AMSB Challenge #1: The Boyfriend Vest
The first challenge from Bluefly and StyleList for America’s Most Stylish Blogger is the boyfriend vest and voting has officially kicked off! I included my submission below for reference. You can vote on the widget to the right by entering your email address, which will automatically enroll you in the $1000 shopping spree drawing. You can also vote on Bluefly, StyleList and the America’s Most Stylish Blogger Facebook page. I hope you like my style choice and thanks in advance for your support!
Psst…Kelly Cutrone is the celeb judge this week. She didn’t like my look but once I found out she was the judge, I didn’t think she would. In her words, “wayyyy too much”, but what can I say, I like accessories. Watch the video on StyleList to hear what she said about all the contestants!
Whether a rocking an oversized blazer or stealing a boyfriend’s tie, I’ve been known to integrate menswear into my wardrobe from time to time. When tasked by Bluefly and StyleList with styling the Priorities navy gabardine boyfriend vest ($90) in the first challenge for the America’s Most Stylish Blogger contest, I wanted to add a feminine touch that would also complement my silhouette.
I really love mixing styles that sound like they wouldn’t make sense together. In this case we have opposites with the boyfriend vest and the girlie ruffles and frills. Underneath, I chose a sheer cream blouse and a tiered cream mini skirt pulled down below my waist to add length. With the weather in New York beginning to chill, I decided to incorporate a pair of knee socks, which also helped with my short-leg insecurities, along with a knitted and textured cream hat. To flatter my pear-shaped figure, I added a gold beaded waist belt and to give it a little bit of personal edge, I chose the gold zipper cuff bracelet.
The color palette was probably the most challenging part. The more I tried to innovate with prints and colors; the more I started to feel like a retro-chic flight attendant. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but shifting focus to more neutral colors allowed more freedom with textures and accessories.
Ultimately, I’d wear this look to work, on a lunch date or on a stroll through Central Park (maybe different shoes though). If I were in the mood for a casual outfit, something as simple as jeans and boots, layered over a plain white tee would be my pick. The beauty of the boyfriend vest itself is the many ways it can be styled. I look forward to many more wears and variations!
Wearing:
- Blouse: Forever 21
- Vest: Bluefly
- Skirt: Free People
- Belt: Express
- Pumps: Sam Edelman
- Hat: Anthropologie
- Knee Socks: Target
- Bracelet: Studio (boutique in NYC)
I LOVE this look. Retro stewardess didn’t cross my mind until you said it… (and I voted for you!).
Your look is amazing regardless of what some barely reality-TV person says. Did you see what she was wearing in the video? Hardly, someone who should be critical of anyone else’s style.
OMG I voted for your for sure Jordana! You should also be voted sweetest blogger because you are one of the nicest i’ve ever met!
<3 <3 Good luck!
I voted for you sweets!
I think that looks amazing!
Consider yourself voted for.
very cute J. I voted for you:)
Super cute Jordana — MISS YOU!!!
You are adorable! This outfit is fantastic.
yay! I am SO proud of you! Don’t forget the little people when you become glamorous and famous! Just voted for you… xoxo
Gorgeous, girl! Frilly.
That look is really busy, but I love the vest, socks and shoes SO much.
yay! congrats and good luck! Heading over to vote right now!
The outfit looks really cute. I think, though, for purposes of votes, a nice smile and change of background scenery would have added a lot.
That is the CUTEST OUTFIT EVER! aaaand I knew that was the Free People skirt before I even read the credits because I JUST BOUGHT IT! LOVE! I am so inspired to dress it up now!
PS I just voted for you because your outfit is the BEST!
Aww Tres Mignon!
Voted for you, best of luck.
i dont know what the judge is talking about… i loved it. where’s her credibility… look at what she’s wearing…
Gasp! Love this! The ruffles and the vest? Awesome and creative combo.
I do agree with the judge. this outfit is so badly complicated that i cringed when i saw it… the hat is so out of fashion… i mean, is it a cap? with earmuffs on the sides? the style and the look of the cap is really old fashion, and does not match the rest of the outfit you are wearing. i suppose you were going for a sweet classy type of look with all the ruffles and 80s shoes?? then you shouldnt have worn a bf vest that has a rock, street feel to it (well, if u didnt wear it i guess u would have lost the competition)… and really, lose the belt too, what were you thinking? it is totally unnecessary and the material does not go with the outfit. there is a difference between looking stylishly-accessorised and looking like you just thrown on all your favorite pieces thinking they would look good together. they might look good separately, but together, this really fails. sorry but just because u have accessories doesn’t mean u have to wear them all at once. like coco chanel says “before u leave the house, take off at least one piece of accessory.”. sorry to be so honest but i think u need to accept criticisms if u want to advance through the competition!
Thank you everyone for all the support and encouragement! This was a tough one b/c the vest looked horrible on me every other way I tried it and I really wanted to do an outfit that stood out. Everyday I walk out the door, I know that someone will probably raise eyebrows at what I’m wearing for good or for bad.
Loli, I appreciate the honesty. The hat isn’t represented well in this pic, it’s actually a slouchy beanie…I love it. Anyway, I hope you continue to follow the competition and am excited for the next challenge to post on Tuesday morning. Please feel free to come back and leave your thoughts. I realize that participating in this competition requires me to put myself out there and not everyone is going to like what I wear or have to say. Hope that changes for you the next time around, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Thanks again everyone! I’m honored to even be among the eight finalists!
Hey Loli –
I think your criticism would be a little more credible if it wasn’t so poor in grammar, structure, and critique style. I think you should work towards more constructive criticism and less “Mean girls – celebrity judge” style bashing. Saying things like “Really? Wat were u thinking!??!” is poor form. It takes a lot of balls to put yourself up for judgment like this – I’d like to see what YOU came up with for this outfit.
My take:
The hat DOES look very vintage and I like the way it’s paired with the feminine ruffles. In contrast with the masculine-style vest it does need to be cinched in a little around the waist – the belt style really works there.
The shoes are simple, with a little detailed touch at the toe. I dig that. I feel like it evokes a simple feminine-masculine-idea that pairs well with the vest and the knee-high almost trouser-style-socks pull that masculine edge together.
The thing is, besides the belt and the hat, there are virtually NO extra accessories in this outfit, so the outfit – while being sort of ornate – is still very clean.
Hi Love! Just voted for you on Bluefly and gave you a shout out on my post today
The outy is adorable!
xoxo
Amy
You’re such a cutie! Gotta, say, though…this outfit was quite a mess. :p Nice try, though! The cap, socks, and pumps look like they have awesome potential to make a killer outfit, but they aren’t doing anything here. I find the proportions to be terribly off–your bottom half is basically broken up into three equal parts. Skirt would need to be much shorter for this to work. The tiny ruffles of the skirt and the blazer aren’t complimenting or playing off each other in a coherent way. And of course the belt… You just have way too many things happening that aren’t gelling or complimenting each other. It seems very scattered. If you had done a super-long trouser and the top of the dress was a blouse, maaaaybe this would work better. I also think the blazer would work better open and cinched in the back, with the belt on top. Looking forward to seeing your next ensemble!
OMG. I’ve been hiding under a rock for the past few weeks- during my trip to Thailand!
I’m back to NY now and my blogs. Congratulations! I’ll be following/voting for you! Go Jordana!! xxD
Finally saw the video. You looked great!
I LOVE this look!!!! Hope you’re doing well in NYC. You look fabulous.
Love the outfit! I totally recognize the hearst building behind you. We must be neighbors. YAY NYC!
I watched the video where you were judged for this look and I have to say that it was some harsh criticism. But, I commend you on so many levels: (1) having the guts to put yourself out there, (2) going with what YOU like and doing so with CONFIDENCE, and (3) I think your outfit is totally cute and I would never have thought to put together such a cute ensemble! Sure, The Fashion Industry has their set “rules” on things but I think as a blogger you have the perrogative to do your own thing and BREAK the rules! Fashion should be about self expression and having fun…not about conformity and meticulously following arbitrary rules (which is no fun at all). Congratulations on a great outfit!