WIW: Distressed denim fancy and plain

Remember my ill fated J. Crew print tee with the blue-and-cream pattern? The one that got dyed lilac and blue in the wash? 

Well, I've kept it, and I do still wear it in its current colours. But it doesn't feel the same. The thrill is gone.

I considered an outright replacement (via eBay) but couldn't find one in my size. I'll keep hunting, but maybe it's not to be. 

Meanwhile, I discovered a silk blouse at Club Monaco that looked awfully similar. Bingo! Now I have an upgrade! Admittedly, being a dressier top, it doesn't fit exactly the same purpose, but I know from my love for the earlier tee that it will get a lot of wear, regardless. I wore it first out to drinks with a friend, dressing it down a bit with distressed denim.

This one is a crane print instead of hummingbirds. But the spirit is the same. 

Later, I changed for a walk. The Steve Madden sneakers are a revelation because they actually stay on my feet!! Miracle. I did have to buy a size down and suffered horrid blisters on my heels on the first wearing. But they're broken in now and they work! So excited. Leopard print is almost a bookender for me. 

Other than the shoes and bag, this outfit is all oldies. Ancient (pre YLF) slouchy skinnies from BR. Still love them, despite the fact that they are not so slouchy at the moment. (Ahem. Red wine and lack of exercise, I am looking at you.)  Ancient BR sweater, which has come in and out of the donate pile a number of times. It's past its prime and not pristine but I love how soft it feels. And Ms.Mary's magic scarf. 

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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.

33 Comments

  • replied 9 years ago

    What a great find, Suz! It really does evoke the other one.

  • Sal replied 9 years ago

    Great looks Suz, I am pleased you were able to get something with a similar pattern as it works brilliantly for your style.  

    The slip on sneakers look wonderful too.

  • shedev replied 9 years ago

    great top Suz.

  • Janet replied 9 years ago

    All renditions look great! I know how it is with the "dyed" shirt -- I've done it too. :-( But a lucky find to sort of replace it! I cannot tell at all if you've had a more-wine and less-exercise phase. You look beautiful as always.

  • Staysfit replied 9 years ago

    Oh, nice! I remember that tee especially because I also own one! I'm glad you found a replacement that in my honest opinion looks nicer than the original. You wear it well! Enjoy Suz!

  • Marilyn replied 9 years ago

    Really great looks, Suz!   Love them all.  I especially like #1 because it looks so fresh with the white jeans.  And #4, dressed up with the blazer, stands out as well.  Happy that the sneakers worked out for you.  I have a pair of leopard smoking slippers that I wear to death.

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    Oh, what a great find Suz!  Love how you're wearing it here.  And I'm happy for you that you found some slip on sneaks that work... they are a versatile piece of footwear.

  • replied 9 years ago

    I just love the last two looks on you. The last look is kind of euro-chic, is that right?
    I really would like the blazer for myself. I hope the inward collar look stays in for a while because I think it's kinda fun.

  • Vicki replied 9 years ago

    Suz, as I pet my cat, you look amazing as ever and I think cranes and hummingbirds are poetically the same in my book!  Lovely in every photo and I adore your Trouve jacket.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Thanks, all. I need to post more WIWs; it is good for the ego. Ha! 

    Smittie
    , I think that last look is more sporty but I'll take Euro-chic -- thanks! And I also hope that collar shape stays around for a while. It works great if you have short hair, a small bust, long neck. Or if you wear your hair up. 

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Fantastic upgrade! I really love the new top on you - you look fantastic in every picture. I like your lipstick too. A bit like the color of that irresistible temptress known as red wine.

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    Thank you for posting Suz (I saw your comment on Greg's thread. O_o)   

    Is 1/2 the J Crew top/tee?

    I actually like the top in #3 more.  Can't put my finger on why, is it the fabric?  I just purchased a silk blouse and need to be a risk taker and wear it in more casual settings.  I think I can do it! Your example inspires.

    My favorite outfit of this lot is 4/5.  Leopard and stripes!  So chic.  These two patterns elevate EVERYTHING.  And I am nodding my head about the sizing down for slip ons.  I have done exactly the same and both my Vans and Steve Maddens required several outings with Band-Aids and moleskin, but now the shoes are comfortable.  When Angie did the blog post about shoe stretch techniques, I thought, what about the pain method?

  • Elly replied 9 years ago

    I'm amazed you found sneakers! I would run out and try them, but I think they will be WAY to sweaty for my sweltering office.

  • dakotacheryl replied 9 years ago

    Love your smile in these photos!!  Love the looks and would copy any of them in a New York minute!!

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    Suz, it is a treat to see your beautiful smiling face and a group of fab outfits. I like this new top even better than the JCrew. My favorite version here is the first with white jeans.
    About Theory blazer sizing...do they run small? Narrow? I recently picked up a black one button one in a size S on consignment sale. It fits in the shoulders and arms, but seems too narrow through the body and I usually have the opposite problem of too much room in the bust area.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Yay for finding such a great new version of that top! It's such a distinctive pattern, but the new one really does have the same feel.

    You look great -- I don't remotely see any evidence of too much wine. Really like the new sneakers too and they complement the striped top so well.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Ah, thanks again! 

    Elly, I think these might be too sweaty. I won't be able to wear them in high summer. They are a transitional season shoe for me. Yesterday was quite cool so I was okay in them. 

    Denise, you are way too kind. I think there are two features of the new top that make it more special -- it is silk, yes, so that is one thing. It also has a really lovely hi-low cut that the tee shirt does not have. When I semi tucked the tee I could get that type of look, though, since it is drapey linen. But these photos don't show that. (And yes, it's the tee in its pristine state in #1 and dyed state in #2). 

    I am planning to wear the silk blouse AS a tee shirt except on super hot days, and we'll see how that works. Silk is actually pretty durable and strong. 

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Joy, the jacket here is not Theory -- it's Trouve. Theory does tend to run snug. I need a 2 in Theory jackets and I take a 0 in some others, e.g. BR. Actually, I don't really fit Theory jackets all that well, or at least not the Gabe. It does something funny in the shoulder area on me -- I think it is not quite wide enough there for my frame. But sized up is too big. 

  • Windchime replied 9 years ago

    You look beautiful in the crane shirt! It's exactly that shade of blue which looks so amazing on you. I actually like #2, the shorts outfit, a lot. It lets that pretty shirt be the star, complemented by your shiny sandals.

  • merwoman replied 9 years ago

    Love these outfits Suz! And it seems to me your hair is a wee bit longer? - suits you beautifully you gorgeous thing!

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    You look fantastic in every outfit! That crane top was such a lucky find. Those Steve Madden Mules are super cute shoes. My favorite outfit is #4, but it's hard to pick since I do love them all.

  • tulle replied 9 years ago

    I always love your clothes picks, Suz, and this is no exception.  Any kind of toile print makes me happy, and if it's blue and white with birds in it, it's irresistible. Add silk, a drapey t-shirt cut, and long sleeves, and I may need to place an order! Love it with the tough jeans, but imagine it will be stunning with a black or dark blue pencil skirt, too. You look radiant in every photo here. A great find--thanks for showing it.  One question:  how "Apricot" is the background color?  On my screen it looks warm cream; anything more orange than that could be problematic for me.

  • abc replied 9 years ago

    Love all the renditions. Super fab each one. You're one of my ylf icons! Good to see you post again! And I hear you on the red wine lol

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    Thank you for answering my Theory questions. I have a feeling that the brand is not a good fit for me either.
    I just realized that I mistook the first photo for your new top. I see why you loved that top. Silk will be fabulous though. To me it is a warm layer in winter and cool in summer.

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

    Oh wow. Tres chic.
    The crane blouse is lovely. I am so tempted, as it ticks off so many style points. Though blue & white are totally your colors-you have been smart to keep adding in that direction. I've never ordered from Club Monaco but think it may be a great place to find things that are interesting but still nod to classic.
    Hmmm, would I try size S? Or need more fluid?
    Do you try to place a big order for free shipping? The $ 5 seems modest compared to others and it can be good sometimes to just focus.

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    Thanks for the explanation.  There is so much pressure in retail, I'm not surprised some of the fabrics fall short from time to time (J Crew).  I've learned to forgive brands.  For example, Vince.  It really works for me.  But they have made some quality errors.  I just move on, because even when there are issues, the fit and style work for me.  So don't give up on J Crew.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Thanks again, all. Denise, the fault with that tee was not J. Crew's, but my stepdaughter's and husband's. She threw her skirt in our wash and he didn't notice (or didn't know that it would bleed.) The tee itself was and is a great quality, in fact! And J. Crew "gets" me by and large, so I'm still a loyal customer. 

    unfrumped, this is the xs top. My shoulders are 39 inches around and it barely fits me there but is a loose fit so I took a chance. (They had nothing left for sizes in Canada by the time I re-ordered to replace the order that got messed up.)  I would guess you'd be an xs also. The top widens at the bottom with a loose blouse back. I did not pay shipping because prices are higher here in Canada and I ordered another item -- plus they gave me expedited shipping free due to their own website mix ups. 

    Joy, my thoughts about silk, too. 

    tulle, thank you for your kind compliments. And I wondered the same thing about the "apricot." The blouse is clearly a blue pattern and the background is NOT apricot at all, but a soft off-white/ cream. But there are teeny tiny little flecks of (almost invisible) apricot in the pattern -- the birds' beaks or something (can't remember.) Go figure. 

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    Missed your wiw posts, Suz, but YLF in all of these! Love your Steve Madden mule sandals  in nr. 3 and 4! And the animal print slip ons in the last one! Happy you found a replacement blouse to the ill fated one, it really is very close looking to it, and fab, too! 

    Oh, my fave from here is nr 1 you know--taupe cage sandals look great to it!

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    What a great find Suz - it looks beautiful and certainly does have the same general feeling of the tee but of course dressier as you said. And I love that last outfit on you with the sneaks!

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Wow, Suz, you are looking great!! Way to go on the replacement top; that type of pattern suits you so well. I, too, am a huge fan of your trouvé jacket (having been lucky enough to see it in person, too!). Glad you found some sneakers that work. Great to "see" you :)

  • replied 9 years ago

    Before reading all of the comments, I was a  little confused about which top was which, but I get it now !  I quite like the new version too, and like the elegance factor of it.  Such a great way to dress up jeans. CM is good with tops like this - not too trendy, seasonless , wear-with-anything, and easy to fit!  Love your new sneaks too ! 

  • Helena replied 9 years ago

    YLF as always Suz!

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    What a great find! I love this blouse very much and knowing how much you wore the JCrew silk cat blouse I know this one would be an equal workhorse. (of course I had to go and chek it out on CM website for myself...tempting!)
    You wear relaxed jeans with the best of them, they are one of your signature pieces in my eyes. An hooray for finding slip ons which stay on your feet! I know how difficult it is for you.
    My BR striped sweater is long gone...

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