Thrifted: Helmut Lang cardigan! ETA Photos!

Some fashionista here must have donated her entire wardrobe to Value Village, because I found a Helmut Lang waterfall cardi! It's in my size but more of an IronKurtin off-white color. The material is 70% cotton, 30% steel (??), I thought it was pretty exciting. DH did not really care, but I wasn't upset because I knew I have YLF to appreciate such a score!

Will post a photo when I am dressed. It says to dry clean. Will it rust if I wash it?

ETA photos. With (also thrifted) floral Hinge top, old j. brand cargos, really old Franco Sarto oxblood oxford/loafers. A slightly different color palette for me for sure.

This cardigan is sculpt-able! That's what the steel must do. That means if you tug at it anywhere it stays that way. Probably how the crushed-looking front stays so RATE. The back is shorter than the front, and it has exposed seams. This would probably look better with heels but I am crippled from my first run of the season.

Feedback welcome!

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13 years ago

Anonymous

You really must not tease us like this without pictures!

ironkurtin

Veteran

Sounds great! Eileen Fisher makes steel-blended stuff you can wash. if you didn't spend a mint, I'd tyr washing cold on delicate and hanging to dry. Looking fw to seeing it!

Velma

Photo! Photo!!!

modgrl

(website)

Why you keep up in suspense???? Must share picture!!

Have you tried Dryel? It works!

You know, everyone says to try Dyel but when I used it last (about twenty years ago, granted) it smelled really fake-floral and the fabric didn't "feel" clean. Has it improved?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I hate to be a party pooper and sound cautious about your new score, Una. But are you thinking about how these new pieces fit into your wardrobe, and for which part of your lifestyle you intend wearing them? Do they fill a wardrobe gap? Can they be combined into capsules? It is with care and concern that I say that you are going to stress about your wardrobe if it's without discipline.

You have to air it out after you use it, just like the dry cleaners.

Guess it depends on how clean you want your stuff to be. I never feel like dry clean gets clothes as clean as a soap and water wash.

Tanya

Sounds exciting! Photo please.

Sveta

How exciting - and you are such a tease, Una! PICTURES!!!!

rae

Well, it *sounds* very UWP with the STEEL and all! If it doesn't fit into your wardrobe, consign it and make some $$$ to spend elsewhere.

You know I love things like this! Can't answer as to how it fits into your wardrobe, but I'd wear the heck out of it for sure.

Diana

Sounds cool! I have knitted with steel thread before (held along with another yarn) - it makes a very cool fabric, which can be pulled into shapes and will hold them to some extent, but is still a bit drapey as well. It should be washable as long as you are gentle - I would give it a gentle soak in the sink w/ gentle detergent or even shampoo, DO NOT wring or scrunch too much, and spread it out flat on a towel to dry. I actually wouldn't do dryel or anything that requires the washer/dryer because I think it will be too much agitation and wringing.

ETA: just saw the pictures and I think it is exactly like the knit fabric I was describing. It's a lot of fun to play with.

catgirl

Angie, I think it will fit nicely into my summer casual wardrobe as a light topper. I am always looking for lighter long-sleeved pieces to throw on over tanks and tees. Please let me know if you think it's not a good addition after seeing my picture!

IK, it is very much like an Eileen Fisher piece, actually. Sort of easy-breezy in a cool fabric. And for $10, it's another consignable item if it gets voted down here.

That looks super-fun! I love it with the floral top and loafers too, actually!

ManidipaM

Oh, Una, that is beautiful! I think you have a keeper there. And for all your unusual-for-you palette, this is a FABULOUS look. LOVE those red brogues (reminds me of the Naughty Boy shoes that are the usual school uniform for boys in India) with that floral top! And the UWPness of the cardi really ties them together.

Manidipa, LOL - I'll add Indian Schoolboy to my inspiration list!

I actually think this is a pretty basic and versatile item. I'd probably mostly wear it like this (over top and skinnies), but I can see it over the right skirt or dress too. And it's a good chance to play with a lighter color.

Waiting for Angie's verdict, though! *bites nails*

rachylou

I'm sorry Una, I can't get past the shoes. Those are so awesome! If you lived closer, I'd steal them... no matter what your shoe size!

LOL, Rachylou! I'll be on guard! These were my favorite shoes for a couple of years and are actually very versatile!

christieanne

I am not loving the floral blouse - maybe it's just with the cargos and sweater though. Would like to see that without sweater to get a better look.
Sweater is cool topper for summer.
Cargoes seem to fit you well - they are pretty casual and we all have casual needs so could go in a MOTG/weekend capsule.
Shoes do look comfortable - great brand for a dependable shoe.

I am thinking some guy donating soon to be ex-wife's closet to VV? I can't imagine someone purging this stuff.

Sona

great thrift find. will look great for summer. did you decide to keep the white skinnies?

Sylvie

I like the cardigan. I think the sculptural quality you get from the steel wool is great and it does fit into your RATE style.

I vote for keeping.

Sona, I kept the ON skinnies and returned the j. brands. Are you thinking this would go with white bottoms? That scares me as it's so out of my comfort zone!

I LOVE this cardi! Sculptable?! Are you kidding me?! How awesome is that?

jayne

Whew hew, now that is a RATE cardi! I would probably drive myself batty playing with it all day

love those cargos and the SHOES!

Jem

That's pretty cool cardigan! I've never seen a piece of clothing that you could sculpt! I love your shoes, too.

Mo, this cardi reminded me of you! It seems ruffled but is really just rumpled. It's not totally sculptable but it does hold shape if you twist it or pull (like, the sleeves stay pushed up!). I am really having fun wearing it today and can see using it in Hawai'i and New York this summer in the evenings.

Styling suggestions welcomed!

texstyle

But isn't it terribly wrinkled?

Kidding! It looks fun and interesting and def. RATE. I'd like to see it with a different top too - not sure about the floral, seems like it needs something more streamlined under it.

I'm a knitter, and I would just LOVE to feel what that fiber is like.

I think the cardigan is a keeper, although I might try steaming it just to see if some of the balled-up-in-the-donation-bag wrinkles fall out with a bit of help--so that your own "sculpting" efforts can show.

Shamelessly bumping for Angie and anyone else who wants to comment for better or worse. I see this combination is not a favorite, but the sweater itself? I really had fun wearing it today, at least.

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