Thursday’s TPS Report: Buckle Wrap Top

100 Comments

1. Ooh! I think this would look great accessorized with a saturated chunky blue cuff/bangle around the wrist, and a fairly delicate gold necklace.

2. This is NMS at all, hate the buckle thingy. I think I hate large metal things on clothing in general. LOL.

   1. I was just abou to say — love everything but that awful, puritan buckle!

      1. Haha, “puritan.” That’s an apt description.

   2. Ditto! Sometimes, a dress is just *perfect*, except for some ghastly metal thingamabob that’s not removable.

      1. Yah, I agree. Buckle is, um, large. But it’s selling like hotcakes, so maybe it’s just me (us)?

   3. So funny! I think the metal thing here makes the sweater.

      1. Agree, and actually it’s not metal :) It’s plastic and possibly trying to be bone (that type of material that expensive brushes used to be made of, can’t think of the name now).

         1. Ivory?

         2. Tortoiseshell, I think you mean.

            I also like the look but worry about the comfort level – particularly when sitting down.

            1. yes! that :)

   4. This buckle seems like it would dig in to the ribs.

3. This is super cute! Love the modest-but-flattering V-neck.

4. Not sure how I feel about this. Has potential for looking cheap. I wonder how the buckle portion would look if paired under a blazer — also could look odd.

5. love it but handwash? UGH.

6. LOVE this, but I believe that these wrap tops are better left for those of us who are more busty. I wouldn’t be able to fill this out on top. Beautiful color though.

   1. Haha, I was just about to say the opposite. I have a hard time wearing wrap shirts/dresses because they cut my chest in half and make each “side” look very large and protruding. I love the way they look on others though. Grass is always greener, I guess… :)

      1. Agree with KW, the bulky fabric adds to a minimal bust almost like padding, which is something the ample-bosomed surely do not need more of.

   2. If you click through, the model wearing it in the red color is slightly pear shaped and not particularly busty, and it looks great on her. So you should try it :). It’s available in three colors and three sizes still.

      1. Interesting, because I thought that the woman wearing the scarlet color didn’t look as half as good in the top as the woman wearing the orange color did! I think it looks like she clearly could not fill out the bust. Maybe I’m being too picky.

         1. That’s funny – I actually liked it better on the woman in the scarlet, bc the buckle was hanging lower. On the woman in the orange it is directly under her chest.

   3. Whenever I try on wrap tops, I totally agree with you. I am very small chested (AA), and they’re always way too baggy and it just looks like something is missing up there.

      1. totally agree, especially in combination with my short torso. A wrap dress works better for some reason but the shirts just end up gaping and looking ridiculous.

   4. Really, I was thinking that I’d love this if I had less of it on top:(

7. I kind of like this one. Wish I’d come across it when they still had more colors! I’m a redhead, so no scarlet and orange for me, I’m afraid.

   1. I’m a redhead and orange is my favorite color. I’d never heard, until yesterday when someone else posted it here, that we shouldn’t wear orange. And it’s also available in a pretty berry color: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/3145134?origin=related-3145134-0-0-1.

   2. As a red-headed little girl, my mother would not dress me in pink, red, orange, or purple. I was a sad, sad little girl. But purple/red/orange are now three of my favorite and most-worn colors. (And I’ve been told they are quite flattering on me, so I think it’s not just me being off my rocker.) Can vary by shade of hair (mine is now more auburn than carrot) and shade of color (yellow orange = bad, reddish orange = beautiful!).

      The point being, don’t give up entirely on orange. Just think carefully about. The right shade is probably striking on you!

      1. Redheads look lovely in purple. Atleast Ms Holloway rocks it on Mad Men:)

   3. Another red-head here, and I think it depends on your hair/skin coloring whether you can wear red/orange. I can wear deeper, blue-tinged reds but all oranges look hideous on me.

      1. Redhead here as well and I agree that it completely depends on the shade of red hair as well as on your skin tone. I have neutral skin, so I can pull off more shades than a lot of redheads (and a lot of other people, FWIW).

   4. I’m have light coppery red hair and warm toned skin (I’m a “Spring”) and orange/orangey-pinks like salmon look great on me. It’s all about finding the colors with the right undertones. I look awful in anything that has blue undertones, but if it’s on the warmer end of the spectrum, I’m down.

   5. I’m a redhead too, and I wear a lot of oranges and reds. I like how they pick up the coppery and red highlights in my hair. I’ve been liking the outfits worn by the redhead Lily on How I Met Your Mother lately, and I notice that they usually have reds or oranges as well. Wish I had her wardrobe!

8. This design is beautiful, but wouldn’t the buckle dig into the bust when you are sitting down? Also, since the style is so extreme I would prefer to see it in a camel or charcoal to tone it down a bit.

9. Love this. Any thoughts on Nick & Zoe sizing? I normally wear a XS on top in Banana or Gap.

10. Threadjack–anyone have any great systems for organizing a closet for a color blind person? After my fiance almost left the house again wearing a red sweater over a pink (“I thought it was grey”) shirt, he would like me to reorganize his closet.

    1. My uncle was color blind and my aunt used to make him like garanimal tags (if you are very young, that was a line of kids clothes that helped young kids pick out and coordinate there own clothing without a parent’s help).

       Without putting lions, tigers or bears on the clothing (what about simply doing simple tags with the color written out? i know you can order named tags for use on clothing and belongings going to sleep away camp, why not with colors?

       1. Even easier than adding tags is to put a simple code on the existing garment labels. For instance: use a permanent marker to put one dot on the labels of all pants and shirts that go together (greys and blues), two dots for another set of colors (browns and reds), etc.

          My ex-husband was notorious for wearing olive-toned pants with cool blue and green patterned shirts, then topping it with a red sweater. He needed a closet purge anyway, so I gave away everything that wasn’t in the cool blues/greens/greys schema. Then everything in his closet went with everything else, and they were all in his most flattering colors. I hope his second wife appreciates all that effort :-)

          1. @Louise: that was hysterical. :)

       2. That is a great idea.

    2. Or a number system on the tags (all the 1s can be worn together, all the 2s, etc)? It seems as though it’s not so much how the closet is organized (unless you wanted to hang individual outfits together so that he could just grab a packet for the day) but rather a numeric or alpha system that would simplyfy his choices in the morning that doesn’t rely on color at all.

    3. I would get clothes labels that can be sewn or ironed into hidden areas of the garments, like on the waistband or inside collar (or directly to the existing tag) and just write the color of the garment on the label.

    4. If your fiance wants to mix and match in a less predictable way, while avoiding clashing, then he does have the option of planning outfits the night before. (This is in case the closet-organizing plan was going to be a compromise, rather than his ideal.) My boyfriend is the rare combination of (straight) raging sartorialist, and color-blind. His solution is to pick out jacket, tie, shirt and pants all in the evening, and discuss with me whether anything needs to be switched out. It wouldn’t work for everyone, but it’s become a sweet little ritual for us. I also tend to ask him in the morning whether my outfit is OK…though sometimes he says no and I’m out the door rocking it anyway ;) Today was one such morning!

       1. Thanks for all the tips! I definitely think that marking tags makes more sense than his idea which was for me to use hanger tags (which of course means that I would always be in charge of putting away his clothes). I think we’re going to have to try some combination of writing colors on tags and picking out outfits the day before. He has so many clothes it would take me months to come up with a dot system and he hates it when I throw out his clothes so Louise’s solution is a no-go.

11. Just need to vent for a second. A law-school friend (knowingly) bought a bootleg Longchamp tote on ebay. This bothers me so much – if you don’t want to shell out the money for a real one, just buy one of a million other inexpensive fabric totes out there in the world. Ugh.

    1. Oh, this is so a pet peeve of mine, too!
       Both for ethical and aesthetic reasons.

    2. I think longchamp bags are sooo ugly and dont get the appeal, so just let it be that someone thinks that not only is her bag (1) a large ugly bland version of what I think looks like a makeup bag, but also (2) it’s not even real.

       Uggh to longchamp bags. What is the appeal? They look awful.

       1. I think that Longchamp bags are ugly as purses, but I totally understand the appeal as a tote. I think it’s difficult to find a large tote that zips, has some sort of shape to it, and is fairly plain. I don’t have one, but I understand their appeal in that sense. (I’m weird about liking all of my bags to zip, partially because I take public transportation and don’t want anything stolen on a crowded train.)

          1. I think if you’re gonna shell out $100 for nylon, get Tumi or buy a large purse, or put your zip stuff in the purse nad get a cute printed cheap tote bag from urban outfitters or bloomingdales or anywhere really.

             I just hate these ugly trend things from a name brand that everyone can afford and then it becomes an ugly trend.

             Remember when coach was known for good leather and not gaudy, show-offy cloth bags with giant C’s all over them?

             1. My point was that all of my stuff is zip stuff. Obviously I put my phone, wallet, etc. in my “main purse”, but I don’t want anything else to get stolen (or to just fall out of a full bag when I’m bumped in a big crowd).

                I personally think the basic nylon Tumi totes are much uglier than the Longchamp bags, which, while I agree are far too ubiquitous, are fairly unnoticeable to me. They aren’t particularly stylish, but I don’t find them ugly, either. I actually find them less offensive then a lot of the “cute printed cheap tote bags” I see.

          2. I have the same zipper fixation. I don’t know why, but it has become really difficult lately to find nice zippered bags. It seems an accomplishment if they at least have a magnet closure.
             Zippered totes are even more impossible.

             1. +1 on zipper requirement.

       2. I have (a real) one and I love it. It’s not the most beautiful bag in the world, but it is light and has great weight distribution – as a law student, that is more important right now! I have other cute bags that I use when I don’t have as much to carry.

          1. Oh and I forgot to say that it’s sturdy. I’ve been using mine for laptop + law textbooks for a year and a half now and it still looks new. A good friend of mine has had hers for 5 years and she uses it for dragging around her laptop (and traveling – she’s a consultant) and it is just starting to show wear.

       3. I don’t understand it either. The fabric has a weird shine to it and the darker colors show all kinds of dust and wear. Are they supposed to be exceptionally durable? Or like a Mary Poppins bag that fits just about everything?

          I didn’t know anything about them until I went to DC and saw tons of women carrying them as work bags. Since they have no structure, I thought they looked terrible with sharp book corner and laptops sticking out.

          1. I agree, I think they look awful, like a folder over newpaper hat with those corners. If you want a durable nylon bag, there’s a ton of cuter options out there.

             1. I can see how they would be handy because of the zipper and waterproofness; I don’t think they are either great or terrible looking, just meh. some of the colors are really nice. But I would never pay that much for a nylon tote bag; I have a zip-up water proof nylon bag approximately the same shape and size that I got for free at a conference. Obviously not stylish but same functionality.

                But what I *really* have never understood is why anyone would want something that so many other people have. I like my things to be stylish, not outlandish, but also unique…something like that bag which clearly says “bandwagon” or “trend follower”, that will be over next month when the next thing comes out, just does not appeal to me in the least.

          2. I’m in NYC and its like being hit in the face with them everywhere. My friend in Paris complains of the same trend.

             Personally, stuff like that just makes me think of sheep. Followers. No other reason anyone really really wants one.

             1. I agree with you but I just want to apologize to everyone, I just realized that my comment came off way meaner and judgier than I meant it to… I think people should have what they like and I don’t think less of them for it….just having a frustrating day!

             2. I don’t think it counts as a trend in Paris, though – I’ve lived there on several different occasions over the past 10 years and they’ve always been everywhere. I think they’re just here to stay (along with Herve Chapelier).

       4. For me, the appeal is that they can be worn as handbags or used as totes, and they’re practical with a classic style. They’re lightweight, zip-top, collapsible (great for travel), and durable. Also I love both France and horses:) No apologies, I’m a fan.

          1. I didn’t know they were waterproof – that’s a plus on the East Coast. I only buy bags that have full zip tops now after having too many bags that fell with everything spilled out. I like the collapsable aspect of them, too, especially since I usually come home with more than I planned to shop for:)

             1. oh MAN are they waterproof. i once failed to close a water bottle all the way and didn’t notice that it had emptied out into my tote until i heard sort of a tell-tale sloshing. no leakage whatsoever, which was almost worst–you never want to find your cell phone and other assorted documents quite literally FLOATING inside of your purse.

             2. *worse, not worst, but anyway…

             3. Lol k, while I understand your dismay, it’s awesome that they’re sealed so well.

       5. While I dislike the fact that Longchamp bags have become an awkward trend, it’s actually sort of hard to find a plain, well constructed, unobstrusive, nylon tote. I have been trying recently, and Longchamp kind of seems like the best, if not only, option in terms of all those factors. I wish it weren’t so expensive.

          1. Try LeSportsac. I have the LeSportsac Erika (mid-size tote) and I love it. It’s incredibly durable and completely waterproof, and you can get it in basic black or brown as well as in patterns. They have travel totes in larger sizes, too.

    3. Hopefully she won’t go into counterfeit/black market prosecution (would she be lenient on herself?), although it would probably not be a good idea in general, as an officer of the court, to go around knowingly breaking a law. OK, I wouldn’t do it as a non-lawyer/sec clearance holder, but that’s just me.

       1. Govvie girl, can you shed some light on the security clearance process?

          1. Not govvie girl, but I’ve BTDT with clearances. Is there something specific you want to know? Some things vary by type of clearance and all that.

             1. Just curious as to how the whole thing works. My s.o. is getting geared up to go through the process (not military, but working for the military in some capacity).

             2. Once all the paperwork filled out, most of the process is just waiting for the investigation to go forward. How long it takes is a function of any number of factors, including the level of clearance involved, amount of time spent travelling abroad/number of foreign contacts, diligence of the lead investigator…

                Random thoughts about the process:
                *Be sure to keep a copy of the paperwork for your records – if your s.o. plans to stay in this line of work, the forms have to be updated every x years, and you don’t want to have to hunt down all of the information again.
                *(Depending on level of clearance) Be prepared to get a lot of phone calls from various acquaintances along the lines of, “Someone from the government just called about you. What’s going on with that?” I forgot to warn a previous employer, and apparently caused quite a stir in the front office when the investigator showed up.
                *Above all, be honest. Being upfront about anything potentially problematic is much, much better than having the investigators discover it for themselves.

                Hope this helps!

       2. I agree completely, govvie girl.

       3. I’m sorry but what? My understanding is that it’s illegal to sell counterfit items, but it is not illegal to possess/use them. She’s not breaking a law. She’s certainly patrionizing someone who did break a law, but that is not the same thing. We have chosen not to make THAT illegal.

          1. depends. Copyright is illegal to own, possess, etc. Some counterfeits contain copyrighted info. Trademark is to use in commerce/offer for sale, etc. So could be held liable for copyright as an owner. not trademark as an owner, but only seller.

             Either way it’s tacky.

             1. I agree it’s tacky when it’s trying to be something it’s not (as opposed to an “imitation/likeness without labels” that’s a different argument to me), but I still don’t think it’s illegal to possess. I can’t imagine what amount of copyrighted information a handbag could contain that would not be fair use.

                Trademark is a different issue of course, but possessing a fake trademark is not illegal for the possessor, only for the purveyor of the fake good.

12. I love the top. Looking forward to the day when I can start wearing clothes again!

    1. I’m sure your coworkers are also looking forward to the day when you can start wearing clothes again – nudity in the office is just awkward :)

       I knew what you meant, but I still had a good laugh! Hopefully you are enjoying the home stretch!

       1. HA! Left out the ever-important “normal” before “clothes.” Of course, several of the items I’m wearing may classify more as structured tents than actual clothing.

13. I bought this online in the sangria color and returned it. I have a large bust and this was way too clingy, even after I sized up.

14. I’ve really been drawn to orange tones lately, and like the one on this sweater. It isn’t that bright Halloween or traffic cone orange.

    Just found a nice casual jacket for my Mom for Christmas in a similar color. When we give each other clothes, our tradition is to put together an entire outfit as the gift. That way, we can wear the clothes immediately and not have to look for just the right coordinating items. So I bought a long-sleeved shirt in a similar muted tone and am looking for a silk scarf that carries the orange and a couple other colors. If I find coral earrings, that would be a bonus. (My Mom loves to matchy-matchy match!)

    Some of my fondest holiday memories are opening a beautifully wrapped box that contained a gorgeous tweed skirt AND cashmere sweater AND antique silver pin…thanks, Mom!

15. Threadjack, and not for constructive purposes: I just want to vent.

    Had jury duty today and after (finally) being dismissed at 11:00 after doing absolutely nothing for 3 hours, my work parking garage was absolutely full. There was only one spot left (which was sandwiched between an F-250 and a concrete support beam) and as I tried to park, I scraped the side of my car and my hubcap against the horrible support beam because I was trying to avoid hitting the truck.

    Not the end of the world, but what a fun way to start off the day…

    1. Hopefully you’ve got some good karma your way after avoiding the truck. (HUGS)

       I TOTALLY feel your pain. Just about to mail the police report for the HUGE damage my new little car incurred this past weekend in a practically empty parking lot at our local forest preserve. The entire back end was taken out while walking with the dog. No note of course.

       Here’s to hoping both our cars get well soon…

       1. Thanks! I ordered some wine online for gifts and had it delivered to my office – I just received it and now it’s all I can do to stop from opening the box and prying a cork out with my scissors.

          1. I wish I could click “like” on this comment about the wine. :)

       2. My car was crushed almost beyond recognition while parked in front of my building. The cops opted not to do a blood alcohol test though it’s a 25-mph zone and the damage could never have been done at that speed…especially since the driver had already hit 4 other cars before plowing into mine. I wish you both zen, I certainly needed it.

    2. On the one hand, we thank you JJ for being considerate and sacrificing your car. Also surprised the truck didn’t take up 2 spaces, as in the DC area they tend to do. On the other hand, sorry about your and the other incidents-wow. The other ones highlight just how many idiotic a-holes exist out there. It comforts me in a small way to know that they are more miserable inside than the crap they inflict on others. Too bad it is not self-contained crap.

       1. LOL at the self-contained comment.

          1. Bummer. Hugs! I’m the worst parker ever. Have done the same thing next to a pillar. Many times. Recently scraped my bumper, but too cheap to care enough to fix it. ;-)

    3. Oo, bummer! :-( I would have used some very choice words in your situation. Hope the rest of your day is much, much better.

    4. One night last year, I went to my car after work and I had a flat tire. Two maintenance guys were passing by and offered to change the tire for me. I told them not to bother, I would just run upstairs and call AAA. They insisted, and while changing the tire they misplaced the jack and managed to put a very deep four inch scratch in the side of my new car.

       Since I did not want to discourage them from doing further good deeds I just pretended that I did not see the scratch and thanked them profusely.

       Every time I see the scratch I’m still annoyed with myself for not calling AAA. Sigh….

    5. I have done this exact same thing before. Now I’m completely paranoid about parking next to the pillars in my parking garage and I keep driving around until I find a non-pillar spot.

       1. Thanks for the all the good thoughts (and commiseration)! Sometimes it just helps to know I’m not the only one out there that does stuff like this.

16. Remember those little plastic t-shirt holders that were popular in the 80s?

    http://www.candyapplecostumes.com/fo63105.html

    That is what this reminds me of. With less neon and bedazzling, obviously :)

    1. Lol!

    2. HA! Yes!!

17. I think this is a lovely sweater but, and I hope this isn’t offensive, I’m not sure that most younger people could wear this without looking a bit secretarial.

    I don’t look at the sweater and automatically think, “Director” unless I’m picturing it on a woman who is at least in her mid-40s.

    1. Our secretaries around here wear Banana, Ann Taylor, & J. Crew, so yeah, they’re stylin,’ LOL.

    2. Yup. Offensive.

       –Administrative Assistant who always dresses better than the rest of the staff. Boss included.

       1. It’s not “secretarial” in a “poorly dressed” way – most staff I know dress better than the attorneys. It’s secretarial in that it doesn’t convey any “gravitas” or “authority” – I don’t know how to say that without sounding like an as###le, but I wouldn’t wear this if I were 22, starting out, and trying to get my 53-year-old male boss to take me seriously, because his secretary (who he doesn’t let second-chair his trials either) might be wearing it too (and looking fantastic in it, but that’s beside the point)and I don’t want him to associate me with his support staff, I want him to associate me with his peers, if that makes sense.

          I’d save it for the holiday party and stick with blazers and menswear-themed outfits for the office.

18. I bought almost an exact facsimile of this sweater in green at Kohl’s about a month ago for $20. I get a lot of compliments on it.

Comments are closed.