Made an impulse purchase - did I screw up?

I've been wanting a white sweater for just about ever, so in this season of knitwear I decided to pull the trigger on an impulse purchase when I stumbled on something online that sounded intriguing. I loved the idea of the lurex thread running through it, plus the highly texturized aran knit. The one and only thing that gave me pause was the neckline, since I tend to stay away from high ones. I kind of hoped that it would fall a bit lower on my body and the issue would be moot.

Well, it isnt'. The neckline is way, way higher than I normally wear, and I realize that can be disastrous with my bustiness. But...everything else feels so totally, fluidly, drapily, cozily great! I need your opinion.

I'm not making any real effort to style this at the moment, though I have an idea. For now I'm just showing shots of the sweater without anything over it as well as the same garment with a long string of pearls popped over. Does the necklace do the neck elongating effect, even if pearls aren't the best choice? Is the whole thing just a dud?

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Lands' End

Women's Plus Size Lofty Blend Lurex Aran Sweater

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Top Pick

9 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

My first instinct is to really like it on you. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in. I like the buttons and boat neck collar.

marianna

Michelle, I really like it! The sweater has some flattering vertical lines that really add a lot of interest. I actually like it best without the pearls… feels more modern for me on its own.

amiable

I really like it too Michelle - and I find it definitely flattering, in spite of the higher-than-usual neckline. I think you can wear this and enjoy it!

Missey

I think the sweater fits you very well and is quite flattering on you! Nix the pearls.

tulle

I feel for you, Michelle. It's rotten when you love everything about a piece except That One Thing That Will Drive You Crazy. I have no bust to speak of, but my well-endowed, broad-shouldered daughter struggles with this, and I've seen how wonderful she looks in deep v-necks and scoops, and had to talk her out of some high-necked tops that irritated her. There are tricks you can try for a bit of verticality--a long scarf draped around to fall on either side of your neck, a chunky pendant on long chain, etc.--but if you find yourself tugging at the neckline, you may want to keep looking for a more open-necked version of this pretty sweater.

Michelle

(website)

I'm kind of amazed, guys. So my boobs don't look like they're about to subsume my body in a blaze of busty bustiness? Seriously????? Because assuming it's honestly ok I'm totally keeping this.
My original idea for tomorrow was to wear this with dark-wash bootcut jeans and throw on a black and metallic silk scarf with the Angie knot pulled very low.
Your reply

abc

Yes! I was thinking a scarf could help the neckline issue. Not that it's an issue. But you know what I mean.

Sveta

I think that slight boatneck neckline alleviates the high neck issue by showing some skin. I like it!

Seriously Sveta, having shopped with you in person and seen first-hand how discerning you are (in the best possible way), this is massively encouraging!
The rest of you are making me feel very encouraged too.
Also, I'm kind of in love with high-low hemlines.
Your reply

Runcarla

Hey! This is the sweater I 've been looking for!

Suz

Another yay vote here, Michelle. It's a lovely sweater and fits well. The cabling gives it those vertical lines. If it doesn't feel uncomfortable, I'd keep and enjoy! It sounds as if you have good ideas for styling it.

Carla, I'm about to send you a promo code so you can order it for less.
Your reply

Firecracker (Sharan)

Michelle, I am with Sveta--the boat neck and the buttons on the shoulders make this style very different from a high crew neck. I find it very flattering on you. Perhaps the vertical lines in the design also contribute, as marianna notes. But the overall effect is really nice; no worries about busty bustiness! It's a shirttail-shaped hem, right? I love that, too.
I don't think the pearls add anything, and with the buttons at the shoulder, I'm not sure you need a pendant. A scarf could work if you'd like to add one, but I don't find it necessary for figure-flattery purposes.

Debbie

I think the boat neck works and I say keep.

Joy

Yay, keep. You look wonderful in white and the fit looks good and comfy. Enjoy

Beth Ann

Ha! "Blaze of busty bustiness!" I so get that! What about "bustitude?"

I echo Sveta -- the vertical line, great fit, and the slight boatneck make this work for you. The fact that it feels cuddly is definitely important, too. A sweater should be soft and cozy!

You look great!

Adelfa

I think another thing that makes this neckline work is that the cream color matches your skin. A dark color would cut you off, but this does much less, if that makes sense.

I like how there's texture but without too much bulk. My figure type is similar to yours and I've decided that bulk is the kiss of death. As you say there's drape here and it is very attractive.

Elle

Another keep vote. I like it better without the pearls which distract from the lovely pattern of the sweater

catgirl

I think this looks incredibly good. Especially for a sweater style that I find difficult (white, cabled, chunky). The color is fantastic on you.

You're helping me a lot here, guys! Because the more I look at the sweater from a strictly tactile perspective, the more I like it. Does it add a whole lot of bulk due to the cabling at the front, or did the designers manage to keep it reasonably streamlined despite the inherently un-slimming nature of chunky knits?
Your reply

Also Beth Ann, "bustitude" is in the lexicon effective immediately.
Your reply

Elly

I like it as well. It looks fresh on you. I like it but don't love it with the pearls-- a less graduated strand may work better. I like the scarf idea. My least favorite part of the sweater is that the sleeves are a tiny bit wide at the cuff. I find the neckline nice on you and love the fluid texture and color on you!

Thanks Ellie. You've reminded me that I'll try, yet again, to scrunch the sleeves. I enjoy doing it, but they always fall back down. :p
Glad you think it looks fluid rather than just too big.
Your reply

Janet

I'm late to this, but I really like it on you! I agree with Sveta that the slight boat neck helps give an impression of a bit more openness at the neckline. I share your "busty" concern, and I've found this kind of cut works for me too, whereas a high crewneck is not my most flattering.

Von

I think I really like this. It has the look of a chunky sweater, but doesn't really scream "bulky" to me. I'm always on the search for those, because a true bulky sweater just doesn't move at all. This one looks like it would be nice with jeans and boots, or leggings even.

AviaMariah

Another vote for keep. I don't think it looks bulky at all. Can't wait to see how you style it!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

My thumbs are up too. You look GREAT in white. The slightly boat shape of the neck does a lot to flatter the neckline.

Diana

This looks great on you, Michelle! I like the button detail at the shoulders and the boat neck.

I've found that with bulky and cable knits the key is to go for a fluid fit that does not cling/stretch over one's problem areas (in my case, it's hips, not bust, but it's the same idea). You have a very nice fluid fit going on here.

Inge

Moderator

I'm a yay vote too, Michelle. The subtle boat neck and vertical lines in the sweater are flattering, and that colour is amazing on you. I think you got yourself a keeper here:-)

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