kvonM, LOVE the color. I am a. acrylic, short length, slightly rounded nail with dark color polish all the way! it might not be in at the moment, but I cant stand it any other way! And I like when it matches the toes too!

My turn, my turn with a question!

Great thread Pennink! Thank you.

Anyway - my question is this .. I have a suit I absolutely LOVE. But the jacket was a bit less than 1/2 size too big when I bought it. As I shrink the jacket, of course, gets bigger. Tailoring is expensive. I don't mind tailoring it once - but twice is a bit much. Actually I guess this will be two questions.

1) How many sizes down can something be tailored before you have to buy new and smaller?

2) Would it work to use a double sided stylish clip in the back of the suit jacket to kinda cinch it in at the waist? I guess it'd be like those tops/dresses that tie in the back.

Thanks!

Thanks very much, but which colour skirt/pants should I use with an emerald green silk blouse- that's what I want to know!! I just can't think of a colour that would go with it, do you think a rich shade of blue may go with it.... I am thinking of something that will clash but yet fits so perfectly, do you know what I mean?

Hi!
1) it totally depends on the cut of the jacket (lining, etc) and the talent of the tailor. A tailor could, stitch rip all the seams lay it out and recut it about 4 sizes down fairly easily. It might be quite expensive and better just to buy a new one. But if you love it sooooo much, and the fabric is amazing, take it to a man's suit maker... (picture a little guy with a tape measure around his neck, chalk stains on his vest, and wire-rimmed glasses on his balding pate) and see what he can do.

2) I'd definitely try this. Try it with a safety pin first to see that it doesn't gape too weird at your hips or tummy. You could even make a belt thing with a good piece of suede in a matching colour and an awesome clip at each end. Then take matching clips and fabric and integrate it somewhere else on the blazer to have it all 'go'.

good luck! Man, I need to dig out my sewing machine now. Feeling inspired.


Tomorrow I'm on TV in Canada. (not talking anything remotely fashion oriented, but about parenting for one of our other magazines). I've been fretting about what to wear...

I've decided on: black trousers, black sleeveless turtleneck, black pointy toed heels and a pastel pink, finger tip jacket (anne klein) with a glass bead necklace (has a huge piece of cut glass pendant and the chain is all cut glass, kind of pinky glass, so it should look ok without detracting)

What do you guys think?

Oh, totally dark chestnut brown or black. rich rich rich.

never thought of chestnut thanks

Sounds very pretty to me!

Phew!

I really didn't want to buy new. The jacket is one I've had for years and can finally get into!!!! Its a 16 and I've come from a 26, so that's big for me.

Penni well done for your new smaller size, and I agree that your choice is great simplicity and sophistication all in one.

honestly? i think the outfit sounds perfectly polished and professional, but i'd run it past the wardrobe people first.

reason being, if you're on a stage and with other people (especially the host), the LAST thing you want to do is clash with them. a pink jacket that looks amazing on you in daylight may look like someone splashed you with pepto-bismol under the stage lighting. so what i would do is stick with the black basics and let them hand you a jacket or sweater or something (or better yet, bring alternatives with you) that work with the overall coloring of the stage.

in this case you're not just dressing you, you're part of a bigger picture. and if they find something that's way better than anything you've got, you might just be able to sweet-talk them into letting you keep it .

Never thought of clashing... too late now, the morning show people are gone. That's such a good thing to have thought of. I know the background is olive green so I thought of that. And pink makes me look younger, thought of that...

let's hope the host who's interviewing me isn't wearing orange!

Hate to disagree with Penn - and she may be right if you go to a very expensive tailor - but my seamstress says two things. 1. It must fit in the shoulders otherwise you might as well just start with something new. 2. If it fits in the shoulders, it can be taken down two sizes maximum.

What Pennink is talking about is rebuilding the whole garment from scratch and that is just plain difficult and very expensive.

I am a minister and my alb is who knows what size - huge. We have actually brought it down about 3 sizes but it is not meant to be a good fit since it is cinched with a rope so that works. Now, I will have to buy a new one. Although I have contemplated taking it apart and starting over again, but a new alb in my new size only costs about $150 and will last me the rest of my life.

Thanks for the advice Pennink! Now I have to go back and read everything again. There's a lot here to absorb. You rock!

It is expensive because they basically recut the jacket (my way). Years ago they did this to a leather jacket of mine cost me about 200 bucks, but the coat was 700, so I figured it was worth it.
If you don't open up all the seams, Rev's right, 2 sizes down. Then you could end up with droopy shoulders.

I used to sew a lot, and patterns usually come now with 3 sizes on one pattern... more than that, and it's a total recut.

A lot of seamstresses are kind of like me... always sewed, learned from their mom's... I just find tailors better for suits, seamstresses for dresses... imo, though.

Pennink, I just ordered a turtleneck dress that was on sale at Peruvian Connection: http://www.peruvianconnection.com/p...++++++++++++.do

Is this horribly out of style? Should I send it back? It fits pretty well. I am large busted, though, and I think I remember a rule about not wearing t-necks ...