Confused by the current cardigan style.. - YouLookFab Forum

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About: Mom on the Go Ensemble: Cardigan, Jeans & Booties

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Confused by the current cardigan style..

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Angie's post today got me thinking what is the current cardigan style. I went through the previous post of cardigan finds and it got me totally confused.
I own 2 BF cardigans from 4 years ago (see pictures). Both are long, roomy and thin in fabrication. I have not worn them for a couple of years because I do not feel fab in them (they are demoted to loungewear now). I thought this is because they are not current anymore - but I see similar styles in Angie's picks. Is this BF style still current or is there something different about the new cardigans I don't notice in the pictures?

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm confused, too, Sveta. I think yours still look current, though. My impression is that Angie was steering us toward cardigans that are really different from the classic round-neck, high-hip length ones that can look old-fashioned if not worn somehow creatively.
I'm just swooning over outfit 2! I love the colors, especially how the shoes and scarf echo each other. Maybe the boyfriend in that outfit is a little closer fitting than the newest ones, but I still love the look and think it's plenty modern.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I hope #1 is still current because I have a very similar cardi. I like #2 a lot, but I think the newer styles are looser fitting. I'm curious to see what everyone else says.

AJ

Veteran

Sveta, it looks to me like the ones in today's post are chunky/textured. The first is very long, the second has a cocoon shape, and the third is mixed media.

Joy

Veteran

I know what you mean. I still have a couple of merino boyfriend cardies that have not been worn for awhile but one especially is probably too fitted to be current. Yours look fine to me...beyond fine, they are fab on you.

Aubergine

Veteran

I'm curious too!

I've got a bunch of the boyfriend style ones. I actually started buying those as my default over the past few years once the shorter, crew-neck styles Firecracker mentioned started feeling a little blah and conservative.

They still feel modern to me, although I'm sometimes a little oblivious to when things start to be passé. I do feel like looser boyfriends are maybe more current than more fitted ones, but also feel like more fitted ones are sort of a current classic, rather than a potentially outdated classic like the shorter crew-necks.

Marley

Veteran

I think that the cardi in your first pic would still work - but the one in the 2nd pic looks dated to me because it is a more fitted style.

I really don't know though - I'm confused as well! I almost never wear a cardigan because I feel frumpy no matter what the fit or style!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Me too, Sveta! To my eye (um, such that it is) your cardis, which would have seemed "relaxed" to us a couple of years ago, are now a classic fit. I suspect the newer versions are more textured and dramatic in scale --- something you can surely pull of with your elegance and height.

I like the fluidity and lightness of your first cardi, and the bold black tipping of the second is a great bit of structure and framing. As long as they're in good condition, I think they still seem current, just more classic that "boyfriendy," if you know what I mean.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Add me to the chorus. I practically live in Angie's yesterday's formula, but I could also instantly see my existing elements for it are a bit meh for the reasons Beth Ann mentions. I generally find BF cardigans are not flattering on me because of the deep Vneck which visually pulls my shoulders in, so most have been demoted for loungewear. Then there was a question on the forum if the waterfall cardigans are still current. Oops, that would be my favourite contender for this formula (and my all time favourite cardigan btw) potentially out of the game too, although it somewhat ticks the 'dramatic' box so I should be OK I hope.

Of the two shown, I prefer the second one as it looks like it could be star of the show, not just support act which cardigans usually are. I am curious to see it with black bottoms as in the photo, but with booties and non-patterened top.

Deb

Veteran

The current styles are thicker, bulkier and shaped differently than the ones you have pictured. I think I prefer you in your cute jackets than in these cardigans. In saying that, the second one does look good in this outfit. Since you are tall, you could look very good in the on trend style. A belt can add interest to them too. Worth a try at least. If you are not comfortable with the style, pass it by and continue to use these older ones in your loungewear capsule. Winter cardigans aren't for everyone and I agree with Ornella, cardigans can be just a support act.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The Angie pick BR one below (that Tanya modelled in her grey/ silver outfit) is made of a relatively thin merino. Ditto some of the J. Crew ones out now.

So it's not necessarily a textural thing. I think your first one still looks current.

I do think most of the new ones have a slightly different shape: more oversized, and either a cocoon shape or arty draping of some kind (not exactly like the old waterfalls, more in the collar area). Most of all, the newer ones are more oversized. Again, your first one fits into the category.

Banana Republic

Merino Wool Long Cardigan

View Info

Top Pick

17

Style Fan

Veteran

First I think you look great in both pictures. I didn't get into the long BF cardigan look because it also made my shoulders look even more mini and I felt like I was wearing a bathrobe. The newer ones seem more chunky so may have a different effect.

The shape of the new ones might be different as well. That is my take on it.

This is coming from someone who wears head to toe fleece starting in November until February when I go to Florida.

crutcher

Veteran

Love your bf in picture 1...I definitely think it still works...These things go in and out, don't they?....

PalmFronds

Glad you started this thread because I was confused too! I agree with everyone here though that you could pull off the more dramatic fuller styles. They make me feel and look like I'm wearing a bathrobe, so sad.

carter

Veteran

You look amazing in everything, so I really don't notice the "dated" factor at all. Certainly you could never look frumpy! I do see that the more generous cut of the first one could make it more current though.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Really glad you asked this Sveta - I have two long cardis I was wondering about too. One just bought this past spring so I'm wearing it no matter. I don't love the big chunky look on myself and my weather doesn't require the added bulk (or more cardi purchases). I feel like your #1 especially looks very similar to the BR one and the #2 is really great on you so I wouldn't care if it were not the "trendy" cardi of the moment. I have to admit, the really long ones I still associate with the show Maude from many, many years ago so I'm sitting that particular trend out.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think Suz has nailed it. The newer cardigans are not as fitted in the sleeve and armhole and have more volume in the body. I think #1 channels more of this look than #2.

It constantly surprises me how these small details add up to such a different overall effect.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chiming in quickly to echo Marley and Suz. Current cardigans have more presence, Sveta - and are at least fluid - oversized is even more fashionable. Long and angular. Coccoon. Simple Arty Drape. Or chunky and short. Moto. Big collar. I'm sure you get the picture.

To answer Peri's question - her cardigan looked a little dated to my eye. Too flouncy and ruffle-y on the collar - but not bad.

Keep #1.

Off to party with Inge and Greg for Inge's last weekend in Seattle. xo

Windchime

Veteran

I'm very glad you asked this question, Sveta! Reading through everyone's responses will help me with my own cardigan curating.

How do you feel in the two outfits you pictured?

Style Fan

Veteran

Texstyle that is what these long cardigans look like to me. Maude! I could never put my finger on it until you wrote that. Maude or a bathrobe. Sveta you look awesome in everything.

Runcarla

Veteran

Glad you asked this question, Sveta. When I saw Angie's outfit post, I kind of sucked in my breath...

I have such a poison eye for this look, and don't really get it. Think I will sit on the sidelines, watch, and learn.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

It is such a relief I am not alone in my confusion! Thank you all for your replies.

Both my cardigans are past their prime so I am not wearing them out of the house anymore. This question was more geared towards the future: should I try cardigans again? If they are similar to the ones I have then I know I don't feel enough fab in them. However if the current style is very different then I can give it a try....but the fact that Angie does not like the cardigans for her own style gives me pause as our style preferences are pretty similar...
Ornella, I LOVE your waterfall cardigans on you, you wear them to perfection. I hope you can still wear them and do not feel dated.
Suz, you are so smart! You are the current cardigan expert!
Angie - thank you for taking the time to reply out of busy day. I "think" I get it but I guess I have to visit to stores and try some to know for sure.

Lisa

Veteran

A great question. I have been generally moving away from cardigans myself, although the one style that has been catching my eye are one's that look more like a jacket. I actually have this one on order from Gap.