Today I was trying to put together another casual fall capsule with brown, burgundy, and grey. Bottoms will probably be the burgundy jeans if they get YLF approval, dark brown Ponte knit pants and grey jeans.
Pulling out possible toppers, I have a bunch and can't decide. Which are your favorites? Should some of these be purged? This is for mostly casual around home, dog walking, some errands.
1. Multicolor cotton stripe jacket. I usually belt it to keep it from being too boxy.
2/3/4. Wool plaid Willow and Clay jacket in burgundy and brown with grey and camel. Open and buttoned.
5. Consignment dark brown cotton velvet with military detailing
6/7. Thrifted Gap brown leather blazer
8. Thrifted Talbots red cord jacket
9. Thrifted Victorias Secret cotton velvet blazer, very deep red
10. Halogen grey knit wool blend jacket
11. Grey lace bomber
12. Not casual but consignment burgundy mohair and wool blend cardi with scattered sequins.
13. EF bittersweet cardi.
All your thoughts and styling ideas are appreciated. I just popped these on when I did the K/R thread for the jeans and shoes. Thank you so much for your help.
Closet purge and fall capsule help needed for toppers
19 Comments
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Mo replied 10 years ago
Heh, I tried a brown and purple mix with my W & C jacket earlier this year! I know it's hard to see detail in dark colors but I liked how rich the combo felt.
I for one love the burgundy jeans, but may be biased, as my pair of wine cords are one of my fave pants ever.
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unfrumped replied 10 years ago
Partial review.
# 1 and 2 are looking a bit skimpy with current fits; the mandarin color on #1 bothers me with the short length and doesn't look up to par for you. #2 maybe works over the longer top but the puffy shoulder thing bothers me. Though, I love the color on 2 and it's something I might hoard, but shouldn't.
I really like the leather jacket on you--looks fluid but sleek.
Not sure about the others yet. -
FlorenceFearne replied 10 years ago
For toppers, looks like you have a lot of good options. Some of these I don't have strong feelings about either way, so I'll just mention a few.
I am not completely sold on #1 but if you love it, I think I would prefer it without the belt. #2-4 I LOVE, but I wonder if it's really "you"? I usually see you in cleaner, more modern lines. This jacket, amazing though it may be, feels a bit fussy for you. Actually, the same applies to #11. #6-7 is really nice on you, and I bet will be really versatile. #10 is gorgeous also - simple but really chic.
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Suz replied 10 years ago
The burgundy jeans are so fab, Joy. You have me all curious about sizing up at H&M now.
I am about to do a similar toppers post. I warn you, I am in high purge mode, so my eye may be unduly jaundiced.
First -- LOVE the lace jacket with the new jeans. Fun!
Second -- I think the colour mix of the Willow and Clay is great. My poison eye is blinking at the slightly puffy sleeves, but if you do not share this particular prejudice, ignore me.
I think all the other jackets make interesting colour combos with the jeans. But (apart from the grey knit) they are reading as a bit dated to me. Again, I am in high jacket purge mode right now, so take with a hefty grain of salt!
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Joy replied 10 years ago
Your comments are so helpful and may help me let go of some of these toppers. Some may be better with dresses and skirts.
Unfrumped, I love the ethnic vibe of #1 but it has been hard to wear because it is soooo boxy. It is several years old. Actually the newest of the group is the lace bomber from last spring, so it's no wonder many pie SE look dated. I think the grey knit jacket is from NAS 2012, the next newest item.
I find the Willow and Clay (2-4) and interesting deviation from my usual style, although I share Suz's poison eye for puffy sleeves.
Mo, it is rich isn't it? I will have to try brown and purple with it.
Suz, you are helping me with your high purge mentality. I really have too many rather dated choices even if they are for dog walking and gardening; and I didn't even include denim jackets.
Florence, good eye. That jacket is from a time when I had a more maximal style with a lot going on.
I would wear several of these for the next level of dressy...shopping, teaching, informal meetings, most of my daily life. -
unfrumped replied 10 years ago
Joy, you are wise to remember skirts and dresses. The shorter jackets might still have a role there as in these photo's I'm thinking pants proportions.
So it can be good to do a 3-way test with various bottoms before the final cut. I'm just thinking of many of your more recent toppers that are way beyond these. -
unfrumped replied 10 years ago
PS--I'm in super purging mode, too--the reason I posted about shrinking or growing tops is I have to be careful not to throw out a top or jacket that's just right for a certain skirt.
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Lyn D. replied 10 years ago
Lovely rich colours here Joy!
Love the brown leather especially.
I would consider passing on #1 and 2 unless they look fab with skirts. -
Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago
Love the colours Joy & the jeans are amazing..
#1 - I don't like this with the belt
#2 I love the fit of this on you but if it isn't you then let it go.
#10 - the cut of this jacket is fab on you imo -
DonnaF replied 10 years ago
I love the ethnic vibe of #1, but I feel like it should be longer, stiffer, more tailored or SOMETHING. :( I would pass it on.
Is there any way to remove the shoulder puffs of the W&C? Otherwise, I really like it. FWIW, a few jackets that I tried on this season had a bit of shoulder puff going on; dunno what that's about. Test: Would you buy it today? I guess that's a question for all of them.
I love the military detailing of #5, but the cotton velvet in #5 and #9 seem dated to me. Does that mean cotton velvet/velveteen will be coming back next year?
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replied 10 years ago
I vote to keep 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, and whichever red blazer you love more!
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Marley replied 10 years ago
To me, these jeans have a rocker vibe. So, with that being said - I think that the military, the lace gray bomber, and the GAP leather are the best. #1 and #2 are not the right length, nor style for the jeans. The cardigans "work" - but really ruin the rocker vibe! The others, I'd ditch. (Hahahahaha - I can't believe I'm so certain about these! You should see me waffle on my own K/Ts! I guess that's why we ask each other for input isn't it?)
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Joy replied 10 years ago
It is such a gift to be able to get your thoughts on these toppers. Marley, I know I need input to get past my own bias. #1 and 8 are probably going for sure unless I find they are needed with a skirt. I'm keeping 10 and 11 for sure and will work with 13 some more. The others had mixed reviews.
12 is something that might work for the holidays, probably with a different bottom.
I will try 2 with skirts I think I wore it most with my denim pencil skirt last year. I think I'll give the leather jacket another season for dog walking. It does a good job of protecting from the wind and is easy to layer under.
I am waffling on 5, the military jacket, and 9. Donna, cotton velveteen will be back as a hot new trend within 6 months of my purging it. That seems to be a universal law. I should probably just let them both go. -
Sarah A replied 10 years ago
To me 10-13 look most modern in cut/fabrication, although maybe not best with these jeans. Ok 10 looks great with the jeans. So does 11...
I do like 5, 6-7 here too. Although my looking dated radar isnt as sharp as it could be and these might not pass muster with a sharper filter.
Alright, I have retyped my preference 5 times! How about a good "i dont know" as my vote....
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Jaime replied 10 years ago
May I vicariously (and perhaps recklessly) purge through you? I so need to do this. Anyway, I say keep the leather jacket, the grey Halogen and the lace bomber. Maybe the EF cardigan if it is a good color on you (hard to tell here). Purge the rest!
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Joy replied 10 years ago
Shevia, that's what I need to hear. It occurred to me that my DIL may look amazing in the EF cardigan and it would be a better fit on her. It's about the color of her hair.
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kellygirl replied 10 years ago
The leather and the lace bomber are my faves of the lot--they stand out as being super fab. That being said, I think a lot of these would be perfect for MOTG for errands and such (9, 10 and 13.) I have been struggling with some of my toppers too--you are motivating me to do another closet purge!
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dakotacheryl replied 10 years ago
I love the EF cardigan on you, and they are so comfy to wear...also LOVE the reds in combo with those wonderful shoes!!
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Joy replied 10 years ago
Thank you for your thoughts, Kelly and Cheryl. Jacket #9 may go into a holding area until I can find a good replacement. I do have my VC orange blazer that could fill in. I just don't wear it around the house but maybe I should to get maximum wear out of it. It's still being saved for a step up in dressiness.
Cheryl, I agree that the EF cardigan is so comfortable and a lighter weight than the other toppers. The fabric is a linen blend so it works for warm days.