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rae replied 10 years ago
I quite like the fit of the body! I was going to say it looked really big in the shoulders, but then I went back and saw you said there are shoulder pads. I'll abstain here, since I have a horrible, horrible poison eye for shoulder pads.
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Jules replied 10 years ago
I like it, noticed the shoulder pads before reading and I like them too!
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Mia replied 10 years ago
I love the colour and the way it nips at the waist and flatters your figure. I don't mind the shoulder line being strong but I liked the shoulder pad days too!
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Sveta replied 10 years ago
I don't mind the shoulders but I am not sure about the front. Are there any lapels- it looks lapel-less on my screen but I cannot see the details well. I am always concerned about lapels as they can date the jacket iMO.
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Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
Rae - yes, shoulder pad haters LOOK AWAY!!!
Sveta - yes, there are lapels. Nothing out of the ordinary though so don't think they either modernize nor date the jacket, if that makes sense.
Jules & Mia - yay for other shoulder pad lovers!
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Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago
My 2 cents.
- Would you pay the full price for it Shannon?
- I agree about shoulder pads being great for sloping shoulders but these look a little to square imo.
- Love the colour
- Nice shape the fit from the side but the back needs alterations.
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Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
Caro - I actually think I would pay full price for it. But that's part of my problem - I may have an irrational love for this jacket and not be able to see its flaws as a result. May I ask what you see requiring alteration in the back?
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Marley replied 10 years ago
Love it from every angle. I think it looks fabulous on you Shannon. I vote Keep!
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hedgiehog replied 10 years ago
Shannon, I really like the blazer, even though I usually don't wear anything double breasted..... Maybe because I love navy?
I think it fits well and the drape is nice. Perfect for autumn and winter.
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Suz replied 10 years ago
Colour's lovely! A bit of padding in a shoulder doesn't bother me, but agree with Caro that these look a bit square. Might be worth trying the jacket with your low heels and Marcies to see if the effect is balanced out with a bit more height. I am not sure about the fit since it's so blasted difficult to see details (even with your precautions.) Did you try to style it with stuff you'd like to wear with it?
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Diana replied 10 years ago
I like it and I think it fits you exceptionally well. I am a fan of shoulder pads too. For us round shouldered ladies a bit more shoulder definition is a good thing! (I don't know about you but I am always totally chuffed when I manage to make myself look like an IT. It's so novel and fun!)
The only thing I'm not crazy about is what the buttons are doing when it's closed. The one on your bottom left looks off kilter somehow.
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Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
Marley and Hedgiehog - thanks for the "enabling" - lol!
Suz - the shoulders are definitely on the square side, not gonna lie. I've got my kitten heels on here but will try some more stylings when I have a bit more time, which will include more heel height. I'm also curious to see how it would work with just a grey tee and my TR Camerons.
Diana - whoops, should have clarified - I only have the top two buttons done up and the bottom one is undone (can't quite get it done up yet).
Keep the feedback coming ladies - it's all helpful :)
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cheryle (Dianthus) replied 10 years ago
I'm on the fence. I think the fit is good but am not a big fan of the double breasted jacket. I thought it looked a touch boxy from the front but not from the back. But then, you seem to gravitate to jackets that are a bit less curved.
In the end, it is how you feel in it that counts. If you are dying to wear it and feel great in it, then keep it and enjoy.
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deb replied 10 years ago
To me it looks boxy and not drapey. The lack of drape could be the photo, though.
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Echo replied 10 years ago
I REALLY like this jacket. I also tend to favour stronger shoulders, as they give an outfit more structure and balance out a lot of figures. I think the fit is perfect. The only thing I might change is adding a vent in the middle back, but that is just personal preference. I vote keep!
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catgirl replied 10 years ago
So here's my unwanted 2 cents... I used to thrift jackets like this ALL THE TIME. It was craziness! At one point I had four navy jackets of the old-school Liz Claibourne type, that I wanted to look military/sailor-ish. But something was always slightly off, like the square shoulders, or the lapels, or the fabric (that crepe that was so popular in the 90s!) or the cut. For some reason I feel like this type of jacket dates especially quickly as a new incarnation comes along, no matter how slight the change.
This looks like it fits you well, though. I have a poison eye for squared shoulders and shoulder pads, but can see that they work on you. What I'm not sure of is how "thrifted" this looks IRL, given my own failures with said navy jackets.
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Deborah replied 10 years ago
I am going to go out on a limb and say that while I like it, I find it a little too classic for your style:) It is not necessarily the shoulder pads but something about it is reading a little dated to me. I see your style as being predominantly modern, with your touches of retro. But as I think it through more, and review in my head some of what I have seen on blogs, runways etc, this could be a new version of something from the 90's??? It makes me think of some of the coats and jackets we have seen recently, bigger shoulders, boxy shapes and a hint of oversizedness. I have also been looking for a navy/ink jacket, which I thought i found, bought, haven't worn, don't know what I was thinking and am now selling lol. I don't view your jacket in the same light of my woeful purchase, because it does work. I think this was my just be decided by how high it rates on your happiness scale.
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Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
Interesting - quite a few varying points of view...
Una - your two cents are always wanted :) You know I value your keen eye and honesty. And I totally hear what you are saying. There is definitely a fine line between what is a fab thrift find and an item that looks thrifted.
Deb - your comments also resonate and I guess that's what it boils down to - is it indeed a new looking version or does it look like I grabbed it out of my Aunt's closet?
Hmmmmm...much food for thought.
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Karie replied 10 years ago
I think the fit is great, and I like the color, but...While I like shoulder pads, I think these look a little too squared on you. I also think the double breasted style looks a bit dated, but I don't really know about that, it could be the latest style.
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MsMary replied 10 years ago
I expected to not like it -- shoulder pads, double breasted -- but I actually really dig it on you! I vote "keep!"
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Jaime replied 10 years ago
I have read all the comments and looked at the pictures carefully because I completely relate to what Una said - thrifted jackets are the trickiest thrifts of them all. And in the end I am going to say I still like it!
Actually I think it looks great done up. I noted the squareness of the shoulders and am not sure where shoulders are going (ha, I assume they will still be attaching arms but you know what I mean) but I like the sort of strict military vibe it gives you. I love the color from what I can tell too. So thumbs up, but really I want to see what Angie says ;-)
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Glory replied 10 years ago
Have to enable on this one - I really like it on you - voting keep
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annagybe replied 10 years ago
I like it!
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DonnaF replied 10 years ago
I can't see the lapels, so I will take your word that they aren't extreme. I have a poor eye for datedness, but I will say that the Vince Camuto jacket I tried on Nordies today had shoulder pads and had fairly square shoulders. It was sort of a moto style, however. I like this jacket on you and how it is a bit shaped at the high waist. It's not quite as feminine as your usual style, but it by no means has a masculine or androgynous style. Would you wear it with your dresses? Pants? See how it plays, and then decide.
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unfrumped replied 10 years ago
--I think it looks okay because I still like shoulder pads
-- I think on you it looks more boxy and matronly than is your usual look. I mean I wouldn't think twice about this outfit on tons of women in my workplaces, but for you it seems like going backward .
-- I am so slow to adopt and figure out how to fit myself in new styles and trends that they are likely to be over when I'm just starting to get it. So, I need someone to tell me if this jacket has come round again.
-- if you did wear this jacket, I think you'd need to style so it looked way more intentional and not like a boxy suit.
--I'd love to see it side by side with whatever is the modern interpretation ( there always is one) so I could see what was tweaked.
-- I've had Rena Rowan stuff and loved every item.
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Beth Ann replied 10 years ago
OK. I'm so ready to see shoulder pads as an option again. And I say that as a square shouldered girl. I think the shoulders are bold and not extreme, and I wonder if a resurgence isn't on the way.
It does look a bit traditional for your style --- but then, you're wearing it with a black sheath. How does it look with drapey pants? With dressy jeans? How versatile is it?
I would work to answer those questions to determine whether its an almost but not quite jacket, or a great one.
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Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
Donna, unfrumped and Beth Ann - I agree that more stylings need to be tried in order to make a final determination on whether or not this blazer stays in my closet. Paired over the sheath dress is a bit too simple for it IMHO but I basically put this thread out there to see about fit to start with.
There's enough encouragement here for me to proceed with more stylings. Will post some additional outfits in the next day or two for more feedback.
Thanks everyone - much appreciated :)
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Joy replied 10 years ago
I like the jacket on you and, if you feel great wearing it, you should wear and enjoy it.
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Thistle replied 10 years ago
So, I love me some shoulder pads. Especially as I have sloping shoulders and this helps even them out.
However, I am just not sold on this jacket. I am not liking the shape on you. I know, I am being a spanner here, and it might just be the double breasted style that m doesn't get. Not sure, but I would not rate this a "10" or even a "9".
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donnat replied 10 years ago
So I also expected not to like it. Don't care for shoulder pads, double breasted......
I was pleasantly surprised, it looks very nice on you. Fits beautifully. Love to see it with your camerons. You may have a winner here.
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replied 10 years ago
Okay Shannon, I'm going to be ruthless, because I need that kind of honesty from you and others on my thrift store finds.,,,Golden Rule and all.
I think it looks dated. It fits you, it flatters, it is quality (oh, believe me I know how attractive that can be!) it's a good color but I fear it is not as stylish as the other jackets in your closet. Since you don't need it (correct me if I'm wrong), I vote re-thrift or consign.
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replied 10 years ago
PS. Brutal Honesty brought to you by:
Some recent bad thrift store purchases of my own, which cannot be returned. :(
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MsMaven replied 10 years ago
Like others here, I expected not to like it, but I do. Good shoulder pads are a wonderful invention for many women and I have seen some jackets and coats with exaggerated shoulder lines in the last couple of years. (Shoulder pads in t-shirts and sweaters--no no no, please not again.) I like the shoulders here--I think they do balance your figure. I'm also seeing some cocoon shaped coats being shown and I do hope they don't become the fashion norm. Been there, done that--too stiff and structured for our modern lives.
Double-breasted--I expected a disaster and was surprised to see how well you wear this. The main problem I have with most double-breasted things is that they usually don't hang right unless buttoned up. This one looks fine open. I don't particularly like it with this dress and look forward to see what else you come up with.
When it comes to fabric I am very much a touchy feely person. The fabric doesn't come across well in photos like this. I love luxurious, draped, good quality fabrics. If this were a stiff fabric I'd say don't keep it, but since you say it is definitely quality, it would be worth keeping and working with it.
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texstyle replied 10 years ago
Hmm, okay another brutal honesty comment - It feels dated to me when I see it here. I also don't love the straight line it seems to creates - which is why it looks boxy to my eye. I also don't think it's in it's best light with this dress. So, if you plan to wear it with similar plain dresses I'd vote to pass it on. With jeans or other bottoms it could look quite a bit different.
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Diana replied 10 years ago
I'd love to see it styled with something less conservative, Shannon. As I mentioned above, I do think the fit is stellar and now that you explained the button issue, I think you should just wear it open for now. I do think that with this dress it is looking very "corporate" and conservative, and not very much like you. But try it with jeans, or a tube skirt, and show us.
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ironkurtin replied 10 years ago
I don't think this looks dated. I think it looks quite nice. But then I never understand what people mean when they say "dated" - often I think those looks are classics.
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Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
I have been absolutely FASCINATED by your responses ladies. I love threads like this because I learn so much.
I agree that the pairing with this dress is "blah" and too corporate for me - well, really for anyone.
I also totally understand that shoulder pads and double breasted are very definite likes or dislikes.
In roving around Pinterest the other night and a few store websites, I am seeing some jackets with this type of boxier shape and with shoulder pads. Is it possible that something that last year would have seemed dated is now not?
I'm also wondering if something that could be seen as dated but is worn in a modern way (i.e. with more edgy or trendy pieces), can that item then become modern in its own right?
And IK raises an excellent point - when does something transcend being "dated" to become "classic"?
ETA: I'm curious why the navy blazer would be considered dated when my 1960's shoulder-padded polka dot jacket isn't? (see pic below). Is it because I wear the vintage jacket in a deliberate way? And if so, can't that also be done with the navy blazer? Just musing...I'm not taking offense to any of the dated comments above - I completely understand where they are coming from and thank you for your honest opinions - I'm just trying to understand is all :)
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texstyle replied 10 years ago
The polka dot one is dated but in very deliberate and fun way. More retro than boardroom. And it has a curvy bottom hem and a feminine vibe. I love that one on you.
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cciele replied 10 years ago
Reminds me of a conservative version of your Amber Sun double breasted blazer. I think this one fits you well, shoulder pads and all. How do you feel in it?
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AviaMariah replied 10 years ago
I don't see dated, especially not in the pics with the scrunched sleeves. And I imagine that you will come up with some brilliant pairings with this jacket that will showcase your usual brilliant style. I wonder if some people are seeing dated because of the pairing with the black sheath; which doesn't have your usual pizzazz. Oh, and for us sloped shoulder ladies, bring on the shoulder pads!!
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Sara L. replied 10 years ago
I think the jacket looks really good on you. I'm not good at dated unless it's really, really obvious, so I'm no help with that question. I look forward to seeing how you style it (I assumed the black sheath was just something simple to show off the jacket and not how you would wear it normally).
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Jjsloane replied 10 years ago
It may be how you are showing it styled, but it reads so 80's corporate to me (Working Girl comes to mind) and I do not equate that with your style. If you like this look (and maybe it can work for certain occasions) then I don't mind the shoulder pads and think it fits nicely and is flattering. I know Rena Rowan (although hadn't realized it was Canadian) and have always enjoyed the quality.
I find double breasted boxy blazers to not have a secret life where they look cool with BF jeans etc... like BF blazers can. Maybe I'm biased having lived through the original era of this style.
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Kristin L replied 10 years ago
I love the navy jacket on you. But, I'd like know how else you plan on styling it.
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Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago
Sorry I didn't respond earlier Shannon - in the back view I see some bunching of the fabric just above the waist. That made me think the jacket needed tapering in a little - either at the sides of the back seam :)
