of grace, I LOVE YOU in super wide soft pants!! So elegant and retro! The light grey is very pretty with your silver hair, and you look gorgeous. 

    Enjoy your pretty new things! 

  • Irina replied 1 month ago

    Beautiful new items, Suz! I love the burgundy sweater and that puffer is so cool!
    I order one cashmere sweater from BR during sales and returned it. The cut was too straight and a bit too long, like a classic crew neck sweater. I don’t have any luck with BR this year. I kept only one pair of summer pants. I’m not sure why it doesn’t work for me. 

  • Suz replied 1 month ago

    Irina, it is funny -- I ordered a bunch of things from BR earlier in the fall and returned them all -- a cardigan, a turtleneck, and several pairs of pants. All no good -- wrong cut or fit for me. My expectations were therefore low, but I had so much better luck with my more recent orders. I think these two sweaters would be more your cup of tea because they are definitely not long. Not truly cropped, but not long either. But not everyone likes turtlenecks and they might not be in colours you would want. 

    Thanks Angie! I am happy with these new BR purchases. Especially at sale price. 

    Robin, Cookie, Star -- thank you! 

  • SarahD8 replied 1 month ago

    oooh nothing like a pile of cozy new knitwear to take into The Big Dark. These new pieces all look smashing on you -- enjoy!

  • MsMary replied 1 month ago

    OMG that puffer is rocking my world! I have a burgundy puffer from Uniqlo but I'm afraid yours puts mine to shame!!

  • ChristelJ replied 1 month ago

    What delicious pieces! They fit you beautifully and really suit you. Burgundy is fantastic with your hair and skin tone, and I love the charcoal too. 

  • LJP replied 1 month ago

    Well isn't this a fun post to read and see !  This is a really perfect capsule of pieces and I quite like the dramatic wide and long leg pants on you.  I love that jacket too - really pretty colour and you can see the quality even from the photos .  I rarely wear my hip-length puffer - I guess it's practical for you on your ebike in the winter?  

    I've had good luck with BR this year - although I didn't take advantage of the recent sale for any cashmere.  I was sitting on my hands, believe me.  One of the fashion influencers (I hate that word!) I still follow - Neelam Ahooja from Toronto  - has featured a lot of BR this fall among the much higher-end designer stuff she wears (The Row, primarily) and it's so inspiring. The pieces look very luxe when styled well.  

  • Lisa replied 1 month ago

    The new sweaters and puffer are lovely on you. My favorite is the puffer simply because of the gorgeous burgundy color. It's stunning on you!

  • Dee replied 1 month ago

    Great set of new turtleneck sweaters Suz, just perfect for your winter style. Especially love the burgundy with the red,

  • Janet replied 1 month ago

    Great new items! I’m glad they worked out for you. And those wide leg pants are excellent! I predict a workhorse.

    I had a little refresh with BR too. I actually ordered the merino blend Fireside sweater Angie recently featured, during a sale, but that sweater didn’t work out for me as well as a couple of their cashmere ones did (weirdly I found the merino one itchy!) . It rounded out my blue-sweater capsule, with a vibrant deep turquoise and a darker but not navy blue. I wore the turquoise a couple of days ago and enjoyed it! I returned the lighter colored Fireside sweater, which was a shame because I love the cropped length.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 1 month ago

    Gorgeous, plush looking sweaters, and they are fab on you. I love the new puffer, too! 

  • Jaime replied 1 month ago

    The burgundy sweater looks incredible on you! Wow, that is your color. The charcoal also is fab. Good picking!

  • Suz replied 1 month ago

    Thanks, all! Jaime, I like burgundy a lot (and claret and port). As long as it is not too brown toned, it works. And I'm really enjoying tonal reds this year. I have a bunch of outfits to post eventually. 

    "Plus" is a great word, Sharan. It's accurate. They feel that way. 

    Janet, too bad about the Fireside sweater but it sounds like the cashmere is working well for you, which is great! 

    Thanks, Lisa

    LisaP, thank you. And yes, I remember the great tops you got this summer. I was really impressed with how they looked on you and worked with your other items. Re the hip length jackets -- I actually like them best a tad shorter than this one -- like my Save the Duck jacket, but anyway, I now have 4 of these things and wear them all the time. One  (from Lole) is strictly gear (I wear on the bike; it has a longer backside). The others though I wear in the car and/or when wearing wide leg pants if not wearing my long coats. They are just easy to throw on. But also, our weather is still relatively warm -- I will haul out the longer puffers and the wool coats more regularly in a few weeks. 

    Thanks Christel, Mary, Sarah! 

  • Helena replied 1 month ago

    Awesome pieces Suz! They look fresh but fit into your wardrobe as if they've always been there at the same time ... Wardrobe goals! YLF!

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