Outfit – Pinstripes and Tweed

Slowly, the jackets in my closet have been making their way to the tailor for some nips and tucks, with this one being the latest to get spruced up. Every time I wore it, the torso was just roomy enough to bug me, and the sleeves needed shortening. Getting jackets tailored can be pricey and makes me wince every time I hear the total, but getting a nicely fitting jacket in return has been really worth it.

If you’re wearing a jacket, it’s such an important component of your overall look, that it can make or break your outfit. Having them fit well can make something as simple and boring as a pair of jeans and a blouse look immensely better styled and put together. The more jackets I buy, I’m finding that poor fit adds frustrations beyond just looking a little swamped in your clothes, my least favorite of which is shoulders that are too big, that scoot down your arm if you wear a shoulder bag, which leads to constant fidgeting and hoisting everything back into place.

Paying extra to get things tailored is frustrating, but as such a special size, I’ve come to accept that I’m an extreme on the sizing scale and won’t fit much off the rack (although I do have my moments of defeat and frustration in fitting rooms). The trick has been in determining what to alter and what to fake until the trend passes or I grow bored of the item.

This tweed jacket, with it’s deep red color (one of my favorite colors), crested metal buttons, and military details, has one of those classic Chanel looks that I’ll wear for years to come, as long as it fits and flatters. The quality is good, brand is unique (for Americans, anyways), and the style is classic, making this a great candidate for tweaks and tailoring. I may do something later with the shoulders, since they’re padded just enough to feel a little too broad at times, but that may just be in my head. I’m thankful the shoulders fit, since tailoring those on other jackets of mine has been a heavy hit to my wallet. My beloved Theory seersucker blazer is next up for that extensive surgery, and I’m prepping myself for the tailoring cost. Got to get it done before summer rolls around!

Getting this jacket back from the tailor just before a big rain storm is scheduled to roll in was perfect timing. It’s perfectly suited for a chilly spring-time rain, and I’m looking forward to getting some more last minute wears out of her before the summer heat kicks in.

Outfit Details – Sinequanone jacket (tailored) :: LOFT dress shirt (tailored) (similar) (similar on sale) :: 7 For All Mankind Gwenevere jeans :: Ann Taylor belt :: Cole Haan shoes :: Chanel East/West handbag :: Iridesse necklace :: Iridesse brooch :: Bracelets – pearl & sterling silver