I think they both look very good on you.

I don't think the boyfriend cardigan is all that flattering. I know you're averse to belts as well, but without a belt, it really has no shape. It could just be how you are buttoning it though. Try experimenting with the buttons first.

I don't really mind the vest. It seems to give you a lot of shape and structure. But something about the proportion is throwing me off. It might be the pieces you have layered under it. I can't quite tell.

Before you toss the bf cardi, can you try a belt? Pretty please? Just once? ;-)

I would love to see it belted - you do not have to belt it tightly. Do you have a wrap dress? I'd love to see it over a dress, belted and unbuttoned.

The vest fits you nicely, but there's something off about it for me. A bit too... flak jacket? I don't know. I might like it better in person; the way the light is hitting the buttons on my screen may be throwing me off!!

How does the vest look over your new white shirt?

I like them both, Nicole.

An idea for the BF cardi - I have a similar one that I find bunches on me sometimes, but I've recently been wearing it with only the top button done up and the rest left loose. I found it hung better, though I suppose that would depend on the individual cardi. I'm adverse to belts with BF cardis too... looks great on others, but does NOT flatter me so far! :-)

I like the vest. I'd just say to be careful to keep other elements of your outfit feminine, as it is a rather masculine piece. I'd love to see it paired with a small ruffle at the neckline!

My response is reverse from Maya. I think the cardi has good potential and like shiny, I'm begging you to try a belt :-)
I don't find the vest flattering. I think it looks boxy; somehow the shape is off, it looks as wide as it as long, and you deserve better.

I agree with Maya about the BF cardi. It might be too large for you, too. The vest doesn't seem great to me either, unfortunately. The metal snaps and pockets make it look very casual to me--it reminds me a bit of park ranger uniforms. I think you could wear a dressier vest really well, though!

Is that your new black button down? Love! This is exciting.

Well done for trying something new, Nicole. Both looks have tremendous potential. Please try a belt on the BF cardigan. PLEASE!

The waistcoat fits extremely well. I do not find it boxy at all. And it closes across the bust! What a fit find. I do not prefer the colour, though. I think that’s what’s off. It might be better in the flesh, but those types of greens in woolly tweeds can make people look tired. But the lesson from this is that you rock a waistcoat. It’s on your to do list to find the perfect one.

I like the vest too except for the color and the placement of those little pockets at the waist.

OK, totally against my be better judgement and WAY out of my comfort zone--here's the cardi belted. I returned the vest. I liked it, but it would have been difficult to wear.

http://s289.photobucket.com/al.....Nichripar/

I think it's just the type of belt that isn't working. You need a more structured belt, and maybe wider as well.

OH, I thought you meant teh belt that came with the sweater! Hmm I don't really have many belts like that.

I'm totally ok with the idea of this sweater just being a lounge piece. It is very warm and very comfortable and I don't feel like I have to create a waist when I'm hanging out at home.

Oh, i didn't even realize it came with the sweater. Hmm. That means this sweater definitely required a belt for shape. Maybe you'd have better luck getting one that doesn't come with a belt and has the shape built into it. You can keep this one for lounging.

I like the sweater on you, but agree a thin belt would be great. I cannot see a picture of the vest?
By the way, that white shirt that you wore on the forum was gorgeous!!
Great article, what a terrific fit!!. I am not a fan of the crisp white shirt on me but it is encouraging to see how great it looked on you!!

BTW Nicole, just as a side note, I think the vest looked great and fit well. I just think I didn't prefer the color. If you can find a similar cut in a smarter color, I would definitely jump on it.

Hey Nicole - late to the party here but I just want to give you kudos for trying something new. I love your expression on the photo with the sweater belted!

Ahhh the boyfriend sweater I bought one too. I took the belt that it came with and neatly folded it and put it in the back of my closet. I got a loose dress that comes just about 4 inches longer than the sweater. The dress is a print that has the sweater color in it (gray). I bought a thin black belt and wear it over the dress with the sweater sleeves pushed up to 3/4. I dont button the sweater. The belt gives me shape the sweater looks cool over it and I am still warm and cozy. I wear opague stockings and boots or just flats with it. Lots of people compliment me on it. Try it, just a suggestion.

Thanks for the idea, Adrienne. Tanya suggested a dress too. The only problem is I don't have many dresses because of my upper body being so disproportionate to my lower body. (I'm a 12 on top and a 6 or 8 on bottom!) Finding a dress that fits both is very difficult. I do have one wrap dress that I'll try out with the sweater--maybe tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have time to take a photo of it. We're supposed to get 12 inches of snow (argh I'm going insane this winter). The kids will probably have the day off (AGAIN!)--which can always put a kink my plans!

Okay I am seeing some promise here!!!

I just don't like the self-belt, but a different belt... I think it could work for sure!! The side views look great. The front view, not so great, but that's because it's a self-belt. You need something wider that you can place where you want to place it, and have an effect that's not too... bathrobish?

If you don't have a leather belt of your own, can you grab one of your DH's and give it a try?

You're getting 12 inches???? EEEK! We're supposed to get 5-7, and then a mix of sleet and rain. I have no idea where we will put the additional snow, and I'm afraid of the rain part, because all the drains on our streets are covered with about 10 feet of icy snow mounds.... meaning, potential flooding... gah!

Like Shiny, I'd be interested to see it paired with a different belt Nicole.

And I just wanted to say that I'm SO glad you bought that button-down shirt in black too, you look fantastic in it.
Also: I didn't get a chance to comment on your Bratique Helen write-up. That shirt looks divine on you. You're becoming quite the button-down girl!!

Even taking the self belt out of the loops on the sweater so you can belt it where you want might help and eliminate the bubble above the belt. I had to do that with my boyfriend cardis. The loops were just way too low for where I wanted to belt it.

I just want to make sure I understand the task at hand. Am I supposed to wear the belt OVER the cardigan, unbuttoned? Or am I belting a dress underneath the cardigan? Should I wear the cardigan buttoned or unbuttoned?

Actually, I didn't have time to take pix this morning, but I am wearing a heather grey wrap dress with a wine colored cami, black opaques and black boots--with the cardi--unbuttoned, unbelted. I think it looks pretty good actually. I'll take a photo when I get home. I feel "too sexy" when I wear this dress alone--so having something to cover me up a little bit makes me feel much more comfortable. My husband and my daughter were both VERY complimentary about the outfit this morning.

Inge, I have not worn the new black 9 West shirt yet--(other than for the photos), and I have not worn the new altered jacket that my mother removed the collar from. I'd love some ideas on how to incorporate those items in outfits. I have been trying to wear more button downs to work, because I think they are more professional and polished looking. But it's so cold here, I don't find them particularly warm. So as soon as I get home, I change into a sweater. I have to get back in the habit of taking photos daily so you guys can guide me along.

Shiny, we are getting DUMPED today. I let my husband take the Jeep today because he was taking the kids snowboarding at Mt. Wachusett, which means I took the van to work. (since I work about 2 miles from my home). The van was all over the road--horrible--we need new tires for the van. All of my friends have been having leaking roof and ice dam issues. Jason is really good about raking the snow off our roof every time it snows because a few years ago we had ice dams and my family room ceiling crumbled from the leaks! I am so ready for SPRING!!! Bring it ON!

OK here's the dress w/Cardi outfit.
I took a photo with the scarf that I wore all day because my office is chillly. But I also took a photo w/out the scarf so you can see the outfit better.

http://s289.photobucket.com/al.....rdi003.jpg

http://s289.photobucket.com/al.....rdi002.jpg

Hi Nicole, I agree with others that the cardi has potential and I would also vote for belting it - either buttoned or unbuttoned. I know you don't wear belts, but I'd second Shiny's suggestion. You could also try buttoning one or 2 buttons around the waist - sometimes I do it with my bf cardi when I don't want to bother with the belt. I think it looks a little too relaxed when it's completely unbuttoned.

I really like your hair like this, btw.

Oooohh! I love the cardigan over the dress! That dress is amazing on you, and those boots are to die for. Your legs look fantastic!

I think it looks very nice unbelted and unbuttoned over the dress. I prefer this to the other look with the pants. It's a good work outfit. It may also look good belted (with the right belt), but I do like it without a belt over a dress.

Nicole, you need to get more dresses!!! I know it's tough to find ones that fit, but you totally rock a dress.

This makes me wish I'd bought that boyfriend cardigan from BR I tried on - twice - but didn't buy. I didn't buy it, because I didn't like the lumps and bumps of my jeans underneath. Now I wish I had bought it, to wear over a dress. :-(

Regarding your questions above, the idea is to wear the cardigan unbelted, with a belt over the cardigan. Here is an example (and I wish I had a sheath in this exact shade of red... it's yummy!):

http://www.luckymag.com/style/.....i_milcarek

Snow: it's raining here now - washing away all the snow we got this morning. It's a mess out there, but I'm happy to see the snow go away. I did not have to go to the office for my meeting today, due to the weather.

Progress. Well done and thank you for trying something new, Nicole.

First of all, the first outfit with the slacks, olive knit, necklace, red boots and Gap tote is fabulous. You look wonderful in that outfit. Well done.

Secondly, the unbuttoned boyfriend over the dress with the scarf looks fabulous too. You HAVE to get more dresses (I know they are hard). This is a GREAT look for you – especially with the boots. Cheeky and fun, but with modesty and style. Nice!

Thirdly, you need to get a cheap belt (plastic or leather) at TJMaxx to ease you into the whole belt look. I really believe that it has potential. Do not give up.

Thanks Shiny and Marianne. Marianne, I think it's funny that you complimented my hair--I am a week over due for a haircut, and I was out in the snow a good part of the day, running errands, clearing off my car at work etc. My hair was a big flat sopping mess by the time I took the photo.

Shiny, I like the outfit you linked. She did look much better with the belt. I have such a hard time with belts though. I never really know where to put it--if I put in on my natural waist, where I actually indent--it's so close to my bustline. If I put it anywhere else, I spend too much time futzing with it--know what I mean? I did try putting a wider belt with the cardi unbuttoned this morning in front of the mirror. I couldn't make it work...but I also didn't have a worthy belt--I was just trying it on to see how it looked generally. I'm glad you like the dress. When I bought it originally, I posted it and it did not get high marks. (It was a $10 ON purchase). But I kept it because its so rare for me to find a dress that fits. It's actually a bit loose on the hips, but the cardigan hides that.

oooh Angie you posted while I was composing too.

Ok...about the belt...I remember a while back we discussed belts and you suggested an elasticized belt. I like the look of the skinny belt Shiny just posted too. When I was trying on a few belts with the cardi this morning--the belt shortened me--it cut me in half--and I felt it made me look short and stout. (give me a handle and a spout and I'll make you some tea!)

What should I look for in a belt? Would it better if the belt was the same color as my sweater (in this case, black?) I'm afraid going with a different color would cut me in half again. How thick should the belt be? What are the visual bnefits to a skinny belt vs. a wide belt? I am belt-ignorant!!

(You crack me up and I’d love some tea).

Good belt questions, Nicole. So let’s take baby belt steps. I think you’re wearing the belt too low. Make sure the belt sits just above your navel. (I can kick myself for not popping you into belts when we were shopping in Boston). I’d stick to black for now to match your cardi. Keep it relatively narrow but with texture to offset the black-on-black layer. Elastic is comfy for wider belts. But lets start off with a narrowish belt - skinny or a little wider is good.

Also, think your Mum could make you some sheath dresses if you got her a pattern?

Just heard about your MA weather. Oh my!!! Goodluck.

Just reading this thread and was touched by how many have taken the time to provide heartfelt and thoughtful responses to Nicole's questions. There's a wonderful sisterhood here. People genuinely care and genuinely want to help. It's such a supportive and positive environment that is truly refreshing. The YLF community rocks!