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
You photograph well – I always imagine you taller! We are the same height. As for long vest, I love them but don’t have a ton of them in my closet. I never really thought that I was too short for it but just most pieces feel too casual so I can only wear them on the weekend. I agree that it’s all about proportions and if you balance it out you are good to go! I love all the ways you’ve styled this vest, my favorite is the last 2 with the jeans.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I just *knew* we’d fit into each other’s clothes and shoes! LOL
Your Calvin Klein boots are amazing Suzanne! And my favourite look here is with the tone on tone sweater with the vest. It’s funny….in one of the photos that you or Melanie took, I look like a little round ball in my faux fur vest, LOL. Lucky me, it didn’t get published, hahaha. Proportion is such a tricky thing for me, and I often get it wrong! I appreciate your tips here!
I do think that any kind of “puffy” vest is tricky, but didn’t notice the little ball you are describing.
You do something really great for your proportion on your blog already, you photograph from below. That makes you look so much taller.
Wonderful! All these outfits are gorgeous, Suzanne! I’m glad that you are experimenting with new-to-you shapes. I never thought that we always need to look a certain way – I love many different shapes for many different moods… The whole 2014 was experimental to me, I don’t know why – it just got interesting, style I mean. It wasn’t for a few years before that – I was into different things. Weird? 🙂
I think we all go through stages of fashion and dress. With body changes, age, self confidence etc. I know apparently last year or two years ago I must have LOVED my legs because all of my skirts were 3 inches shorter than what I’m comfortable wearing now.
Can I just say that you dress your frame perfectly – I would have sworn your were 5’8 or 5’9. I do really like this look, although I don’t currently own a long vest. My husband and I both call each other “pook” and I have no idea where it came from!
Ha! I *wish*! I often photograph from lower down so my legs appear a bit longer.
You look tall Lana. Are you?
This vest really works. I swear, all your outfit photos look great. How do you do that?!
Those apron corners (is that what they’re called) create a nice long open arrow shape that draws your eye upwards. The vertical motion prevents any visual tangling. Make sense? No matter what, all your combos look fantastic.
O has called me a chipmunk more than once… I like the nickname of pig.
Chipmunk? Cute ; ) You remind me of a bird.
Haha! O called me a chicken head before. I was wounded to the core and still try to hold my head at any angle that will avoid making me look like a chicken head. I don’t think he was referring to my bird brain but merely the shape of my head, and perhaps my love of grains.
That gillet looks ace especially combined with the flat cap and tartan scarf. Those Calvin Klein boots are pretty fabulous, aren’t they?
You’re a whole half-an-inch taller than me! I’m a bit phobic about clothes I think make me look stumpy, too. You definitely don’t look short.
Pig’s such a cute nickname, that’s what we call one of the cats.xxx
Well you’re doing very well dear Vix because I thought you were taller. You’re just sweet and petite : ) Well one out of two ain’t bad anyhow (wink).
I don’t think you could look anything less than elegant and cool if you tried, Suzanne! You’re clued up about proportion, so the gilet totally works in all the outfits, and you always look long and lean in your photos. Great warm tones and textures, perfect for keeping toasty AND stylish.
We call Owen our little pig. Piglet Pikelet, actually. Pikelets are what people in Sheffield call crumpets. Crumpets are… oh, too complicated to explain (and since you’ve lived here in the UK, you may have encountered crumpets!) xxx
I used to have crumpets for breakfast sometimes. Not to be confused with strumpets. LOL Cause I most certainly did NOT have those for breakfast. Just as an afternoon snack sometimes. Ha ha!
Love this – and I always thought you were much taller than I! (5’6″). Don’t you love it when an unexpected piece becomes a favorite? And always dressing for “figure flattery” started to bore me, too. Yep, there’s a great body under there, but not everyone has to see it all-the-time. Unless I’m Kim Kardashian. : 0
I always knew you were tall. I’m making a mental note to take all heels when we meet-up…otherwise you might be calling me Hobbit Wench.
For some reason, I thought you were taller- I think that is the magic of blogging photos. It is mostly one person in the frame so you can’t tell how tall or short they are most of the time and you just carry yourself so well, I think it makes you seem taller. At any rate, I really like this vest on you but seeing it in a store would have had all the same thoughts of trepidation that you did. So glad it worked out because it looks fantastic in every outfit!
How tall are you Kristian? I picture you being around 5″5′ or 5″6′.
Wow, I thought you were taller. You look so big on the Internet!
Pet names are cute. Inside-jokes build intimacy.
LOL…one good thing about the internet I suppose! I can be taller.
Hi Suzanne, I’m Eni, blogger from Italy. I’m reading your post with the help of Google Translate. I hope to understand everything !!! You have a great idea to wearing this jacket. I like very much your suggestions! Sorry for my bad english. Yesterday was the first birthday of my blog; take a look at my blog if you want!!! Have a nice day, kisses,
Eni
http://eniwherefashion.blogspot.it/
https://www.facebook.com/eniwherefashion
Love this vest. And I spotted by looking at the photos (before I read your explanation) what made it work. Exactly what you said. You kept the lines, the outfit slim above and below the vest. Very smart.
I am like Sue says: not very clever with proportions.
Love all the outfits you have made with it. Even the teepee. Adore those Calvin Klein purple (dark red?) boots. Oh gosh I have three coloured booties which I never wear. Neither the cognac brown flat boots. And here I am looking at you thinking “awesome”. Sigh. What am I to do about myself. Never mind. You look good even in -20C (oh brrrrr).
Greetje
I think you do quite well with proportions Greetje. Mind you, you are tall with long lean legs…so many things will work well on you that won’t on me and my short legs.
I must see those booties you don’t wear. You have such a wonderful selection of foot ware.
I’m a statuesque 5’5″, but I still don’t tend to wear oversized things because I feel like they tend to overwhelm my frame.
I absolutely love that first photo of you, and that you’re wearing your hair up in it!
Angel has far too many nicknames for me, I pretty much just respond to anything because I don’t know what he’ll call me. Only I won’t respond to “Babe,” ever. That one annoys me, for whatever reason.
What a great post. I think it looks wonderful in all its variations! Such a great vest really can’t be wrong!!
Love the long vest in all of these looks – you are keeping the underpinnings (leggings, skirt, tops) all very slim-fitting and close to the body so that even though the vest adds visual bulk, you don’t look bulky! Well done!
I love that vest and I can see why you had to have it. It’s so, so versatile…each way you styled it is fabulous. And I agree it’s a good idea to go more form fitting on the bottom. I have a number of items that make my elfin frame look bulky, namely my chunky knit sweaters, but I don’t care because I love them so I wear them.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
I had no idea you were only two inches taller than me! Although I often think when you’re only just tipping over 5ft an inch can make all the difference in matters of fashion… I think the key to your vest success is the slim fitting outfits and the fact it doesn’t have sleeves… it really does work though! And bonus that it’s comfy and you love wearing it. If only all clothes could be so magical..! CC x
I think the long vest looks smashing on you, and you always know how to add the perfect accessories and look like you stepped out of a fashion magazine. Thank you so much for sharing your headwear with Hat Attack. I’m always thrilled to see your face and hat show up on my screen.
I think Melanie is right when she said that the pointy shape of the vest hem draws the eye up and down. It may not have worked so well if it was a long vest with a straight across hem. And it’s also because you’ve paired it with close-fitting bottoms, so the proportions work together. Isn’t it great when you find a piece that surprisingly works with a lot of stuff in your closet? I predict it you will get a lot of wear out of it this winter.
One of my ex’s used to call me “duckling” or “baby duck”, which I didn’t mind.
Textures and patterns galore 😀 Really love this. That vest is magnificent!
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
Girllllllllll, you are workin’ that vest! You look fab in every outfit and I would not have thought to style it as you have. Hmmm…you’re giving me pause for thought. I may have to keep my eyes peeled in the sales.
You look fabulous in this! Totally love the look with the newsboy cap & riding boots! But all the looks are stunning.
When I do something silly, my husband calls me putty-head! 😉 Good thing I’m secure about my intelligence. 😉
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
I don’t think there’s anything that doesn’t suit you Suzanne! Whether you are all dolled up in an elegant sequined dress or casual as in this post, you always look great. You are certainly never boring. I like that you have so many different looks.
We’re the same height, which is average, nice to know in case you want to sell something, like that long vest. 🙂
♥ carmen
Suzanne, Love this post! Especially because of my love affair with my long vest and being about the same height as you (yep, we would definitely be fighting or laughing over the same clothes). Thank you for giving me all these wonderful suggestions to try out. Each outfit you put together looks wonderful. I find myself throwing on my vest more times than not this winter, its the perfect layering piece.
My hubby calls me “big girl” but I think its because I rule the roost (haha). I don’t really remember why or how this name came to be but I sure hear it a lot.
I’m so digging that vest. Just fabulous. I’ve passed long vests for just the same reasons. But I have a little more in the mid-section than you do. But I think, with fitted pieces, I could rock a long vest as well. Great tips!
I have been wanting a vest like this for years! I am so jealous that you found one at a discount store! I love all of the way you wore it. My favorite being with the oversized jacket. I cannot believe all of the ways you can wear this! It was a great investment.
Jenni
Average height in Canada, really? Cause you’s quite small, dear!
Anyho, this oversized vest looks good on you. Hair up and high heels definitely add to the look, as does the blanket scarf.
I think it happens more often that things that I thought looked good on me, I now do not find looking good on me anymore. The other way around happens less. Can’t think of anything. Guess that means that I’m pretty ‘conservative’, style wise.