Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I have been expending all of my grey matter on book revisions, so this post will be less than coherent I suspect! Head over to A Well Styled Life (she's on the list on the right) for a great discussion of invisibility in older women.
I thought of Jennifer again this morning, when I dug out my old Basler peacock blazer. I have always sort of loved it, and sort of not. But there is green in it and for some reason I wanted to dress up a little today and to be honest, I was contemplating consigning it.
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| Sorry for the grainy photo |
I never could decide if I loved this or not after I bought it. Nor could I decide if I truly felt comfortable in it, despite its lovely pedigree.
I put it on this morning with a wowza scarf that I love, and I am still back and forth at the end of the day.
I love the print, but I always felt a little over the top in it, like it was a bit too much. I can't tell if that is some WASP tendencies emerging as I age or not. There is the fear, as one ages, which Jennifer touches on very well, of slipping into the "oh isn't she cute wearing those bright colours" camp. So all day, as I have passed myself in front of mirrors, I have asked myself this question. Now, as I near dinner time, I am no closer to an answer, which I guess is kind of an answer, isn't it? Plus the blazer is 4 years old and a wee tight. I have been heartless about tight things in the purge (AKA Wendy's version of the red wedding), but the price of this and the not being sure, kept me putting it back in the closet.
So I turn to you all, since you are unbiased voices, given you a) did not pay for it b) don't particularly care if I've gained 15 pounds and c) probably have strong opinions about a peacock blazer.
Fire away. All opinions gratefully accepted so long as they given with a dose of kindness and fun!
Oh and p.s. Happy St. Patrick's Day. I do not believe I am Irish, but then, I have been surprised before!
xoxo wendy
I really like it and it's interesting colourful but not loud colourful. Mother Nature is the best colour schemer (even better than GSL I must admit) and if she has put it on a bird then it works on a jacket. Just stay away from that trendy colour-block nonsense in the dayglow colours.
ReplyDeleteOh I despise dayglow!
DeleteI imagine it without the scarf and just the tailored skirt with a tee underneath and I love it! I think the scarf is too long and the print on it distracts from the beautiful peacock print.
ReplyDeleteSo you know, I am an AVID peacock print fan, so you may want to take my opinion with a grain of salt. ;-)
You made me laugh out loud with that!
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ReplyDeleteI find it too busy and would give it away.
DeleteI wanted to add that since you a thinking about it for a long time and are not sure,it might be time to give it away.
DeleteDid you get a snowstorm today?
It is snowing like crazy here now! I think you are right...
DeleteAll I can think about is Game of Thrones! Love your red wedding comment. I agree with GSL about mother nature. However, it does look tight through the shoulders.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. And how many sleeps till Game of Thrones. I am on a countdown for the start of that, the new season of Orphan Black and Wolf Hall on PBS!
DeleteI wish I could see a clearer picture of it. It's a bit hard to see the details. But I'm in the nay camp. Sell it. I don't know why it is special to you… if it's special enough, I guess keep it, but I think you should let it go. I feel like from your posts this last year or so, that this isn't really your style any more. As you said about other things you purged, you have the pictures of yourself wearing it.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point Cate!
DeleteWell, you asked.
ReplyDeleteI love it. But you should wear it with long non-skinny non-flared pants in one of the deepest of the beautiful solid colors, and a solid featherweight cashmere or silk tee - crewneck or short vee - same color - and no scarf. Jewelry should be limited to a few long thin gold chains. No other patterns, solid booties.
Try it on as above. Then pin the bottom hem of the jacket shorter by 2 or 3 inches and try it on that way, everything else same as above. Let me know!
Thanks Fred - I needed the scarf yesterday as it was freezing in my office. Despite everyone's opinions I kind of like them together, but that's me. I think no more alterations for this puppy. That is a sign that I think that!
DeleteI think you know the answer. It needs to go. It doesn't matter what you spent - it's not making you happy now. Maybe it made you happy when you bought it. Enjoy remembering that and let it go to someone who will be happy with it now. There are other things/events out there that will make you happy!!
ReplyDelete(Yes, I've read the Kondo book)
Anon - I think you are right!
DeleteWendy, I agree with Fred, it's about 2 inches too long. But it's very you! I am not a fan of animal prints but I must say that this is the same more is more aesthetic you love. I would usually say if you're not sure, let it go, but better to keep and debate than to give away and regret.
ReplyDeleteHi AB, I'd don't want to shorten it if I keep it.. I think I would like it better had it been a skirt. I love this as a material, but thinking I am not loving as a jacket anymore...
DeleteI have to admit I'm not a big fan of peacocks. They used to always come after our food at the zoo lol. I imagine if you approached me in that jacket while I was eating lunch, I might instinctively take a swipe at you! :D
ReplyDeleteToo funny!
DeleteI just had another thought - would you like it if you turned it into a vest?
ReplyDeleteOh afraid of veering into Bea Arthur territory!
DeleteI love it, the colouring really suits you. But not with that scarf, maybe a shorter silk scarf in one colour
ReplyDeleteI'm not a silk scarf person, so that would be a no go. Hmm - think I am getting my answer!
DeleteHi Wendy, I remember when you first bought this jacket, and I wasn't sure about it then. I definitely agree with Dina and others that the scarf has to go. Cate's idea of turning it into a vest is interesting - I think that might work, still keeping everything else simple. Your style definitely has changed from a few years ago!
ReplyDeleteI actually dislike vests, so that's a no-go for me.
DeleteI vote : keep it!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThe colours are great on you but overall, I find it too busy and fussy looking. If you plan to keep it, I think it might be worth considering chopping it up for the fabric. Being a Basler jacket, I am sure the fabric is top notch quality. If the fabric is light enough, I can imagine using the fabric as the lining of a black cashmere or mohair/silk military style jacket, especially the inside of a collar so that it frames the face. It might also work as a trim on a jacket. A vest is an interesting idea, but unless done well, I think it could be very ageing.
ReplyDeleteLouise - you have solved my problem! See below!
DeleteThanks everyone, for your good advice. I realized that was was bothering me most was that I loved the fabric and it was expensive. So it is staying, but I am going to have a pillow made out of it instead. I'd get little from consignment, so why not use the fabric and make something exquisite I'd have for years? You all had such great points!
ReplyDeleteThat's a fabulous plan, Wendy, love it!
DeleteLouise to the rescue! This is a great idea, and something that perhaps all of us could keep in mind if we are ever in a similar situation.
DeleteI'm in the nay camp - only because you asked - it reminds me of the sort of garb art teachers at our school used to wear, of course they always had the long hair pinned into a wispy bun and ethnic necklace that went with that 'it's the 70's and I'm arty' look'
ReplyDeleteI do think you look lovely in the skirt/jacket though and the cushion is great idea.
Ha! Damn - I wish I'd put my hair up in a wispy bun!
DeleteWould DD borrow this? For a fun look with jeans?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are keeping it in some form; I'm with Fred and Louise and the deep colored base, no other prints. Can't see the fit from here.
never! She hates sequins, bright prints, shiny! Definitely NOT her mother!
DeleteWMM late to the St. Paddy's party, but I think Louise is double on the money about fabric love. I have a couple pillows, quilts etc. made with part of my wedding outfit, from old travels etc. And every time I pull them out they bring me joy. The birds seemed to have flocked together, but please, despite red wedding don't divert yourself of all the quirky pieces. That pink sequin skirt needs company. And, as a general rule of thumb, I think anything really stand-out demands tailoring investment for an ideal fit, otherwise the piece wears you versus other way round, think.
ReplyDeletedivest not divert, but works.
DeleteI have almost no quirky pieces now - will be interesting to watch where this metamorphosis takes me!
DeleteDitch the blazer - if you don't wear it, don't feel comfortable in it and it sits in your closet making you feel guilty it's time to farewell it. I am fairly unsentimental about clothes, and will be quite ruthless in getting rid of things, but it's always a bit harder when it's "good" and cost a lot (even if it was a bargain at the time).
ReplyDeleteBut I do love peacock feathers:)
Me too
DeleteWendy, I LOVE the pillow idea. As someone with a similar body type, I just find that prints usually look better on my lower half, as much as I like them. This way you can enjoy the essence of the blazer. I sometimes think that I buy things to wear that I really want to live near, not on me!
ReplyDeleteJill - you have hit the ail on the head!
DeleteI love peacocks and leopards but even in the animal kingdom they don't hang out together so I say one or the other, I have the same problem with getting rid of expensive clothes but just consign it and put it towards a future holiday!! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh I kind of liked breaking ths rule, since I didn't even leave the house on this day! I think london consignment fetches way more than where I live; I'd be lycky to get $20 for ths!
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ReplyDeleteLove the idea of a wee pillow!
ReplyDeletethanks EG!
DeleteI've read all the comments and there seem to be a lot of nays. From your photos I think the jacket looks good; you are wearing it, not it wearing you. The colours seem to blend well and it works well with your clean-cut black clothing. BUT if you don't feel comfortable then that's the decider.I think it's essential to feel comfortable in whatever you wear, no matter if it is absolutely outrageous - if you don't feel comfortable then it won't seem right . (And I like it with the scarf, but, hey, what do I know!)
ReplyDeleteHa! I love it with the scarf, too!
DeleteI'd give it a pass. Love the scarf on you but the jacket seems too loud and stuffy at the same time. The Jacket is wearing you instead of the other way around. xoxo
ReplyDeleteAnd Thanks for the mention Wendy!!
ReplyDeleteShow us the leopard with Patent shoes:)
Hi, Really great effort. Everyone must read this article. Thanks for sharing.
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ReplyDelete