Trying Something New
I pretty much knew this super wide striped jumpsuit from Free People wasn’t going to work for me. I bought it because it was such a unique, well made piece and I knew if it didn’t work for me I’d find someone else that would love it.
For fun, I tried it on and decided to analyze the pros and cons. Trying something new exercises our brains and expands our horizons.
Just one of the many bonuses of shopping secondhand, you can try something new you wouldn’t normally consider AND save the world.
The Pros – What Works
Normally I’m not a huge fan of pastels but I think the colours work with my hair and complexion.
Some of the stripes are going the right way. Hello elongating vertical stripes!
The extra deep pockets are awesome.
The fabric is the lightest and softest cotton. It’s like wearing a cloud.
It is well made. An interior slip that consists of shorts is a smart detail.
This is almost as comfortable as wearing PJs.
The swish factor is a strong 85%.
The Cons – What Doesn’t Work
I have a few challenges with this piece.
As you can see I’m still trying to show I have a waist with my classic hand-on-my-hip pose above.
Go away horizontal stripes at my bust where I’m already large enough.
It requires a tank underneath. The sides are very open. If you’re into side boob this is for you.
Like pretty much every single piece of shapeless, oversized clothing this will look better on someone taller, thinner, with a longer neck and fewer curves.
(C’est la vie. It’s the clothes. It’s not me.)
The length isn’t doing me any favours although it does ensure I don’t trip on it when going up the stairs.
I tried belting it to see if that would help.
Ah…nope.
The hips just grew by two inches when I did that thanks to the large amounts of fabric.
And just as I predicted…I’m not feeling it.
Maybe a thinner belt would have worked better but honestly, if you are considering buying a piece that needs special accessories to make it wearable, do yourself a favour and don’t buy it. You’ll never wear it.
I get a bit excited when I see that I could easily sneak three sandwiches, a plate full of nachos, two litre bottles of sparkling water, a half a dozen donuts and a couple of chocolate bars into the movie theatre without being questioned. Mission Impossible whatever-number-you-are here I come!
In fact, I could sneak my pug in wearing this outfit. Then I’d have to pack a whole other lunch for her. She doesn’t like to share.
So yeah, this fun jumpsuit isn’t staying in my personal collection. No surprise there.
It will soon be listed in my Etsy store for some bold, fun, nacho loving person to wear and enjoy.
What was the last piece you bought that didn’t work out?
Linking up with Patti for Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday and Fancy Friday
great points – your so right!
we have the same preferences for the cut of a garment – and yes – on me this fab suit would´t work either… sadly – because its a gorgeous cool hippy piece – perfect for this heatwave.
maybe we can wear such with 80 ;-D
xxxx
I agree…this is perfect for the heat and humidity. Shame it is only for those of us that are tall and thin.
Ah, it’s just too bad this piece didn’t work out. Zoe would have loved to tag along to the movies I think, especially if snacks are involved. Ha ha ha! (The list of her meal requirements cracked me up!)
I have a piece I bought on Etsy over a year ago that does not work not at all. But it is GORGEOUS and I can’t seem to release it back into the wild. It is a royal red a-line style jacket with a satin shawl collar and embroidered sat cuffs. I had visions of wearing it with a tee and distressed jeans. Much to my great sadness, however, it swallows me whole. I may have to bring it to a meet-up and see if it fits any of you. I’d be happy if I knew it went to a loving home.
– Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
Could it simply be shortened??? Are your skills evolved to that degree yet?
That jacket sounds lovely! You must bring it to the next meet-up!
One (of the many) reasons I admire you is your willingness to experiment, which is a sign of creativity. Like you, I take advantage of thrift-store low prices and odd selections to try new ideas. Of course some don’t work but then again some do — and that makes the effort worthwhile. At the least, you can (as you say) use this outfit to smuggle food into a theater!
Tis true, shopping thrift means you are exposed to some really odd selections. That’s probably why I find regular retail shopping boring now.
Free people charges outrageously high prices for clothing made from cheap rayon fabruc. Love the bohemian vibe but unimpressed with their products for the price!
This piece is well made and out of a lovely light cotton. I agree that many of the brands we used to be able to trust for quality no longer exist.
Free People prices are very high but of course I only shop secondhand and picked this up for a steal : )
I think you do have a point. When we buy something we might wear when we alter it, we are in 99 % cases buying something we will not wear. I do like the colours of this jumpsuit and I think it looks nice on you in some photos (where it looks like a dress) and the cut of it seems a bit clumsy, but if you don’t feel it, don’t wear it.
Love your hair btw!
https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/
This will be going up for sale in my Etsy shop. I pretty much knew that when I bought it. Someone out there will make this look wonderful.
I’m normally open minded about all shapes and styles but that jumpsuit is… unique. LOL Dare I say a clown costume? The only thing I could think to save it (aside from getting a body transplant to wear it) is to rip up the seams and make it a dress. Hopefully the right customer comes along!
Hannah | The Outfit Repeater
It is a little short yet you look amazing! It is an awesome piece, very stylish and beautiful
It is too bad about this, it’s not often you find something you can use to smuggle snacks AND a Pug! You’re absolutely right – the colours are great for you, but the shape, not so much. Gives you more width, which is not something anyone wants. It’s probably really comfy to wear on a blistering hot day though.
A multi tasking garment, indeed! To me it looks to perfect thing for chucking on over a bikini after a day on a boiling hot beach – very useful if not necessarily a flattering shape. The colours are great on you though.
The clothes on the Free People website look super stylish but the items I’ve come across in charity shops are very disappointing in reality – they must employ an amazingly good stylist. xxx
I like the vibe of Free People, and this piece is one I’d definitely pick up. You have to feel great in it, of course, no matter what a great jumpsuit it is. Wouldn’t it be dreamy to be a pug, or one of my cats who have a similar “feeding” (“feed-me”) schedule? That is the life.
Because you’re such a beauty, even though the piece doesn’t flatter your bod, you still look great. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
It’s the colors….that’s what is so appealing. The mix of these pastels, and the wide bottom would have drawn me in too!!
As for the side boob…it’s just not me anymore…LOL!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
That jumpsuit wouldn’t work on me either. Like you, I need a bit more shape, this one is a bit shapeless and indeed it’s one of those garments that aren’t improved by adding a belt. But you’re right to experiment as only by doing so do we get to know what works and what doesn’t. And we might surprise ourselves by doing so. On top of that, experimenting is fun! xxx
Where do you get all your great vintage? I love seeing all the different eras. One of My issues is that I have worn most of them at one time or another and I would like to leave it there. The positive is that you can dress like no other.
The garments were so much better made as opposed to today. So much “crap today.
Enjoy your blog.
This is a lovely piece, so soft and inviting. Anything that helps to promote feeding your pug is a good thing. I’m also thinking that maybe you can shorten it? I agree, as it is, this is not great on you though. But you are capable of magic my friend!
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
I love this about you. You are showing bloopers and give comment on the why. Makes you so genuine and likeable. You are right, it doesn’t do you any favours. Love the sandals though. If I could find them I would buy them.
The latest thing I bought was a big red skirt with a wide elastic band and an African print. It was a nice skirt but 1) it wasn’t me, 2) would work better on a woman with a smaller waist, 3) couldn’t style it. So I gave it yo my colleague who sewed a proper waistband on it and took in the width by creating pleats. I bet I want it back now haha.
Greetje
I saw that skirt. It was a shame it didn’t work out. Even I find full skirts without a waistband challenging to wear. They add too much bulk to the hips. I often pair them with a large belt to combat that problem, or do like you did and simply get rid of them.