Chunky Knit Debombshell experiment - does it work?

Ever since Angie started posting about fisherman knit and chunky knit sweaters I've been wondering if they could work on a short, slightly chunky gal like myself. Then when she illustrated how to use a chunky knit to debombshell a pencil skirt, I knew I had to give it a try.

I'm not wanting to spend big dollars on a chunky sweater in case it's something I end up not wearing so off to Value Village I went this morning. I found a few sweaters that would qualify but most were poor fits. But I did find one contender. It's a cream colour, loose turtleneck (funnel neck?), petite Nygard fisherman knit sweater. It fits well, it's soft as can be and if I had actually done my hair and put on makeup, the colour would be fine.

I've tried it in two versions here - one with the abstract pencil skirt I got yesterday and the other with the orange pencil skirt I bought about a month ago and have been waiting for cooler weather to pull out.

First off - does this overall look work for me? Is the sweater a good fit and colour? Should the footwear be less chunky to counteract the chunky sweater?

Please analyze these outfits for me and help me figure out how to wear this trend. Thanks!

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11 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I think the look works very well on you Shannon. I would suggest a darker bootie to ground the first outfit but love that new skirt. What a great print.

annagybe

Love it with the orange skirt.

Janet

I like the orange skirt combo! I could see adding a scarf at the neck too.

CocoLion

I like it with both skirts and prefer the lighter booties.

christieanne

Like it! With both skirts although the orange is very "wow" and contrasts so well with the sweater. Do you have a new haircut? I love it in any case

Parsley

I like it with the orange skirt, Shannon!

I really like the new skirt, but I think it will go better with gray, black, red or burgundy, and maybe cobalt.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

And this is why I crowned you Queen Fashion Flair

#2 is KILLER.

Well done!

Beth Ann

Oh, yes! You give hope to the rest of us, Shannon. You look great!

Anonymous

Really like both. You will get a lot of wear out of the sweater this winter.

I love #2! The creamy sweater and orange are so pretty.

I think the sweater color is too warm for the skirt in #1, but maybe a chunky silver or black sweater instead?

KathyL

I love outfit #2, the orange and cream go well together. I love that first skirt, but feel like a darker bootie would work better. I think you should be Queen Petite Inspiration because you give so much inspiration to your fellow shorties!

Suz

There you go! Killer it is!

I agree with the comment that skirt 1 looks too cool toned to work with the cream. Maybe in real life it is a bit different though. WIth the orange it is perfection!

Lyn D.

Shannon, I agree with Suz- the colour contrast makes all the difference!

Transcona Shannon

Wow - thanks Angie (and all)! Always nice to know you're not completely off track, you know?

Agree that the sweater is too light for the first printed skirt, but glad you like the skirt itself. I was pretty excited to have found it.

With respect to the second outfit with the pumpkin skirt, should I swap out the booties and wear the lighter coloured ones from the first outfit? I also think it could work with my olive coloured lace up boots.

Thanks again for the input - much appreciated

JulieJohn

I really like that sweater on you, and love the pumpkin. Show us with the lace-up boots, are those the Clarks? I think that sweater would go great with your new slouchy trousers and the red booties / red clutch. Oh, and what about the taupe skirt? I need a Shannon paper doll with all her fab outfits!!!

cjh

I love the orange skirt! Not to buck the trend, but I'd like to see you try a bit looser chunky sweater on top. Or maybe my eye is adjusting to the whole idea...

LOVE the skirt in #1. That was a very lucky find. Can't wait to see what you put together with it.

Deborah

Shannon this looks really good. I actually like the knit with both skirts and those light booties are wonderful... are they new? The abstract patterned skirt is SO gorgeous.

The sweater looks good I think because it's chunky but it's not (if that makes any sense at all) so it's not bulking you up. I do think you need a cream camilsole top underneath it thought as I can see the skirts through the bottom half of the sweater. Adding the camisole underneath will create a more 'solid' look to the sweater.

I would love to see the light booties with the orange shirt combo.

Joy

Love #2 and feel that your choice of footwear helps to balance out the chunky sweater. You found a great sweater with just the right amount of fit so that it's not too boxy.

Sveta

Great sweater and you styled it so well. Nicely done!

Jem

I agree with Suz and the colors of the first one, but LOVE the second! That whole outfit looks amazing! (and you don't look short --or slightly chunky--at all in either picture!)

Julie - yes, I'm thinking of the Clarks lace up booties. I think they could work as well, don't you? And I love your idea of the sweater with the slouchy trousers, red boots and red clutch. I never would have thought of that - thank you!

Deborah - the light coloured booties are a recent thrift find. They are very comfortable, have fringe and zip up the back. And I totally agree that I need to pop on a cami underneath the sweater.

CJH - I'd like to find a more drapey chunky sweater too but this will work as my "test" sweater, yes?

sarah

I like #2 better than any of the ones Angie posted. Well done!

celia

#2 is absolutely perfect.
I think the darker boots work better because they ground the look to my eyes, otherwise it is all softness in the look, imo.

Jaime

I also just love #2! You are amazing.

Good job! I've been combing the racks of my thrift stores for these sweaters as well, but I haven't seen anything as flattering as this! The color is good, it's big, but doesn't read "square and shapeless" on you. It drapes against your body attractively and hints at your curves. And the length seems to be perfect. Chalk up another winner!

ironkurtin

I love this on you.

I suggested something you wouldn't have thought of? Wow, you just made my day!

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