Fashion Details:
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe that my maternity leave is over and that I’ve been back to work for a week! In some regards, it was the longest week of my life. In other regards, it’s like I was never gone from work at all. What I do know is I have a new found understanding of the working mom. I’ll write more on that later, but for now I’m talking about something I love — the Lady Jacket.
If you’re like Mike, you might be asking yourself what is a lady jacket? A lady jacket is a jacket that can be worn as your outfit or your outerwear that is feminine and timeless. A lady jacket is usually made out of tweed, but can also come in a durable heavy knit. It has structure and weight and is not flimsy. Above all else, it’s an essential piece that you should have in your closet.
J.Crew releases a version of the lady jacket every season and has done so for many years now. What I love about J.Crew is they keep the classics around and make slight tweaks to them every year. I’m sure you have seen every blogger wearing the city coat (you can see my full review here), because it’s a classic J.Crew item that is a must have as well.
In general, I love little jackets and the lady jacket is part of that love. You can see some of my other posts on jackets here and here. That’s why when I saw this particular lady jacket in the store it was love at first site. At first glance the jacket is super cute, but it’s so much more than cute. It’s a classic wardrobe staple for spring and summer.
Tweed
Does Tweed ever go out of style? I don’t think so! Did you know that tweed is a year round fabric? It sure is! A lightweight tweed is ideal for spring and summer, while a thicker tweed is perfect for fall and winter. Tweed also symbolizes iconic style. It reminds me of an expensive Chanel piece that never goes out of style.
Tweed can be worn dressed up or dressed down (how many times have you heard that one?). I prefer to wear tweed dressed up. For this post I actually did a combination of dressed up and down. My top and shoes are the dressed up part and my distressed jeans are the dressed down part.
If I truly wanted a dressed up look I would go with a dark skinny jean and a clutch purse. On the other hand, if I wanted to dress it down I would go with a white tee shirt (this vintage vneck is my favorite one) and a pair of leather sneakers.
Hidden Hook and Eye Closures
What dresses the lady jacket up is the hidden hook and eye closures. No buttons, no snaps, nothing to see. The hook and eye provide a seamless closure on the front of the jacket. They bring together each side without interrupting the pattern or look of the jacket. This closure also provides a secure tight fit. Its next to impossible for the hook and eye to come apart without using two hands. Once closed it will most likely not open.
Versatility
The lady jacket is versatile and can be worn for many different occasions. It is ideal for the office. When I attend client meetings I like to wear a dress and a jacket. So more times than not the two pieces don’t match and that’s ok. The lady jacket is perfect to throw on with a dress and be meeting ready in no time.
If you are going to a formal event you can bring the lady jacket as your coat for the night. The structure of the jacket makes it more formal when paired with an evening look. Wear it during cocktail hour and shed the jacket when dinner starts.
Alternatively you can go the complete opposite and wear the lady jacket casually. On the weekends you can wear jeans, a tee shirt, sneakers and your lady jacket. It’s a dressed down look that looks great. The multicolored material adds a fun element which allows you to dress it down.
Craftsmanship
The way the lady jacket is designed is impeccable. There are three main elements to the lady jacket; bracelet length sleeves, shorter torso, and structured look. So let’s dive into each aspect of the design.
Tall gals rejoice because bracelet length sleeves are in fashion! I’m 5’9 and while that’s not super tall as an adult, it’s awkward as a kid. I’ve been this tall since the 5th grade! That means all pants were capris and all my shirts had ¾ length sleeves. Bracelet sleeves are the answer to all my prayers. A bracelet sleeve hits right at your wrist, it may even show your watch a bit. It’s a feminine sleeve that fits perfectly on the lady jacket.
The lady jacket has a shorter torso too, as it’s slightly cropped. It sits right at the waist or slightly below depending on your height. At this length I would wear the jacket open to balance out your full look. It’s the perfect length to wear with a dress too. When wearing a dress you want your jacket to sit no lower than the top of your butt. The shorter length sits perfectly and elongates your legs.
The structure of the lady jacket is sturdy, and will hold it’s shape all day long. While it is sturdy it still moves with you and not against you. I don’t actually feel like I’m wearing a jacket when I have this on. I do feel the weight of it, but I’m not annoyed by it touching me or my hairline.
Sizing and Cost
In terms of sizing the lady jacket does run snug, but still true to size. You want the jacket to fit snuggly, but not tight. Having a snug fit will ensure the jacket looks it’s best and there is no gapping around the bottom of the jacket. When worn open you don’t want the back of the jacket to hang far away from your body. You want it to look fitted. I am wearing a size 8 in the jacket, which is my normal size in a jacket or blazer at J.Crew.
I like to be upfront on the cost of pieces I feature. This particular lady jacket is $250 and I consider that an investment piece. When buying an investment piece I truly evaluate the purchase by asking myself the following questions.
Can I wear it multiple ways?
Can I wear it multiple seasons?
Is it a classic style that will be on trend in future years?
Do I love it?
If I answer yes to all of these questions then I purchase it! Investment pieces are just that, an investment so you want to ensure it’s the right purchase. Also keep in mind that J.Crew has great sales these days and this piece will most likely be included. My tip is to place this jacket (or any item) in your shopping cart and wait. You can always check back for sales and most of the time the retailer will send you a reminder (and even a coupon) when something has been in your cart for a period of time.
Looking for more little jackets? Check out this post featuring blazers!
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