I like these and I’ve been wearing them often. I don’t belt them because with this style it just doesn’t seem to flatter me, but I am 5′10 and love the length. I often feel not covered enough when I wear regular-length cardigans (in the fall and winter I want to bundle up and be cozy!), so these long ones are the perfect solution. I have three and will be looking for more.

I agree with you, Angie! I love this look, but I don’t think it works for petite gals (especially if you’re curvy). I ordered a boyfriend cardigan online from Nordstrom, but I had to return it, because it looked utterly ridiculous on me.

I hope to see all my tall friends sporting the look this year!

love,
m!

I got mine on sale because I liked the color and I thought it would be a nice alternative to my old black Sunday-morning-cawfee sweater that has pilled beyond recognition. Turns out I wore it out over a black dress with boots and because it’s teal, it was that nice pop of color needed to get some compliments. I’m 5′4″ but because of the lean silohuette [I can't spell that word today!], I don’t think it makes me feel dowdy. I do have to watch out for the longer skirts that are in this season. Anything a few inches below my knee makes me look like I’m my own mom.

I’ve already purchased one at TJMaxx with a tie belt (much like lower left photo) in a deep plum. So far it hasn’t been cool enough to wear it, but it will be fun to have a variation. I plan to sometimes replace the tie belt with a leather one. Your photos give interesting belting and layering ideas.

I just picked up a boyfriend cardigan at Banana Republic! I’m very excited! And it is a true boyfriend cardi length this time, Angie. It’s black, because I think that will go best with all the brightly colored tops and dresses I have. I’m really excited to wear it–now if only the weather would cooperate and drop below 80 I’d be set!

One question though–is that an item that needs to be belted at all times, or are there outfits/instances when you can wear it open over something with no belt? Just curious.

I do like this look despite being on the short side. I wore a tunic length cardigan (not boyfriend) last year and this season I was just waiting to find the right boyfriend cardigan. I ended up buying 2 of the BR ones in different colors. These can be worn smart casual with the right layering pieces, right? Wearing a belt with them is key for me.

I have a black one that buttons at the waist, so it gives some definition to my waist to balance out the length, but while I find it comfortable and functional, I can’t get past my “this is retro but not in a hip way” feeling. I feel dumpy while wearing it. Warm, but dumpy.

I loove this look! Thank you for the mention Angie. I have two long sleeved silk ones (black and wine) that I have just started wearing, and am seriously tempted to get one more. I really like the Guess one in the middle of the bottom row.

I can’t do this look. It may work if you are petite and lean but on my short, padded body, it just looks awful! I can’t wear a belt because I am short waisted with a large bust so it just ends up looking like a sack. I do have to train my eye to get used to it even on others – in many of its incarnations, it looks casual & sloppy. I do like that this time around it is cut leaner and better fitted – I still remember the gigantic, floppy cardigans & sweater from the 80’s (worn with stirrup leggings & booties!).

Yay, Patience! We can be cardi twins. Which colors did you get? Have you tried one on over your red Elizabeth halter? That is currently my favorite look for my boyfriend cardigan. Can’t wait for the weather to cool down!

I think it probably looks best belted on me as well. I’ll have to play around.

I tried on the BR boyfriend sweater and thought it was great. I’m going to wait to see if I can get it on sale. I thought it made me look long and lean. But those store mirrors lie so I would wait for a final ylf before saying for certain. In general, I like it.

Odd-ball here. Honestly, I still think these cardigans look ugly and frumpy no matter how fashionable they are considered at the moment. They make slim models look like shapeless columns, even with belts. Of the pictures shown here, two models look curvy: the bottom middle (because her hip is stuck out to the side) and the bottom left (she must have a 25 inch waist or less!). I’ll leave this look to Tanya with her tiny waist and a bit more height than me. Not a great look for some one who is 5′2″ and trying to emphasize a waist that is barely there compared to small hips and a tiny bust. This look certainly does not add curves for those of us who are straightish hour-glasses; if anything, it makes hour glasses look like rectangle. So you all can enjoy it and I’ll take a pass.

Vote’s not in yet. I tried one and my husband’s comment was, “Too eighties.” On me, I’m inclined to believe him. Though this look is adorable on other women.

You’re right, grandpa cardigan would describe them too . But I love them. I think though you could look like a “grandpa” in it unless you put something that stands out underneath, other tahn a simple cami or tank!

These sweaters look like they are cuddly and warm to snuggle up in which is our instinct in the fall. Some look better than others to me. The top center black one with the belt is very beautiful, the yellow one next to it is not attractive to me at all. I like them best without the band at the bottom.

I’m standing in line somewhere between Sarah and San on this one. Instinctually, I’d pass because I remember them with stirrups (ugh) but might go for one without the band on the bottom.

Secondhand stores are a great resource for this. I got a great mustard cashmere one for practically nothing. I’ll belt it and wear it over jeans and pencil skirts. It’s not quite as long as these, but it works.

I love the look, but I’m not quite 5′ tall — the longest cardies I own hit at the hip, and it’s going to stay that way!

I thought this look might do for me since I am a tall girl, but all the ones I’ve tried on so far have had something wrong with the fabric. Either it’s so flimsy as to show all the lumps made by my jeans’ belt loops or the yarn is too thick so I look like a box. Still looking out for that happy medium.

I’ve got a black one I got a couple years ago at Target. I wore it last week with a black and white striped top and skinny jeans tucked into flat, knee-high motorcycle boots. Now I feel trendy.

I would like to give this a whirl, but haven’t seen many in the stores. It may be because I’m not laser-focused on looking for them!

I have a belted, cable-knit bf cardigan in camel with shawl neckline – from ATL two seasons ago. My hubby told me to please donate it because he said it made me look like I was walking around in a bathrobe.

If I do this, it’s going to have to be very lightweight (not too bulky, no shawl color, no self-belt, and perfectly scaled.

It’s not super-high on my list of priorities this year. If I ever get to H&M, I might give it a whirl if I can find an economically priced one to just see if I like the look or not.

Shiny, mine (the black one with the cute button detail at the sleeve that I wore in one of my fall pictures) is from Zara, do you have one in Boston? It cost 25 Euro in Munich, so it’ll probably be sold for under $40 here in the US. A relatively low investment for trying a new look!
It’s definitely light weight and generally meets all of your requirements, except that of course I don’t know how it’ll work on your petite frame. Just give it a whirl

How timely!

Today I wore a hand knit cardigan that is the color of Japanese Irises. It has metal buttons with crystals inside.

A delicately and deftly made piece I found at the St Vincent de Paul up on Aurora in Seattle (I no longer live in Seattle, but that thrift store had so many great finds!)

Truly a beautiful cardi, and it’s about darn time, too!

I only wear these around the house when I’m cold! And have done for years, so it’s not something I would ever wear out in public. They feel really schlumpy to me since I’ll wear them over lounge wear instead of a robe (which, of course, is lovely on couch potato days!). I think they look nice on tall, thin women, but all they really do on me is make me look shorter and cling to my hips. I’m sticking with jackets when it comes layering.

This is my favorite look for fall. I’m wearing mine belted, with leggings and boots!

How timely. I just got one of these today from Urban Outfitters. I was one of those people that didn’t like the look at first, but it has grown on me. I just couldn’t resist the cozy allure, and then I realized that they really don’t look any different from a tunic.

Here’s a question (if you’re not too busy rocking the streets of HK): How long would these have to be to wear with leggings? I really wanted to wear mine with leggings for the ultimate in cozy comfort, but I’m not sure if it’s long enough. It ends just below the bum.

This is on my wish list for a fun, funky versatile (and yet, still classic) style. Having trouble finding something I love that is not cashmere or wool. Grrr. Also, the fabric needs to be substantial enough to not overemphasize any lumps and bumps, but not overly bulky. So demanding!

I know I sound like a Zara spokes person (I’m not but I sure do like their store ) but Kyle, try the Zara cardi. It’s free of wool! The fabric is light weight but not flimsy. The only complaint I have about their long cardi is that it didn’t come in many colors. I think just black (which I got), grey and dark blue. I would love one in red or cobalt blue…

I just bought a great charcoal boyfriend cardi at Costco for $17! LOOOOVE. Came in three or four colors. Cotton with a little spandexy stuff. Did I mention I looove it?

I might need to go back and fetch it in brown…

I’ve bought 3 cardigans, two that are black and one that is navy blue. I was resistant to them last winter but realized early in the season that this would be a key piece to wear with my staple skinnies. My thighs aren’t quite looking as good as they were last year so the longer length makes perfect sense to me.

Not me.
Though maybe I’d try on such a cardigan with a short skirt or sleek dress, tights and a pair of nice knee high boots.

I noticed that my eye sort of gets pulled down when I look at the pictures, making the women look shorter, thicker around the torso and at the same time, more short-legged than they actually are.
I think it could be a good look only for a tall woman who is also rather dainty around the ribcage and waist.

To anyone looking to add a longer cardi to their wardrobe, Banana Republic currently has a sale: 30% off all sweaters. Enjoy!

I’m another dissenting voice — this look is not for me. I’m not that bummed either, as I don’t go for tops that go below my hipline. I know belting everything is in right now, but I’d rather just get something naturally fitted at the waist than something loose and belt it.

I’m glad to hear that a number of you are trying the look. I believe it can be a good look! Glad to hear it’s grown on a few of you too. ( Ahem, Maya. It’s interesting how this happens).

Ana, I do not belt my boyfriend cardi at all times. It looks sweet unbelted and casual over jeans (like the citron cardi above).

Hmm. Length of boyfriend cardis and leggings. I’d say at least mid thigh would be flop-proof. At least, that’s how I see it.

As Antje points out, the Zara boyfriend cardi is fab. I saw many of them in HK a few days ago (in all the neutrals). They are less lumpy over sleeveless tops. My boyfriend cardi is a thick “fine knit” and therefore works under shirts. I guess I got lucky.

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