Thrifting Queen

Possible Fall Wardrobe Pieces

August 12, 2014

In addition to the EF charcoal waxed skinnies, black EF faux wrap pants and Doc Martens replacement boots (should receive by the end of the week), I have ordered the polka dot tube pencil skirt in Angie's finds. If the skirt works out, I will be removing one of my black pencil skirts from my closet - keeping to my one-in-one-out rule in my attempt to achieve some semblance of wardrobe simplicity.

I have also been lusting after this bronze metallic hi-lo EF cardigan (pic #2) for months now (to wear over my black EF drape front dress, with pencil skirts, the waxed skinnies and even jeans) and found one on eBay at a fraction of the cost. Hubby said to buy it "while the getting's good" so I did. Waiting for that to arrive.

After dismissing all of the Olsen Europe items I had originally lusted after due to poor fit and horrendous customer service, as well as getting information from various eBay sellers regarding my previous EF fall possibilities I had listed and determining fit issues as well as allergy issues (i.e. the fab jacket I had originally posted has mohair in it which I'm terribly allergic to) I have narrowed down three clothing items I'm seriously considering for fall. They are all EF (surprise surprise) and include:

Pic #2 - asymmetrical jersey blend skirt
Pic #3 - wool-cotton blend tunic dress in color called Dark Tulip
Pic #4 - asymmetrical knit jacket-cardigan hybrid

The first two items are from an eBay seller and good prices and the jacket is a full price EF item. At this point, I am unsure whether I am actually going to buy or not due to weight fluctuations. The skirt is not a petite length but Wonder Woman could easily shorten at the actual waist so as not to lose the hem detail. It would also be an easy item to take in due to the two side seams and no lining. The tunic dress might be too big anyway (I have detailed measurements from the seller) but might be worth trying as I can return for a full refund. The jacket is a more fitted style but can be worn undone as well.

Should any of these become closet contenders, my animal print pencil skirt would be purged for the asymmetrical skirt (can't stand how the animal print skirt shifts about when wearing); my v-neck BR sheath dress would be purged for the Dark Tulip dress (haven't worn the sheath dress this year at all as I prefer my EF drape front dress as my LBD).

I'm also very seriously considering the Naot Kedman oxfords (pic 5) Angie praised (in the black/ink combination) as my fall/winter shoe inclusion. This would replace my tri-color Jeffrey Campbell oxfords that I had to purge because they had become too narrow and had lack of arch support. I can see these Kedman oxfords with black trousers, jeans, the waxed skinnies, with pencil skirt and tights, and my blackwatch plaid trousers.

These items would pretty much take all of my fall/winter clothing budget so I need to ensure there is versatility. Would love to know your opinions on these items and whether or not they have potential for me and my wardrobe. Thanks for any feedback :)

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Posted in the Shopping 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.

26 Comments

  • shedev replied 9 years ago

    I really love the skirt and oxfords.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Shannon, you are obviously thinking very carefully ahead! Great job on determining your needs and ruling out the items that simply will not work. 

    No point in buying clothes that will make you allergic and smart thinking to upgrade your old favourites like the BR sheath with better versions like your EF dress. 

    Now, onto the items. 

    I am not sure about the skirt for you. In fact, I have serious doubts about it. In the past you have never really enjoyed full skirts. This one has a different silhouette, but I suspect you are going to prefer your drape on top vs. on the bottom no matter what. I also think that particular style is quite difficult to wear. But this may reflect a lack of imagination on my part, or simply my own bent for more structured looks. 

    I love the colour of the EF dress but would have to see it on. 

    The jacket is total love. Total. Of course I would like to see how it looks open as well -- that could be a deal breaker. 

    I really like the oxfords for you and think they would be a great replacement for the Jeffrey Campbells, although they lack the light colour that made those blend easily. 

    I also adore the polka dot skirt for you and can't wait to see it on. 

    Sad about your animal print pencil skirt. I never ended up buying that because I lost my chance to get it in my probable size, but I guess maybe it was a good thing after all. Although I adored your outfits with the pink sweater and that skirt!! 

  • celia replied 9 years ago

    I love all of your 3 final contenders and I think they would all work together(well, not the skirt with the dress, of course).I can see you wearing all of them and they fit with the kind of outfits you have been wearing lately, imo.
    Regarding the oxfords, for how many months do you plan to wear them?Or do you plan to just wear them indoors?

  • replied 9 years ago

    I second everything Suz said.  

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Suz - what you have said about the asymmetrical skirt are the same doubts I have. Why do I continually feel drawn to items that in reality may not work for not only my body type, but my comfort level as well? It's very true that I ended up purging my citron full skirt because it never felt right on me. And I found it difficult to style with various tops. You have definitely given me more to think on this.

    I agree that the Jeffrey Campbell oxfords were lighter and worked well with my spring/summer wardrobe but I tended not to wear them as much in the fall/winter because of that. I feel that the Naot oxfords because of their colorway would work better for my fall/winter wardrobe.

    Celia - I would be looking at wearing the oxfords both inside and outside from September until the snow arrives and then only indoors. But that's the same with any footwear once winter sets in.

  • JAileen replied 9 years ago

    I love the jacket. I would get it myself except it only comes in black. If it were grey I'd get it in a New York minute. I think it would work great in your wardrobe.

  • Parsley replied 9 years ago

    I must echo Suz's concerns about the skirt. I don't think you'd end up loving it, and I don't see it working well in your wardrobe. I'm often drawn to things that would only work for my imaginary life or my imaginary body, too. Why is that? :-)
    I love the red dress- if it fits. I was hoping that it was a new item, because I'd like one, too!
    And LOVE the cardigan/jacket! It looks comfy, stylish, and interesting. 
    The oxfords look a little clunky to me. I really liked them in the lighter colors but somehow not as much in the darker colors. Maybe they'd look better on, though.
    I continue to be impressed by your thoughtful analysis of your wardrobe needs!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    I think I'm especially alert to the skirt issue. I've had my own problems with skirts. Do you remember that whackadoodle steampunk skirt I had, with the hitched hem? I think I managed to wear it precisely twice. Hopeless to style. And I felt ridiculous in it. Like a pseudo witch. Or like someone trying to pretend to be Stevie Nicks or something. ;) 

    I would try the Naots. If they give you a good fit, the comfort is unsurpassed. And I like the textural interest. I hear you on the lighter colours being better for spring. Although in my endless quest to lighten up even in winter I am always on the lookout for light footwear all year round! Then again, I have the light hair which means I'm trying to bookend. 

  • Glory replied 9 years ago

    Such excellent planning! I love the idea of the drapey cardigan and I do like the open mesh of this. I am not sure about the straightness of the hem. I think it needs to be tried on. This may not make sense but because it is straight I find it takes away from the drapiness of the garment and may not work for a petite gal.
    I like all the other items for you except not sure about the skirt for the same reasons others have mentioned. 

  • replied 9 years ago

    Hi Shannon:  thanks for giving us the opportunity to comment here - interesting conversation.  I admit that at very first glance, the skirt struck me as off - and I think it's how short it is at it's shortest point.  I think it could look pretty full and bulky a little too easily. I think the iDEA of it is great, but might be one of those awkward things.  Love the colour of the dress, but again, can't say without seeing it on.  Cardigan:  wonder what the  asymmetric closure here would look like open....
    Lo-hi loose weave cardi - nice, but not special?  Looks really really long too....

    And re the oxfords - I loved them too when Angie first posted them, , but I can't help but think they are really pricey for what they are. Maybe it's just my price sensitivity here..  I know there is always that argument about Naot's quality over their styling - but can't help but feel that we may have quite a few oxford options open to us FINALLY this fall in stores . I've already seen some cute ones at Browns, and the season hasn't even started yet.

    Sorry for being a bit of a downer here - 

  • cheryl replied 9 years ago

    I think these are all gorgeous pieces and I hope they all work for you. I am enamored with that metallic cardigan. :)

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Thanks all - I'm going to take a step back and not order or buy anything further until I'm a little clearer in my head.

    I'm feeling quite confused these days regarding my style direction and how to achieve what it is I think I'm looking for. So it's entirely possible I'm kind of "grasping at straws" so to speak. I also think that seeing all of the fabulous NAS purchases has stirred up my shopping demons - almost like I need something new to show off too, you know? - Lol!

    Thanks for keeping it real y'all :)

    ETA: The bronze metallic cardigan is on the way to me though and I hope it fits (it is petite sizing so shouldn't be overly long). I have an irrational love of that piece!

  • replied 9 years ago

    I hear you regarding the wanting new stuff to show off too - and all the NAS activity- I feel it too.  The thing I keep reminding myself is  how early it still is, and how much more there is yet to come.

    I have had too many instances of buying the first early fall (or spring) pieces out of the gate, which end up hanging unworn and already feeling not fresh by the time it rolls around to wear them.  

    You have a great look right now - keep what makes it great in mind going forward :)

  • replied 9 years ago

    I'm crazy about that red dress, the asymmetric jacket and the shoes for you Shannon!

  • kerry replied 9 years ago

    LOVE the dress! I bought a Gap sweatshirt dress last year that I wore ALL the time with leggings and boots. I bought another, different sweatshirt dress from Gap a couple months later. I could not figure out why I didn't reach for it as often as the first one. I finally realized it was because the bottom of the first one had a ribbed band and therefore narrowed. This dress does the same. I also love the v-neck and sleeves!

  • Alana in Canada replied 9 years ago

    It is always best to slow down when you aren't sure. I am going to happily be a fly on the wall for this one.

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 9 years ago

    I like the jacket and the sweater best, though I could wish its tail was less rectangular.

    The tulip dress is such a great color. I thought about buying a piece in this last year when it was a color in the EF season, but I never found the right item for me. I think the dress might need some more structure somewhere to work for a shorter person (the EF models always look like Valkyries or Norns or something in their draperies) so you might check that your seller takes returns.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    #4 and #5 for sure. Will read comments later to see if I change my mind ;-).

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    No need to have new things to "show off" your fab style ---- bring on a few repeaters.  Repeating great outfits is like putting your favorite song on a mix tape twice.  Hell, yeah!

    I think your wise to let these ideas settle and ferment (fermentation is good -- remember wine?) for awhile.  Clarity will come, and you won't be naked in the meantime.  Several of these items are lovely --- and if they're not there when the time comes, there's something else ever better waiting to take their place.

  • Ingunn replied 9 years ago

    Shannon, your style shift is noticeable now, and very exciting. I prefer the dress, shoes and the cardigan for you, and I also love the b/w skirt from Angie's picks. I agree with Suz on the assymetrical skirt. It is lovely, but will you actually wear it?

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Shannon all stunning items:). I would be interested in the long drape cardi. Sometimes that style doesn't work for me if it's not substantial or weighty enough. It compromises the drape and fall of the garment, but it's worth a try.

    The skirt is pretty but I know I can't wear that style:(. I feel it falls more into the arty not edgy camp. I think something straight with an assymetric hemline might be more "you".

    The tunic is gorgeous.

    The jacket is awesome and I would love to see you in that. Would I be pushing the friendship if I asked for a link??

    Love the oxfords.

    And the polka dot skirt is really nice. I'd love to see this worn with harder edge pieces.

    BTW, I thought of you when I was "perusing" these dresses...and they are Canadian;)

    http://www.shopnoctex.com/collections/dresses

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    Would love all tthese for your style Shannon, except perhaps the flowy skirt in nr. 2? That's tricky to style for your needs(but surely not impossible!!:-)),

  • Lisa replied 9 years ago

    I echo what others have said.  And those shoes are going to be so fab on you!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Deborah - how on earth do you keep finding Canadian items when I can't??? Those are gorgeous dresses you've linked to - unfortunately for me they are "one size" and I find that doesn't work very well for my body. And of course you can ask for a link to the EF jacket http://www.eileenfisher.com/Ei.....4OJ-J3385M - that's what friends are for :) And here it is shown open on Nordstrom http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ei.....-petite/37

    Ummlila - I'm fortunate in that I purchase from a couple of eBay sellers who have excellent return/refund policies so no worries there.

    Quick update:

    Agreed that the skirt won't work for me and have removed that as a possibility.

    The long metallic open weave cardigan is on the way to me. It can be returned if it doesn't work but I had to try it. As I mentioned, I have some sort of irrational love of this piece. On one website I had seen a picture of it over a black drapey dress and boots and nearly squealed at how fab it looked. That's how I'm picturing it.

    If the polka dot skirt works, I will definitely be "edging" it up Deb - I'm picturing with my Docs and a leather topper for example.

    The Dark Tulip dress calls to me because I think the overall shape of the body is similar to that of my beloved EF drape front dresses. It fits in the shoulders/bust and then has a bit of a cocoon shape where it widens at the mid section (great for my apple-ness) and then tapers again at the hem. It's the tapering that's key. I suspect I might need a size down in this tunic/dress though so will continue to think. Again, my seller will accept a full return/refund if it doesn't fit so I may order anyway to try.

    I truly TRULY appreciate any and all feedback provided. Your thought provoking comments and insights help me make wiser decisions. Thank you :)

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Keep it all on the back burner. No need to rush into anything yet. #3 and #5 get my top vote from this batch. Although I think you might find laceless flat oxfords a tad more flattering. 

  • Laura replied 9 years ago

    That asymmetrical jersey blend skirt looks like a super versatile piece that when combined with other items, can bit into almost every outfit. I believe it will be a super useful piece heading into the fall :)

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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.