WIW: Quiet drama

It promises to be a rare mostly sunny and cool day here in my part
 of the Pacific Northwest and I'm on my way to Vancouver for some medical appointments (not serious) and a much needed haircut -- it has been 3 months and I have been hacking at myself with nail scissors! Time to bring out the seldom worn but deeply loved Rag and Bone coat vest! Everything here is from 1 year (the boots) to 11 years old, and I love it all. 

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31 Comments

  • Bijou replied 4 months ago

    You wear quiet drama so well - this outfit is incredibly FAB. The gilet is a forever piece. Whilst I am sure that you will enjoy having your hair professionally cut, your hair looks good. I cannot imagine what my hair would be like if it was left up to me and a pair of nail scissors!

  • Jules replied 4 months ago

    Very cool! The gilet over the jacket is a unique touch that works. I think you should definitely pair the gilet and pants in more outifts this fall - they work almost as a "suit" that could be styled many ways.

  • Dee replied 4 months ago

    Now this is urban cool drama, such a unique combo pairing the long classic gilet over the edgy jean jacket and wide leg jeans. Nice touch with the slouchy punch of colour in the bag. 
    I too am always fussing with little hair snips between cuts, although your hair looks darn good for 3 months without a cut.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 months ago

    I love this casually chic, cosmopolitan look!

  • slim cat replied 4 months ago

    Perfectly layered look - fabulous!

  • Olive Green replied 4 months ago

    Yup, urban cool describes this perfectly. 

  • Laurie replied 4 months ago

    Sooo good! 
    The awesome boots re-emerge!

  • Suz replied 4 months ago

    First wearing of boots for me this year, Laurie! I figure once October hits it is time to break them out. Mind you, I will now be wearing them through April!

    Thanks for the kind words, all. I love this gilet. But the conditions need to be just right for wearing. A day with lots of standing and walking. Cool but not cold temps. Sunshine. (Or at least not rain).

    I realized that my cropped denim jacket is actually 12 or even 13years old. It dates from my earliest days on YLF, when seeing Angie wear a similar jacket inspired me to hunt one down. Still a favourite item of clothing that gets a ton of wear

  • Star replied 4 months ago

    Absolutely cool Suz!

  • Lisa replied 4 months ago

    I love the drama the coat vest brings to this look. And the white booties paired with the dark jeans is not something I would have thought about previously (I would have defaulted to dark jeans with dark boots) but it looks so good with the higher contrast. And those booties pair so well with your hair too! 

  • Sal replied 4 months ago

    Love this Suz! Really interesting pieces- the more I look at the outfit the more I like it.

    And this is a reminder to me to not edit out a rarely worn piece - your gilet is an example.

    And what Bijou said about the hair.

  • Joyce replied 4 months ago

    This shouts intentional, informed and confident with no drama, just great combination. Your fabulous look will leave an impression on the streets of Vancouver.

  • MsMaven replied 4 months ago

    How refreshing! Besides looking fabulous, you've reminded me someday soon cool weather will arrive. 

    104° and climbing in San Jose!

  • Kyle replied 4 months ago

    Waving to my vest and bootie twin. Though it’s 106 degrees F in Phoenix today, so I won’t be wearing it for awhile, you’ve provided the perfect inspiration.  This is brilliant styling and since I have similar jeans and a denim jacket I hope to copy you when the weather permits!

  • SarahD8 replied 4 months ago

    This is so cool! The double-topper, vest over jean jacket look is such a creative idea and you wear it well. Hope you had a nice day in the big city!

  • Jaime replied 4 months ago

    I remember the year of that vest Suz! So fabulous how you keep and care for your favorites. I love the drama of this look with the vest and the wide jeans with the jacket and blouse adding texture. Fabulous! 

  • Brooklyn replied 4 months ago

    Super cool! I really like the gilet over the denim jacket and how it softens the double denim look. Interesting and original.

  • RobinF replied 4 months ago

    Love it! I wouldn't have thought to layer the vest over the jacket but it really adds a lot of interest. Great jeans too.

  • Indigoprint replied 4 months ago

    Well done. I would have never thought to layer a long vest over a denim jacket...love the look. Really offers opportunities to extend the use of each item.
    I have similar pieces ....gonna go play.
    Thanks for the inspiration!

  • ChristelJ replied 4 months ago

    Well, this is genius styling! Wow, I love it.

  • Suz replied 4 months ago

    Thanks, all. The outfit worked PERFECTLY for the day -- just the right layers for the temperature and the situation. I loved wearing it. Did a lot of urban walking and it was ideal for that. 

    It really is a reminder that not every item has to be a workhorse. I wear this gilet anywhere from once to (at most) 8 times per year. But I have owned it since 2016. So the wears are slowly adding up. I can't imagine ever giving it away unless it no longer fits. I have worn it on its own over a blouse/ shirt, over a denim jacket, over a puffer jacket, over a blazer, over knitwear. I've worn it over jeans (both wide leg and narrow cigarette style), over trousers from skinnies to wide leg, and over skirts/ dresses. I've never worn it sleeveless, although they did show it that way. For me, the weight of the wool makes that feel seasonally confused. But never say never! 

  • Ket replied 4 months ago

    Gosh, your outfits are always so breathtaking and funky all at the same time! I love your coat vest! I am considering knitting a longer 70's inspired sweater vest for this winter. (Ironic, considering I complained about my arms feeling cold in my sleeveless cocoon sweater, ahem...) Wide legs look so so good on you, too. Quiet drama, indeed, Suz! <3 

  • Runcarla replied 4 months ago

    I would like to see you try the gilet sleeveless.  Though the proportions are slightly different, Meghan Markle wore something with a similar vibe and it was deemed one of her best outfits in a while!  (See photo below.)  I believe it would fit in with the waistcoat-as-top look that’s been popular as well.  Of course I know it’s all weather dependant.  


    I was wondering how your outfit would fare over the day (it looks so warm!). It’s summer temps here, but cooler in the am and pm.  I’m wearing shorts and a sleeveless turtleneck!  So, you can see why I think you should give the gilet a whirl as a sleeveless top.  

    Your outfit looks urban cool, and I love that you are accessorizing with a burgundy bag.

  • Suz replied 4 months ago

    Carla, Meghan looks so fab! I love the halter look neckline and the fitted vest as top! That is indeed a great outfit and I would wear it in a heartbeat if the buttons were silver or pearl. :) 

    I could (and do) wear my burgundy co-ord sleeveless -- it is fitted, like hers (though not as dramatic) and in a polyester crepe that makes it cross seasonal and so it does not feel seasonally confused to wear it that way. The Rag and Bone is much more "winter coat" weight -- a farily heavy wool blend. In Ontario, I found its season was severely limited and I almost sent it back when I bought it because even on sale, it was one of the priciest items I've ever purchased and I worried I wouldn't wear it enough to justify.

    But it was true love, so I kept it. And then I did in fact wear it quite a lot in the first year, since I had various events at the Writers Festival and helping people launch their books -- so I needed outfits with distinct presence.

    I have found it much more wearable in Vancouver/ Victoria as far as the climate goes. Worn open it is not too hot at all (temps went up to about 17 here yesterday) and of course mornings, evenings, and the ferry ride are much cooler. There is also a breeze from the ocean most of the day. So it tends to work in autumn. It also works in winter because winter is not as cold. So I can layer a puffer jacket under it and it's warm enough.  

  • Jenny H replied 4 months ago

    I absolutely love this look and how great that it ended up being perfect for the weather. I just love the layers. And the conclusion that not every item needs to get regular wear to earn a spot in your wardrobe.

  • Suz replied 4 months ago

    Thanks, all. The next night I wore the following combo, which was also fun -- the cashmere hoodie under the gilet and over the striped top and scarf. It worked well, I thought. 

  • Jenni NZ replied 4 months ago

    So great to wear old favourites Suz in a cool way! Glad it was just right for the temperature too.

  • sarah replied 4 months ago

    Lovely! I'm going to copy this to teach tomorrow, since I seem incapable of figuring out anything to wear lately. Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Angie replied 4 months ago

    KILLER FABULOUS!

    Aren’t we having an amazing Autumn!!

    I love the wide long topper over the wide jeans. Just so elegant.

    That gilet is all that! You wear it gracefully, and it’s sooooo you ;)

    The longer wilder short hair is right on trend, actually! Suits you too. Although I sooooo get the polished feeling of a sharp neat pixie!

  • Suz replied 4 months ago

    Thanks, Angie! And I hope you had a wonderful holiday! 

    PS I kept the hair longer in front. :) 

  • Angie replied 4 months ago

    Yes, we did! Thanks :)

    OOOOH, long fringe this time. Nice change!

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