Firecracker's Blog

I ordered the AllSaints Lock mock neck sweater after mention of it somewhere here, and it arrived today. I was excited to try it on, so here are a few pictures.

I think I will return it, because the color is more yellow in person than I had hoped. More butter than chalk. It is soft, and I really like the style. It has my favorite neck style--a cozy cowl. This is my usual size, and it is quite roomy. I don't think I would size down, despite the oddness I'm seeing on the right sleeve in the back-view photo. I just think I need to hold out for a better shade of white, or I won't wear it. I do like it better with the lower-contrast pants and the narrower silhouette jeans.

I tried it on with

1-2: off-white boyfriend jeans I had on today (you can see how it is more yellow than the jeans)

3-4: black and white pinstripe flannel wool pants (OSKA) and black booties

5: neutral shades glen plaid wool wide-legged cropped pants (OSKA) and black booties

6-7: dark wash jeans and graphite booties

As part of my "wear the clothes" campaign, I brought out a silk tee I made a while back but have only worn once that I can remember. Of course I needed a topper, because it was in the 60s for the first half of this summer day, inside as well as outside. I tried a few options and landed on this jacket, a recent sewing project, which honestly I wasn't sure I would wear, once i finished it. But it feels good on, and I like it with this outfit, so it may have a purpose after all!

The outfit (worn for a day at home):

Off-white boyfriend jeans (Citizens of Humanity, Emerson); silk watercolor floral tee (Coram Top pattern by Allie Olson, made by me); navy textured-cotton jacket with miniature peplum (Sterling Jacket pattern from The Sewing Workshop, made by me); off-white loafers (27 Edit); olive belt (Fossil); sage crossbody bag (Madewell).

April's quest for silvery lavender tops was timely for me. I had the color on my mind as one to keep an eye out for. Specifically I wanted it to go with a jacket I made a few years ago, which I have trouble wearing, even though it should go with a lot of my clothes.

I went to Aritzia to see if I could try any of the tops Inge found for April. I came home with this one. It's very oversized. This is a size down from my usual, and it is still big. But I like the look and feel of it. I think it brings a little attitude to the jacket. I also tried it with my new blazer bought at NAS (which has a thin line of purple running through the checks), and with a knit vest that I also like to pair with an oversized blouse.

One thing I'm bummed about: I paid full price, and when I looked it up online to make the Find, I see it's on sale. If I had paid the sale price, though, I wouldn't be able to return it. So if I decide to keep it, I'll see if I can get a price adjustment (or return it to the store and order it online).

photos:

1) The shirt on its own. I buttoned the cuffs two ways. The sleeves are a little long, but when I button the cuffs on the second button, they sit fine, and I don't feel the sleeves look or feel too-too long. I buttoned the other cuff after turning it back, creating a faux cufflink effect, a trick I like to use sometimes.

2) With the jacket that could use a companion.

3) With my new blazer (1.State).

4) With a slate gray and off-white marled knit vest (OSKA).

5) What I wore shopping. Boyfriend jeans (Citizens of Humanity, Emerson); dusty teal t-shirt (Madewell); hemp knit off-white jacket (OSKA); off-white loafers (Open Edit); sage cross-body camera bag (Madewell).

I'm thinking I'll probably keep it, but am open to your thoughts.

P.S. They have the same shirt in cotton and in linen. I got the cotton one; didn't see the linen in store, but I'd prefer the cotton anyway, for year-round wear.

Here are some pics from the dressing rooms at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

I tried on a few blazers, looking for just the right boyfriend look that can be worn casually but not too oversized. I found one that I love--the 1.State, which I hadn't picked in my online persual. I bought two pullover sweaters, undies and bras. The unintended purchases that somehow followed me home are pajamas and two pairs of jeans. I really don't need more jeans, but I'm thinking I can retire some that I'm not wearing. I might only keep one of these.

1: What I wore shopping. Peacock blue pants and swirl-pattern t-shirt (made by me); white denim jacket (Banana Republic), white metallic sneakers (Paul Green); blush crossbody bag (Nordstrom).

2-5: The winning blazer (1.State)

3-4: Two other blazers I tried (Nordstrom and Open Edit). The Open Edit is a different color than what's shown online, a really pretty mauve shade.

8-10: Pullovers. I bought the Nordstrom Signature cashmere in purple dawn and the Vince funnel neck wool blend in silverstone. I passed on the Nordstrom Signature in gray heather (I tried it in one size too large, but I liked the Vince better anyway).

11-13: Mother Tomcat cropped straight leg jeans.

14-15: Rag and Bone Rosa ankle boyfriend jeans. I might not keep these.

It was fun to shop at the flagship Nordstrom. I browsed bags and shoes but didn't see anything I couldn't pass up. I also didn't get to see the Zella track suit in person, and the jacket is sold out. I won't lose sleep over it. 

I ordered the Kiehl's body lotion, Caviar shampoo and conditioner, Olukai flip-flops, and a Zella tee online. I feel I kinda went crazy! But not too crazy.

I welcome your thoughts and questions, if I can be of help in your shopping decisions.

Edited to add: I also tried on the Vince and Theory blazers in Finds. The Vince is a beautiful dark olive, but the fit was off for me. The Theory was pretty, but I couldn't try it in my size, and I liked the 1.State better on me anyway.