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WTW: The Shrug is Finished - Not Perfect

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Dear all,
Some time ago I asked you to help me style my LBD for an upcoming party (next weekend). You came up with a wide variety of styles and accessories, which I'm very grateful for. I'm not done considering several of these.

I have knitted a shrug in Tiffany blue/light aqua that I consider wearing with the dress on the party. My idea was to bring an element of Spring into the outfit, but at the same time, I need something to keep me warm. We are still below freezing point at night here.

Please give me your honest opinion of this shrug & particularly in combination with the dress. I will not be offended if you tell me that it isn't cutting it. And please excuse the lack of makeup and my messy hair, this is not what I'll look like when I'm done up. I do also need a kind of purse, and I might very well swap the shoes, too. I have both dressy boots and silver sandals.

I'm not too excited, but it is not entirely wrong either, thus I need you to chime in. What do you think? Is this "me"? What other accessories should I wear? Is the color combination successful, or too harsh? What about the shape of the shrug - too chunky?

Thank you for reading! All comments are appreciated as always.

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Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Anonymous

This is a tough one Ingunn. Firstly I love the colour; I'm not absoloutely sure about the rib effect down the arms. It seems a little bulky to me. I can see you wearing the shrug over a lot of your other looks but I'm just not convinced about it with the dress for an evening do. I do think though that the look needs lifting with your silver sandals.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I agree with Diane (& you) there is something not working.
I'd like to see the shrug with your boots or the dress with sandals & a different topper.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Yes, you're both right. I don't think the proportions work too well. I also worry that the overall impression is not what I'm after. I want modern classic, but this is only classic (or retro).

Anonymous

First, I love the color combination. The dressy boots seem like the best choice to balance the shrug. The idea of wearing silver sandals with this outfit seems seasonally confusing. I also like your black pumps. Whether or not you wear the shrug to your event, you must wear it soon and often. It's beautiful!

Anonymous

I don't think it works with the dress. I think some of the other looks (with the bomber?) look better.

the shrug itself is a beautiful colour but it looks too bulky with the sleek dress.

Deborah

Veteran

I'm not reading the other comments on purpose:)

Ingunn, the colour and texture of the shrug is gorgeous. However in my very humble opinion shrugs are dated. They were huge here about 5/6 years ago but I don't see them around currently. While this combination looks "nice", I'm not sure it's really you, or what you are trying to achieve with your outfit.

Agnes

I actually love, lovee the shrug [ beautiful and you look v pretty in it], but [I showed the pic to my husband] and neither of us could belive this is what you wear when its freezing temps... I know we dont understand the cold living here in syndey but won't the rest of you be just freezing?

Mochi

Veteran

It's a gorgeous shrug. You and Diana are such talented knitters and I am in awe. As for pairing it with the dress, it's just me but I would prefer a color closely matching the dress, or at least in that general family of darkness like a deep magenta. To me the effect here is that of a child's color-blocked jumper (dress, I mean). Way too much contrast.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

It is very interesting to read the answers. I think my initial sense of not getting the desired result was spot on, as it seems that most of you agree with me.

Joy, I agree - this bulky, woolen shrug needs to be balanced out with boots, not sandals.

Ceit, I have the same feeling about the combination.

Deborah, you are right, it is not exactly on trend. However, the retro look has been very popular around here lately, so I think it could work anyway.

Agnes, thank you! I'm not wearing only this outdoors, I will be wearing a coat and boots as well. This is for indoor use only. I'm wearing a nude hose in the photos, and will not be sporting bare legs until much later. Then I stay warm (enough).

Thank you, Mochi! I know the colors are not everybody's cup of tea. I kind of like it, though, but I think the addition of white makes the combination a lot prettier.

Krista

Veteran

As a fellow knitter, I am loving the shrug and, if I went to the effort to knit something, I would be finding a way to wear it for sure (now, this is possibly because it can take me years to knit something, but I digress!). I think the color of the shrug is flattering and the texture is nice. I see that something is off, but to me, it's your bare legs (or nude hose) in comparison to the dress and the shrug - it feels seasonally confusing knowing that your temps are still below freezing at night. I am wondering if a patterned hose in grey or black wouldn't give a little more texture and depth to the overall outfit. I would also consider a chunkier necklace in silver, crystal or blues - just to keep the tones together and to balance the weight of the shrug.

I'm a bit of an outlier here on this thread, I think, but I think some different items need to be considered before the shrug is put aside entirely. I will be following this thread for updates, Ingunn!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a tough one.

I love the colour for you, and love the shrug itself, at least in theory. But there is something that feels "off."

Is it the retro, perhaps even dated feel of the shrug? Perhaps. Deborah might be onto something.

Is it the strong colour contrast? Maybe. I did feel myself wanting another something to echo the blue somewhere to bring more cohesiveness to the outfit.

Is it the textural mix? Could be.

in any case, I think you need another topper for this event.

But I love you in that sexy yet refined dress!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Krista and Suz, thanks for chiming in! You sure do know how to make the refusal sweeter

This is a tough one. It is hard to admit that something I've put time, effort and money into isn't working as intended. But I will much rather admit that this isn't what I'm at, than trying too hard. After all, I do have a number of alternative options. Maybe the shrug is wrong for this dress, but I hope I can find another combination with it that works better. For this particular event, I think I'll be looking for another topper instead.

Peri

Veteran

I think it's cute! But maybe too casual for the dress/event. Not as gorgeous as you usually are.

And maybe shrugs are dated like Deborah said. I never know what is dated!

but I wanted to say, you are my hair twin. Except sadly, mine is thinner...but otherwise, twins!

AJ

Veteran

I'm not sure if it's the idea of a shrug or the thickness of the material plus the horizontal design details that seems off.

I think I want to see a topper either structured or drapey but not bulky.

I do think you can find another way to style this shrug for spring. How about with a flowy top and white jeans?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I'll just say the first thing I thought when I looked at pic 1 - it's a bit too chunky with the dress as is. It's lovely and fun and a beautiful color but not sure it's working with the dress. If the dress were more of a pattern/texture kind of dress it might work better. The shrug has a Fair Isle beach kind of vibe to me which I think could work with other dresses. You could try adding a thick textured belt to the dress and maybe textured tights as Krista said - more to balance out the styles.

pil

Veteran

Whether or not it ends up with the dress, I just want to compliment you on your knitting skills. I can't believe people are able to create such incredible pieces.

Diane P

I love the shrug, esp' the texture, but I think it makes the dress too casual. Throw on some Ceit style boots and you have an amazing look.....probably not for your party though.

Anonymous

Wow, we have so many talented knitters;)

I like the idea of it but the ribbing makes it a bit too casual for me. I love the colors and the pearls, plus the dress fits amazingly.

K. Period.

Veteran

So funny! I had to stop reading the comments because I so don't agree!

Personally, I love the combo, especially when I envision it with silver sandals or silver accessories and the black shoes. I really love the contrast of the aqua and the black, especially since your hair has that lovely red hint to it. It just sings to me! And the bulkiness of the shrug makes perfect sense to my eye because it is a winter/spring item. Also, I think the photo of the shrug likely makes it appear more bulky/substantial than it is because lofty fibers often photograph flat. I bet it is sheerer than it photographs. To me, this looks gorgeous.

(And OMG if you add a red clutch to this? I think I'll die!)

Diana

Veteran

Yay, a handknit! I like it with the dress although I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. To my eye, it's the bulky sleeves that make the look, actually. It's like a more ethical version of a fur stole, like a retro glam look. I could see this with red lipstick and red accessories.

To my mind, it's the little tiny fitted shrugs with cap sleeves that are kind of passe. I like the more oversized look of this one.

rachylou

Veteran

If the shrug closed over the front, maybe it would be different. This shrug, tho, I don't think can be done as classically as this dress requires. I think you're right.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting to read your very different opinions here. I wonder what Angie will say about it. I appreciate that you give me such detailed and honest response. Thank you, everybody!

K and Diana, I like the idea of red with this. It wouldn't be sleek, but it could definitely work! It is not totally hopeless, then? I agree that the shrug is a bit more airy than one can assume from the photos. Did you see the pattern? The girls behind this blog are the founders of the most trendy and successful yarn- and pattern shop in Norway for years. They model their own designs, and the designs are often retro with a modern twist. This style is very popular among younger adults in Norway (at least in Oslo).

For this dress and occasion I still feel like looking at other options, though.

missvee

Veteran

I love the shrug and the colour is fab on you. I think if you wore patterned black tights and boots with the dress it would be a fun retro look. But you need something a bit less casual to wear with the silver sandals. Do you have a white tux jacket by any chance?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Missvee, I wish I had! I would love a white topper with this dress.

Aida

Veteran

I'm with Diana, I love the bulky sleeves and think it totally makes the look! What about extending the back so it's longer? That would make the item much more dramatic.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

I love the color and how the wrap lies across your back and interacts with the neckline of the dress works, but the bulky arms aren't working for me.
Could you: 1) snip the arms above the elbows, pick up the stitches and redo the sleeves in a softer lace pattern, maybe ending in a bit of a an eyelet to run some silver ribbon through? 2) snip the sleeves at the level you are scrunching and just bind off, maybe add some black lace edging?

Either way, if its a retro feel I wanted, I'd add another retro element-1950s brooch on the shrug, dramatic stockings, fancy belt. Something that is a little over the top. But I have a costume inclination that scares the DH, so take it for what it's worth.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the shrug! But would prefer to see it with jeans or a casual frock outfit. you are so clever, Ingunn.

Gaylene

Veteran

Personally, I like it but I think the reactions are mixed because (1) it's a different type of topper than most people would put with a classic dress like yours, (2) it might not fit the fashion vibe in some locations as well as it does in yours, and (3) you need to own this kind of look to make it work because it isn't run of the mill. I also suspect that this might be one of the times when a picture doesn't really do justice to the actual item.

I love Diana's comment about it being an ethical take on the retro-glam fur stole. I'm voting for your wearing it with that kind of sassy attitude. I'll bet you'll get compliments if you do.

redrose

Personally I love this look - it is not what everyone would wear. But then I am a big fan of the retro look and am a knitter too! The colour is lovely on you, and as others have suggested would be perfect with red lipstick. Whatever you decide - if you are happy with the look, go for it, you look fantastic.

I've bookmarked the pattern for myself – could you please share yarn you used for this, the colour and texture are just divine.

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