Suzanne Carillo

My style is a changing’.

I’m “average” height for North America at 5’4″.

I’ve always thought that a long unstructured vest would just add on an extra layer of “visual fat” to my frame and shorten my legs to tiny stubby pegs.

I never would have considered even trying on this long vest in the past.

Everything about it is wrong. It isn’t fitted or structured. It is oversized. It has no defined waist. It is too long for my frame. The lapels are too large. It is lined with faux fur making it even bulkier.

And yet, when I spotted it I suddenly  thought, “Yep, this vest is for me!”

What happened? What changed? Did I lose 20 lbs? Did I magically grow 3 inches in height? Was my mirror broken? Did I have a 3 martini lunch?

Or all of the above? ; )

I wish!

Boots – Calvin Klein (sim super cool!), Skirt – Zara (sim), Vest – TJ Maxx (sim), Scarf – Zara (sim), Sweater – H&M (sim)

Or did I finally get over some preconceived ideas about what the shape of my body had to look like all the time?

There is no defined waist.

This has added bulk to my frame.

Somehow though, I’m able to look past that.

The boots do make me taller and the fitted sihlouette under the vest helps to balance out the added bulk on top.

Now this vest is my “go-to” piece for adding an extra layer of warmth. I even went so far as to layer a blanket scarf on top of it when I was in BC.

Boots – TJ Maxx (sim), Skirt – Zara (sim), Jean Jacket – H&M (sim), Scarf – Zara (sim), Belt – consignment (sim on sale!)

Below I wore it with jeans and a sweater with an extra layer of a long sleeved tee underneath.

Blanket Scarf – Zara (sim) Boots – TJ Maxx (sim) Jeggings – TJ Maxx (sim) Vest – TJ Maxx (sim) Hat – very old (sim)

I even wore it with a bulky cream sweater and an even bulkier coat. I blame this one on the -20 C weather that day. I do look a bit like a tee-pee when I have the coat on.

This long vest that I normally would never have even considered trying on has somehow managed to become my favourite piece this winter.

In every outfit I have tried to balance out my frame with more fitted pieces on the lower half to compensate for the billowy added bulk of the lined vest.  I’ve worn it with boots to add a bit of length to my frame and I think it works.  I wasn’t called “Hobbit Wench” once while wearing it. (Exception being my husband as that is his nickname for me. That and pig. Okay…I’m joking about Hobbit Wench but pig is true. So if you hear my husband calling me “Pig” it is his term of endearment. I like to think it stands for “Pretty Interesting Gal” but in reality it is often what we call our pug and in turn each other. We’s fancy like that.

What about you? Do you like this trend? Would you wear a long vest or do you have one?

Sylvia from 40+Style also has a great post and tips about how to layer a long vest.

Have you ever changed your opinion about a certain article of clothing you thought you could never wear? If so, what changed your mind?

Most importantly…what is your husband’s nickname for you?

Linking up with the lovely Judith for Hat Attack and the wonderful Sheila at Shoe Shine