Online oops, or a fun new suit?

I've wanted a blazer with elbow patches ever since I became a professor.  So when this one went on sale on the jcrew factory website, it was an easy decision to buy it.  And if I was getting the blazer, I might as well buy the matching pants too.  

When they first arrived, I was pretty disappointed though.  The wool was thicker, rougher, and stiffer than I had expected based on the other two jcrew factory blazers I had bought.  The pants were lined, but super-warm lined cropped pants didn't make any sense to me.  So for two weeks I planned to return the suit.  When I finally went to pack it up I realized the blazer was final sale.  Oops.  So I went ahead and kept it, and figured out how I wanted to style it.

Success!  It was actually really comfortable.  I felt stylish but professional.  And I got compliments from a few very stylish women.  So: my new fashion-forward suit/online-shopping oops.

(Bonus: I always had trouble figuring out good outfits for this blouse, even though I totally love the zippers.  Now I have a perfect outfit for it!)

(Blouse: New York and company, shoes: Anne Klein, suit: jcrew factory.  The shoes are great quality and were a good price.  Shoes this pointy are never super comfy, but these are not bad.)

Untucked

I went for a very California vibe with the open blazer, casually draped scarf, and untucked blouse.  It felt good as I walked - very relaxed and confident. 

I like graphic prints, but I'm always torn when I put this shirt on.  It's such a stark black and white and a bit busy of a repeating graphic, so I always wonder if it makes peoples' eyes hurt or gives them a headache.  I don't *really* think so, so I wear it, but I wonder...  I *love* the shoes though!  The twisted strips of leather - black on one side white on the other - are such an amazing detail.  These shoes didn't quite fit me, but I liked them so much that I bought them anyway, and tried heel grips to help them stay on.  It took me 2 days of wearing them and fine-tuning (trying different heel grips, multiple heel grips, etc.), but I think I got it!

(Scarf: Nicole Miller, Blazer: same old reliable one, Pants: Express Columnist slim leg (the *perfect* fit for me - I keep checking their website to see if they're making them in other colors yet), Shirt and shoes: White house black market - it is a good store for black and white items :) )

A work dress with a front slit? Yes!

This dress has an incredibly flattering design (no shape-wear needed with this one!), and is really soft and comfortable.  It has a tiny front slit as well.  The slit was a little higher when I first bought the dress, but I sewed it down so that it wasn't too scandalous.  It's there, which is fun, but it's not super noticeable, especially when I'm wearing tights like this, so it is still work appropriate.  I got a lot of compliments the day I wore this dress!  I was honestly really surprised - I like the dress, but I didn't expect people to comment.  I do love a good compliment, though, so it made me like this dress even more.  :)

(Dress: White house black market, Boots: Banana Republic, Blazer: super old from Filene's Basement)

Pinstripes!

I think everyone needs a good navy pinstripe suit.  This suit is so simple and basic, but the wool is good, it's fully lined, and it drapes and fits nicely.  I love it.  I decided to be a little playful with it - just a tad - and wear a pinstripe shirt too.  :)

(Suit: J-crew, but old back when they used to line all the pants.  Shirt: Banana republic (size 8!  Sheesh sizing varies these days.))

Conference #3

R

I decided to go with blazer outfits instead of full suits this weekend.  It's a little more effort and a little less formal, but it seemed like a better fit for this conference.  Plus it finally forced me to try my fabulous Zac Posen blazer with a button down shirt.  I'll have to wear it that way more often. 

Drapey sweater

To help offset 3 weeks of suits, blazers and heels 6 days a week, I substituted a more comfy alternative:  flats and a Drapey sweater.  It was comfy.  Although my ankles were a little cold.  :)

Entire outfit: White House black market!  Pretty crazy.

A made-for-me work dress

Not literally, but it almost feels like it.

A few weeks ago I found a couple of dresses on sale on the whbm website that had very negative reviews along the lines of "these dresses have WAY too much room in the chest."  Sure enough, they are perfect for me!  

I often find myself looking for very specific negative reviews when I shop online - shoes that are too narrow, sleeves that are too long, and too much space in the bust.  I wish the skirt on this dress were a few inches longer, but it's still a great work dress.  What about you?  What do you look for when you shop online?