Consignment tops: do these work for me?

I bought the following two tops at a new-to-me consignment store. Please offer me any helpful thoughts re: the clothes, fit, etc, so I am more prepared for my next purchases.

I have a burgundy wool/silk turtleneck that I wear ALL the time. It survived my recent hard closet purge, but I don't have much to layer over it. I was looking for a greenish cardigan to contrast it and that could work with other knit tops I already own. It would be mostly for bumming around with the kids, to replace a very beat up old sweater. This one was organic cotton and merino wool and I liked the color. I wasn't sure about the button at the top (maybe it should be at my waist...maybe I could move it and put a hook to latch it) nor about the armhole position. Not perfect, but good enough? HA- yes, I told myself good enough wouldn't be good enough this year, but sometimes I end up with nothing when I seek perfection and I need a couple more sweaters.

The second is a mostly wool, angora, nylon cream sweater with some small cable knits. I was looking for something like this (cream, warm) although I am not sure about the fit/style.

Thanks in advance!

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12 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I love the first. Will leave the cream cable sweater to experts on that look as it is so out of my comfort zone.

Tania

Thanks! I saw your awesome furry top, so I now understand why this sweater is not really in your comfort zone

I am still working out what my "style" is. I figure it will take me some time. In the meantime, I am trying on all sorts of stuff!

Caro in Oz

You don't love these so I'd say send them back. There seems to be a lot of knitwear around so I don't think you need to settle

Thistle

I really like both. The first is a nice versatile pieces I can see playing well as a neutral.

I like the cable knit sweater, but perhaps you could pop a top with a bit of color underneath with such far trousers? This would also work well in Angie's winter white formula

Anonymous

I really like #1! It looks like a great color and fun shape.

#2 seems to fit you well. It reads as very preppy to me with the combo of the cable knit and the collar. Which I guess could be good or bad depending on your style preferences.

Aquamarine

I like the first one a lot, especially the color. Works well on you. I also like the second one except I am wondering if it is a tiny bit too short? Will it ride up on you and do you care? It would drive me nuts if I had to keep pulling it down.

unfrumped

Is # 2 a Ralph Lauren type with built in silk collar?
I think each of these could work but they're in different directions and not necessarily current.
One thing you might do is "retail research" at current dept stores and boutiques and see what works for you, combined with reviewing photos (YLF , magazines, other blogs) & then have an image in mind for what is similar at consignment store. Before i started doing this, I found myself getting sucked into dated items. I still have to be very careful with second hand items, as I lack a really keen awareness of small details like collar shapes, or that sense of the decade or year an item represents, or which ones are absolutely transcendent. . I'm getting better though.

Caro, I've had a tough time finding tops. I think I am not succeeding because I am still sorting out what looks good on me and what the current styles are. I actually like both tops although I am hesitating on each and trying to sort out why I like them and why I am hesitating. But I am working on getting my standards up there!

Thistle, thanks for the color suggestion. I was wondering the same about the pop of color. What is "far trousers"?

Aubergine, thanks for calling the style. It helps me to start identifying things.

Aquamarine, it doesn't ride up because of the ribbing at the bottom, but a good thought.

Unfrumped, it is a liz Claiborne with the collar being the same blend as the rest. The retail research is a good thought. I actually have done multiple visits to department stores since late October, including a visit to Nordstrom's with a personal stylist and time with lots of sales associates. I need to do more research over the next year though. I've been sort of "off-grid" with media for a long time and had no sense of who-wears-what anymore.

Sorry - I picked up on the

"... but good enough? HA- yes, I told myself good enough wouldn't be good enough this year, but sometimes I end up with nothing when I seek perfection and I need a couple more sweaters."

& thought you didn't feel happy about them. IMO perfect doesn't exist either but very happy is good

annagybe

(website)

I personally think the cream collared sweater is dated. Crewnecks are trending more.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

I agree with Alaskagirl I really like the first, not sure about the second.

The question, of course, is how do YOU feel in these sweaters? Do you feel pretty, attractive, energized, happy? These sound like they fulfill a 'right now' need. At the very least, you've got some good solid placeholders until you get that 'tadah!' item.

Summer

Active Member

I really, really like #1 on you. #2 looks perfectly fine regarding fit...just not my taste, maybe? I'm new here and don't everyone else's styles well.

I know ALL about ending up with nothing, though, on the quest for perfection. Ugh. It's a wonder I'm clothed at all.

Nicole D

I would pass on #2. Agree with Anna on tht one. #1 is OK, like the green colour.

CocoLion

I think the first one is a keeper. The second one is more classic not modern or trending, but if it is of high quality and you love the way it feels, I vote keep.

Suz

What Cocolion says!

It's tough to figure out the whole style preferences thing -- especially if you've been out of the loop and you are on a tight budget. My first year here I was barely gainfully employed and had little money to work with so I bought a lot on sale or at consignment. It did make finding my style more challenging in some ways but at the same time I'm not sorry I did this. I ended up getting a season or two of wear from most items and then donating or re-consigning, as I continued to hone my style. (Still a work in progress, by the way!) But meanwhile I hadn't lost a ton of money.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

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