WIW: The jacket I never would have bought

My 85-year-old mother recently went on a trip and in a small boutique of a visiting town, she found a jacket that she loved and bought for me. When I arrived home yesterday, it was in the mail with a beautiful card - it made me cry :) But when I opened the parcel and pulled out the jacket, I was a bit surprised and to be completely honest, not overly thrilled. It's not my style I don't think - a bit too busy. But the sentiment was beautiful so I knew I would find a way to wear it. It just needed some "Shannon-izing".

So today's outfit started with my simple black drape front EF dress (I think the CPW on this dress is down to pennies by now) and then topped it with this buttery soft, denim jacket. The jacket has a flattened ruffled placket down the front which goes all the way and around the neckline. It has this same ruffle at the end of the 3/4 sleeves. I do love the soft colour and the feel of the jacket and the fit is fab. Unfortunately there's no label so I can't tell the brand. 

To give the jacket a bit more of an urban vibe, I rolled the sleeves once to hide the ruffle and scrunched them up a bit. I then chose my black Doc lace up boots to juxtapose the sweetness of the jacket. For accessories, I went with my olive/cobalt snakeskin clutch, a gunmetal and abalone shell bracelet, silver wedding band and red specs.

So does this work? Can you tweak an item that isn't really you and that you never would have bought yourself, to become part of your style? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Jacket: ?
Dress: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Boots: Doc Martens (eBay)
Clutch: Trouve
Bracelet: thrifted

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26 Comments

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    You are one clever girl:). You totally rock the jacket. You understand your style so well that you have intuitively known how to make it work. This outfit looks so fab Shannon. Your mum sounds like a real sweetie:)

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    You totally made this yours! I am not sure if this has happened with me - I think it is more like my style, or my perception of my style, shifts to incorporate different things from time to time.

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    I think you did a wonderful job Shannonizing this. The jacket is actually kinda cool... Your wildcard?

  • ironkurtin replied 9 years ago

    For a surprise gift, the jacket fits perfectly! I really like the way it frames your face and emphasizes your shape. Very impressed by your mother's knowledge of what will fit, even now!

    Afraid I've never had much luck in that department myself... The only thing I can think of is a wool scarf my daughter picked with my husband for Xmas, which is wool (I never wear wool) which is now one of my favorite things when it's cold. Unexpected items can be really delightful IMO!

  • bj1111 replied 9 years ago

    Very clever to tone down the ruffles. Hubs buys earrings for me that i would never pick out but can bj-ify.

  • missvee replied 9 years ago

    It *is* a great fit and wonderful shape on you. I think it looks good here and could work with white jeans and plain black tee as well. It's not so much ruffled as ruched and I think that makes it " your" look.

  • Zibbets replied 9 years ago

    I braced for the worst when I got to "ruffled placket" but you've made it fantastic! I agree with ironkurtin that it frames your face and flatters your shape really beautifully. Also, the color is great on you! 

    The best part though is your love for your mom that comes through in your post.<3 

  • Janet replied 9 years ago

    You know what's weird, I had a jacket that looked very, very much like that years ago! Mine was grey, but I swear the cut is nearly identical. IIRC it was from Nordstrom, maybe even the BP (juniors) department. For something that someone else chose for you, the fit is stellar, and I think you've made it yours quite well! I also agree with IK about the flattery aspect, and it doesn't read "ruffly" at all.

    I still have a few things my mom got for me -- even if they are not necessarily my most current style and I don't wear them often, I have no intention of parting with them. Treasure it! :-)

  • crutcher replied 9 years ago

    Bless your sweet mom...That jacket just looks perfect with the EF dress...I know you will wear it in love and enjoy the vibes...

  • Lucy replied 9 years ago

    You've perfected this! It could have been fussy with another outfit, but you've pared back and it looks fab! 
    How sweet is your mom? 

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    Beautifully styled, Shannon!  The jacket might not be exactly what you would have picked, but you look terrific and have created an outfit that is true to your current style while honoring your mother's loving gift.

    Love those boots, too!

  • dianne replied 9 years ago

    It fits you perfectly Shannon and you have styled it beautifully!  How wonderful for you to be cocooned by a jacket hand-picked by your loving mother!!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Shannon, you are a sweetie. I love the way you've taken this piece and made it your own. The fit is great and the outfit absolutely works! It's like a high collared chambray shirt, in a way. It frames your face in a lovely way. You could always have the sleeve ruffle detail cut right off, I bet. Wonder Woman would be up for that task! :)

    You know, here's a thought. I think this jacket is actually quite representative of the Shannon style of yore, when you first joined YLF. So it's really not that far off your current style. Your mom isn't wrong, so much as just a bit behind your style evolution!  

    The EF dress is genius for you. I loved loved loved my similar blank canvas Comrags dress but had to give it up; still looking for the perfect navy replacement/ upgrade. 

  • Eliza replied 9 years ago

    That blue is lovely on you, Shannon and the booties provide the needed counterpoint to the ruffle. I especially like it open.  So special to have something your mother picked out.

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    I was worried when I read your description of the jacket's ruffles before I saw the photos.  The ruffles are so subdued that I think it still works with your style.

    I do this all the time.  My mom frequently gets me things that are close, but not quite my style.  I try to wear them several times.  Sometimes they become something I really enjoy and sometimes they turn into closet orphans, but I always give them a fair shot (unless they are something that is really, really not my style and then I try to nicely ask for the receipt).

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    You were successful in Shannonizing the jacket with your careful styling. I really like this outfit. I had the same thoughts as Suz when I saw it, that it looks like your style from the past with vintage.

  • replied 9 years ago

    This is great Shannon!  I was also bracing for the worst, but I have to say, this jacket shape is incredibly flattering and the fit is so bang on , I'm glad you are wearing it. Shannonizing is now a word to use with confidence - you know EXACTLY how to make something not entirely urban and current into a very very wearable piece!  Yes, white jeans, black jeans, even your polka dot tube skirt (??) - this jacket will go places.  If you hadn't worn the docs and the contemporary bag with it, it would have read totally differently - so march on with confidence today!  

    My mother likes to buy me jewellery from gift shops - especially from the HSC and St. B gift shops.  I have yet to figure out how to  Lisafy them, and usually never wear any of it unless she is over for dinner or something. Bad daughter award to me :(  

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Suz & Joy - you know, I hadn't realized it until you both mentioned but you're quite right. This jacket is a bit reminiscent of my retro style when I first joined YLF. And that's probably why my Mom thought of me.

    As for how she got the size so right that's easy - we are EXACTLY the same size and height. She would have tried it on and known it would fit.

    I'm glad to hear that it's working for me in this outfit and Lisa, I love the idea of trying it with my broken dot pencil skirt. Thanks for the suggestion!

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    I love this jacket on you - it hearkens back to the old retro Shannon. It's funny how we change but people's idea of us gets fixed that way.  Anyway, you've successfully owned it.  This is what I meant by being comfortable enough with your signature style that you can work unexpected items (for me, tulle skirt!) into your look!

  • Nebraskim replied 9 years ago

    I love that color on you. I think you have made lemonade from a possible lemon. Can your Wonder Woman remove the cuff ruffles? I don't actually read that detail as a ruffle but more as puffy quilting. Nicely incorporated into you wardrobe. It might not be a workhorse, but it can become a sentimental favorite.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Oh, yes, this works Shannon! I think it's more like ruching than ruffles FWIW. It's a perfect fit and very flattering even if it's not the edgiest thing in your closet. You are so sweet to wear it at all. I'm afraid I wouldn't be so polite! 

  • AviaMariah replied 9 years ago

    I also thought it represents your more retro style.  So your mom is paying attention she just may not be keeping up.  :)  I think it looks great on you though and hopefully you'll enjoy wearing it.

  • replied 9 years ago

    It totally works! Well done Shannon-izing it. I was kind of expecting more of a frilly look and was very pleasantly surprised by the style and shape. Great job!

  • shemarie replied 9 years ago

    You know you're a YLF veteran who knows herself and her style and has an amazing closet when you can use your name as a verb!! The jacket looks fabulous on you, and pairing it with that awesome dress and the Docs is so, so perfect. Love the juxtaposition. You look great!  I learn so much from your posts, Shannon!

  • Caro in Oz replied 9 years ago

    I like the way you've toughened it up with black & the booties - YLF & your mother is a gem :)

  • mirrorlight replied 9 years ago

    I LOVE this - I think you made it work very well. Nicely done!

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