Outfit Lab: sweater over buttondown - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Outfit Lab: sweater over buttondown

catgirl

Veteran

DS and I were at Target today getting a birthday card, and I randomly walked by this sweater in the juniors dept. Something about the cropped length and zippers clicked, and I threw it in the cart. It is longer in back.

I'm wearing over the new Kenneth Cole shirt. I think it works because the unzipped zippers give the illusion of a waist and the crop allows more of the shirt to show. Please ignore the grungy sweats - I'm imagining this with skinnies but there was no way I was getting fully dressed again today.

Want to break it down in terms of whether it works and why or why not? Too shoulder-y for IT me? Tags are not cut and it can go back...

ETA: the more I look at this the more I can't tell if it works. I feel like it's making my shoulders look huge. Yikes! The whole thing is making me crazy!

This post has 2 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.

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Vicki

Neel

Veteran

Yes yes yes! It works! The open zippers and super cropped length allow the shirt to take center stage and the sweater is a support act. I think many layered outfits do not work well because the sweater and the shirt are both trying to be the star. Great find!

Marley

Veteran

I love it! I think the proportions are really good - the colors blend together well - and NO it does not make your shoulders look huge! I didn't even notice your shoulders and really had to study the pics in order to try to figure out what you were talking about - and I just couldn't see it!
P.S. I have this sweater!

deb

Veteran

It totally works. I vote keep and wear.

Adelfa

Veteran

I love it. Is there such a thing as too shoulder-y? Not in my book. Believe it or not my semi-new hairdresser told me last time that I should grow my hair more because "You're kind of square around here," he said, while indicating my shoulders! Ridiculous!

unfrumped

Veteran

I like it. I like the breaks in the hem more than the typical little cropped sweater look.

Inge

(website)

Very fun sweater, I love the style, and I love the colour on you, Una (and it's a great colour with the plaid shirt too). I really don't see anything wrong with the shoulders either.

I am wondering though, and just tell me if I'm crazy, if the sweater could be a little longer in front (and perhaps a bit more of a fluid fit)? Not a lot longer though, maybe somewhere between the first and second button that are now exposed.
Something like the length of this cropped pullover on the J.Crew model:
https://www.jcrew.com/be/women...../A1335.jsp

Or maybe your sweater is the same length? For me, I think it has to do with the open zippers showing more of the shirt on the side, which changes overall proportions. Don't get me wrong I love this open zippered look, but proportions are a little different than with a straight hem pullover.

kkards

Veteran

Got to love target, they make it so easy to try new things!
I like this, I think the fit is fab. You might also experiment with where you zip the sides to change up the proportions.
Btw, love that color on you.

Deborah

Veteran

I like it! I am just wondering if a larger size would create a little more fluidity?

Tania

Veteran

I love the sweater and the combo with the shirt. I think your shoulders look well balanced with the rest of your body.

As for the length and cut, when I do a quick look at your torso, my brain wants to fill in with a belt, which may be due to a slightly short length and/or the open zippers, per what Inge was saying.

PalmFronds

Colors look awesome on you. I'm struggling with this cropped sweater trend so I defer to the other ladies for constructive criticism on that!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am with Deb and Inge and want you to try the size up for more fluidity. I do like the colors of the sweater and the shirt together.
As for the shoulders- I don't see any problem here. You have a beautiful and strong shoulder line!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

No problem with shoulders!! I like the look a lot. I am with Inge in that I think this could be a touch longer. So a size up might be your best bet. (And oh, if you decided to get rid of this one, you can ship it to ME!!!)

BUT I also think our eyes are confused by the sweatpants. You know Suz's secret rule for K/R or any kind of analysis posts: You have to style it more or less as you plan to wear it. Or else we really aren't seeing it in its best (or even realistic) light.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Your shoulder line is an asset and should be played up in my opinion. it works beautifully here. I agree that a size up is worth a try, but I also like it as it is.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Suz has a great point about styling it. If you wore it with the intended jeans and it would be easier to say if it is a bit short or not. I tend to think not - it might work better with higher waist jeans and/or a lower contrast shirt underneath, or maybe as is. I like it!

lyn67

Veteran

Looks great on top but LOL, just wanted to suggest you try them better with your skinnies :-).

viva

Veteran

Honestly, I am not sure. I don't know how I feel about the front bottom of the sweater coming in like that. (I have a zip side sweater, but the effect here is quite pronounced.) I'd love to see it with your skinnies to give it a fair trial.
But ... your shoulders look fabulous -- that's not an issue. And so do your lips. What color are you wearing on them???

Joy

Veteran

I like it! The open zipper areas break up the horizontal line.

jackiec

Veteran

I am a complete Neanderthal when it come to this, so my first impression is the same as Viva. But an outfit in motion is totally different. Let's see it with skinnies.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think I have a poison eye for cropped sweaters so I probably shouldn't comment, but it does not make your shoulders look large at all. I think the main thing is the way the zippers are sort of high as Inge said. It looks like a larger size could work better in this to me.

Anonymous

I think it definitely has potential and I see no problem with shoulders. I agree with others who have said to size up. I would also add that the zippers do create a narrower look at your waist may be what is also drawing your eye up to your shoulder line, especially with the diagonals that are created. The difference between the two widths is more extreme than your own body proportions. I would actually pull the zips down a tad, which would still create a great look but lessen the difference between the widths.

Anonymous

I've read most of the replies, but don't want to get weighed down with others' opinions here. Your shoulders and shoulder line are not even an issue here, but I have to be honest in saying that the sweater looks too short or too small, or both. And having the zippers open like that only adds to the "couldn't get it done up" look that is going on. I totally know that is not the case, and I know you absolutely fantastic you look in a longer top or I wouldn't comment. This isn't a 10 in my eyes for you, so why bother? There are 18 million bottom zip sweaters out there right now - you'll find the right one at a longer length and more fluid fit.

Aida

Veteran

I like it! I don't see extra shouldery, but I do know the feeling you're talking about. I usually solve that by pulling the collar out to get just the smallest hint of an optical V. It helps more than you might think! Check out my recent layerings to see what I mean.

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks all! I'm going to go home and do some tweaking and see if I can improve this experiment before I return the dang thing. It's actually quite baggy already, but if it doesn't look fluid what's the point?

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I'm also chiming in to say I would like to see a size up, and I'm going to be more of a pain and say I'd like to see it styled with the pants you'd wear it with. I'd also like to see how it looks with the zippers zipped up. Sorry to be so annoying!

rachylou

Veteran

Yep. Running out to Target ASAP

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

This is one of the best (or the best) examples of a cropped sweater over a shirt that I have seen. It ALMOST makes me want to give it another try.

catgirl

Veteran

So I fiddled around with this sweater some more last night. I tried it various ways over a buttondown, also over a cami, and then witjh some of my items that have been orphaned for lack of the right length topper. I still feel like it makes me look broad-shouldered Iwhich I am) and will post more pics for your consideration. However, for under $30 it's a good find for those who are interested!

Thanks to everyone for the feedback - looks like there are differing opinions as to whether this works at all and how well, which is interesting in itself!

annabelle

Veteran

Your post inspired me to try a cropped sweater over a longerish button up today. I love it and I wouldn't have thought of it without your ideas.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Well, HELLO! Of course, it works, and it looks terrific with the zippers undone.

Love the sunnies, too.