WIW 1/30: Theory Lanai + Helmut Lang "suit" with sequin tank (Parsley copycat)

I am so far behind in posting I don't even know where to start! I have a whole month's worth of outfits that I never posted because of computer problems and busy at work and baby waking up so often at night that I just crash and fall asleep right after putting the kids to bed. So it'll be a little jumbled, excuse the random mess. The good thing is that I've been working on organizing the house and have gotten the office and garage somewhat organized--now we can actually walk around and sit on the sofa!

I have to admit this outfit is kind of outside my usual comfort zone. I've been gravitating toward a little edgier style and have been developing my shadow persona with items from Vince, Helmut Lang, asymmetric hems and darker colors and leather and for example this "goth" necklace from Alexis Bittar (2). I have been admiring the Theory Lanai blazer on several of you and since the only black blazer I have is from my Ann Taylor interview suit from the 90's, I thought I'd give it a try. I got this one from eBay and it's the same one that Parsley wore in this thread where she also used it as a "suit".
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....imal-print
It's ponte knit and has leather collar and insets. I copied Marcy and wore it with black trousers and and black flats. I don't know if you can tell, but these Helmut Lang trousers (12-13) are pretty baggy around the thighs and they feel kind of like a combo of the Leith track pants (which I tried and returned back then) and harem pants. I almost returned them right away (I have a thing about not liking saggy diaper butt on me, so who would have ever thought I'd wear drop crotch pants!) but decided to give them a try. I also paired it with a sequin tank after seeing a pic of a white Theory Lanai with sequin tank on a blog (8, can't seem to find the original blog page now). Surprisingly, DH said he liked my outfit. I thought he was going to chuckle at the baggy trousers or the glitzy tank. I wore this to work and got lots of compliments on my "tuxedo suit" as one person called it. Haha.

Now my burning question is, what do you think of the fit of the blazer? I bought a size 4 on eBay because that is what the size chart suggested, but afterward I read everywhere that Theory runs small and now I'm worried that maybe I should have gone with the size 6 with my nursing bust and apple belly. (I normally wear size 4 in most jackets and 6 in most blouses). The blazer doesn't really close to a point as much as it does in the catalog pics (9-11), but it feels OK in the shoulders/arms. It doesn't feel too tight over the tank, but I would probably not be able to wear it over a sweater. The blazer is not returnable, so if you think it looks bad or too tight then I'd have to somehow sell it on eBay which is a real hassle. If I went up a size (assuming I could find another one on eBay since it's not sold in stores any more), it might be too loose in the shoulders. I hate buying on eBay, I really should quit--I've gotten burned so many times! Anyways, hope you like the outfit anyways! Thanks for commenting!

Theory Lanai blazer, White House Black Market geometric sequin tank, Alexis Bittar hematite necklace, Helmut Lang draped pants, WHBM pointy black flats, Michael Kors studded black satchel, Forever 21 gunmetal stud bracelet.

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This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

19 Comments

  • Thistle replied 10 years ago

    Lux and luxurious.  I love the way the necklace echos the top without matching it. And, of course, those pointed toe shoes peeking out from the trousers look fabulous.

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    Ito my eye you wouldn't want your jacket any bigger or it wouldn't fit through the shoulders. I love it with the sequined top. So Fab!

  • cinnamon fern replied 10 years ago

    Fit looks great to me too.  What matters with this jacket is the shoulders and upper back - how much room there is in the waist can vary a lot.

  • Nicole D replied 10 years ago

    I really love how you styled the blazer in chic black and white!  That said, I feel the Lanai is  a bit skimpy in front, but since you are nursing now, it may be that it will fit better in a few (many?) months.  The blazer style is very flattering on you.

  • Parsley replied 10 years ago

    Well, of course I love this! You look fabulous, and I'm so honored to have inspired you!
    Those Helmut Lang pants are great! I'm going to have to check those out myself. I mean, can you ever have too many black pants? I love the pleats and the slouchy fit.
    To me the fit of the jacket looks good, too. It's supposed to be an open front, and the main thing is the fit through the shoulders, which looks good to me. It will probably allow for more layering when you're done nursing.
    I love your pointy toed flats, and your sequined tank with it, too. If I had one like it I would copy you right back! Great outfit!

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    What an elegant outfit, and I am SO JEALOUS. That is the Lanai I want. Alas, not in my size. I would offer to take it off your hands, but this looks so good on you I think it would be a crime. I think it will fit looser when you are done nursing and for now the ponte allows for stretch. Sigh...I will have to admire from afar. Love the necklace and pointy flats, too. 

  • Beth Ann replied 10 years ago

    Love the updated suit "separates."  I've not seen the trousers yet --- incredible shape, and proof that there's a place in every wardrobe for pleats!

    I think the jacket is a good fit -- no worries.  Enjoy!

  • carambola replied 10 years ago

    Beautiful! I agree with Joy that it would probably be too big in the shoulders if you went up a size. Love the slouchy pants, too.

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    Wow! Sequins are tough to work with in my book.

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    This is fabulous!  Love everything about it.  The Lanai looks like the right fit to me.  Like the others have said it's the shoulders that matter most.  In fact you might be one of the very few who doesn't get that armpit pooch that many of us get with this jacket, maybe it's because you can fill out the body part better since you didn't have to size up.

  • gryffin replied 10 years ago

    Goldenpig - I so love this on you!!  Of course, parsley looked marvelous (I've been her lemming lately too!!) but you've made this so your own and so elegant.  The blazer looks really perfect to me and it sounds like it does not feel tight.  I think the 6 would have been loose and you would have lost the sharpness.  Those pants are TDF!!  I am currently on a total HL jacket jag and I am so jealous but they look awesome on you!!  This may feel out of your comfort zone but you look amazing!!  I hope you'll repeat this often.  Just fabulous, elegant, edgy but refined outfit!!

  • deb replied 10 years ago

    You look beautiful! I vote keep the jacket and agree with the others that you will most likely be happier with it when you are done nursing.

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    I think the fit of the jacket looks fine. It will fit a little looser when you are done nursing. The jacket and slacks are gorgeous! 

  • Sona replied 10 years ago

    YLF. Wow.

    *plonks*

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Fantastic! I think the jacket fits well in the shoulders and as said above, after nursing is over will close more in the front, but never mind you look amazing in it already!

  • Ariadne replied 10 years ago

    Wow.  Love this look on you. The pants are divine and I love the leather accents on the jacket.

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    You know I love this! I size up in the Lanai but this fit looks good to me.

  • Scarlet replied 10 years ago

    I also think it looks lovely this size. Love the styling and LOVE those trousers.

  • goldenpig replied 10 years ago

    Thanks everyone! I'll come back after work and comment some more, but I'm glad you all think the blazer looks OK. The funny thing is even though I'm nursing, I went to Nordie's a few months ago and got measured and I was put in the same size bra as before! But I do notice my button down shirts seem to gape, so maybe I will go down after I stop nursing.

    The pants are so not my usual style, and are all the "don'ts!" for traditional figure flattery--pleated front, baggy around the hips, tapered at the ankles. But I'm glad you think they work anyways! It's fun to try a new silhouette.

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