Jersey Jackets

Jan. 21, 2010 | Ready To Wear | permalink

It's not often that the silhouette-improving benefits of tailoring combine with a fabric as soft and comfortable as a favorite sweatshirt. That is until the gray cotton-jersey boyfriend jacket appeared on the scene last fall. Pre- Spring collections are featuring more jersey than ever making this an easy-to-find and ideal Buy Now Wear Now piece.

There is a stylish point/counterpoint at work here. Point: the body definition of menswear tailoring. And honestly, who doesn't look better with some structure on her corpus? Counterpoint: a fabric that makes a look effortless. But don't limit your jacket's potential. While it's true she looks great with dark, simple jeans she is also a star with trousers and pencil skirts in wool now and silk later.

(L -R) 3.1 Philip Lim jersey double breasted jacket with twisted cuffs $425 on lagarconne.com. Club Monaco Alex jersey boyfriend jacket $229. For store info. or personal shopping go to clubmonaco.com. See By Chloe cropped cotton-jersey jacket $240 on netaporter.com.

A NOTE ABOUT CROPPED JACKET FIT: This is a proportion made for the new highwaisted pants and skirts.

Now, below are two good buys with a few style caveats:

Left: At $98 this jacket from Boston Proper could be worth a try. It is described as having a shaped waist and a skimming fit. Promising but few looks transmit Cougartown or Bust like wearing your jacket with a 'so-four-years-ago' girly top and faux distressed jeans. Breast augmentation and collagen lips sold separately. bostonproper.com.

Right: This J Jill jacket is nice in person. Your stylist has handled the merch. as the saying goes.

It's $79 and available in Misses, Petites and Womens sizes.

A NOTE ABOUT FIT: J Jill sizing can be generous so order two sizes and keep the one that fits. Another tip: a little tailoring through the sides and down the sleeves will work wonders. Consider shortening the sleeves to 3/4 length for a bit of new. jjill.com.

Comments

Mac says... Really adore the fact that you include hints & tips especially for those of us over 35 years old. Thank you for helping us feel fabulous instead of invisible, Kendall!