Burgundy Cardigans: which one to keep? ETA small R/B arrived

Burgundy has been a favorite color of mine for years, and with it being so popular this season I’m adding a few pieces. I also have been interested in trying a cardigan in a long open style since I found one in a pretty teal earlier in the fall. I would have had to buy a bunch of supporting acts and decided not to keep it, but have continued to look for something in a similar style. I found three possibilities I liked at Lord & Taylor online.

1 - Ralph Lauren: with ruffles down the front. This seems like the right size. I think I like this one the best despite my normal dislike of ruffles. It’s not meant to close in the front, and has a vertical integrity that I like and seems slimming, plus it’s a little bit feminine/pretty which I like.

2 - Nipon Boutique: a burgundy/black print that is quite pretty. The fabric on this is the nicest of the three in terms of drape, feel, and “hand”. This one is a little too big, the next size down would probably look better.

3 - Michael Kors: the fabric is stiff and not drapey like you’d expect for this style and it’s more of a spring/summer weight so I rejected it right away. This one is too big on me but I didn’t like it enough to try a smaller size.

I have lots of options for styling them, but for this posting I kept it simple with a white tank to make it easier to see how it fits on the upper body, plus my burgundy pants.

Which one do you think I should keep?
Any and all suggestions and comments welcome as always.

UPDATE: The small size in the black/red one arrived and it looks just right to me. Shown in pic #4 with black column of color and some shoes I'm considering as part of a holiday capsule. This one is a keeper! I'm a bit on the fence about the ruffled front one. It is flattering and I love the color but it's a little too far into pretty-land for my style and I don't think I'd get much wear so I'm probably going to return it. I already have too many wardrobe items that I only wear once in a while, and am trying to swing the pendulum in the other direction.

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NYDJ 'Sheri' Stretch Twill Slim Leg Pants

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6 years ago

delurked

Veteran

I like 1 and 2 better than 3. I find the last one overwhelms you. If I was picking, I might choose 2.

ETA - didn’t read the commentary first. I see you already rejected 3.

Anonymous

#1 by far. It does good things for you.
#2 is good too, and #3 I’m less keen on.

Toban

My preference is for #2 sized down. I like the shape on you. Second choice is #1, it has nice lines, but I'm not sure about the ruffles.

Adela

Active Member

#2, but smaller. It looks very nice on you!

krissy751

rachylou

1 or 2. I like 1 best; it’s happy... but 2 is more sophisticated.

LaPed

Would like to see the smaller size for #2 -- I think that would be my favourite. #1 is quite flattering as well.

Jenni NZ

I like #2 the best.

harmonica

What rachy said.

Jazzy Dance

I like #2 best. It’s pretty, and interesting too. Moreover though, burgundy is FAB on you!

karen13

I like 1 best, but are the sleeves a bit long? 2 is also very nice.

Joy

1 or 2. 3 looks like it overwhelms you. I like the length of 1. 2 may hit at the widest part of the hips, adding width where it may not be welcomed.

Column

Totally what Joy said. # 1 makes your legs look longer, too!

The fit of the first is by far the most flattering, I can't like number two, and number three might be the most fashion forward but it looks high maintenance to manage all of that volume.

Another vote for number 1!

Aquamarine

I think the first one is most flattering on you, by far. I’m not a big ruffle fan either, but they totally flatter you here and I would wear this too. I think your assessment of the sweater is dead-on.

skylurker

I like the v-neckline of #2 and the length of #1, so #3, which combine the 2 features would have been my choice (sized down), too bad the fabric doesn’t work.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hands down #2 and try a size down.

Chris987

Thanks so much for all th replies, ladies! I have ordered the next size down on #2 for consideration.

Gigi

I would like to see 2 in the smaller size. I'm glad you've ordered it!

Gail

#1 def my fave. I don't like where 2 hits on the hips.

The Cat

#2 brings attention to your hips and make them look wider.
#3 has a lot of extra fabric which is creating bulk and is stealing the attention from YOU.
Of these three ones, #1 definitely which looks best on you. The length is flattering. And the collar creates balance by bringing attention to your upper body. This is the one which makes you look most well-proportioned and slim, if that matters to you. (You may have other priorities, and of course, that's OK. )
However, there may be other cardigans out there which look even better. My advice would be:
- Be aware of the length (don't choose cardigans etc. which stops at your widest point)
- Go for interesting collars, shoulders or other details on your upper body
- Skip superfluous details/fabric elsewhere

Chiming back in to say how FAB you look in burgundy, Chris.

It's very interesting to see that quite a few of you completely disagree with Angie ... and with the black Friday sale prices I'm open to keeping BOTH 1 and 2 if the smaller 2 works out....

Yeah I wondered about that too. I was impressed with myself that I liked the same one Angie did! Probably just chance... I kind of see what the others are saying about where it finishes though. But you and I have a similar shape and sometimes as petites I still think we might be better off to have the garments finishing at our widest point rather than looking too long on us and kind of drowning us? What do you think?
It's up to you which one you like best though isn't it? Or which two?

I'm sort of deciding to just own my hips, you know!

Style Fan

The burgundy colour is very flattering on you Chris. I am debating between #1 and #2. I would like to see #2 in a size down.

lyn67

Nr 2 (or a smaller size from nr 3)

the Cat, I agree with your very detailed comments. Thanks!

Jenni Z I agree that on a petite it's best not to have a top with a hem that hits below the widest part of the body, although some petites can do it well. For my pear-shaped curvy body I think it's better if the hem hits
just a bit ABOVE that widest point. Technically the widest part of my body is my upper thighs, not my hips. Any creation of a high-contrast horizontal line across that widest point is a no-no for me. If I'm wearing a light top and dark bottom that horizontal line must be just a little bit above that widest point, which puts more of the focus on leg length and to my eye looks a whole lot better. It's taken me a while to figure this out, and it really works well for me. I've rejected a number of white/cream pullover sweaters that I wanted to wear with jeans because the sweater created that horizontal line. Sometimes with a flowy top like a blouse I bend that rule a little. I'm really short (5'1") so this rule might be a little less important for someone my same shape and a little taller. For a low contrast look like the burgundy/black sweater shown here with burgundy pants I often relax the rule a bit but I still do not like outfits that draw the eye downward too much.

As I said earlier I've ordered #2 in a size down and will try that once it arrives.

Keep those comments coming!

Sometimes we simply see things differently, Chris. Some see #2 as "hip-widening*, whereas I see it as tailored and complementing your natural shape in the very best way. The ombre effect creates diagonal lines that do magical things. The length is good for your petite height. A very flattering silhouette that glides over your curves with sass, ease and elegance.

Jenni NZ, you make me laugh.

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