Shae reviews IGIGI business separates

shea igigi suit (1)

I received the following garments from IGIGI for free in exchange for my honest review.

Again this year at Weetacon I was thrilled to participate in the IGIGI fashion event.  This year we received two outfits and narrowing my choices to three was difficult.  All their dresses are beautiful but I rarely wear dresses so this year I chose separates.

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The first outfit I received was the Lexa Jacket ($132) with the Elizabeth Pants in Black ($82).  I already had the top the model is wearing with the jacket, the Greenwich Top in Blue ($52), so I decided to wear it all together for a true “real person vs. model” comparison.  The Lexa Jacket is almost perfect.  I’m 5’3” with narrow shoulders and a big bust, so it’s really hard to find a jacket that fits well.  Jackets that fit my bust are so big in the shoulders I look like a kid playing dress up.  But this jacket didn’t have that problem.  I ordered a 20 based on my bust on their size chart and it is true to size.   I could have the shoulder seam taken in about ¼” if I wanted a perfect fit, but honestly it’s so close I probably won’t bother.  The sleeve length isn’t too long.  They come to my knuckles if I’m standing with my arms hanging down and to my wrist if my arm is bent.  If you are really tall or long limbed the sleeves might be a bit short for you.  The model is 5’9” and in the photo sleeves are above her wrists.

I like the subtle pleating detail around the buttons as it adds visual interest.  I think it’s also supposed to give an illusion of an hourglass shape but that didn’t happen for me.  I’m a Rectangle on their shape charts and no amount of pleating is going to create a waist that doesn’t exist.  But that pleating also means you need a fairly simple top underneath.  I tried wearing this jacket with the Luella tunic reviewed below and it was too much competing detail.  A print or a lace shirt will work, but ruffles, ruching or pleating on the shirt would be too much.

I can’t even begin to tell you how many compliments I received on this jacket, including a remark that it instantly slimmed me by 20 pounds.  This is going to be a wardrobe staple for me for a few years since the styling isn’t so trendy it will go out of date soon.  With that in mind I think the price is right on.  If it was too trendy I wouldn’t pay that much.  My one dislike is that unlike all my other IGIGI pieces its dry clean only.  But I suppose it is too much to ask for a well-made jacket I can throw in the washing machine.

The Elizabeth Pants turn this jacket into a suit.  As noted on the website, these pants run small.  I sized up one size from my hip measurement and they just fit.  They are nice and soft with a good drape.  I do think they will be too heavy for summer wear.  I just noticed the web sitesays they are dry clean only but I’ve already washed them and they came out fine.  (Cold water on delicate, delicate dry cycle.) I will have to hem them.  With my Dansko Mary Jane pumps they were just enough above the ground not to drag.  But I hate wearing heels and in my normal Dansko professional clogs they are too long.  I will say that the price seems a bit high to me for a single pair of pants.  Though again these are a classic styling that can be worn for years.

Since I was wearing it and it’s IGIGI, I’ll review the Greenwich top also.  I really like this top.  The scoop neck is flattering but not too revealing for work.  I sometimes have problems with this kind of neck from IGIGI showing my bra straps but this one doesn’t.  It’s a great pattern and you can shove it in your suitcase waded into a ball and it will come out wrinkle free and wearable.  I do wish it was a bit longer.  It’s lined only in the front which is odd, it makes the front fall a bit differently from the back.  I paid for this top and it’s worth every penny.

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The third item I received was the Luella Infinity Tunic in Emerald ($68).  It’s a really soft, almost cottony feeling fabric that is great to wear.  But this one doesn’t do so well with the suitcase stuffing – it would have to be ironed or steamed if you are a haphazard packer.

IMG_2563The length is great and the square neckline is flattering.  But the wings/ties are so long they are kind of a pain to deal with.  They pile up on the ground when hung in my closet.  Worn crossed over in the front the ties had to be tied in a fairly large bow to make the ends a reasonable length.  I don’t want to worry about the ties when I go to the bathroom.  Nor do I really want a giant butt bow like a bridesmaid’s dress at work.  I did try wrapping them back around to the front to tie but that made me look about 400 months pregnant.  If your belly isn’t as problematic as mine that style might work for you.  I am going to shorten the ties by at least 8” which will make this top perfect.  But for the price I wish I didn’t have to do that.

If you are small busted this top might not work for you, there’s a lot of room in the chest.  Apparently I’m spectacularly unobservant because this is another piece marked “dry clean only” that I washed.  I was worried about the ties in the washing machine but they weren’t a problem and it came out fine.  As annoying as the ties are, I like more about this top than I dislike and I’d really like one in a vibrant red.

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IGIGI will give one commenter on this review a $50 gift certificate!  To enter, go to the IGIGI website and pick out your ideal item for a special occasion, important business meeting, date night or what have you. Then leave a comment on this review, telling us which garment YOU want and where you plan on wearing it. You can increase your chances of winning an IGIGI gift certificate by leaving comments on each of the other Weetacon IGIGI reviews at this page. Comments must be received by April 20 at midnight PST. Winners will be notified and announced on this page and the IGIGI at Weetacon 2014 page by April 25th.  Also on the IGIGI at Weetacon 2014 page you can click on the banner to get a 15% off promo code good on full price, sale items and clearance items.

And the winner is Mary! Congratulations! IGIGI will be in touch with your gift certificate soon!

Shae IGIGI 2014 random winner

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27 Comments

  1. That teal color is amazing on you! And the suit is beautiful. So flattering.

    I’ve said it on every review: I’m obsessed with the Deora dress. I think it’s too long for me but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to wear it all summer.

  2. I would actually love the Lexa jacket! I think it would be great for a conference I’m attending.

    And I love both your hair and your glasses. And the suit looks fantastic on you.

  3. The jacket and pants look great. As for me, I would like either the Hayleigh dress or the Wren Wrap dress.

  4. The green looks great on you, and looks like a pretty close match to your glasses too!

    Personally, I’m looking to expand my workwear collection, I would love to own the Monroe Skirt in Navy, and the Belmont Skirt in Ebony Damask. A Mena Jacket in Navy would also be a great addition for my closet!

  5. That is a really nice suit. It does suit you really well.

    I have to say it would be the Tiffany dress. It just looks amazing. And versatile. Like I could dress it up for work but still wear it out to dinner without feeling too overdressed.

  6. That jacket does look like a good investment piece.

    I want my own Luella Tunic in Emerald, which I think would be great for work. (Pretty as the Igigi dresses are, they’re a bit fancy for my office.)

  7. Color is great on blouse but I do not love the wrap element,looks fussy or sloppy IMO.

  8. I really loved that jacket on you – very flattering and looks comfortable, too! I’ve got my eye on the Thalia gown in Rose Garden that’s in the new Look Book, or the Jadyn Maxi Dress. Either one would be perfect for my high school reunion this summer!

  9. Wow! You look amazing! That suit is fabulous! I would like the Tiffany dress in either jade or pink for a multitude of summer evening weddings.

  10. Very smart! The green is a lovely color on you. I’ve never tried a pair of IGIGI’s pants. Their pencil skirts are the best thing ever (I wish it came in more colors). Now you’ve got me thinking that I need to try the Elizabeth pants!

  11. I like the Fayette dress or the Nencia Cocktail Dress.

  12. Shae, I think tunic looks mashing on you! It’s a great color!

    I’m desperately in need of pants, so I would love to try the Monroe Pants. Even if I have to let the hem out, they look so comfortable for work pants!

  13. I love the Hayleigh dress in Midnight Blue – I’ve been coveting it for a while!

  14. Shae, you look great! Very smart and stylish.

    I really love the Cadence Dress in Black/Ivory (http://www.igigi.com/plus-size-dresses/cadence-dress-in-black-ivory.html). I would wear it to my college graduation in May (ahhhhhh, I don’t want to grow up). A lot of my friends are talking about graduation dresses, and I think it’s a bit much to make a big deal about it, but I thought this dress was really classic looking and looks like it would be flattering for my apple shape, and I would love to wear it 🙂

  15. The Nuella tunic is a great color and style for you! I personally love the Fayette dress in Merlot. So pretty for a nice dinner out.

  16. Beautiful suit – I think the whole outfit looks really chic, hip and professional on you. You look like you could go from the office to dinner at a French bistro to a cool jazz concert all in one day, and fit in fabulously in each place. I also like the emerald color of the tunic – it matches well with your hair color and eyeglasses. 🙂

    I have my eye on an upcoming Igigi dress that looks like the Olympia Maxi Dress in mint-green, but the new version has sleeves.

  17. I love that jacket! I have not been brave enough to buy pants from Igigi, but I might now. However, I’m really lusting after the Janus dress in pink pindot. Mostly because I like saying and typing “pink pindot”, but also because it would look great at work and give me excuse to buy pink shoes.

  18. Ooh, that ‘suit’ looks great on you. Based on that review I’d love one of those jackets – I have a similar problem finding ones that fit well!!

  19. Gorgeous! I must have the Letta Dress in Mandarin Rose.

  20. The emerald is beautiful!

    It is hard to narrow down my favorite to one. I love the nico skirt in midnight sahara (with matching top) and the jadyn maxi dress (I LOVE blue and purple!) My niece is turning 1 in a couple weeks, so a brand-new pretty dress would be terrific to wear to her birthday party. (I’m also eying the tavi top in tropical for an “every day” look.)

  21. I love that you got the separates! I would love to try them except I am 5’11, so if something isn’t explicitly marked for tall ladies, it generally comes up to my ankles/is above my wrists. The emerald top also looks amazing on you, too!

    I really want to try the Nico skirt in Midnight Sahara or the Tavi top in Tropical. I love the patterns and think they’d really jazz up my work wardrobe.

  22. Wow, beautiful outfits. I loved that you tried the separates instead of dresses (I’m more that way myself). I really loved the emerald top!

    Now I need mo’ money!

  23. I want the Nikki maxi dress for my summer vacation. It is beautiful and would great on me.

  24. I love the marisol dress in pomegranate. I have a very fancy wedding that I’m attending this summer and it would be perfect.

  25. I think I would choose the Isis dress for work; my work wardrobe could use a bit of a pick-me-up.

  26. You are totes adorable! I want the Deora dress for myself.

  27. I love the green top on you, Shae, just a perfect silhouette.

    I really want the Linea Plus Size Maxi Dress in Vermillion. That color is gorgeous.

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