Closet Cleanout part 2 (cardigans, shoes) & belted experiments

Continuing on my wardrobe sweep, here are some older cardigans & shoes that are on the chopping block:

Black v-neck from Gap Outlet. I'm leaning towards keeping it, but I waver because I don't neeeed it. http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....44zD-L.jpg

Black round-neck cardigan from Bass Outlet. Better quality than the Gap one but I feel like I'm kind of blocky in it. My instinct is to dump it. http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....ghcZ-L.jpg

Pink cardigan from Gap Outlet. Kind of pastel-y but I have some things that work with it. I'm undecided. http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....xGr7-M.jpg

Black Nine West pumps. Years ago these were a staple for concert dress, and they are still very comfortable, but I'm afraid the blocky toe is too dated. http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....f6c4-M.jpg

On another note, I'm trying out the belt-over-cardigan look but I'm not really convinced that I can work it. Here are some experiments. Do you have any suggestions?
(Please note, the black and white cardigan is NOT on the chopping block - I just wanted to try belting over it.)

http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....vix-XL.jpg
http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....CBn8-M.jpg
http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....o2K7-L.jpg
http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....jcfT-M.jpg
In general I think it looks too tight, but it's actually slipping down. My natural waist is pretty high on my torso.

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

Kari - gotta run now, but the link to the pink cardi isn't right..

Kari

Oops, Anne, thanks for the catch! Fixing now and going to bed.

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Hi Kari

I like the black V-neck cardi better than the one with the round-neck.
I would also keep the pink one (it looks more like a coral on my screen, by the way). It seems flattering for your skin tone and it's such a happy, Summery colour.

I'm not a big fan of the black pumps. I don't mind the square toe as such, but there is something a little dated about them (maybe it's the bows?)

I quite like the belted cardi look (with the skinny belt), and the blue top you're wearing is a beautiful colour too!

bella

I am with Inge: Keep v-neck cardi, pink cardi. Bass cardi is fine, too, imo but Gap cardi is prettier. Pass on the shoes.
Belted cardi looks great on you!

Inge and Beccaville, thanks for the feedback. I think it's the square toe of the shoes combined with the toe vamp being so high that bugs me. I've had 8 good years of use from them, so I don't regret passing them on.

I think I'll keep the pink cardigan for now (it's really more of a light lavendery pink, not coral at all in real life) and see how much wear it gets this spring and summer.

I still feel funny about the belted look. Comparing the same patterned cardigan belted and unbelted, I feel like the skinny belt is creating too much puffiness.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFHB....._+193b.jpg
http://karip.smugmug.com/photo.....CBn8-M.jpg
I don't know. Maybe I'm just not used to it. I'll keep trying.

Hi Kari.
I liked the second black cardi and the pink cardi.
I actually preferred the wide belt look to the skinny. (but I am very new to the whole belt thing)

Thanks, Anne. I think the pink is going to stay since I'm thinking of lots of gray and brown and purple clothes that it works with.

*sigh* I'm new to belting too. Looking at these photos I feel like it's doing the exact opposite that it's supposed to - making my waist look bulkier instead of cinching it. This is the reason I've skipped the belting trend so far.

Christie

Active Member

The printed cardi is really cute. I'd keep the pink 3/4 sleeve, since it seems very versatile for spring.

I think you looked good in the belted look, but I think I prefer the unbelted photos (with that sweater anyway).

What you wrote is *exactly* how I feel when I've tried belting. Being unsure, I've even asked my husband and it was like pulling teeth to get him to offer his opinion, and he thought I looked better without the belt. (And he is a good husband and only says it in the positive --- "Unbelted looks good!")

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I'm with the gals. I think there's a consensus!

Thanks to all of you for your feedback about culling these items. I grew up in a family that saves everything, so it's a little hard to let go of clothes that are still in good shape - but it feels SO good to whittle my wardrobe down. I hope that eventually I'll reach the point where everything I own is wearable/workable for me - and where my tiny closet isn't running out of room.

shiny

I think it looks great belted, with slight preference for the wider belt over the skinny belt. However, watch out about those skinny belts worn with cardis: last time I did this, the skinny belt executed two buttons right off my favorite cardigan.

I think it happened when I sat down and my tummy puffed out, causing the belt to rise up like a knife and LOP! off went the buttons.... never to be found again either.

And do save the black v-neck cardi.... black tends to fade fast, so it's nice to have a back-up on hand.

Lee Hovey

Kari I think all the girls covered the cardis, but I wanted to comment about the belting.

I think the belting looks fabulous on you! It gives you a little more of the right kind of curve! But I totally get what you mean about feeling like it does the opposite or feeling like it looks tight but isn't. Honestly I think you can get past that by just wearing it all day a couple times. You get used to it. That is exactly how I felt when I started belting a couple months ago.

I think the skinny belt looks great with that cardi, but I am not a big fan of the brown belt. I like the affect but not the belt. Maybe try a less casual wide belt?

Oh no, Shiny. That's too bad! (Which reminds me, I should really tack down some of the loose buttons on my cardigans - I like them extra secure.)

Kendra and Shiny, thanks for your suggestions. I guess I'll keep practicing with the belted look and see if I can make it work or if this is just a trend that isn't wearable on me. Unfortunately, except for a really basic black belt that I wouldn't use for anything except traditional belt-loop use, these are the only two I own.

Despite my shopping ban, AT just sent me a $20 coupon without a minimum purchase, so maybe I'll try out one of their colorful wide belts that's on sale right now. I can always return it if the look doesn't work at all.

Great idea Kari!! Let us know!

April

Kari, I have the same problem belting certain cardigans, and I think that the "puffiness" might come from having the card slightly less fitted than it should be. Sometimes it's the extra fabric at the waist that poufs out.

It's a hard one, because cardigans are almost always too loose at the waist for me. (I don't have a particularly defined waist either -- I just have shoulders wider than hips, so fitting my shoulders means the waist is a bit generous.) Jackets can be whisked off to the tailor for a little waist-nipping, but cardigans...

That's frustrating, April.
The pink cardigan is kind of loose at the waist, but the black and white one is a snug fit. I had this issue with other close-fitting cardigans too when I tried it out. It's probably not the cardigan and more the extra padding around my midsection that's causing the problem.

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