K/R/Exchange: Everlane and J. Crew cardigans

I got a lot of great suggestions when I asked about cardigans last week and ended up ordering two that seemed especially promising. Left to my own devices, I sometimes tend to settle for "good enough," so I thought I'd see what the collective fashion wisdom here has to say.

The first (#1-#4) is the Everlane cashmere cardi in burgundy. Overall, I really love it! Beautiful burgundy color with a little bit of heather to make it look richer and more vibrant. Boyfriend shape, which I'm a big fan of. The cashmere itself is light enough not to be bulky, heavy enough to seem warm, and so soft that I just want to keep stroking it.

But (and why is there always a but?), I'm wondering if it might be too big. The sleeves are long, but I'm used to that and don't mind rolling them up. But does it look too big in the shoulders and body? This is a S, so I can try exchanging for an XS. I'd rather keep this one than have to deal with returning/exchanging by mail and don't mind something a little oversized, but I also don't want something that's obviously too big.

The second (#5-#6) is the J. Crew merino Tippi cardigan in "heather oak," which is one of those light neutrals I can never figure out how to describe. I'm a little undecided on this one. On one hand, I like the fit, the quality, the heather tones of the shade, and the fact that I could probably wear it comfortably for most of the year. On the other, I'm not sure this neutral kind-of-my-skintone-but-not-quite shade needs to be right near my face like this and, combined with the more retro, ladylike crewneck shape of this cardi, I fear it might be slightly granny-esque. What do you think? For this one, I'm not sure whether to keep, return, or exchange for another color. There don't seem to be many other colors online in my size (S here too), but there might be in store, especially once post-Christmas returns come in. The dark green shade might be nice for me, maybe?

Thanks so much for any feedback you have! And honesty is definitely appreciated!

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10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love the colour of the Everlane on you. I'm mot sure about the fit. I think with this boyfriend style it is okay if it's not an exact shoulder fit...as long as it works for you elsewhere. I don't think going down a size would be a good idea.

I'm not a fan of the J. Crew cardigan on you. I don't think the colour is great for your complexion, as you said, and unless you have a strong need to add this neutral to your wardrobe, I wouldn't keep it.

Next question Is this going to move you forward on your style journey? If so, keep and enjoy. If not, perhaps ask if either of these will end up in the orphan pile along with other similar sweaters.

ironkurtin

I think the Everlane fits as it ought. I love mine!

Not a big fan of the tan one, you have beautiful coloring and I'd love to see you in a different shade.

Joy

To my eye it probably fits the way it is supposed to. My personal preference is to have shoulder seams line up with the shoulders or no shoulder seam at all like a dolman sleeve. But the styles are are changing and this may be more fashion forward. I'll leave it to others.
A different color might be better on you for the second sweater. How do you feel? It's hard to tell with photos sometimes.

Aubergine

Thanks for weighing in, Suz, IK, and Joy!

I really want to keep the Everlane one as long as it's not ringing any obvious alarms, so this is encouraging. I'm fine with the fit (I like slouchy, relaxed looks, possibly because I'm kind of a slouchy, relaxed person), but was more afraid that I'd be obliviously wearing something that would look too big to other people.

Suz, to answer your question about whether they move me forward, I think the Everlane one does. I enjoy the boyfriend cardigans I have now, and I think this one is a nice step forward because it's a very "me" color I won't have to make a Conservation of Cardigans effort to wear, a better-quality knit than I've had before, and possibly a more fashion-forward fit. The J. Crew one, maybe not so much. It seems like something I could wear, but not something I'm excited to wear. There's probably a more fun neutral cardigan for me out there somewhere.

Anonymous

The Everlane is great. I don't think the J Crew one does you any favours.

Gigi

I was going to say that the Everlane looked fine until I saw pics 3 and 4. It may supposed to be a slouchy fit, but to my eye it comes across as too big. As for the J. Crew one, it looks like a good fit, but it's nothing exciting. Since you're not excited to wear it, I would say to pass, unless you have some kind of definite need for it (like not enough cardigans in your closet, ha ha).

Bingo. You've got your answer! KEEP the Everlane, and leave the J. Crew. If you don't want to wear it tomorrow, leave it in the store. You'll find a better way to spend the money after Christmas and you will find something brilliant on sale.

Liz A.

Sorry to be a spanner. I think the ever lane looks too long with a dress. I think I would like it with pants.

I think everyone's right about the J. Crew one! I'll take it back after Christmas and keep my eye out for a light neutral cardigan that speaks to me more. (Gigi, if there's one thing I don't lack, it's cardigans I feel kind of meh about!)

And I'll keep the Everlane and wear it proudly! I knew it was a good sign when the only thing keeping me from just wearing it to work this morning once I took the pictures was that I wanted some feedback on the fit.

Edit: Liz, I think we x-posted and I just saw this. I think I like this enough that, even though you and Gigi aren't crazy about the fit, the fact that there's some pro-sweater feedback makes me confident enough that the fit works to keep it.

rae

Another vote for the Everlane - awesome. Definitely leave the size as is. The slouchy fit makes it look expensive, IMO.

Beth Ann

Sounds like you have "fashion clarity," and I agree with your assessments. The Everlane is a true boyriend cardi and, while it's proportions won't work for every outfit, it will really sing with a lot of items in your closet and is a gorgeous color.

Aubergine, if you feel confident and happy about the sweater, then that's the important thing! We can all nitpick till the cows come home, but it's all about what makes *you* feel good. And the feel of the cardi sounds divine...that's something that can't be shown in a picture. :^)

kkards

love the color of that everlane cardi.
and i just wanted to say, i've just noticed the brilliant blue walls. it seems that you are not afraid of color. i'd love to see you in a sweater close to that shade of blue.

Rae, and Beth Ann, thanks so much! Rae, I especially appreciate your professional eye here!

Gigi, those are definitely wise words - thanks!

Kkards, I do love that shade of blue! I've always had a persistent villa-overlooking-the-Mediterranean fantasy life, so one of my first decisions when we bought our house was to pick a bedroom paint color that ties into that. I really don't have much of that color in my wardrobe, though, and that's just a shame.

shiny

I prefer the fit of the J crew, especially with that dress, which is quite lovely. I actually like the color too. Before I read the other comments, I was going to say that you are lucky to be able to wear beige. Not everyone can. I think it works on you, and it is a nice neutral. But maybe it's the pics and if you feel washed out in it, pass it up. That cardigan is offered in a wide array of colors... what about trying a different color?

As for the Everlane, I think it is too big, especially for that dress. Maybe with jeans and a more casual outfit? That dress is just too cute and flattering to cover it up so much!

Have you thought about a cropped cardigan to go with that dress? Show off your curves?

Shiny, thanks for the feedback! I've always been wary of beige and unsure whether it actually works on me or not, so I'm flattered that you think it does! I do think the fit of the cardigan is nice for me, so I might see if any of the other colors catch my eye when I go to return it.

And it's interesting that you suggest a cropped cardigan with the dress! I always think I need a longer cardigan with it to hide the effect of horizontal stripes going right across my hips, but that may just be my insecurity talking.

As for the sweater, it ended up making its debut at work today (which actually begs the question of why I had to go to work at all today, but at least I got to leave by 1) with a more fitted, tunic-like dress that maybe works better with its shape. I'm definitely looking forward to wearing it with jeans, though!

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Cute! You have such distinctive patterned dresses. :^)

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