Outfit: Altered States
You may remember this Theory jacket from earlier this year. When I purchased it, I felt that the sleeves were a bit too long and was constantly pushing them up. I’ve just had them altered, and wow, what a difference! The entire jacket seems to fit better.
I’ve paired with some charcoal grey brushed twill jeans here to lighten the look a bit. A lighter scarf also works toward that end. (These jeans are a great option if you work in a casual-but-no-denim workplace.)
These boots, purchased in Paris in 2008 are the Energizer Bunny of footwear. They just keep going and going and going…
Jacket: Theory, no longer available. Similar shape (and deeply discounted!) / Tee: Eileen Fisher / Scarf: Burberry / Jeans: NYDJ / Boots: not available. Similar / Earrings: Argento Vivo, no longer available. Similar.
Do you regularly alter your clothing?
SHOP THE LOOK…
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Like those booties and do I spy a Burberry scarf?
I so need to do this. You can see the sleeves are to long on my latest post. This is such a good reminder to take care of the great items we do have. The scarf is a beautiful choice for your light hair. I’m finding breaking up dark colored outfits with something light in tone is good for blondes.
blue hue wonderland
You look terrific! The jacket fits perfectly and the the entire silhouette lean and elongating. Great outfit!
The Energizer Bunny of footwear…ha! They are supremely fabulous booties, and I am in love with the leather sleeves. Alterations do make all the difference in the world.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com
This is such a great look! You were very smart to get it altered…I don’t think many women understand the power of tailoring and tweaking a garment to get it better for your personal style. It is often necessary to do just that. It look really good!
Now the jacket is made to fit you perfectly! Great look, and the booties look chic and as fresh as new.
I alter almost everything. It means the difference between wearing a custom fit piece of clothing or having a beautiful but ill fit item languishing in the closet that will make its way to the consignment store with tags attached……
Just love that jacket. Wonder if I can find it in London
May I ask what type of knot you’ve used on your scarf? It’s fab but I can’t work out how you’ve done it.
Hi Rachel, I’ll shoot a tutorial this weekend and have it up early next week. It’s easier to show than explain. 🙂
Thank you, that would be marvellous. It looks just a little more complicated, and therefore elegant and interesting, than my usual ‘make loop and pull the ends through’ effort. I have a scarf of about that weight and length. Am poised to watch and learn!
A wee bit of tailoring makes all the difference.
So digging that jacket on you. A scarf tutorial would be good. I just saw a certain scarf look on tpf, for an H scarf that I actually own, and I cannot figure out how she tied it. This one looks like a hacking knot, am I right? Am I even close?
Can I just say that those jeans fit you like nobody’s business?
Such a cool jacket! I have had both excellent and awful results with tailoring. Therefore, no longer buy anything that needs extensive, complex tailoring- I will onl lengthen/shorten sleeves or hems. (The horror stories came from re-cutting jackets (after weight loss and refusing to let them go.) Would have been much smarter to sell them and replace.
I agree about tailoring — we should just expect it as part of the cost. Men have been comfortable with this notion for a long time.
And I agree with Duchesse that altering works best if it’s sleeves, hems and (I will add) taking in/letting out of side seams. Trying to alter the fit of the shoulder is not worth the money.
Yes! I have some funky length proportion issues. Sleeves are too long for all tops and jackets but petites are usually too short in the body. Virtually all pants are an inch too long. I finally bit the bullet and realized I need to have all full length sleeves shortened. I buy fewer, better and then alter. It feels and looks so much better. Too long sleeves look like you are in someone else’s clothes.
It’s well worth it. But it is also hard to find a good tailor who gets both the line and the sewing right for an affordable cost. I went to an older woman who did exquisite stitching but didn’t have a good eye for stylish length. Pants tended to be too short and sleeves too long. I went to a tailor who got the length issues right but machine stitched everything. But it’s all better than ill-fitting clothing.
I have fit issues with pants (big middle, small hips) and look for the European style trousers that have a finished center back seam that extends through the waistband, like men’s tailored pants. Alterations are a breeze, I could even do them myself but it works so much better with a seamstress doing the fitting.
I wish women’s clothing came with more fit options, like men’s clothes.
You always have such great standard pieces, and they suit you so well. And it’s good to hear how alteration can really make a difference with a piece of clothing. I’m thinking about getting an old tweed blazer altered. I tried it on the other day, and I think it could benefit from a little nipping and tucking and disappearing of shoulder pads!
Beautiful, simple, balanced and nice look. I love this jacket with two tissues, it is very nice. I like how you feel these pants and the scarf looks fantastic.
I have a great tailor, and I do alter things when needed. Makes a huge difference when things fit well. The jacket looks great.
You look terrific! A good tailor is worth his/her weight in gold. As fashions ebb and flow, I have extended the life of a few favorite jackets several years by having the waist taken in, the length shortened, etc.
I bought similar Munro booties (lower heel but otherwise the same style) at the Nordstrom anniversary sale a few months ago, and have barely taken them off ever since. So versatile.
I too take clothes to be altered if needed.
In fact, I had my husband´s trench coat altered. I like the simpleness of it, the generous size, but now the sleeves are of perfect length, also had the lining redone. My hb knows nothing about this.
There is nothing cooler than well-fitting sleeves :). And you know how I feel about altering. Slash away!
You boots are not made for walking, they are made for me, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.LOL.
Love and sunshine, my friend
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Not only do I love the length of these sleeves now, your jeans are a perfect length. This all looks fabulous. And I must say again, after clicking back to look at your previous post on this jacket…your new hair color is stunning. Just stunning.
I alter as needed.
I love this look on you! Especially with your Theory jacket. Theory gets it right, always.
Great look and I could see me wearing this for this office!
Annette | Lady of Style
The jacket looks great. Alteration really makes clothes fit and drape right. I am petite and have discovered that sleeves, shoulders, and trouser lengths look so much better on me after a bit of nipping and tucking. My seamstress does not come cheap. And that works to my benefit really. Because when I am about to buy something I’ve fallen in love with, I’ll factor in the cost of alteration to the price and ask myself if it’s really worth it. Usually it’s not:) BTW, how did you ‘cheat’ that pant length?
Une petite Indienne, it’s quite simple, just fold under to desired length! 😉 Works best with narrow/straight leg jeans or other pants with firm fabric. These stayed put all day, and a bit neater than cuffing.