https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 14:11:42 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1402649 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 03:26:58 +0000 Staysfit 1402649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, see! It did go on sale! It's still ridiculously expensive, but I had a feeling there was no way it would stay at that price. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1402431 Tue, 25 Nov 2014 15:07:47 +0000 Staysfit 1402431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm thinking maybe some shade of blue? Maybe even a green or teall? I keep looking at that SE and EF though. I do like them. Of course the Eskander was a bit of a joke! Pretty ridiculous huh! I could probably knit it though, I like that moss stitch! Maybe it will go on sale, I mean a really great sale, and then it will be reasonable, you never know? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1402280 Tue, 25 Nov 2014 04:44:02 +0000 Marley 1402280@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OMG! &nbsp;$3,000. for the Eskander????? &nbsp;What the . . . ???? &nbsp;I mean it's cute - but really?<br />I like the S.E. and the E.F. the best. &nbsp;And yes - the Theory looks just like my bathrobe - that's why I stay away from the belted cardigan look myself!&nbsp;<br />So - you don't want one in gray - what colors are you thinking you would like? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1402274 Tue, 25 Nov 2014 04:23:30 +0000 Staysfit 1402274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's an interesting thought Marley! &nbsp;I was just looking at some cardigans. &nbsp;They are all gray though. &nbsp;I absolutely do not want gray, but I put them in my finds so I could compare them more easily. &nbsp;Each has a slightly different shape. I'm not sure they can all be belted, and I certainly would never pay for the first one, but I might make it myself if I decided it was the absolute best sweater for me. &nbsp;I don't think I could ever get myself to pay so much for a sweater because I can knit!!</p> <p>I have to laugh at what I chose. &nbsp;I think my headache is getting to me! &nbsp;The Theory sweater is definitely looking like a bath robe right now. &nbsp;The Eskander is looking very cozy. &nbsp;I picked the the Sam Edelman because it had a unique shape. &nbsp;The Eileen Fisher was made of silk, and who can resist a knit sweater made of silk?! &nbsp;I know I can't! &nbsp;Well, I will this time because it isn't in a color that I want, but the old me would have been pressing the purchase button. &nbsp;I like the EF sweater the best.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1402269 Tue, 25 Nov 2014 04:18:14 +0000 Marley 1402269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your sweater purging process sounds like it just fell right into place for you! &nbsp;I'm really impressed that you were able to go through them all and not get completely overwhelmed! &nbsp;Or, am I projecting onto you my own anxieties about going through my wardrobe and doing some serious purging? &nbsp;;-)<br />When you get around to trying the maxi cardigans, try out the cocoon shape for one - because they have a roundness to them that might be really flattering on your rectangle body. &nbsp;I have a rectangle body - inverted triangle body type - and sometimes its fun to wear something that makes it look like I've got&nbsp;curves! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1402205 Tue, 25 Nov 2014 02:33:52 +0000 Staysfit 1402205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, thanks! &nbsp;I just remembered that great discussion a while back about angular vs. voluminous drape! &nbsp;It's hard to keep everything I am learning in my head! &nbsp;</p> <p>Marley, be careful what you ask for! &nbsp;You know I am one for an interesting experiment! &nbsp;I may have more energy after the holiday and I agree that&nbsp;comparing sweater silhouettes sounds like fun. &nbsp;</p> <p>The sweater purge was easier than I thought it would be. &nbsp;It occurred in a few stages over a three month time frame.&nbsp; The first was easiest. &nbsp;I eliminated anything that was obviously damaged, stained or unworn. &nbsp;Then I decided to get rid of anything that had unflattering necklines, which for me was v necks, and I gave them all to my DD. &nbsp;Then I looked for duplicates and did my best to eliminate them. &nbsp;If I had 2 crew sweaters in the same color for example, I would figure out if they were different enough to justify keeping both (ie. was one basic, one statement?, both basic?). &nbsp; Finally, I used&nbsp;my newly&nbsp;defined color palate, and eliminated sweaters that were not light, cool or soft in color tone. &nbsp;The last cut was the easiest&nbsp;because by the time I had made all &nbsp;the above cuts, it was obviously clear that there were a few sweaters with&nbsp;colors that did not go with the rest. &nbsp;I pulled those out and purged them. &nbsp;I was left with the sweaters I named above, all of which are in my color palate, ------except one ;-)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1401853 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:51:40 +0000 Lisa 1401853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A 50% or greater reduction is a wonderful job! &nbsp;Bravo! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1401839 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:01:00 +0000 Suz 1401839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You'd look amazing in a maxi cardigan and it would add a nice jolt of variety. I would say look for angular drape, not voluminous drape. This is based on body type. Voluminous drape up top will probably swamp you. Straight sides or a shawl collar will work.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1401830 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 13:42:01 +0000 Anonymous 1401830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I intend to read every word you've written here ... but I will have to do so later today. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1401821 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 12:39:25 +0000 Staysfit 1401821@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've started to look at some longer length sweaters. There are plenty to choose from! I can't decide on which style would work best??! There are several types of collar. Cascades, shawl, mandarin, round, and the fits are also varied. I've seen some that look a bit like a wrap style bath robe, some more cocoon in shape, and some with very straight sides, but still fluid. I have a feeling that last is what will be best for me since I have a relatively rectangular shape! Most of the colors I'm finding are black, tan or grey. Maybe a bit dull. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1401779 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 05:43:36 +0000 Marley 1401779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow - what a job it must have been paring down your sweater inventory! &nbsp;No need to feel bad about having 100+ sweaters! &nbsp;My gosh girl - you live in a climate that&nbsp;<i>calls</i> for sweaters practically year round - so, I don't blame you a bit for having a closet full to choose from! &nbsp;You need all of the help that you can get to survive that cold frigid weather!<br />So, how did you go about purging all of the sweaters? &nbsp;Was it primarily by color or cut or &nbsp;quality or . . . ?<br />Have you thought about adding the maxi cardigan silhouette that Angie featured in her blog post last week? &nbsp;I think that you are a perfect candidate for that type of silhouette due to your body-type and your height! &nbsp;And in most cases you could wear them with the bottoms that you already have in your closet.<br />It would be fun to see an example (pics) of your 8 different silhouettes - although I know that is a lot of work on your part. &nbsp;I'm especially curious to see your tunic sweaters with your pencil skirts, as when I imagine you in a pencil skirt, I think of you with a more cropped, waist-length type of sweater rather than a tunic.<br />Anyway - great job so far! &nbsp;And I don't blame you for hanging onto the brown knit moto! &nbsp;Maybe later - but not the right time yet!<br />And yes &nbsp;- those hooded knit tops definitely give off a sporty luxe vibe if they are a fluid or oversized fit!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1401769 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 05:16:46 +0000 Beth Ann 1401769@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have lovely variety to choose from!&nbsp; It would be fab to see pics of an example of each of these silhouettes -- a sample, if you will.</p> <p>Kudos to you for paring back to the number of sweaters that works best for you.&nbsp; Right sizing a closet balances choices with ease of choosing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1401713 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 02:20:52 +0000 thimblelina 1401713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is a lot of organizing! I think unfrumped's suggestions sound good for you. And I 100% agree on that cashmere moto -- in any color, they would have to pry that out of my cold dead hands, LOL. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1401711 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 02:18:17 +0000 Staysfit 1401711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those are some great ideas Unfrumped! &nbsp;I love them! &nbsp;I could see belting a longer softer cardigan over skinny pants or a pencil skirt. I have seen some cashmere shift dresses, that I actually thought about trying to purchase and belt over pants. &nbsp;They would be much too short for me as a dress.&nbsp; I also think I need to find a wide belt.&nbsp;&nbsp; I am motivated to wear a cashmere hoodie tomorrow, along with some flats! &nbsp;(If it is dry enough outside! &nbsp;One never knows what the weather will be like around here!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1401676 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 01:11:05 +0000 unfrumped 1401676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, that's a lot of organizing! Good job.</p> <p>I think you will like upgrading your knitwear with specific goals in mind, such as, texture, or a variation on the turtleneck. I tried on a sweater that had that interesting zip-neck with the accent color--I didn't get it,but it was a twist on the turtle. I think you would look good in high cowl necks and funnel necks. Longer lengths are looking fresh on you and so aim in that direction (for pants). You seem to do well with statement footwear, so that's a good direction, &nbsp;and as you point out, you can work with that as an important outfit variation rather than just having&nbsp;more&nbsp;&nbsp;sweaters. I think you get a different look and vibe with interesting flats vs. booties, so would do more of that. With pencil skirts I think you could add more volume on top--again, not overwhelming, but to balance.<br />The cashmere hoodie direction sounds perfect for you--definitely sporty luxe!</p> <p>What do you think about more belted/belting soft, longer cardigans over your skinny pants and pencil skirts? I'm thinking that you have a good build for some of the runway looks Angie showed for spring. The knit needs to have just a bit of fullness and heft, not too flat a look. But it gives you "structured volume" which I think looks modern but avoids too much fabric and volume, and then it is also a different silhouette from a sweater just worn straight. It gives you kind of a jacket look without the fit issues of a blazer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-cleanout-sweater-silhouette-assessment-after-the-big-purge#post-1401672 Mon, 24 Nov 2014 00:55:52 +0000 Staysfit 1401672@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una's five day challenge, and several people's urging me to figure out my proportions and silhouettes to aid me in shopping for clothing made me pause the past day or two to reassess in detail what I actually own&nbsp;now that I have finished my closet clean-out. &nbsp;I started with sweaters because I had so many of them, close to 100. (Well actually more than 100 but I didn't want to admit this publicly.)<br />&nbsp;<br />My current count is 53 +1. &nbsp;17 of them are cardigans and the rest are pullovers. &nbsp;&nbsp;I reduced by more than 50%. &nbsp;The original goal was to cut back by 1/3. &nbsp;Here are the actual numbers:</p> <p>1. &nbsp;Long sleeve Crew Neck Sweaters - 13<br />2. &nbsp;Tunic Length turtle neck sweaters - 6<br />3. &nbsp;Hip length turtle neck sweaters - 5<br />4. &nbsp;Short sleeve crew neck sweaters - 2<br />5. &nbsp;Sweater sets - 2<br />6. &nbsp;Boatneck sweaters - 2<br />7. &nbsp;Sweater shells - 1<br />8. &nbsp;Pullover Hoodie sweaters - 3</p> <p>The next grouping of sweaters are my toppers. &nbsp;I don't have any blazers or jackets that I wear because I have had such a hard time with fit issues. &nbsp;For example if they fit n the shoulders the torso is too wide, or the sleeves are too short. &nbsp;I keep trying though! &nbsp;Trust me, I keep trying. &nbsp;Instead I use cardigans.</p> <p>9. &nbsp;Zip up Hoodie sweaters - 2<br />10. &nbsp;Hip length v-neck cardigans - 6<br />11. &nbsp;Statement sweater topper - 4<br />12. &nbsp;Wrap ballerina sweater - 2<br />13. &nbsp;Hip length cardigan Crew - 3</p> <p>Looking at my numbers &nbsp;has been interesting for several reasons. &nbsp;For one, I see that I have 8 main sweater silhouettes. &nbsp;Each gets paired with one or maybe two different types of bottoms for variety. &nbsp;I won't go through them all, but for example, my tunic length turtlenecks can go with either skinny jeans, or with a pencil skirt. &nbsp;The boatneck sweaters can interestingly pair with any of my bottoms. &nbsp;The long sleeve crew neck sweaters are less versatile, in that they only seem to go with my straight leg jeans or skinny jeans when wearing boots.. &nbsp;Maybe they can go with straight leg slacks&nbsp;also? &nbsp;Despite this, it is my largest category. &nbsp;Straight leg jeans are also my largest category in the bottoms department so they are equally matched. &nbsp;So, here is one way to see what silhouettes I wear. </p> <p>&nbsp;I definitely don't wear all these types of sweaters during all&nbsp;parts of the fall/winter. &nbsp;For example, I wouldn't wear my short sleeve crews once the weather gets cold, the same goes for the sweater sets, which are both made of&nbsp;light weight/summer weight&nbsp;cashmere. &nbsp;Some of the sweaters are heavier than others, some are merino wool, some cashmere, and some are a mix,&nbsp;some are chunkier, some are fine knit. &nbsp;All this means that there are fewer sweaters in rotation at any given moment than the numbers may indicate.</p> <p>&nbsp;If I were to do anything with the basics, which are the first set of numbers, I would work to increase the variety in color and improve the quality. I could possibly add some more pattern or texture. &nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;can also see some ways that I may be able to increase the variety of my silhouettes just by working on my sweaters,&nbsp;if I wanted to. &nbsp;For example, I see that&nbsp;I do not have any tunic length crew neck sweaters? &nbsp;I don't have any cropped sweaters to wear with my high waist jeans. &nbsp;I don't have any funnel necks, mock necks, and there is not much variety in the type of sleeves. &nbsp;I like boat-neck sweaters but only have two of them and they are both the same length. &nbsp;I happen to love my cashmere pullover hoodies, but I was left with only 3 of them, one is light weight and 2 are for winter. &nbsp;I would want to increase this if I find any in good colors. &nbsp;(Could this count as sporty luxe? &nbsp;They may not be so fashionable, but I love them and for whatever reason, the neckline looks good on me.)</p> <p>In the sweater topper category, I have a lot of hip length cardigans, but this is an awkward length for my jeans and slacks. &nbsp;I could use some cardigans that are cropped or longer length. &nbsp;This current length works best with my pencil skirts, the colors I have do not coordinate well with my current skirts. &nbsp;This may take some time to&nbsp;work out. It looks like I have more than I need - 9 (v neck plus crew)&nbsp;??! &nbsp;I think I'm over stocked.&nbsp;&nbsp;I love my ballerina wrap sweaters,&nbsp;but I&nbsp;hardly ever wear them unless I am wearing a light colored sheath dress or a&nbsp;fit and flare dress in cold weather.&nbsp;&nbsp;I think they are a classic item, so I'm keeping them. &nbsp;I have 4 statement toppers two of which have fur! &nbsp; I can clearly expand on this category and stay away animal embellishments! &nbsp;I'm knitting one sweater which will fit into the category, but it's coming along slowly. &nbsp;Very slowly.......</p> <p>&nbsp; Finally, there was one item I didn't know how to categorize.&nbsp; I'm not sure if I will keep it. &nbsp;It's&nbsp;a brown cashmere moto &nbsp;jacket cardigan.&nbsp; I love it&nbsp;despite it being the wrong color. &nbsp;I haven't been able to purge this sweater! &nbsp; If I can find a replacement for it, I will, but for now, it stays. &nbsp;I will find a way to wear it. It may not look the best, but I just love how it feels when I wear it.</p> <p>So, that's it. &nbsp;My new sweater numbers, which I can actually fully account for! &nbsp;I plan to keep it that way. &nbsp;If I purchase anything new, one will be eliminated. &nbsp;I think the total number is good, it just needs some re-distribution and tweaking. &nbsp;For example, I don't need 9 hip length cardigans! &nbsp;I probably only need 3 or 4. &nbsp;I also don't think I need 13 long sleeve crew's, I like turtle necks better. &nbsp;How many white turtleneck tunic sweaters do I need? &nbsp;I have 4 of them. &nbsp;I can probably eliminate a few of them - they will probably eliminate themselves by getting stained or dirty :-)</p> <p>I learned a lot from this exercise, most importantly is that I have many more silhouettes than I expected. &nbsp;I haven't even added in variety in boots, scarves or accessories, etc. &nbsp;What do you think? &nbsp;See any gaps I should think about? &nbsp;Any styles I should add or consider?</p> <p>Thanks for reading this very long post!</p> <p> </p>