WIW ~ The week of unfrumping the *cardigans* - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW ~ The week of unfrumping the cardigans

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

In the light of recent frump-related discussions and my personal fear of frump, further enhanced by reading in another source that "cardigans can look very frumpy", I've tried to look my frump-fears in the eyes this week and put my few cardigans under the spotlight by unfrumping them whichever way possible.

Descriptions follow in the separate post.

22 replies

Latest reply was from Ornella

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Monday: Off to a bleak start, in a true lost MOTG fashion I had to change the planned outfit for the warmer option as the weather was misearble - while juggling an energetic boy. Recipe for a disaster. Looking at the photo, it was one, I am not happy with the way the short-sleeved shirt bulked under the cardigan. In the mirror I tend to see what I want to see, but camera doesn't lie. Lesson 1: take photos before going to work, so you can remedy things straight away. Lesson 2: make sure the camera battery is charging overnight.
Details: purple round neck cardigan (spilled over from the purple week), white collared shirt, thin black belt and black pants.
Tuesday: Undecided whether to submit this as my my own take on Chanel formula, as it was completely unplanned - but because I do themed weeks in order to actually work some of my stuff, this was the only way I could wear this cardigan. Before today, it had seen the light of the day only once because the opening always seemed to gape too wide which made me uncomfortable. Any other ideas how to style it, as it is likely to head towards my future wardrobe edit/orphans post? Details: navy wrap-style cardigan, striped vest, pearls, jeans. The pearls had to be dressed down with the pair of jeans in the casual office like mine.
Wednesday: Back to my comfort zone and my trusted pencil skirt. Purple cardigan from Monday, worn with the chunky grey necklace. Another almost orphan, reached for because I had eureka moment when I looked at the cardigan buttons and realised they reflect the light in the same way, so the necklace was given another chance. Worn with the wide black belt. Comedy moment of the day came thanks to the subtle nude fish-nets that seemed to puzzle my son into asking: Mummy, are your legs trapped now?
Thursday: Grey cardigan, dark fuschia vest for a pop of color, black belt, grey skirt, sheer black hose with stripes. Safe formula. Having hints of color like this really cheers me up. Plus, I really like this cardigan.
Friday: Around the YLF world in one out-of-office outfit. Unfrumping the black cardigan with the scarf recently bought in Germany (waving to Astrid), chosen because I loved the color and today especially I wanted to wear it for our Aussie Lynne (Violet doesn't crumble :), neither does pastel like you). Final touch added with turning up the sleeves of the white t-shirt over the cardigan sleeves, like the US queen of casual Aida.

Back to UK now... thanks for your time. Happy to hear your feedback and constructive comments.

Queen Mum

Veteran

2-5 are fab!
In #1 you could try unbuttoning the top 2 or 3 buttons as well as a couple of the bottom buttons. I think not having all the buttons done on a cardigan automatically lessens the frump factor.

Ljubica

You look beautiful as ever. My favorites are #2 and #5, because they seem relaxed, yet perfectly pulled together and work-appropriate. And I love your natural look, sans lipstick, especially with your hair pulled away from your face.

Bianca

Veteran

NO Frump at all! That black carti, is very alluring! Belts and accessories do a great job "unfrumping"

Sally

Veteran

Lovely. My favourites are 2, 3 and 5. I like the relaxed chanel like vibe of 2. I like the purple combination in 3 and it looks really elegant. I like the contrast of the white in 5 with the belt and scarf. You are very pretty always but I must say you look absolutely stunning with your hair pulled back....like a model.

ladell

my favs would be 2 and 3- still laughing at trapped legs comment.

Playful # 2- like seeing a little exposed skin and the striped top and necklace. like the addition of casual jeans.

3- sucker for pencil skirts and once again- for showing a little skin .

Aida

Veteran

For #1, I'd suggest not buttoning up either top all the way; at the very least, not the dress shirt underneath. You could also try the cuffed white long sleeve like you did in #5 here too, but with a button-up instead of a tee.

Love #2, not sure what to suggest for the cardigan, I'm totally unfamiliar with successfully styling this type. My only thought is that maybe try a slightly longer layer underneath so it shows both above and below? I have a similar cropped cardigan that I never wear because I can't figure it out either!

#3 is perfect! The belt and gray pearls are lovely (how is that beautiful pearl necklace an orphan??).

In #4 I can barely tell that's a cardigan, it looks like a pretty sweater. Great little peek of light hose, too.

LOVE #5! Awesome skirt (very cool details), and you look great with your hair pulled back. I must say I really love how you cuffed the white shirt over the cardigan; they inversely echo the black belt over the white top so perfectly, and adds a perfect small dose of additional brightness! (And, thank you! I'm super flattered )

catgirl

Veteran

#2 and #5 are my favorites also - lots of interesting details and you look very happy in them! I love your hair in the last photo as well.

In looking at your photos, a new thought occurred to me. None of these are frumpy at all, but three of them I find quite conservative, and I often unconsciously (and wrongly) associate that with frump. Think Laura Bush - polished and conservative. Sen. Clinton also (I'm not talking political conservativeness, of course!). NOT THAT YOU LOOK LIKE EITHER OF THEM! But it did set off a lightbulb in my head as to my weird bias.

Jonesy

Veteran

None of these look frumpy to my eye, though 1 seems a bit "buttoned up" and straightforward compared to the others, and to other looks you've posted in the past. Echoing Una, my faves are 2 and 5, just because they seem jazzier somehow, esp. 5.

Your poor little son, worrying that Mommy's legs were trapped like dolphins in a fishing net :). Kids are too adorable.

Bookarella

Veteran

Love 2, 3, and 5, with 5 being just outstanding! 1 looks to serious for you. Maybe still too frump? I can't really see the details of 4 enough to make a call. Nice variety of looks.

sarah

Veteran

I don't think you look frumpy one bit. I especially like 2 and 3!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Interesting comments. Thanks everyone. Point taken about the hair *big grin*

Seeing all the outfits lined up, I too noticed that 2 and 5 popped out from the others. Thanks @QM, @Ljubica, @Bianca, @Bookarella and @sarah.

No.1 probably can not be done better with these pieces apart from unbuttoning something. It can only be worn differently, i.e. cardigan worn on it's own (as in no.3). Aida's suggestion for cuffed long sleeve is a good one, but everything bulks up under these sleeves... shame, as that was a great idea for using one of my white cuffed shirts. I'll try some unbuttoning next time though.

I'm pleasantly surprised you like no.2, I was thinking of not posting it at all. @Aida, no.2 cannot be worn with longer layer underneath, as the left and right side of the wrap are not cut the same way, so I have to keep the bottom line in check all the time (annoying). Plus, with the wide collar it has I'm afraid there'd be too much going on. This is probably the best way to wear it, so given your comments I'll stick to it a bit longer, which is not bad news as the cardigan is of nice quality and I love navy color. Actually, I think I'll repeat 2 when taking my son to one birthday party this Sunday

@ladell, @Jonesy, I'm glad you had a laugh too. Kids *are* adorable beyond any expectations.

@Sally, thanks, you're always very kind. I do feel very comfortable wearing this formula. Post YLF metamorphosis, however, is very obvious in the use of the belt. Ah, the frump-factor before that... don't want to remember.

@Una, Una, Una... if we haven't had you already, we'd need to invent you. I had to laugh out loud while reading your words. You're a gem. As for me... from Mad man last week to Laura Bush now... that's what I call style evolution I don't think wearing this cardigan will ever be the same again.

catgirl

Veteran

*huge sigh of relief*

I have been holding my breath hoping my computer wouldn't explode from mentioning those particular FLOTUS (FLOTI?) in a YLF thread. You are EONS beyond both of them in gorgeousness - like I said, it was just a *ding ding ding!* moment.

As my husband says, "Yeah, on your planet, population one."

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

...and I actually AM crying from laughter now. "Your planet, population one." Fantastic!

crwilson

Veteran

I love reading your themed-WIWs. I agree with most others, with look 5 being my very favorite. Look 1 stood out just because it did seem more "buttoned up" than some of the other things I've seen you wear. I wonder if adding different colored accessories might jazz it up. I've been on a color craze lately, and I love unexpected pairings - there's so much you could add to purple that would look nice, in terms of color.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Very nice looks, all of them. #5 is my favorite, it fits and flatters and has spunk.

I think you look especially good in round necklines as seen in #1 and #3, they broaden your shoulders nicely.

Aunty

Veteran

No frump to be seen anywhere, just lovely!

April

Veteran

The only one that's in a bit of a gray area is #1, and you've gotten some good ideas on how to smarten it up a little. I think all of the others look wonderful!

Lynne

Veteran

Thx for the reminder Much appreciated! And glad you managed to trap those legs!!!

I love 2 and 3 here - there's something about that fitted skirt that is very movie star glam on you. And the dark cardi with the faded jeans is really cool, you'll be the best dressed at the birthday party.

I think the cardi in the first pic works better with your skirt than it does with pants - not sure why - I suspect it's the length? It will be interesting to see if the buttoning/unbuttoning makes any difference.

Love your posts - they're always a treat.

carrie

(website)

So Chic! I love all of them!

kellygirl

Veteran

2- 5 are lovely! I especially love 5. Love the layering, belting and the purple accent! Gorgeous as usual, Ornelia!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks @Aunty, @April, @carrie and @kelly.

@CocoLioan, it's great to point out that round neckline broadens my shoulders. I need to know such things in particular, so I can pay more attention to what works best for a pear like me

@Lynne, I also cannot work out why this cardigan works better with the skirt, maybe because the pants are too boxy from the hip down... I don't know. And, I am ditching pants in favor of skirts more than ever before.

@crwilson, I'm glad you're fan of themes weeks. After being immersed in the YLF world, I had to find my own way of working my way through my wardrobe, so it's my compilation of SYC (a bit loose though, I still shop, but I now know exactly what and why) and 30for30 (or, "existing X" - for - "existing X", I fancy the idea of limited wardrobe, but functional for my lifestyle).
I'll try no.1 with some different colors, I'm pretty sure things can be unbuttoned