Chanel-esque

I have tried on numerous Chanel-esque type jackets over the years. It is supposedly something every woman needs and J.Crew have been releasing a few every fall season. Here are some from the Holiday '12 rollout.

Size 10

Yes, this is size 10 because I could not find 8 or 6, but it actually did not seem that big.

I quite liked the fit. This surprised me, because I usually don;t do well with short, boxy jackets. It was not too boxy and draped nicely. Color is beautiful. It was soft and they did not overdo the details. I did not mind the hook and eye closures, in fact I liked it better than buttons. No band and gathering at the waist. Good.

Size 8

My VPS located size 8 for me. I don't see that much difference, but I would go with an 8.

It looks good closed and open.

So far so good. Even the price is not that bad. It is $198 but if you call the store you can get extra 25% off doing a charge send.

$198

However,  the list of ingredients reads like a recipe for witches brew:

61% acrylic, 19% poly, 10% wool, 9% cotton, 1% nylon

I will pass.One of the reasons is the fabric content. For more, keep on reading...

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Size 8

This purple number fits TTS. More boxy. Thicker tweed. Regular buttons. Also comes in orange red.

Don't like it closed

I don't like the gold buttons. .I think you can find something similar at Talbots. Or Macys. Or Goodwill. But maybe I am missing something, sorry if you love it.

Nice lining and contrast piping

Lining is poly but it felt very nice.

$258

50% wool, 37% acrylic, 9% Nylon, 4% Poly

The ingredients have different proportions. Does it make a difference? I am not sure. But these jackets seemed already fuzzy. I'd worry that they would pill and shed.

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Now, let me digress a little.

Regardless of the current J.Crew fabrications, I cannot think of a place/occasion where I would like to wear those jackets.  I have purchased them in the past. No matter how beautiful they were I never wore them.

I see many bloggers sporting those jackets worn with jeans, statement jewelry and heels, running around the city and hailing taxi cabs. It looks quite appealing and sometimes I can almost see myself in them. But then I try to remember what my day-to-day (suburban) life looks like. Most of the time I am either indoors or I am driving. And NJ weather has little time in between summer and winter.


In general, there are three categories of clothes I need and wear: 

• office casual and, more formal/elegant but limited, school/family/church functions
• weekend wear and even more laid back lounge/sports wear
• date/party/girls-night-out plus more 'festive' occasions about 3-5 times a year

Hmmm. I could wear it to church maybe? In fact, I will fit right in, especially if I go to an early morning mass...  I think next time I am faced with the dilemma  of  "Oh, item x is so beautiful, but will I EVER wear it?", I should ask myself a question: "Was I ever in a situation where I wished I had x to wear?".

And to answer this question, no, I cannot remember an actual occasion in my life when I wished I had Chanel-esque type of jacket to wear. If I bought one, it would end up being one of those items that I try to come up with an occasion to wear. There is always a better alternative and if I finally do wear them, I don;t feel like myself. So I end up selling/donating/tossing out.

Then I buy another one.

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What do you think?

Do you wear Chanel inspired tweed jackets?

Will you consider the J.Crew ones?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!