Are sweater sets dated?

Jillian

I have been reading the blog and forum. It is wonderful and practical. I'm learning so much! I'm trying to apply what I am learning to my existing wardrobe and also beginning to think about necessary additions. One place I'm really struggling is with sweater sets. I have several and have in past falls and winters worn them with trousers and a statement necklace or scarf for business casual. I've looked on this site and don't see any mentions of sweater sets. I do see many mentions of cardigans and even some uses of the shells or shortsleeve blouses over a button-down or under a jacket. Are sweater sets dated? Does anyone wear the sets together anymore? I do have a preppy/classic vibe to my clothing, but I'm getting the sense that I should take my cardis shopping and divorce the shells! Angie, I guess this is what I would be wearing to your 80's party! Sadly, it's also what I wore last October!

17 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Jenniferblue

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hmm...I'm not sure the answer to your question. I don't see many sweater sets around, but I don't know if that means they're dated. What colors are they? I like your idea of wearing them with a statement necklace (that's what I would do, personally). And you can always just wear the cardis over another blouse. If they are interesting colors, could you switch it up and wear a shell from one set under a cardi from another with coordinating colors?

17 years ago

Nicole

Veteran

Welcome Jillian!

I don't know if sweater sets (twin-sets) are "dated" or out of style. But I do think they are classic items that if you confidently own the look, then you can make it "your style". I have a friend who is super duper uber preppy. The kind of preppy you see in Teen-Angst movies...she incorporates that "prim and prissy" look into every aspect of her life. Her kids, her home, her husband, her career, her car...EVERYTHING. It's who she is. So when she wears wears a pale pink twin set, with pearls and a proper cream skirt--it suits her to a T. When she wears shorts with little whales embroidered all over them, with a turned up collar polo shirt--it's her.

So, while a look may be passé-if it suits your style, and you can wear it with confidence, then I think it can work.

Does that make sense?

17 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

I don't think they're too dated. I think they're classic and can be versatile pieces. (Disclaimer - I am finding that my perceptions of how things work for and on me are changing as I am taking pictures of my outfits. It really does give you a fresh perspective. Even if you don't post, I think it can be useful to do for yourself.) Depending on the cut of the shell, I have worn some of my shells as vests with a collared shirt underneath as one different option. Then, of course, is breaking up the set individually - shell as a layering piece, cardigan as a cardigan.

17 years ago

amy29

Active Member

I hope they aren't dated! I would think they are classic. I'm sure there could be elements to a twinset that might be dated, like Angie posted in that other thread on what constitutes dated, classic, retro, and trendy. But overall, no, I don't think they are dated. That said, it seems to be very chic to layer the cardi with a more unexpected piece, as I learned when I posted all my work outfits for the YLF ladies to evaluate (and am in the process of trying to do). Or perhaps a twinset could be paired with some eyepopping accessory that will keep the look fresh instead of stale--like a colorful scarf or statement necklace.

Alecia, I too just recently posted pictures on the forum and agree with you: taking pictures and seeing an outfit on myself was eye opening on its own; having the YLF feedback was incredibly helpful and sent me on a much more purposeful shopping trip than I'd ever really been on. It's worth doing!

17 years ago

Monica

Active Member

I think that many shapes and detailing options for sweater sets are classic. Not fashion forward, no, but classic and nice. Wearing a statement necklace over it seems like a great idea to keep it from being anywhere near dated! Wearing a cardigan over a matching color camisole is fine now, I think, so if that's the case it doesn't make sense that a similar option where both pieces are knitted would suddenly be so dated you wouldn't want to wear it. That said, I agree with some of the above posters, that it's a little more chic now to wear the cardi over a shell, shirt, or blouse that isn't exactly the same fabric or color.

17 years ago

shell

Active Member

unless you're trying to evoke a preppier style, i'd say they are out of date. they may be considered a "classic", but mixing colors, particularly in the shirt/cardi area, is much more modern.

i agree that you shouldn't ditch them - consider mixing and matching to create different combinations.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I have an extensive wardrobe of twinsets myself. This, along with slacks, was my "uniform" when I used to have to work in an office (I'm 100% virtual worker now).

I'm not getting rid of my twinsets because I do think it's a classic style that will come back around again and again. Meanwhile, I do wear the cardis over blouses as others suggested. The shells tend to be good with skirts since most of mine are proper "skirt length." I also wear the shells under jackets.

I had not thought to try a blouse under the shell - that is such a great idea!! I will have to experiment with that.

I still see twinsets in the stores every season; I am just more apt these days to buy just the cardi and not the shell.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It depends on the twinset - how it looks and fits, and whose wearing them. They can easily look dated as opposed to classic. They can also look funky, retro and cheeky. It would be great if you could post pictures. Visuals help enormously.

17 years ago

Anonymous

Hmmm..can a sweater set "look funky, retro and cheeky" on an older woman? I'd love ideas on how to accomplish this. Mine are too short to belt. Shiny's uniform has also been mine in recent years as a daily go-to outfit. I've had to resist replacing them.

17 years ago

Jenniferblue

Active Member

Joy, I'm guessing the color would have something to do with making a
twinset funky. Maybe the jewelry and accessories you add. I've been seeing funky pins again. Maybe adding a pin to the shoulder in a current color? I'm thinking about the bubblegum beads in an unexpected color. The scarf tied as a necklace? I only have one twinset. I plan to separate the pieces and wear the shell over a blouse. The cardi-lots of possiblilities but I've felt too prim with the two pieces together for the last couple of years.

17 years ago

Category