Fab Finds: Knitwear and Other Tops

It’s been interesting navigating knitwear and tops with clients this season, despite the massive assortment. Lots of oversized fits, some of which are laughable. Lots of body con and super cropped lengths that aren’t right either. Extremely long sleeves on petites. An abundance of sweatshirts, athleisure tops, and hoodies. Hairy and itchy yarns that irritate skin and allergies. Manmade fibres that aren’t breathable. Too much cashmere. Tops with sleeves that don’t layer well under jackets and coats. Cardigans worn as pullovers that took some getting used to. Odd shoulder fits. And an abundance of earth tones and neutrals, making alternative colours hard to find.

All that aside, here are some winners that worked well on clients, and many are on sale. Shoutouts to “Bloomies Cashmere” and their house brand “Aqua” which are generally looking great, and are on sale for a while. Boden items continue to be good, well priced, and colour-rich. Ralph Lauren wins best customer service and fastest free shipping. Browse the colour and size options by clicking on the links.

Bloomingdale's
Charli Shirt
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Bloomingdale's
A Line Tunic
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Another shoutout to the Maeve Carys Mock-Neck Sweater from Anthropologie, which comes in many solids and patterns. It has a lovely architectural fit. Boxy, yet not too boxy and structured in the right places. Size down a size. The fabric composition feels heavenily against the skin: 50% viscose, 29% polyester, 21% nylon. Remember that viscose is a natural fibre with a silky soft texture. It makes all the difference as a component of this blend. It’s ideal when you’re allergic to wool. Launders well too.

Anthropologie The Carys Mock Neck Sweater by Maeve

Anthropologie The Carys Mock Neck Sweater by Maeve

Trend: Waist Cinching Cardigans

Some of the trends right now seem somewhat in opposition to each other. On the one hand, fluid, boxy and oversized tops are on trend and fashion forward. On the other hand, tops with more structure are also making a trendy comeback. The waist cinching cardigan is one example. It’s fringe for now, although I suspect it to go mainstream soon. The collection below shows examples of waist cinching cardigans.

Shopbop
Pistil Dani Cardigan
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There are two remarkable aspects to this trend.

1. Cardigans are worn as Untucked Pullovers

These structured cardigans are not worn open and layered over tops. They are buttoned-up or zipped through, and layered over a bra, camisole, tank or invisible tee. The buttoning-up accentuates waist definition, which is the point. Some buttons are left un-buttoned at the top and bottom, or just the top or bottom. Some resemble the silhouette of the split hem jacket. They are all worn untucked.

2. There is Abundant Variation

There are many versions of the waist cinching cardigan. Most solid colours are represented. Fabrics range from natural to manmade fibres. Lengths and necklines differ, and some have collars. Most fastenings are buttons, but some have zippers. Knits differ from fine gauge to all sorts of chunky. Some silhouettes are sculptural, and some have a peplum. Most of the sleeves are long and fitted. Some sleeves are bell shaped, puffy, or short. Some cardigans expose the midriff.

The longer sculptural silhouettes, split hem, and peplum versions look the most new to my eye. The simpler regular length versions resemble the trends from fifteen to twenty years ago. The super cropped versions and zipped versions take me back to the late ‘90s.

Shorter waist cinching cardigans that are worn as pullovers can be great paired with skirts. If you’re stuck with what to wear with orphaned skirts, consider the right version of this trend. Less chunky versions are fab to wear under most jackets and coats. Chunky versions are comfortable under roomy coats.

Personally, I like the pullover-esque integrity of this cardigan trend because I prefer wearing pullovers to cardigans. Wearing fluid and oversized tops almost exclusively, the waist defining component feels fresh. I prefer the shorter versions of the trend as opposed to the longer ones. But not completely midriff-baring short. Just covering the waistband feels dead right for my style. No bell sleeves. I prefer the higher necklines with a few of the bottom buttons left un-buttoned. I enjoy fine gauge and chunkier knits. I like the zipped versions and peplum versions too. I’m a yay for the trend. I can see it working well for my style.

TIP: Remember to do the sit-down-test when wearing a cardigan buttoned-up because fastened buttons can gape when seated. If they gape, size up or find a version that doesn’t gape.

Over to you. What do you think of the waist cinching cardigan trend?

Banana Republic Cotton Silk Flare Sleeve Cardigan

Mango Ribbed-Lapel Cardigan

Outfit Formula: Bright Red Sweater

If you like wearing bright red, you might enjoy sporting a bright red pullover or cardigan. There is tomato red for those who like their reds warm and acidic. There is fire engine, candy apple, and ruby red for those who like cool-toned reds. Choose the right bright red for you. 

Onto some outfit inspiration.

1. Browns

Browns are trending, so that’s the first point of inspiration. Think of ways to combine bright red with toffee, whiskey, cognac, gingerbread and chocolate brown. Here, a chunky red cabled pullover is tucked into a knife pleated gingerbread faux leather skirt. Tall bitter chocolate brown boots work well with the model’s dark hair. A cinnamon handbag complements the palette. Rich and yummy.

Browns

More ways to combine bright red knitwear with browns. In some outfits the brown component takes centre stage. In others it’s subtle. Brown animal prints work well remixed into this palette.

2. Purples and Pinks

Here’s an unusual colour palette, and the ‘70s integrity of the outfit is fab too. A pair of pink bootcut corduroy pants is paired with a bright red pullover. It’s topped with a short purple jacket. Chocolate brown boots match the model’s hair. A navy and white bandana add patterned interest. A tan bag provides a neutral finishing touch. An outfit with many colours, and not one of them is repeated. Unique.

Purples and Pinks

3. Blacks

This is an easy way to wear a bright red top. Combine it with blue jeans and black accents and Bob’s your Uncle. Here a black complement of boots, bag, and belt create the black accents. The jet black hair of the model makes the black accents pop against the red. Striking.

Blacks

More ways to wear bright red knitwear with black bottoms and accents. Feel free to sub the black for grey if that’s more to your taste.

4. Reds

Create a tonal combination by sporting a range of reds in one outfit. Or sport red with colours that are adjacent to red on the colour wheel like oranges and pinks. Here, a cherry red coloured pair of trousers is paired with a bright red pullover. It’s topped with a velvet jacket in a slightly darker red. An animal print belt adds some brown, which matches the pair of chocolate boots. Add jewellery, bag, eyewear and watch as desired.

Reds

Personally, a bright tomato red that borders on orange is one of my favourite colours. I find it very versatile and wear it with almost all the other non-neutrals and neutrals in my wardrobe. I wear it year round, and am energized by this colour. I never seem to have enough of it. The goal is to snap up the right items in my favourite shade of red as I see them.

Over to you.

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Trend: Solid Dark from Head to Toe

We see solid dark neutrals and dark colours in every Autumn and Winter collection, but this year’s palettes are extra dark. Adding on-trend colours like chocolate brown, dark green, and deep burgundy and plum to classic black, navy and charcoal grey makes for a very dark season. Furthermore, the dark palette extends to footwear, thereby creating the option of a dark outfit from head-to-toe. Very low or no contrast, and no patterns.

The collection below shows examples of the trend.

Zara
Satin Midi Skirt
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Zara
Satin Midi Skirt
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Ann Taylor
Mock Neck Blouse
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Bloomingdale's
A Line Tunic
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Some of my clients, family, and friends thoroughly enjoy dressing this way, and they look smashing. They don’t necessarily wear solid black from head-to-toe, but their clothing and footwear is very dark from head-to-toe. Interestingly, their complexions and hair colour differ greatly too. They’re in heaven with this trend, and are snapping up what appeals to them in dark colours.

Personally, this trend is not for me. It’s too dark, which doesn’t make me happy. The only solid dark colours I wear are dark blue and dark blue denim. My smattering of burgundy items are brighter, and my chocolate brown items are not solid. I’m happy to wear solid dark blue dresses, or solid dark blue separates together. Wearing dark blue tops with dark blue jeans is great too. But with any of these dark looks, there is ALWAYS high contrast in my outfits. My eyewear is red, light blue or blush pink, my pearls are white, and my footwear is either white, cream, gold, red, pink, light blue, or whiskey. I’ll throw in a bright, cream, whiskey, light blue, or gold bag too. I don’t wear dark shoes or dark bags.

Of course, I’ll cheer you on from the sidelines when you enjoy dressing this way. Over to you. Do you wear solid dark head-to-toe outfits?

Team Grey or Team Brown

You bat for Team Grey if you prefer wearing grey to brown, and vice versa. Note that any shade and tone of grey or brown counts. Grey has been a dominant neutral for decades while brown took a backseat. The tables have turned. Currently, brown is the fashion colour while grey is the one in the backseat. 

Shades of white, navy and denim blue are the core neutrals of my wardrobe. That said, I like to wear a bright orangey-brown like whiskey, cognac, saddle and gingerbread in some wardrobe items. I also like to wear a few toffee coloured pieces. I wear chocolate brown in patterns, false plains, and colour blocked items. I do not wear grey. It neither suits me nor makes me happy. Some of my clients look spectacular in grey, and I love grey on them. Hubs Greg wears charcoal grey splendidly too. But I bat for Team Brown.

Over to you. Do you bat for Team Grey or Team Brown? Tell us why and no batting for both sides. If you wear neither, or can’t pick a team, you bat for Team Bench where I’m serving spinach and feta crustless quiche, creamy butternut and orange soup, a green salad, fresh soda bread, and lemon curdy pud.