Short sleeved cardigans - YouLookFab Forum

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Short sleeved cardigans

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Speaking of cardigans, I've been mentally assessing all my summer stuff in preparation for putting it up for the season, and I find that I haven't worn many of my short-sleeved cardigans much this year, or last summer either. They used to be go-tos for throwing over a dress or a tank top in the mornings/evenings or for an overly a/c-ed environment. But now they just don't seem very current to me, even though wear wise most of them are still OK. Is this something that I should think of getting rid of, even though they're still good?

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't see them as current at all...but if they are useful to you, you might still wear them -- not sure. If I owned any I would probably be wearing them buttoned up like tops, and if they had a fluid fit that would work.

Isabel

Veteran

I think it depends on the cut and details. I still have and use a couple of mine as well as shrugs. I use them a lot, actually, over sleeveless dress or tops and spaghetti strap tops. Could you post pic of one ?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Most (all?) of mine are v necked, so I think the neckline would be too low for wearing alone. I will try to find an old pic or take one later. I suspect Angie would say out immediately as she's not a fan of that kind of topper in summer but I used to find them really useful. Not sure why I don't anymore and whether that's permanent or temporary.

Eliza

Veteran

Ditto, Laura. I have a couple that lack fluidity and have not worn them for the last 2 summers. I think they will be heading out.

unfrumped

Veteran

I had to toss a couple last year as just did not work and then bought & returned one early this year after the doh! light went on, that they just are not right, right now.
I'm having similar problem with some round-necked long or 3/4-sleeved cardigans I used to rely on as tops, buttoned up. For me, the round neck never worked well worn open as a jacket, because the neck always flapped around, unlike the stock model photos, but there were just so many lovely colors and prints in "cardigans" that I always had several in rotation as knit tops. Angie has already commented on some of the ins and outs of cardigans recently.

Now I find that the buttoned up cardigan just can't get the fluid fit/drape that is needed in order to wear it as you would a knit crewneck in the modern style. On top of that, I think many cardigans are built for apple shape, even V necks. they tend to have the banded bottom and be roomy right above it. A banded bottom is difficult on my long torso/pear shape as it rides up and gives me "love bandles" (love that from Una!) and look even frumpier than on others. I have one AT V-cardigan that has no bottom band and is ever so slightly shaped through the middle--that is probably an ideal style for me.

Anonymous

This is the only version I have and wear now. I see them as particularly dated - along with their long sleeve sister- unless they are oversized, boxy, or feature a hi-low bottom. One of those pieces that all of a sudden looked really dated and frumpy very quickly

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crst

To me it depends if it is a classic style. I may tire of classic items, but I find that often later I pick them up again. As long as I have room to store them and they are in good condition, I hold on to them for a good number of years.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Lisap, I can't really see much of your picture, as it's thumbnail sized - is that a longer, duster-style cardigan?

Crst, I'm not sure what makes a classic cardigan - I mean, mine aren't particularly trend-inspired, but they're not a fancy brand or anything either.

Given further thought, the thing that mystifies me is that I know why I'm not wearing my long-sleeved cardigans as much; I've replaced them with knit blazers. But I have no idea why the short-sleeved ones aren't being worn. It's a little warmer in our new location, but not that much! Maybe I've become more warm-natured...

I'm leaning toward consigning the colored ones I own and keeping the black and white, just in case, for next year.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Trying to remember my last short sleeved cardi and I remember I got it specifically to go over empire waist dresses. So, being that those dress styles are dating, I'd say the cardi probably is too.

EDIT: these pics are pre YLF. I've purged the dresses and cardi by now. But I did really like them at the time!

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crst

By classic I mean waist length or a little longer, button front, crew or V neck. Not a trendy style but one that will always be available in stores. I have some long sleeved ones like that I almost purged, but then I turned around and started wearing them after a couple of years. I was glad I hadn't purged.

Dee

Veteran

You've made me realize that I barely worn mine this summer at all either, and they've been staples the last few years. I had a few like the one opinion Mo's photo and I think I've purged all except for one cropped white one to wear over tank dresses and one oversized lacy one that I think looks current but I still didn't wear! Oh, and the lacy one is beige, so also a neutral. So I'd agree with purging the colorful ones, I guess.

I do feel that I ended up not wearing a topper of any sort as much this summer. I bought a few summer silk/cotton long sleeve blouses for cooler days, or just wore tees/blouses. I think it's part of simplifying my style all around recently.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I never did get any short sleeved cardigans or shrugs, even when they were very trendy a few years ago. They never felt right on me. This last summer I reached for a chambray shirt with rolled up sleeves rather than a cardigan most of the time.

bj1111

Veteran

Never got into the short sleeve cardi trend. I do have a ton of long cardigans that i am trying to update.

Sal

Veteran

I have one......which I will wear this summer. Mine is apple green and white stripes, a v neck and a fluid fit. I tend to wear it done up with jeans, more like a loose knit sweater. I love the fresh green colour but only have this piece now. I find it useful in spring as I wear a camisole/tank underneath and it is a great temperature. I see it as classic in style, not dated, but not fashionable.

If it is a trend that you really loved I would keep a couple, if not you could pass them on.

I think a more fitted one could work with a midi skirt and fun shoes - to keep it modern you would want something with an edge to it - such as a metallic skirt and caged booties or pointy toes. I would wear this look.

catgirl

Veteran

So this:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/326792516682454762/

looks very cool to me, but I am not sure it's what you mean by SS cardi.