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Original poster

Help! Bought jacket and everything I put with it looks crap.

31 replies

Ilanthe · 29/10/2011 21:42

I bought this jacket a couple of months ago.

www.frenchconnection.com/product/Woman+Collections+Coats+And+Jackets/75BU6/Fine+Day+Flannel+Jacket.htm

It is wool, good quality and looked nice when I tried it on. It is not fitted as the picture shows.

I came to wear it to a smart work function a couple of weeks later and put it on with black bootcut trouser. Looked awful, like a mismatched suit. Chocolate brown trousers, same result. Light grey trousers, yuk. Fitted dress, looked like I was wearing a bag over the top. Non-fitted dress, looked like a bag of shit tied up ugly altogether. My sister looked at it and suggested black cigarette pants. Bought some today from Whistles. Still looks shit.

On the basis that wearing what the model is in the picture would result in me being pulled in for a chat about appropriate work wear, wtf do I wear it with? Otherwise it's £120 down the drain. as it sits in my wardrobe for years

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilanthe · 29/10/2011 21:43

www.frenchconnection.com/product/Woman+Collections+Coats+And+Jackets/75BU6/Fine+Day+Flannel+Jacket.htm

Sorry, this link should work.

OP posts:
casawasa · 29/10/2011 21:51

Ooh, its lovely. What about wide leg trousers? Has anyone else looked at your outfits? I would also wear it with a white shirt and jeans.

mirpuppet · 29/10/2011 21:59

Have you tried it over a dress? or with a skirt?

I also thikn it would look fab with jeans.

Original poster
Ilanthe · 29/10/2011 22:00

Thanks Casa. My DH has looked at my outfits and he agrees - he's not known for his fashion forwardness so if he thinks something looks rubbish then it probably is.

I tried it on with a white shirt and jeans and yes, it did look rather yummy. I sadly thought this would transfer to my work wardrobe.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilanthe · 29/10/2011 22:02

Mir - yes have tried dresses - both fitted and non-fitted look odd. I don't own a skirt. Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilanthe · 29/10/2011 22:20

Do you think a pencil skirt would work? In a really contrasting colour?

OP posts:
Franup · 30/10/2011 12:32

I'm with your sister. Were the cigarette pants cropped? Have you looked at some of the FCUK trousers, they have some crops that aren't quite as skinny as cigarette style - so more peg leg. I think FCUK are having a great season this year and I love the blazer.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/10/2011 12:34

Lovely jacket.

I think it would look nice with a black or dove grey sequinned vest, jeans and killer heels.

Or with a bright pink pencil skirt and a plain black or white top tucked into the skirt.

Or with a plain black fitted above the knee jersey dress (an Anglomania one if you're feeling rich)

Or black opaques, a black mini skirt, a really light grey or bright pink silk or cashmere mix top and black wedges.

Any good?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/10/2011 12:36

If it looks good with a white shirt and jeans, go to Gap and try on all of the black trousers to find a pair that are the same shape as your jeans - that should work just as well then.

TethHearseEnd · 30/10/2011 12:41

Depends on your shape I think- if you're petite or long and thin it will work well with cigarette pants and most other things.

It's a nice jacket, but would look awful on me as I have boobs and had an hourglass shape.

If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. Buying £200 worth of clothes to make a £120 jacket work is not a saving. Take it back.

MaggieW · 30/10/2011 18:44

Wide legged black trousers with simple silky top and perhaps a very thin black belt around it. Lovely jacket!

cyb · 30/10/2011 18:49

Its boyfriendy shaped isnt it, you can see from pic its not fitted.

i think thats a hard shape to wear

Ebay it

Original poster
Ilanthe · 30/10/2011 19:24

Thanks for your suggestions everyone.

Remus - I would love to wear each and every one of those outfits but the only one which wouldn't get me Hmm looks at work would be the jersey dress. If I turned up in jeans, a mini skirt or pink pencil skirt, eyebrows would be raised! It's not a traditional workplace as such but I have to go on site usually on the same day as making important presentations so turning up to a muddy field in a pencil skirt would get me some comments. I am coming to the conclusion that I'm going to wear it outside of work anyway so the suggestions are welcomed.

I did try it on with bootcut trousers (from Gap as it happens, as I already own a pair), same as the jeans I wore. It didn't work for some reason.

Tethers - I am 5'7", size 8-10 (the jacket is an 8, but the trousers I bought from Whistles are a 10). I have no boobs to speak of.

I have put a photo of the jacket and cigarette pant look on my profile. Shoes are still an uncertainty. I am wearing a white blouse. Please be honest, if it looks shit, I'll do what cyb suggests and Ebay it.

OP posts:
TethHearseEnd · 30/10/2011 19:50

You have a great figure and the jacket does less than nothing for you.

I say eBay it.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/10/2011 19:57

You are tall and slim so most things should suit you. I think it looks okay with the trousers tbh, although the blouse is a bit dull and the shoes don't work. Have you got any shoe boots? If you like the jacket, it'd be a shame to ebay it without at least trying to make it work.

DameDoom · 30/10/2011 20:18

Is it too late to return it if you hate it? If so, I would wear it with skinny jeans and high ankle boots - perhaps add a vintage rock t-shirt. I think it could look quite Emmanuelle Alt. I know this wouldn't be workwear but it could become your go to out of school jacket. Can you push the sleeves up? Would also work with v good quality legging ( maybe even leather?)

ThatsNotMyBabyBelly · 30/10/2011 20:34

You need tighter trousers with it I think

Original poster
Ilanthe · 30/10/2011 20:42

Remus - I agree the shoes don't work. I have some black shoe boots which are a few seasons old, but still OK, I think. The blouse has detailing around the neckline which isn't visible on the photo but looks better with a cropped cardi, tbh.

Dame - too late to return, unfortunately. I still have the receipt, I think, but I bought it a couple of months ago. I might be able to wing an exchange without the reciept as it is still this season's stock. I think I am coming to the conclusion that it's going into my casual wardrobe. It's not normally the sort of thing I would wear casually but that's only because I am a boring old fart, not because it wouldn't necessarily suit me. I have plenty of skinny jeans and ankle boots and appropriate tops.

Tethers - I was afraid you'd say that Grin.

OP posts:
ripitupandstartagain · 30/10/2011 20:45

Agree about needing tighter trousers. Jacket does nothing for you in the combo in your picture. Really fitted trousers and high heels needed - jacket will almost look tunic like then. Also silk scarf around your neck.

Original poster
Ilanthe · 30/10/2011 20:59

Ok, I have now uploaded picture with me wearing it with skinny jeans, brown heeled brogues and a jersey top. Please ignore the black socks! If it still looks shit (and again ladies, please be honest) I'll Ebay it. Otherwise I'll wear it as a casual jacket only in the combo pictured (or variation thereof) and find something else for smart work functions.

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/10/2011 21:20

Nice legs! I think it looks fine with the jeans and jersey top - but again, the shoes are wrong. You need really high black or grey shoe boots or even v high wedge heeled ankle boots, I think.

When I said 'mini' earlier, I didn't mean really short btw. Have you got a fairly tight fitting black pencil skirt or just above the knee skirt that you could try with black opaques and your shoe boots?

ThatsNotMyBabyBelly · 30/10/2011 22:01

Much much better! Looks fab, but think black shoes would be better

mirpuppet · 30/10/2011 22:19

Agree very nice w/ tighter trousers.

trixymalixy · 31/10/2011 07:40

Yy to those who said tighter black trousers would work.

noddyholder · 31/10/2011 08:52

I love it! Would look good with fine striped t shirt and dark skinnies and heels or white t shirt and plimsolls.