Thrifting Queen

Not giving up on Eileen

March 10, 2015

In a previous post, I expressed some concern with how to marry my love of Eileen Fisher clothing (comfort, quality, wearability) with my desire to return to a bit more structure in my outfits, toning down the amount of volume and the direction I'd like to head for Spring http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ring-style.

I've recently ordered the navy blouse below (it's with Wonder Woman getting the sleeves shortened) and I have a pair of the Eileen Fisher slim ankle white jeans on their way to me from my favorite eBay seller. I've also purchased Steve Madden nude peep toe sandal booties (pic #6). It's a start.

These pics are examples of the direction I'm wanting and they are all from Eileen Fisher's line - "controlled" drape on top with structure on the bottom. Do these outfits fit my new goals and Angie's SSS description (Sharp, Structured, Simple)?

To clarify, it's not that I'm going to purchase these exact items (although I'd LOVE to!) but rather the silhouette and simplicity of the outfits I'm wanting to emulate.

Ok - over to you wise ladies - thoughts???

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Posted in the Dressing category
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.

22 Comments

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    These look great to me, Shannon!! Fab simple looks. 

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    I love all of these and see how they would be a good direction for your style.  The drapey tops seem in line with what you've been wearing.  I like the slim bottoms to offset the volume on top.

  • Marlene replied 9 years ago

    What you have posted is exactly what I have been yearning for this spring....drape balanced with structure. I picked up a few new tops and they all seem to have this drape that you illustrated. Drapey, yet its a controlled drape. Does that make sense? And I am definitely more interested in a slimmer bottom (either straight or skinny jeans and bottoms). Keep posting your thoughts...because I am going to flat out copy you!

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    I am loving many of Eileen's looks this season. I think your picks have a great balance of drape and structure. There is simplicity and quality too. Brava.
    I would love to find an Eileen Ebay seller like yours. I think that you are on the right track. Have you tried any of EF silk or linen layering tanks? For me the higher-than-typical necklines are perfect.

  • replied 9 years ago

    I think these are good choices, Shannon!

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    Yes! These are all great outfits and would be wonderful on you Shannon.

  • kkards replied 9 years ago

    gosh, i love all of these....i can totatlly see these working for you

  • replied 9 years ago

    I think these are great choices for you. Love the drape front blouse and booties. Definitely say SSS to me! I'm a huge fan of EF--her materials and construction are excellent and beat out other lines I've tried for quality and wearability. She seems to use more realistic fit models so IMO items are more likely to look stylish when actually worn than similar priced lines that look better on the hanger. Nice choices!

  • Debbie replied 9 years ago

    Shannon I have tried that 1st blouse on and it was overwhelming. I liked but it was huge even sized downed. Just in case you find one from your seller. i love the pieces you have shown.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Yes, yes, yes!Love those looks!

  • replied 9 years ago

    Nice choices for inspiration . Looks like these are on track with what your goals are.  I was in Cha Cha Palace the other day (moved onto Academy Rd - nice new digs) and there is a lot of EF type lines in there at a fraction of the cost (they still have EF too) .  I thought of you when I was looking. Might be worth a trip across town:)  

  • AJ replied 9 years ago

    Nice! I can totally see you rocking these looks!

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    Gorgeous, luxe and elegant.  I like them all.  I'm accustomed to seeing you wear more color -- are you in a cool, neutral place at the moment?  I always plan on going more neutral, and then --- I blow up in a kind of color explosion.

  • Caro in Oz replied 9 years ago

    I love these looks & think they will be fab. As someone with apple-ish tendencies the only concern I have is that the fit at the shoulders & bust would have to be spot on otherwise I could look very block-y.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    If #2 fit me well I would live in it.

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Shannon these look fab.  I actually have versions of each of these style items (except for #4 ) in my wardrobe and I love them.  Further to Caro's comment,  I think fabrication can make all the difference in these style working or not working for you.  Am like you I am embracing  ""controlled" drape on top with structure on the bottom", I think it is a really interesting and classy look.

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    Oh, these pieces are all so gorgeous! I can absolutely see you in them.  I can also see me in them.  Which is a problem :)

    WRT the SSS... If I think SSS, I don't necessarily think these type of clothes.  It's not that they don't fit, it's that something is missing, that covers the comfort and drape aspect.  I think it's the word "sharp".., to me has connotations of more angular or crisp.  So I don't know if that means SSS is wrong for you, whether you need SSS?, or the clothes are wrong for you (which I doubt very much) or what.  But you asked :)

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Marlene - will do! You and I go figure this out together :)

    Joy - I do indeed have a couple of the EF layering tanks. They are incredible. Like you mention, higher neckline is perfect plus they just do NOT lose their shape at all. Comfortable as all get out.

    Aliona - you raise an absolutely crucial point in your comment: "She seems to use more realistic fit models so IMO items are more likely
    to look stylish when actually worn than similar priced lines that look
    better on the hanger    ". I know that many find her items cut too generously but for someone like myself who is both petite and on the larger side, I adore that I can find a fit in her petite line that works for MY body. At the age of 52, I'm tired of trying to mold my body to fit someone else's ideal.

    Debbie - thank you so much for the tip about the one blouse. I appreciate that.

    Lisa - can you believe I have NEVER been in Cha Cha Palace? I know...hanging my head in shame... will have to check it out one of these days. Do you know if they carry the EF items in petite? There's another store on Academy (the name escapes me at the moment) that carries EF but only in regular sizes :(

    Beth Ann - I'm still going to wear color, don't you worry. I am going for a spring/summer palette of black, white, light grey, navy and pops of bright red/orange and yellow.

    Caro - I totally agree with the fabrication being key. I have no desire to look like I'm wearing a tent!

    Deborah - once again, you and I seem to be on the same wavelength :)

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Elizabeth - I love when you comment on my musings 'cause I know you "get me"! The S for Sharp will be provided in my topper for the most part - moto jacket, blazer, that sort of thing. But I also think that Sharp can mean the outfit itself is sharp as in well put together, no-nonsense...what do you think? Of course maybe I should ask Angie what she means by "sharp"?

  • replied 9 years ago

    No, no petites, sorry.  I keep forgetting that is what you are after.  

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Poop.

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    Thanks Shannon, that was a nice thing to say :)

    I don't think that sharp doesn't fit in the mix... esp with your more structured toppers.  And I agree it can be the "put together" aspect.  It's just that those three descriptors, in isolation, don't say "Shannon" to me.  There's something else that you have in your style, that isn't covered. 

    make sense?

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I started playing dress up when I was 4 years old and haven't stopped since! My income doesn't match my tastes so it's all about figuring out how to thrift my way to a fashionable life while tossing in a few delectable items.