Sveta's Blog

WIW or Metamorphosis

October 22, 2014

Today's outfit is featuring 2 items which were altered from their original state.
#1 Express Barely Boot Columnist Pants
I was searching for new black cigarette trousers after I shrank out of my trusty old skinny Martins. Well fitting cigarette trousers are hard to find especially if you have curves: they have to fit precisely - not too snug, not too loose...tall order! So when I tried on those Express bootcut Columnist pants in Seattle and got Angie approval on the fit I knew what I want to do - buy them and get my Super Mom taper the legs. Here is the result and I am pretty happy with it!

#2 Camel sleeveless jacket
I call it sleeveless jacket because this is true: it was a Trouve cropped jacket from 2011 NAS (see pic 5) It was becoming an orphan and it surprises me because I loved the style. And then recently a lightbulb went on in my head: it is all in the sleeves! The wool fabric of the jacket is pretty thick so it may be too hot to wear indoors but because the sleeves are cropped it is not good for outdoors as well. 3/4 sleeves were pretty narrow and hard to layer under...comfort was not there!
I was considering to donate it but then had an idea: maybe I should try to remove the sleeves and make a gilet out of it? It would make it less hot and will be easier to layer over long sleeve sweaters and shirts.
So now it is brought to your honest review: what do you think - frumpy or stylish? Should I keep it or toss it? I envision pairing it with my AT white tunic...other suggestions? 
 #4 is a bonus picture with my red cape :-)
 
Thank you for looking!

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Posted in the What I Wore category
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.

33 Comments

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Well this is pure awesome. Clearly we all need a mom like yours! Looks absolutely great.

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    Amazing transformations! I envy your ability to know just what needs to be done and having a Mom that can do it beautifully.

  • deb replied 9 years ago

    Wow, super mom did a fabulous job. These pieces turned out great

  • abc replied 9 years ago

    I love these colors on you. Awesome fit on it all - go mom.

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    Tell Mom the world is a bit fabber because of her!  Love the pants -- the fit is spot on.  And I much prefer your new vest to the jacket ---  I think the cut is luxe and modern.  Well done!

  • Neel replied 9 years ago

    Clever daughter and mom :). I like both the pants and the new vest! The vest could work well under a jacket too :)

  • Niki Lea replied 9 years ago

    That shirt is so pretty on you. And I think the vest is cute, too! Love all of the warm, cozy colours in these outfits. Reminds me of caramel.

  • columbine(erin) replied 9 years ago

    Wow! You look so fab. Plonk. The red cape outfit is amazing on you.

  • jenanded replied 9 years ago

    Fantastic!

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 9 years ago

    I think you have just demonstrated the difference between those who can create looks based on inspiration and those who have the vision to see beyond the pieces at hand.  The vest is so much more wearable than the 3/4 sleeve jacket and the menswear look you have created with the slimmed pants is perfect.  The proportions are bang on and the pattern of the top adds femininity to the look.  Love it.

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Was / Is your mum a professional seamstress?  She is one gifted lady.  Sveta I loved that jacket and now I LOVE the vest.  Very clever thinking I would keep and wear, it looks great... as do the trousers.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Great transformations!

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    Oh, that jacket is MUCH better as a vest.  Keep!  And the trousers are perfect for you.  Kudos to you and your mother.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Love both of these, Sveta! Your mum is so talented. The trousers look super.

  • Lisa replied 9 years ago

    How clever that you altered these pieces to make them work for you.  And kudos to re-purposing what would have been a wardrobe orphan with your NAS jacket.

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    What Dianthus said :)

    So well done, and I love the new trousers on you.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Wow. This is sensational! Love your solution to the jacket problem. Now it's a beautiful, usable piece that adds drama and variety. So smart. The new pants are also great!

    You are a creative star, and your mother is a craftswoman! 

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    WHOO HOO for Super Mom powers!!! Both alterations (the pants and the jacket) are positively brilliant Sveta. How fantastic that you had a vision for both items.

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    It's fantastic! Love the new vest and the whole outfit - then I saw the next outfit was just as amazing. SO great.

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    Everything looks great!  Your mother did a fantastic job and what a good eye you have to tell what needed to be done to each piece.

  • AviaMariah replied 9 years ago

    Like I said on another post I think your cigarette pant fix is genius and I'm going to remember it when I'm back in the market because I have a hard time finding them too.  I like the vest better than the jacket.  Good save!

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Clever. Love the new waistcoat. Mama Sveta is your secret style weapon. 

    I LOVE THAT RED CAPE. My best. You are killer gorgeous and rock my style world. xo

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    Whew, so I was not crazy trying to repurpose this jacket - thank you for the validation!
    My Mom is super in more than alteration area, she is amazing all around.
    Deborah - yes, my Mom was a professional seamstress in her youth and her specialization was outerwear - coats and jackets but she made everything for herself and us - except trousers. For some reason trousers were never her forte. As I remember from my childhood she was designing her clothes all the time and was the best dressed teacher in the school. I remember girls there waiting every day to see what she is wearing - kind of real life fashion blog I guess.:-)
    Dianthus, those were very kind words - thank you. I think I just hate waste so I am trying to repurpose what can be repurposed - unfortunately it does not work every time as well as this time.
    Angie, I am so relieved you approve of my new vest, I was afraid you would say it is not current enough :-) ...and I posted the cape outfit just for you :-)

  • tulle replied 9 years ago

    Reading your description, I felt dubious.  Taking the sleeves off a woolen jacket?  How could that work?  But the pictures are proof that this was a very clever idea:  you (and your mother) nailed it.  Love it with the leopard print and black, and somehow the proportions look just right. The red cape (another difficult look to pull off, to my mind) is fantastic on you, too.  Frankly, I  can't imagine you ever looking frumpy.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    You made my day. I am currently after a tomato red jumper so seeing your coat was very well timed. xo

  • replied 9 years ago

    What a fabulous idea! it was definitely worth doing for such a wonderful result.

  • Vicki replied 9 years ago

    Sveta, you are oh so clever and both you and your sweet mother are style wunderkinds.

    I love this transformation and the way you morphed the pretty camel jacket into something new that you can use and enjoy.  That's creative ingenuity at work, and, yes, it will look lovely with your white AT tunic.

    Your red cape is stunning and you will get lots of action with the black cigarette trousers.  Hello, kitty, who loves to nibble on precious purses.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Sveta both altered pieces look so great (and finally, I get to see the perfect example of a cigarette pant)! I will never tire of seeing those fabulous chelsea boots by Ugg. They are so beautiful in addition to being practical for your climate. I especially appreciate them now that I know how hard it is for you to find stylish footwear in your size. They are bootie perfection! The red cape is superb over the animal print top. I love those colors together. Tell Super Mom that she has a very large fan base here on YLF. :)

  • Polina replied 9 years ago

    Sveta, you look amazing and have an amazing style. Can you share your secret how did you "shrank". You looked good even before your "Shrank-formation" but now you look so stylish and gracious:)

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    Excellent repurposing of the blazer! It looks fantastic and I'll bet you'll get a lot more wear out of it now. 

    The trousers look great too. Even though they weren't your mom's forte back in the day, they are now as she did a wonderful job with them.

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    Vicki, this is actually another kitty, a good girl who does not nibble on my boots and purses like the naughty boy does! :-)
    Polina, I have joined the program called Lean Eating. It worked really well for me and hopefully I can stay this way after it is done.
    Karie, my mom is OK to alter the trouser: it is making them from scratch she is not that great at.

  • Carole replied 9 years ago

    This is awesome, Sveta! Clever women in your family, obviously! You look fantastic and I love the pants; perfect fit....now that's something to get excited about.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Wow, Sveta! I'm glad I clicked on your blog to see this outfit. It's just stunning. The colors are so rich and gorgeous on you. The jacket-turned-vest is brilliant! Your description of your mother, making her clothes and yours, and the school girls waiting to see what she'd be wearing! What a great experience. It really makes me smile. What an inspiration you both are!

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