K/R sweater + boxy sweater woes

I’ve been trying, to no avail, to find a neutral boxy chunky sweater that is not too overwhelming—seems hard to find even a candidate (too huge, necklines too big, no shoulder definition, too midriff, too long--sheesh) and many have been sold out in anything close to my size before I could try them. Also I fear I'm not looking in enough places, but.... the time it takes!

Along with boxy ones that did not work, I ordered this Classics Entier semi-peplum cardigan sweater to try. It is embracing the dainty shoulder, so bear with that, but if used for work it is under “topper”. (note this is XS and I considered sizing up to S but it also sold out !)

1) With black dress pants--these may be the widest ones; I have some straighter, I think look better.

2)With slimmer pants, but not my ideal slim pant

3) Pencil skirt

4) For reference, a sweater I already have (hmm, see a theme?) that is in a much warmer wool knit and a different style.

5) Catalog photo of Vince hi-lo sweater I tried, fantasizing, in size S (XS sold out, now S sold out) and I love the color and knit, but it's humongous.

I still want a “dainty oversized” sweater for unstructured-over-structure, but I do like this one for its texture & color, as a basic FFBO top.

What do you think? Too fitted a silhouette for now, or anything goes?

Also, any pointers for finding some chunky, slightly oversized sweaters that are not so overwhelming?

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

10 years ago

Anonymous

The peplum cardi is a nice sweater, but it's definitely not boxy with that defined waist. It just depends what you're going for. I quite like it, especially with the tapered pants and the skirt, but if I remember correctly, you're more of a pants person?

I have had some luck with boxy sweaters at thrift stores (sometimes people wash them improperly and shrink them up so that's a way to find small ones)!

The Vince one looks like it would be perfect. Do you think the XS would have worked for you?

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm not sure it would have worked even in the XS but that is what I had wanted to try, had it been available. I guess I need to return the S soon so someone who wants it will get it!

The peplum cardi would just have to be a different look, if I kept it--not a sub for boxy. And it might depend on whether I find some better tapered pants--also a problemo. I didn't show the cardi in pic 4 styled with pencil skirt, but I've worn it several times that way and find it looks--more --frumpy?--than I had hoped and maybe more so than the peplum.

Hmmm--I do like it,and especially with the skirt, as you say. Just not sure if it's good enough or just okay. I did think the Vince, if it were a lot smaller, would have felt more modern, more fun. I'm not sure I've felt the "it's a 10" on tops in a long time; jaded eye or not turning over enough stones or something.

Tanya

I do like the peplum cardi a lot on you but agree that is more of a tailored fit as opposed to boxy. If you are fine with that than I would keep it. The Vince one looks gorgeous, too bad you couldn't find the XS. However, Vince makes plenty of boxy sweaters so I am sure they will have something similar fairly soon.

Joy

If you are still looking for a boxy sweater that's not overwhelming, this one
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ei.....s-_-1_18_D may work for you. I have one and the petite version does not seem overwhelming. I hope soon to get photos to post as a K/R with a dress.
This may not come in a color you want, however. You might also look for a banded bottom top.

Susie

Have you tried any sweaters from Eileen Fisher? That's my go to for relaxed, boxy looks. They tend to run big so you would need an XS and maybe petite.

ha Joy and Susie, I used to ignore EF but have at least been looking, since I got the EF slouchy pants. Frequently EF is still too unstructured and the thinner knits are more so. But, I had spied the EF sweater in plum and gave it a thunk or 2. I think ideally I want non-dolman. I just tried a Nordstrom dolman-sleeve sweater and it was too bat-like instead of just boxy, also too thin.
Tanya, thanks for comment, as that's one of my hopes--over time Vince has putting out many variations on the chunky boxier sweater, and there might be a hit. Also I need to hit the pavement for the B&M stores and see what's what now that I'm a little more focused.

This is one of those things, though, where I figure by the time I find it, we'll be back to very fitted tops! However, it's been my goal to get something that's not really extreme, more "easy" fit, which I hope would have more staying power.

I have ordered an XS in the Vince from shopbop. It may still be too big, but I'll see. What I like is the texture and weight which adds something akin to structure to the unstructure-- --I think! Some of the thinner oversized knits that have less heft and drape look like T-shirts or J Jill-tastic on me and skew more casual even though you might think they were more refined.

Also, maybe this is asking a lot, but if it works at all, meaning fit and flattery, it should work with both "work" and casual or night-out wear. That would be good for a relatively expensive and perhaps trending piece, to wear often until it's no longer useful.

I'm worried the peplum sweater may look too twee--except maybe with the skirt. Will hold for a few bit and see.

kkards

Unfrumped, I have found the xs Vince sweaters to be perfect. Oversized and boxy in the right places, so it looks good, not like I'm drowning in the sweater.

Category