Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The Pinstriped Suit: Keep Or Donate?

Have you had a good old clean out of your wardrobe and sock drawer? I've never had problems purging clothes. Well I thought that -  until I realised I hadn't worn my Louis Verdad suit for four years. Isn't the conventional wisdom that if you haven't worn it in a year, it needs to go?


Why the heck haven't I worn it? It has great tailoring - the jacket and shirt and blouse have a total of 40 buttons.

The transparent blouse is a bit faddly, the bandeau arrangement is not wide enough for strapless bra so I guess you're expected to go braless or use chicken cutlets. (See here for why I would never do that. Scroll down to poached eggs with hangers par. Health and Safety considerations)

Na, don't like it 
Plus this blouse also necessitates industrial applications of Axe deodorant, the one that 14 year old boys use. Some celeb (can't remember who) said her ice-breaker at Hollywood parties was: "Shoot, forgot to put on deodorant before I came out." That conversation starter doesn't work for the rest of us.

Ok what about the suit?


The back of the jacket has a ruffle arrangement, like chips

The trou part is actually cooolots.

The kick pleats make you want to go -  Hiyaa!!!

And - Agggha!!

Friends, the suit has a 24 hr reprieve, I'm wearing it tonight.  I'll make the final decision tomorrow. Have you got something like this in your wardrobe? 

42 comments:

  1. So funny Jody! Okay.. it looks great on you but I see why you're on the fence about keeping it. I DO have a couple items that I feel this way about. One item is a pair of pin striped trousers with a wide leg or bell bottom. They sort of cam in a few years back (with a high pump) but now that we've had this conversation, I'm tossing them.

    Fashion changes and so does what we feel comfortable wearing. I'll be anxious to find out what you end up doing! xxL

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    1. Brilliant Leslie! I will inspire a huge spate of chucking out due to this coolots and Axe-needing blouse.
      Actually I gave my sister some seer sucker pink striped trous from same designer that were a great fit but somehow never wore those either - pants that needed a high shoe too as i remember...

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  2. I think that's a pretty cool looking suit, it's really classic, roll it up and bring it out in ten years if you're not in the mood for it now, though I did have a jacket like that which I gave to charity shop last year but mine was black and I don't really like black on me - outfit pics may suggest otherwise but I can't get rid of everything!

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  3. The jacket looks amazing. I love the peplum look on the waist like that. Not sure about culottes. Mind you, they look great on you. Would it be wrong to keep the jacket mix it with other trousers and give the pants away? Would a trouser update 'shake it up a bit?'

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  4. I wouldn't chuck something out I hadn't worn in just a year. That's too short a time frame. You go off things and then go back on them again later, I find.

    Your suit is rather snazzy, but couldn't you wear a different blouse underneath, or a smart tee-shirt?

    I'm finding more and more that if I need to wear heels for an outfit, it doesn't get worn.

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    1. Think you've hit the nail on the head. If it doesn't go with jeans, doesn't get worn over here

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  5. Keep it - looks great on you and the minute you give away a suit like that you will somehow need it. I have made a few mistakes which is why I end up hoarding...But nevertheless - I think it looks very nice indeed!

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  6. I think the suit looks awesome on you!! It's different from other suits, I would keep it to be honest...super marvellous on you!! And with the boots, even cooler!! Keep it!! x

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  7. I like it Jody, which surprises me, as I genuinely dislike culottes (don't know why - holdover from some fashion incident?)

    I am feeling like that with some suits which have not been worn for 14 months since I left my old job. I try to imagine what I would wear if I had to do presentations, consultations, etc but am kind of thinking I never want to work 40 (or 80) hours a week outside of the house again, so I need to decide soon as they corporate to the max. My taste now is running to simpler dresses and cardigans. I already gave many of my old suits away, but still not sure of the remainder, so will be interested in your decision! I am like Tabs - never quite sure how far to go!

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    1. I know what you mean, somehow corduroy in a pumpkin colour comes to mind when I think of cooolots. I keep thinking I might need it for work, but only bankers here wear suits (I've yet to see a man in one or even in a tie). And CIA agents of course - Cary in Homeland. Dresses and cardigans are a much softer look

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  8. I'd keep the jacket. Can't say I like culottes on me or anyone else...sorry. And you pretty much talked me out of the shirt. I have a blue grey leather jacket that I love, fits great, but never ever gets worn. I don't think I will ever toss it.

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  9. I like the blouse color, but I think the blouse has no utility. Ditch that. I think maybe you should keep the suit but see if you can have the coulottes fashioned into a skirt. I like the line of the suit, there is something about it!

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    1. The colour seems now to be called oxblood (used to be called wine back in the olden days) can't get the image out of my mind

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  10. I love the leaping! Haha! It seems very well made, maybe try wearing it with a different top, like one that doesn't require ALL of the deodorant. Slim fitting short sleeve sweater or some such.

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    1. That's what I was thinking too, what colour do you think?

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  11. I actually love a closet purge... there is something very cathartic about it. I actually only have a limited wardrobe here in Singapore (just my Spring/Summer things), so nothing that's been hanging in my closet unworn for too long. But just talking about a purge has me itching to do one....

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    1. Alexis, I love the everything purge. I don't know why but we have to go through our mudroom every week. In fact I find it so easy to get rid of stuff that I think it doesn't make me live with my mistakes...

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    2. Very healthy sounding. I'm a sick-o in comparison.
      (no to the blouse, you're uncomfortable in it. if you have room, keep the suit. don't wear it as a suit.) Good Luck!

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  12. With those high kicks, I'd say keep this suit for when you & Platinum do 'Guys & Dolls' on Broadway or the West End.

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    1. Well we do need a new costume for our Steve Wonder thingy for March, not really a cooolots kind of guy though, our Stevie

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  13. Look at you go at your show, floating on air haha bah keep it, you never know when it could come in handy again

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  14. Anything that can make you leap like that at our age should be kept.

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  15. That rule is rubbish and I break it constantly Jody!! I read that coolotes are making a comeback. Perhaps shorter, perhaps narrower, but WTH, run and leap with them. The jacket is great!!

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  16. Culottes... Just hate this bloody phone and spell check.

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  17. Love your jumpy poses. You're such a fashion blogger!!
    I like the jacket a lot. Not so sure about it as a suit with the long skirty thing. I'd probably wear the jacket with jeans or plain pants, the tailoring is really very nice on it and it suits you.
    Ditch the shirt. If it makes you sweat and you can't wear a bra there's really nothing to recommend about it!! xx

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  18. I purge quite often.....
    Gives me an excuse to buy more! Ha!
    I like the jacket...culottes?.....not so much!
    But....you are thin....therefore you can wear anything!
    Enjoy your evening.....
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  19. Jody , Do not get rid of this suit! I love the pants too. What about the blouse? It's so feminine and beautiful. Love the whole thing and I think it doesn't look like it's from any period. Seriously looks like you bought it today. You have some pretty things in your closet. Wish I was as tiny as you! xx

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  20. Going through a sort-and-toss at our house, after the fifth oh GAWD what was I thinking, did I really go out in that? I really needed a drink. Or three. I'd like to think that some poor job-hunter might be glad of some of these castoffs, but I'm afraid that I risk costing her the potential job.

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  21. Love the leaping pictures - as to the suit, the jacket would be fun to wear with solid color pants. And as far as the pants and blouse - I don't see them as easy to wear.

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  22. I live for a declutter! 4 years is too long. I'd archive it x

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  23. Jojo, love your posts as always. I LOOOVE the jacket. Very bang-bus. LOL. No really, it is a nice jacket honey, very tailored and sleek - but I see this paired with a gorgeous skirt bottom to match, with black stockings and classy black high heels. Then it goes from business suit to hot business suit. xxxxxxx

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  24. 40 buttons! No wonder you haven't worn it much - far too fiddling and I have a pet hate of culottes even tho' you manage to look good in everything.
    Charity - most def!

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  25. I have clothes from the eighties... I don't wear them now! But they were my favourites... and now I am going to say something gross: some of them have memorable stains.
    Sx

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  26. I think that striped outfit suits you just fine, Jody. But what do I know about clothes; I'm a Bear.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  27. The jacket is divine so that's definitely a keeper. Culottes are making a comeback, so I'd keep those too .. or you could take them to a tailor and have them 'narrowed' for a more current look. But ditch the blouse ... I could feel myself feeling panicked as to how I'd manage to wear it! But definitely, definitely KEEP the jacket.

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  28. I really love that blazer on its' own - those ruffles are amazing :)

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