Do these have “heft”? What is “heft” anyway?

Jenni NZ

Hi everyone. When I was trying to decide whether to keep my long olive cardigan last year- and eventually decided I didn’t feel good in it so donated it- one of the issues was it felt long and droopy. I am not sure that long cardigans suit my possible Kibbe type of “soft gamine” either. They don’t come recommended.
But I am conflicted because I am a fan of the warmth and cosiness.
Angie suggests in this linked post I might do better with ones with more “heft”. What does that even mean?
I have 2 left. Opinions?
Pic 1/2, worn to work yesterday, tan/black colour block cardigan.
Pic 3/4, worn today for casual family visits, “bronze” Stitch Ministry cardigan.
I feel better in these. But why?

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6 days ago

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Carol

Star

Veteran

Heft to me means the garment has some weight. So it is not drooping, clinging and just generally not floating around. It is staying put so to speak. From what I can remember I do think these two do have more heft than your olive one, especially the second one.
These both look great.

6 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks! Maybe I should put a photo of the old one here, if I haven’t deleted the photos. Will look.
Alas, any photo that shows the whole cardigan is deleted.
I could link the old post when next on desktop instead of phone.

6 days ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I think heft implies some substance to the knit — a bit more thickness and less cling. Less heft may feel more lightweight but might also feel insubstantial, unless it’s truly floaty. Thin and clingy knits make me feel very un-fab, so I get it.

I am not a cardigan fan, but these look nice on you!

5 days ago

Irina

Veteran

Yes, I agree about the weight of a garment and some structure. A thinner cardigan might look droopy with sagging pockets. I used to wear a lightweight cardigans anyway because they were so useful in my ACed office. I styled it differently from your photo #1, pushing the front more to the sides and allow it to drape along the sides. I like #2 cardigan, it looks more substantial.

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5 days ago

Jules

Veteran

Irina, these are two very interesting points here about playing with styling (more open vs closed) and sagging pockets. Droopy pockets definitely take a cardi into loungewear territory for me but I never really identified that consciously before.
Jen, I’ll be curious what Angie has to say but I feel both of these are visually ‘hefty’ due to thick knit and the colour blocking on the first one. They both suit you.

5 days ago

Dee

Veteran

I agree with Irina and others, it's the weight , thickness and structure of the knit that gives it heft. I also find cardigan # 2 represents more heft.

5 days ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Jenni, the Fabbers have you sorted during the global time difference and I'm nodding along. Awesome!

Both these cardigans have more heft than the olive one you passed on. Weight, silhouette, and pocket positioning will prevent droop.

More examples of cardgans with heft:

Nordstrom Rack

SAACHI Floral Buttoned Cardigan

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Nordstrom

Dressed In Lala Love You Oversize Checkerboard Cardigan

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Nordstrom

NYDJ Check Open Front Cardigan

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Nordstrom

Caslon Easy Long Cozy Cardigan

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Bloomingdale's

How Cardigan

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Bloomingdale's

Open Front Cardigan

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Bloomingdale's

Lucy Cardigan

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5 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Helpful, all, thank you!
Actually I often style them more to the side as Irina notes, the reason I did not in these pics is that there is a pocket with silvery-gold studs over only the left side of the chest on the T-shirt underneath, which I don’t particularly like showing. I love the T-shirt by itself, it also has the studs along the edges of the sleeves. But I thought it looked uneven when taking photos. IRL I don’t mind.
Thanks Angie for explaining, and everyone else who explained.
I think the second cardigan looks better in the photos, but I still enjoy the first cardigan as well and think I will keep wearing in the current transitional weather.

5 days ago

Lisa

Veteran

I'm late to this one and great advice on heft already. But I had to chime and stay how lovely both cardigans look on you, and they work so well with those printed pants too. Bravo!

4 days ago

RobinF

Veteran

I agree with Lisa, great sweaters with those pants. I wonder if you wore a cardigan with a more structured top, it that might feel better to you? It seems to be the unstructured-ness (is that a word? :)) causing you to feel less fab.

3 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks Lisa and RobinF! Yes I do think un-structured-ness is a word- or at least a word that Fabbers will understand! I think it is the possible droopiness of the cardigans themselves that could bother me, rather than the layer underneath. I was quite happy with that particular black T-shirt.
It’s also the proportions- I like the look of the second cardigan better in the photos, I think because slightly shorter and also the greater “heft”, now that I know what that is.
I think I may not buy many similar cardigans in future but will continue to wear these two for a while. And also never say never about buying more in future.

3 days ago

Ket

Veteran

I'm so excited about your new midi cardigans, Jenni! I agree that some heft is better for you. (And everyone already explained it so I won't reiterate.) I'm someone who tends to do better with less heft and more drape. But it really depends on the individual item, the fabric, and the whole look. I love what you've chosen. The green with some heft does visually look better, but I also really love the colors and print of the rust and black. I think both are great choices that will serve you well

3 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh thanks Ket, I thought you might like them. The Stitch Ministry one (photos 3/4) is not actually new, it’s 2018 with lots of wears. I have always loved that one. The colour blocked one is 2023 with fewer wears, bought for the colours for $50 in outlet store. Had 54 wears already so under $1 per wear. I think not as flattering but the colours are so good with several items especially my bronze shoes that I will wear it this autumn/winter for sure

3 days ago

unfrumped

Veteran

I also have a sort of wardrobe hole for heftier knits, not actually puffy or cabled but the medium- weight yarn, tightly woven. In cottons as well, sometimes a thicker linen knit, maybe also with a bit of nylon in a blend. The sort of “ better knitwear” or more polished knitwear Angie has mentioned. I need some types of tops like that for perhaps dressy casual, instead of a thinner T shirt style top. Also can’t wear most of those midi cardigans because they look droopy and overwhelming on me, sometimes even in heftier knits. Or, they are seasonally confused if open front/ warm knit.

2 days ago

Suntiger

Veteran

I think visual weight is a big part of it, like how tightly woven the knit is, size of threads, and texture. Darker colors too feel more substantial.
It's something that I should keep in mind too!

2 days ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm late to this thread and I see you've sorted the "heft" issue and I'll just add (as Angie and others already have) that cut and pocket placement also play a role, as well as length and styling. I personally like a long cardigan but it has to be around knee length or longer for me because I don't like them (on me!) when they end mid-thigh for personal figure flattery priority reasons. And I also loathe the droopy pockets -- I had a thin one like that that only lasted a season in my closet.

I think you might like the first one because the colour looks really nice on you and is a change from your usual. That warm cinnamon is very appealing.

2 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks unfrumped, Suntiger and Suz. Unfrumped I know what you mean about seasonally confused- I don’t wear these in mid-winter but in more transitional seasons when I can cope with the cardigan hanging open.
I actually find thinner knitwear seasonally confused for summer- I like the look of it but worry it will be too hot.

2 days ago

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I think heft is when a sweater is structurally similar to felt. You could kick it around, jam it into a purse, but when you pull it out, it will be totally wrinkle free and ready to go. I think this is why those collarless Chanel blazers look so great--they have that heft. I also appreciate sweaters like that.

1 day ago

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