What I Might Wear: With Thanks to CocoLion

This is the first of my possible trip outfits. I got the schedule today for Banff, and I'm going to have to go to some artsy receptions and I'll also have to give a public reading later in the program.

Here is what I might wear to the opening meet and greet (evening). Unless you think I am mad. Remember, the setting is a mountain resort. But it's not "log cabin." The room we'll be meeting in is a bit glitzy. With a panoramic view of the rugged mountains at sunset.

My inspiration is entirely CocoLion. Here is how:

1. She suggested that I consider bringing a black jacket, and added that lightweight wool would not be too hot in all probability. I had earlier ruled out my one and only black jacket as potentially too hot...but I tried it on and decided...hey...this might actually work.

2. Her "ripped" jeans post got me thinking: I have a pair of slouchy skinny boyfriend jeans.

3. She styled hers with the Reports. I had feared rolling my cuffs due to shortening the leg line, but hey - if she can do it....

Worn with a sequin tank from the Gap.

If this meets your approval, then I must thank CocoLion PROFUSELY. Because these jeans (which I wasn't even going to take with me) and the black jacket will become the foundations of quite a few more outfits.

PS I am also bringing along a pair of straight legs with no distressing and a darker wash.

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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.

54 Comments

  • Jonesy replied 11 years ago

    Wow, Suz, you are looking super-duper chic and fab in this!!! I LOVE it! Those jeans are really wonderful, and I love the sequined top. I think the black jacket grounds the look.

    Kudos to Denise for nudging you onto this path!

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    KILLER (and you know how fussy my eyes are about rolled jeans and trousers).

    You are as much of an inspiration as Denise :)

    You can *see* that you love this outfit too!

  • Inge replied 11 years ago

    This is so perfect, Suz!!

  • Astrid replied 11 years ago

    Yay! You look so happy in this outfit - I love it, it looks perfect! You're so stylish. :) And the black jacket and jeans will be really versatile for other outfits, like you said.

  • Claudia replied 11 years ago

    Suz, you look fab. Fun and stylish.

  • Meredith1953 replied 11 years ago

    Suz,
    It looks absolutely perfect! Those jeans and booties were made for each other. Great rolling the legs and now I want a shiny or sparkly top to dress up jeans too! Denise was spot on about the jacket too!

  • HelenInCanada replied 11 years ago

    Cool jacket, boots, and sequined tank. All amazing and wardrobe builders, for sure!
    BUT. I am going to say a big NAY to the ripped jeans for your "Meet and Greet" event. I think they are a fine daytime, super casual chic look, but I have a feeling the artsies will be upping their style game for the initial meeting at a beautiful glitzy locale! My gut says do a skirt that night! :)

  • Laura replied 11 years ago

    Suz, this outfit is my favorite ever on you!! It's amazing and you look all sparkly and happy :)

  • Sylvie replied 11 years ago

    Wow! I really don't know how you ladies do it, but this outfit is fantastic.

  • MsMary replied 11 years ago

    Holy cow, that is beyond awesome!!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Thank you - you're all so quick!! Such a helpful place.

    Helen, I am wondering about the ripped look, too. I think it will actually fit right in (I've been here before) BUT if I have any sense that it won't work with the vibe, I have some options up my sleeve. At the very least I could wear the same thing with the straight leg jeans (no rips!)

  • Diana replied 11 years ago

    Ooh, I love this! I kind of want to try a copy myself... I don't have boyfriend jeans but my Vince skinnies are slightly slouchy up top and may work. Will have to play around when I get home. Thanks to both you and Denise for the inspiration!

  • HelenInCanada replied 11 years ago

    That sounds wise to me - a couple of 'in case it's more elegant here than I initially thought' panic options! Yes, straight legs without rips would be a great alternative. You're right to suss out the vibe. Obviously the many stylish ladies here love the first option, so either way you'll look seriously good!

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    Love this, Suz! In fact, apart from the rolled jeans, I thought you looked a bit like Angie in this. Great amount of glitz and relaxed elements!

  • K. Period. replied 11 years ago

    Beautiful and fun! And the outfit looks great too! ;) I'm throwing in a bit with H in C, though. Jeans I can completely see for an artists'/authors' reception. Torn jeans look wonderfully fabulously fashionable to my eye, but they seem a little too casual to me. Keep in mind, though, that I've pretty conservative on the jeans spectrum. I'm not even a fan of jeans Friday at my workplace. So maybe file my comment under "potentially poisoned eye."

  • Debbie replied 11 years ago

    I am not a fan of rolled jeans but I absolutley love this on you!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Look at that glint in your eyes -- you know you're rocking this! Too cool for school, missy!

  • Tanya replied 11 years ago

    Absolutely incredible Suz! You look like a model out of J Crew catalog! And the glint in your eyes says it all.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    HOLY CRAP WOMAN!!! This is beyond fabulous on you! YES YES YES!!!

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    Suz, I love this beyond belief. I plan to copy ASAP. :)

  • Gaylene replied 11 years ago

    I'm loving the sass in this outfit, but I think you are wise to have an Plan B just in case. Conferences in places like Whistler or Banff are weird. Sometimes I can feel overdressed in a silk shirt and jeans, while other times it seems like everyone is hauling out their cocktail attire for a simple "meet and greet". I also think ripped jeans are something that people either love or hate-- maybe make your choice based on who you want to hang out with for the rest of the time!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    I have a LBD just in case! I will post some of those looks tomorrow.

  • citygirldc replied 11 years ago

    i'm going to use Angie's adjective and say KILLER TO Nth degree. How's that? It's just a cool outfit.

  • Jjsloane replied 11 years ago

    FANTASTIC!! Perfection! LOVE LOVE LOVE. Clapping and copying.

  • sarah replied 11 years ago

    Well, my goodness. Aren't you the picture of comfortable, effortless chic?! LOVE it.

  • Sveta replied 11 years ago

    <jaw dropped with the clunk>
    Suz, this is a brilliant look. It is very unexpected for you but in the same time it is so you...
    I have a serious desire to copycat here...

  • Jaime replied 11 years ago

    This is perfect! I love your faces too. Wow, you have taken yourself to a whole new place - that is what I call using inspiration wisely.

  • Kyle replied 11 years ago

    Wow. This is an awesome look for you. It's young -- but in a totally good and appropriate way -- and I love that. You nailed this one. More, please!

  • merwoman replied 11 years ago

    You look amazing!!! The inner and outer you are in perfect harmony!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Thank you so much! It's really encouraging. I have been wanting to take my style to the next level. Maybe if I pay consistent attention to CocoLion I will ascend the ladder!! That woman knows what she is talking about.

    Sveta, you are right - it is sort of unexpected for me but it's where I want to be going. Or at least one part of where I want to go! I think there is still a little Audrey in there, too..can't imagine her in distressed denim.

    But Merwoman, you are right - inner and outer in harmony. Very nicely put.

  • christy replied 11 years ago

    Suz, this is SUCH a great outfit on you - I absolutely adore it! Great idea to have some "just in case" outfits figured out in the event this turns out to be too casual, but even if it is too casual for the meet and greet, you simply must wear it at some point in your trip! And the black jacket and jeans will be great pieces for building other outfits.

    Love!!

  • Jamie replied 11 years ago

    Oh my!! How fabulous!

  • Mo replied 11 years ago

    My favorite outfit of yours yet! Awesome look!

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    Egads! Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous and impressive, Suz! So happy to see you smiling widely about one of your trip outfits too! Taking a risk with a combination that sounds incredible for the place and event isn't easy --- but you're an inspiration, Suz.

    And Denise... is a star.

    Well done, Try-anything-once Suz and Stylist Denise!

    PS: I was grazing quickly through while my SO made coffee. Have now shoved him off his own laptop to log in and comment! Yes, you're looking THAT good, Suz.

  • AJ replied 11 years ago

    LUV it! This has such a relaxed yet polished look to it! Plus, with your beautiful smile, everyone will want to meet you!

    You look like a celebrity! Photo 3 is you telling the papparazi to calm down. You'll get to each of them in a minute.

    Photo 4 is you making eye contact with one of your adoring fans who is crying uncontrollably.

    : P

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    SUZ! This is SO GOOD. Now THAT is a boyfriend style jean I can get behind. Where have those beauties been hiding?? I love them, and I love how they look rolled up (just be sure to keep the roll slim). I totally want to copy, if only I had the pieces required (I just have the blazer and booties *sniffle*). I was also wondering about event appropriateness but it sounds like you have other options at your disposal in case it's not.

    (Photo #3 is so flippin cute ^^)

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    Perfection... With edge! I like it!

  • harmonica replied 11 years ago

    PACKING BREAKTROUGH, SUZ! This is an AMAZING look on you!!!! And I'm so glad to see you smile! You owe this boyfriend look totally! And Denise is a genius!

  • Mona replied 11 years ago

    Wow! This is going to my favourties. You make boyfriend jeans look so effortlessly stylish and the black jacket takes it to another level. Also, the sequin top paired with rolled up boyfriend jeans is a great idea.

  • Claudia replied 11 years ago

    Suz, I had to take another look at this outfit on you this morning when I logged in, and wanted to add that you look like someone that would be very interesting and fun to meet based just on your appearance wearing this. You simply sparkle and radiate such an attractive vibe.

  • Claudia replied 11 years ago

    duplicate post removed

  • lyn67 replied 11 years ago

    Oh, My this is more than gorgeous on you, Suz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    What a gorgeous pairing, Thanx to our gorgeous Cocolion!:-). When I read her comment I couldn't envision such a great outfit, but agreed that they all can be workhorses for you there in Banf. Now I know for sure you can work these items for further and for many more beautiful outfits!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    You have all made my day!! Thank you so much; really glad you like this.

    Some of you asked for details. The jeans are Banana Republic Slouchy Skinny jeans from the Heritage collection a couple of years ago, I think? I don't wear them very often because, well, you know. I am of "a certain age" and generally distressed denim isn't "me." But I do wear on laid back weekends and this setting seems like the right setting for them. Maybe not the opening event, though - I will certainly take my cues from others there.

    The jacket is vintage - Marilyn Anselm for Hobbs. I really love the cut of it.

    Thanks again for your warm wishes. But where's Denise? I hope she isn't mad at me!! If you are, Denise, my apologies for mangling your advice, and I"m all ears for more of it!

  • celia replied 11 years ago

    Very artsy!
    You do realize that you are also an inspiration for us, right?
    HAve a good trip.

  • Diana replied 11 years ago

    PS - I copied you today! Will post photos when I get to work.

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    Suz, you look amazing. I'm not usually a fan of ripped jeans, but this outfit looks artsy and creative and seems perfect for your meet and greet function. If others are wearing cocktail attire, I'll bet they will be wishing that they were dressed like you. You are oozing fun and confidence.

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Diana, can't wait to see!! You will look brilliant in this type of thing.

  • mrseccentric replied 11 years ago

    IT'S IN THE BAY, BABY!!!!!!

    (that's 'outta the park' when you're in sf!) i'd say more, but i'd have to bleep out too much of it ;)

    i'm guessing you're feeling much better about packing for your trip? Go YLFers!!!

    "I had feared rolling my cuffs due to shortening the leg line, but hey - if she can do it...." this point has been much on my mind recently. At 50, observing myself and my friends, i am coming to the belief that looking modern and up to date (not necessarily trendy) trumps figure flattery. Nothing ages a woman as much as dressing to flatter your figure using the same techniques you did in your teens.

    Gawd, you look insanely terrific! I want to copy this look right this instant!! (all i'd need is the tank and blazer). Brava Suz!!! have a great time, steph

  • rachylou replied 11 years ago

    Oh my goodness, that is a great look. LOVE the tank top under the black blazer!

  • modgrl replied 11 years ago

    Oh lord this is fabberiffic. I must steal this look as soon as it gets below 95 degrees around here.

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    Offhand, I was wondering if your fuchsia blazer would work with this outfit? Maybe with a simpler top or something brightly printed? The mix of the satiny fabric with the distressed denim and booties would be yummy!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Aida, I think you're right - it would be great. It's not in my suitcase, but I"ll definitely try it when I get home. I discovered that I love the fuchsia silk with denim when I was at a conference in May; I wore the silk top with my Long and Leans and the Reports, plus my glen plaid jacket, and felt great in that outfit. Pairing the jacket with the distressed denim would just kick it up a notch! Thanks for the great idea.

  • Freckles replied 11 years ago

    I am not a big fan of denim at all and ripped jeans are totally poison eye to me. I absolutely adore this on you though!!!

    Not sure about the event but you will have such an amazing selection with you that will be able to make that decision there.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I actually think the distressed denim looks extra cool on you *because* you are of a certain age and you have put them with other pieces that are very chic. You look fantastic! The grey sequined tank, jeans and booties all create a neutral long column and somehow the black wool blazer doesn't look winter-y at all. Stellar job!

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