YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Cardigan conundrum

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Cardigan conundrum https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:50:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Carol on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344918 Sun, 19 Nov 2023 19:44:53 +0000 Carol 2344918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suntiger—great sweaters. I especially like the unusual shape of the first one. Anonymous on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344786 Sat, 18 Nov 2023 10:54:05 +0000 Anonymous 2344786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ These are my waterfall cardis. It's hard to tell in the pics, but they have more fabric in the front. I just use them for warmth through, instead of thinking of them as a main part of the outfit. Jenni NZ on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344782 Sat, 18 Nov 2023 07:56:18 +0000 Jenni NZ 2344782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You’ve replied the correct way Mary, that’s what we usually do. You can also send a personal message by clicking on the Fabber’s name, then only they see it. Mary on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344777 Sat, 18 Nov 2023 05:23:03 +0000 Mary 2344777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you Irina. ( I don’t know how to reply to a specific comment here) Carol on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344673 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:41:41 +0000 Carol 2344673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ AJ--probably a good rule. Sloper--that is a good point about the fit just being different--I guess that's why some plus size models look great in the same stuff the tiny models wear. And thanks for the tip about men's sweaters! Echo--good to know it's a more universal problem--maybe waterfall cards hardly work on anyone. Suz--thanks for the advice/photos.  You know, I adore cardigans shaped like the first two patterned ones you showed. But for myself, I consider them in an almost separate category. This is because I wear them closed, and the buttons are too fussy to get on and off easily. lyn67--smooth finish is a good idea. I don't have a lot of tops like that. I wonder what that would be...silk, satin? Zaeobi--probably right about the closure/brooch. One at the waist would not always give the right shape.  Zaeobi on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344670 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:28:14 +0000 Zaeobi 2344670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Great ideas here already! I'd add that the position of the closure also matters - a brooch at the neckline (almost like traditional sweater clips) will allow you to still have some of the A-line drape over your chest, whereas a brooch/ pin at your waist may be more hit & miss (depending on the weight of the fabric in question). lyn67 on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344643 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 13:26:16 +0000 lyn67 2344643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As per others said, size up, go more weighty and with some kind of closure (even if wearing open) and wear a smoth finish top underneath (wich doesn't cling that bad to the cardigan). I mean if the open fronts of the  cardi  will slide slightly on your bust a smooth finish underneath will allow  to slide it  back easier in place, too. Suz on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344613 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 05:21:26 +0000 Suz 2344613@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ok, not relevant to the question, but Carol, you look beautiful in that cranberry red and the camel/ toffee tone of the other sweater is fab with your hair! I think Sarah's advice is spot on. You need one with more weight, possibly a fastening, and a slightly different cut, and it will work just fine. I'm not busty but I have a similar issue with drapey waterfall cardigans to yours and don't wear them any more for that reason.  I wear a classic cardigan buttoned almost to the top (so it's more like a top with buttons). A duster cardigan that is long enough to hold itself in place (even without buttons). Or a shorter lighter weight cardigan with buttons, buttoned up.  Echo on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344612 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 03:40:36 +0000 Echo 2344612@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am not particularly busty, and the same thing happens to me with cardis or jackets that have no closure. So I now only purchase cardis with buttons and jackets with buttons or hooks or something else to close them. Irina on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344611 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 03:28:54 +0000 Irina 2344611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Mary, of course.. #1 Banana Republic  #2 Massimo Dutti #3 Uniqlo  #4 Zara Mary on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344610 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 03:17:22 +0000 Mary 2344610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love all your cardigans Irina! Can you share brand info please! Sloper on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344606 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 03:08:40 +0000 Sloper 2344606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As a fellow “busted” person, I agree about the way cardigans slip to the side. Either buttoning or sizing up would work.  But sizing up adds volume too and I feel some styles look too tent-ish and unflattering on me - especially drapey styles. I do have one men’s cashmere cardigan that I always wear buttoned. Something about the men’s cuts really worked. More structured and a bit wider through the shoulders, maybe. Also, you can get creative with a brooch if the sweater doesn’t have buttons. And also - it is a totally personal thing, but having generous “endowments” I just sometimes accept that things aren’t going to fit like an unbusted fashion model. The fit isn’t “wrong” just different. AJ on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344592 Fri, 17 Nov 2023 02:10:13 +0000 AJ 2344592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, I stopped buying open front toppers for this exact reason.  I'm always tempted by them, but my new rule is they must have some type of closure. Carol on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344521 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:39:03 +0000 Carol 2344521@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Irina--those are great sweaters. I have noticed that a purple one I have (not shown) feels larger, and does sit better across my chest. SarahD8--great points about weight and structure. I have noticed that boleros work well for me, precisely because they are more structured. RobinF--I suppose I could handle one that had one or two easy buttons. Waterfall style is hard! Angie--thanks for the  ideas! those are beautiful. KMM--interesting--I haven't had a lot of blazers, but I think I had the same issue. Buttons seems to be the word of the day.  KMM on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344518 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:18:26 +0000 KMM 2344518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have this problem with blazers.  Unbuttoned they flop around and hang in an unflattering way.  I now only wear styles that fit well/look good buttoned.  I've had to adopt the same approach with cardigans... must button smoothly over the bust or just underneath.   Angie on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344515 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:15:09 +0000 Angie 2344515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carol, I'm with Irina and RobinF. Great suggestions from them. These visuals might help :) RobinF on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344513 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:06:08 +0000 RobinF 2344513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love cardigans but I usually have ones that button or have generous sizing over the bust. I did have a problem with the waterfall style, probably for a lot of the reasons that SarahD8 lists, so I generally avoid those now. SarahD8 on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344496 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:56:40 +0000 SarahD8 2344496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have zero bust so I haven't faced this problem, but I love cardigans so I do have some ideas. I can't 100% tell what the cut of that first, darker cardigan is -- but I think both of the cardigans you show are lightweight, open-front, sort of waterfall-style cardigans. Yes? If so, I've come to realize that it can be really tough to get this style to lay right. The material is lightweight, so it tends to flop around, and one is often layering it over something of similar weight so the garments just kind of pull against each other and that exacerbates the problem. Plus the lack of structure in the cut makes things more difficult. I would look for: -heavier material, possibly a textured knit. The weight of the material will give it more substance and help it hang better. -some sort of collar structure -- even if just ribbing for a round/crew neck or what have you. -a closure, even if it's just a single button. The weight of the button/placket will help things stay in place, and I find that even if I actually wear a cardi open, the fact that it's been designed to be able to close just makes it fit my body better. It's counterintuitive because what makes cardis so wonderful is precisely that they are soft and easy, but the TL;DR here is: structure, structure STRUCTURE. Irina on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344493 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:47:59 +0000 Irina 2344493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Cardigans are fussy for me, too. I have a few and used to have similar problems like your.  My solution is to buy bigger size so there is enough knit to lay comfortable across my chest. Wearing them buttoned helps, too. Sometimes I only button one button to keep a cardigan in place. Here are some examples.  Carol on "Cardigan conundrum" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cardigan-conundrum#post-2344490 Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:21:19 +0000 Carol 2344490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have had a love affair with cardigans for years, but unfortunately now I'm coming to terms with the fact that many of them don't fit my body type. I am busty, and after just 2 minutes of wear, the front is going to naturally creep to the sides of my chest instead of hanging neatly down the front, as it should. This has to happen to so many women, and I'm amazed I've never seen any fashion gurus talking about this specific problem. It's such a beautiful type of sweater, that when put on my body type, makes me look large and cumbersome.  Even plus size models, when modeling, have it hanging neatly down the front (as if it will stay there). I have tried:  fashion tape, to hold the sweater in place--not perfect wrapping it over the front, and belting it--kind of a fussy process... and that's about it at this point, I think I'm about ready to give up on this type of sweater. Another issue is I tend to wear things like this, without reflecting on how they actually look on me. I would like to look better in sweaters/easy toppers. What do you think would suit me? My parameters are: warmth ease of taking off and putting on flattering easy to care for (pullover type okay, too) (P.S. this is definitely not a "going out" outfit--just thrown together at home to demonstrate the problem.)