Hmm, interesting to compare.
The first set of pics are taken from an angle lower than you are, whereas the second set are taken about your height or tilted down. I am always suspicious about photos taken in a mirror - not all mirrors are accurate.
How tall are you (I forget?). If you are short, most people will be looking down at you; if you are tall, most people will be looking up at you.
Anyway... in the first set of pics, what I like about the grey cardi is that your legs look long, long, long - compared to the sweater dress. But that's why I said I'd have to see the sweater dress with tights. It's really hard to compare the two, when you're wearing the dress over jeans and with slippers.
The second set of pics are not as flattering. In those pics, the cardi looks much better wrapped and cinched to define the waist.
However - to my eye - in *both* set of pics there is something about the ruffles and how they lay at the neckline that actually minimizes your broad shoulder line. I know theoretically it shouldn't do this.... but for me, visually, it is doing just that, compared to the sweater dress.
Unfortunately in the second set of pics, the ruffles are somehow making you look wider below the waist - I'm not getting that effect in the first set, just the second set.
This is tough!!!
I would have to say: go with your gut on this one. If something feels not quite right, you're never going to wear this sweater, so it's not worth a dime.
P.s. I have a somewhat similar ruffly sweater cardi - in sage green - and I love the idea of it (very hourglassy and also quite cozy), but it definetly needs high heels and my flare jeans to balance it all out. And, with all the snow on the ground lately, it's not like I've had any occasions to wear heels!! So the sweater remains unworn. I do think I *will* wear it before winter is over... but I am thinking more and more I will not get the amount of wear out of it I had hoped.
