Team Chunky or Team Fine Gauge Knitwear

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Team Chunky or Team Fine Gauge Knitwear

— by Angie

on October 26, 2010

I don’t own chunky knitwear! I don’t even own a chunky knit scarf. So I’m Team Fine Gauge knitwear all the way.

I’m not opposed to chunky knits though. A well made casual tunic pullover or cardigan can look fab with a pair of jeans or leggings and rugged boots – think of brands like Free People and stores like Anthropologie. Their casual knitwear is often fun and fashion forward.

Chunky knit scarves are also super sweet when worn with the right casual mix. But chunky knits are just not my style because the vibe feels overly casual and bulky. I’m a sucker for refined and dressy fabrications and since I love to wear jackets and coats, fine gauge knits are essential for comfortable layering.

Over to you. Are you Team Chunky or Team Fine Gauge knitwear? Tell us why. Absolutely NO batting on both teams for this game.

Team X Team Y

64 comments · Add a comment

Srujana

Veteran

Definitely Team Fine Gauge! I love the chunky look…and I’ve tried a few times to make it work, but I end up looking double or triple my size

October 26, 2010 at 2:40 pm

Sarah

Veteran

Fine gauge for me! It feels so luxurious. I do own a couple of chunky knits although I don’t wear them as much.

October 26, 2010 at 2:43 pm

Joy

Veteran

I’m with you all the way on this one. Chunky knitwear now seems too young and too casual for me, like I’m going to a football game. When I was young and very thin, I wore lots of chunky knits to add some bulk. Thick knitwear also is too warm for me now except for the very coldest days of winter.

October 26, 2010 at 2:47 pm

MsMaven

Veteran

I’m attracted to chunky knits and I always have one or two. The reality is that I look much better in fine gauge. Still, when I go to visit my family in Chicago this December I will be taking my chunky sweater layered over a turtleneck with thermal underwear, and they will still have to wrap me in Grandma’s afghan.

October 26, 2010 at 2:47 pm

Antje

Veteran

Fine gauge for me, for sure. I like the look of chunky knitwear on others, and sometimes try chunky knitwear items on myself, but always leave them behind due to the bulk they add.

October 26, 2010 at 2:55 pm

Cricket

Fine gauge for me too. I like chunky … and have one sweater and a couple of scarves … but do feel bulky when I wear them.

October 26, 2010 at 2:57 pm

Beth

Veteran

This might be the toughest choice for me EVER. I love cozy, chunky knits on the weekends and fine-gauge knits for work.

But, as directed, I’ll choose a team (sigh). Team Fine Gauge, please. I wear them more often and they definitely don’t add the bulk that chunky knits do:)

October 26, 2010 at 3:08 pm

LegacyOfPearl

(website)

Fine gauge 100%. I like chunky knit sweaters on others occasionally, but very rarely.

I only had a chunky knit skirt that I liked wearing with motorcycle boots, but not a San Diego thing to do.

October 26, 2010 at 3:09 pm

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I’ll have to sit on the bench for this one, because I really love both.

October 26, 2010 at 3:10 pm

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Team Fine Gauge, if only by the volume of it in my closet.

But if it’s cool enough tomorrow, I think I am going to wear chunky knit out of spite! Darn you for making us choose, Angie! *shakes fist in despair*

October 26, 2010 at 3:19 pm

Aelcee

Team Fine Gauge all the way!!! It’s my aesthetic preference in general, and as someone who’s very short-waisted and very large-busted, it’s far more flattering.

‘Tis a shame, though, because my mother is a skilled knitter and keeps making me these lovely handknitted chunky sweaters. I wear them out of love and gratitude, but feel big as a house.

October 26, 2010 at 3:23 pm

morethanbeige

Veteran

Fine gauge for me, because I feel overpowered by chunky.

October 26, 2010 at 3:24 pm

Diana

Fine gauge, although I do appreciate bulky knits as well. I am a knitter, so I have loads of knitwear, and I absolutely do prefer the look and feel of the finer gauge items (and I actually prefer knitting finer things as well, although I think I am in the minority among knitters there!)

October 26, 2010 at 3:29 pm

Maya

Veteran

Fine gauge. I love the look of chunky knitwear on others but on me it just makes me feel….chunky.

October 26, 2010 at 3:34 pm

Auburn

Veteran

Argh, I’m with Kristen–this is hard.
In terms of volume, my closet is loaded with thin merino wool cardigans and cashmere v-necks, so I guess I’m fine gauge. But the occasional chunky knit sweater just makes me happy and warm in a way that the fine gauge never does. I feel that I NEED the fine gauge for my closet but I WANT the chunky for comfort and coziness, particularly during the fall. To that end, just ordered a Vince MEGA-chunky self-belt sweater. Will try to snap a pic once it arrives this week. I know it adds bulk but sometimes that’s ok with me, particularly if worn with skinny pants (just to make it clear that I’m not QUITE as chunky as the sweater would otherwise indicate).

Ed: Just realized I wrote this post while wearing a thin black cashmere turtleneck. Sigh. I do, however, think that cashmere provides a good middle option: no added bulk but major cozy factor.

October 26, 2010 at 3:40 pm

Steph

Veteran

I’m guessing this is going to be the most lopsided Team X vs. Team Y yet. I’m with almost everyone else: Team Fine Gauge.

October 26, 2010 at 3:43 pm

Phoebe

Active Member

Team Chunky all the way!! I love chunky knits for the warmth and wearable style. I think that chunk knits can be quite fashionable and fun to wear. I love wearing them with belts and boots to dress them up and give them a little edge. My chunky knits are especially nice in the wet and windy weather. Also since I still have a post baby body they are great with hiding the imperfections with out making me feel fat. Note: I almost always wear a belt or sinch in the waist with my chunky sweaters and they create a nice waist line and help to flatter my curvy shape.

October 26, 2010 at 3:58 pm

Carole

Veteran

Can I be on the fence? There is something about chunky knit sweaters that just scream cozy and cumfy and boho, which I love. But fine knits have their place in my closet too, I can’t choose!

October 26, 2010 at 4:15 pm

Kate

Veteran

fine, all the way. Though I appreciate knitting chunky things – they’re much quicker!

October 26, 2010 at 4:32 pm

taylor

Veteran

I have so much fine gauge knit wear it far out numbers my 2 chunky sweaters.

October 26, 2010 at 4:42 pm

mamark

Fine gauge ftw. Which is probably why I don’t wear any of my own handknits.

October 26, 2010 at 4:52 pm

Kari

Veteran

Fine gauge all the way. Chunky knits are not friendly to my chest! That being said, when it’s REALLY chilly or when I’m curling up in my home and am trying to keep my heating bill down, I will certainly shrug into a chunky turtleneck and fuzzy socks to avoid freezing (another style that you won’t see me in on a regular basis.)

October 26, 2010 at 4:54 pm

Queen Mum

Veteran

love the cozy look of chunky knits, but they make me look…… CHUNKY! so it’s team fine gauge for me

October 26, 2010 at 4:59 pm

fashion therapist

(website)

I’m definitely Team Chunky!

October 26, 2010 at 5:17 pm

gina

(website)

I’m definitely fine gauge. A lot of my scarves are chunky knits, as are a few sweaters, but the majority of my knits (and I wear a LOT of sweaters in the winter) are fine gauge.

October 26, 2010 at 5:21 pm

Mae

Active Member

Team FG here, all the way! Sleek lines, no bulk please. The one chunky scarf I own is a warmth piece only and it was handmade by a friend.

October 26, 2010 at 5:39 pm

Tanya2

Active Member

I want to be team chunky all the way, but in reality, I have very little chunky in my wardrobe. I love the chunky look, but maybe it’s not quite so practical. We’re so trained to wear our layers here in the northwest, and chunky doesn’t layer very well. So I guess that makes me team fine.

October 26, 2010 at 6:03 pm

Becky

Veteran

Another Team Fine Gauge. I don’t like the bulk added by chunky knits.

October 26, 2010 at 6:12 pm

Tiffany

Team Fine Gauge. Anything too chunky is overpowering on me because I’m small. I do have one chunky sweater (knitted myself) that is great for cold nights or weekends in the country – but never for wearing out and about!

October 26, 2010 at 6:41 pm

Lisa

Veteran

I want to be team chunky knit, I own a few pieces and I love the look. But I am on team fine gauge. They work better for layering purposes in the winter.

October 26, 2010 at 7:18 pm

Debbie

Veteran

Teaneck fine gauge. I love the chunky knit look but it doesn’t love me back.

October 26, 2010 at 7:35 pm

Debbie

Veteran

Ok I cannot spell team fine gauge.

October 26, 2010 at 7:36 pm

Mac

Veteran

Auburn says it better than I can. Reality = fine knit. Fantasy weekend wear = chunky knit.

October 26, 2010 at 7:51 pm

Sparky

Veteran

I am benching myself for this one. I love both.

October 26, 2010 at 7:53 pm

Caroline

Active Member

In my heart I’m team chunky but like debbiek chunky knits don’t love me (or should I say my full figure) back. In reality my wardrobe more fine gauge especially a wonderful New Zealand brand of oh so cosy Marino fine gauge knits that I originally bought for skiing but found to be perfect under business jackets for work in winter.

October 26, 2010 at 9:44 pm

Refugee

Veteran

Gotta go team chunky. But I have a blessing many do not. I do not know what it is like to NOT have amazing hand made knits in my closet. When I was young it was my mom and her sister. One of my most treasured garments, as a young girl, was a dress my Aunt Betty made for me with a pair of matching hand knit tights. As I got older, my older sister began to make amazing things for me too. And then my younger sister began to knit. I have fabulous things she made as well. So even though I love fabulous fine gauge garments. Give me a fisherman knit sweater that someone I love made for me, hands down, any day.

October 26, 2010 at 9:50 pm

Lynne

(website)

Ok, I’m team chunky. In our mild winters (doesn’t reach freezing here) we don’t have central heating, andf also don’t put on overcoats when we go out. So a big chunky cardigan is the right warmth.

October 26, 2010 at 10:33 pm

Marley

Veteran

Team F.G. I like the look of chunky on some people and have tried it myself – but I always feel as though I am being swallowed by the bulk. F.G. ALL THE WAY!

October 26, 2010 at 10:42 pm

Veteran

Chunky makes me swoon…until I look in the mirror. So team fine gauge for me too.

October 26, 2010 at 11:20 pm

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Another fine knit fanatic here. Part of the appeal of fine gauge knits is that they are much easier to launder. Have you ever tried to hand wash a chunky knit, I never feel I get them 100% clean and they soak up a whole bath tub of water.

October 26, 2010 at 11:47 pm

firefly

Active Member

Team fine gauge! As a small person chunky knits tend to drown me, and there are far more opportunities for layering with fine knits. I’m slowly getting rid of the chunky knits I still have lingering in my wardrobe.

October 27, 2010 at 3:19 am

grewitch

Active Member

Chunky knits. I love that chunky knits feel substantial. As a rather busty lady, I sometimes think I’m going to overpower the fine knits.

October 27, 2010 at 6:22 am

lady

Active Member

I’m definitely Team Chunky. I love the way it looks…how it feels. It’s so cozy and fuzzy and warm. But I will conceded that it is bulky and it makes me look bigger which has been a no go for me as of late. I prefer it to a fine guage though I do own fine guage.

October 27, 2010 at 6:35 am

Sihaya

Veteran

fine gauge – for all the reasons that you mention.

October 27, 2010 at 6:37 am

rute

Veteran

This one is easy FINE all the way.
Don’t like the chunky knit look, I’ve tried but its hard to pull!

October 27, 2010 at 6:41 am

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

The most efficient way of answering this poll would be to copy and paste Angie’s text verbatim. Translation, Team fine gauge, 200%!!! Like Angie, I don’t even own a chunky item of knitwear.

October 27, 2010 at 7:46 am

Late Bloomer

(website)

Active Member

Fine. Something about living in Arizona. But I get cold easy so if I lived up north I would have lots of chunky wrapped around me in the winter.

October 27, 2010 at 9:21 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So far, a landslide victory for Team Fine Gauge.

PAsh, you are captain of Team Chunky Knitwear

October 27, 2010 at 9:48 am

Lauren

(website)

Team chunky all the way! I love how they feel so soft and plushy, not to mention that the chunky knits add texture and visual interest to the outfit.

The irony is that it’s way too warm where I live for chunky knitwear, but I own a chunky scarf just because.

October 27, 2010 at 10:02 am

Lori

(website)

Active Member

Team FG all the way!! I love to wear chunky neclaces and chunky on chunky is just not a good look I wouldn’t want to give up my necklace look, so fine gauge fo me.

October 27, 2010 at 10:03 am

Cecilia

I love Chunky, but it does not love me Too bulky and hot. It makes me feel like a marshmallow (which is also the reason I avoid puffer coats) Alas, I love the cozy, relaxed and casual feel. It makes me think of snuggling, fireplaces and hot cocoa.

But I have been discovering the good points of a better quality fine gauge sweater. It makes a tailored and formal outfit just a little more approachable, a little more laid back, without compromising dress codes. I guess it’s a good fit for me

October 27, 2010 at 10:42 am

For a petite girl like me, it has to be fine-knit. Chunkier knits overwhelm me, so I’ve only ever bought them once. Hated the way I looked in it but loved its cosiness, so it became my lazing-around-at-home-on-a-cold-winter-evening cardi.

October 27, 2010 at 2:16 pm

Melody

Active Member

Put me on team chunky knit! I am currently on the hunt for the perfect chocolate brown chunky sweater-coat to belt and contrast with my tan boots … maybe throw on a plaid button down under it. I think skinnies/leggings under a nice chunky knit looks nice.

October 27, 2010 at 3:01 pm

Donna

Active Member

Team fine gauge!

I don’t own any chunky knits at all, but if I find one that works with my broad shoulders I will buy it. I don’t have high hopes though.

October 27, 2010 at 3:21 pm

shana

Veteran

Fine Gauge all the way! I do appreciate chunky knit and wish I looked good it but it adds way too much bulk to my frame

October 27, 2010 at 7:07 pm

Anchi

(website)

Active Member

Team fine gauge. I adore the look of chunky knits but I look awful in them because of my 36 DDDs. I used to be oblivious to this until I once caught a glimpse of myself in a dressing room mirror when I was wearing my favorite chunky knit sweater. I was horrified! I looked *that* bad and just hadn’t realized it. I also have broad shoulders and back so these were magnified even more by that heavy knit — gaaah!!

October 28, 2010 at 6:29 am

Shari

(website)

Active Member

Team fine gauge. Chunky just makes me look chunkier.

http://generationkvetch.blogspot.com/

October 29, 2010 at 7:43 am

Scarlet

Veteran

Team chunky! I love the texture of chunky knitwear. I do own many pieces of fine-gauge knitwear, but we’re picking sides here. I can always reach for another fabric when I need to be polished.

October 30, 2010 at 6:17 am

cathy

I’m still all about a finer knit. I have a few chunky knots that I never wear. Although I have shopped for chunkier knits I will really only buy or wear a finer knit. However– and this is not breaking the rules- I bought two slightly less fine knit sweaters last night and love both.

October 30, 2010 at 7:46 am

GlamaRuth

Chunky knits all the way. I am petite, and it is just a matter of balance so I tend to wear them with skinny pants, leggings, long, narrow skirts, or high boots. The more sculptural the knit, the better. I have fine gauge too, of course, but they feel too safe for me except as layering pieces. My sister-in-law and I are always looking for the biggest gauge wool available, to be knit on what are basically drum sticks, becasue it is actually quite hard to find super-chiunky knits without shelling out astrnomical amounts for avant-garde designer labels.

November 1, 2010 at 1:51 pm

shellbydean

Ahhh..chunky knits are so awesome and then I look in the mirror and feel like a linebacker! OUCH!

So yes, I am def. team F/G all the way. Plus living in Vancouver BC requires I layer and I just can’t do that with chunky knits!

November 24, 2010 at 12:30 pm

Sarah

Active Member

I used to be on team vintage, but it takes soooo much time and going through so much bad stuff to find a needle in a haystack. Now I’m on team retaili

January 20, 2011 at 5:01 pm