Help me clear out the closet? (this one's photo-heavy) (1)

ETA - thanks everyone for your amazing help and suggestions! I've sorted through these remaining bits and posted the final breakdown and decisions! xoxoxo

So - quiet at work today, so I went to try on a sweater per my earlier question, and DD and I ended up going through my entire closet hahaha ... I clear out frequently, but when was the last time I did a proper try-on of everything to evaluate? It's been a while!

We ended up with three piles: definitely keep, definitely donate or toss, or ask the forum. Hoping I can ask the hive mind for a hand, if anyone is looking to occupy themselves?

Here are the 'ask the forum' sweaters - this was the biggest category of questionable items. Truth be told, I have plenty even if all these go. All of these have elements I like (hence why they've escaped my generally ruthless clearing out) but have something that bothers me:

1 - too loose? tacky?
2 - 3 - too tight?

4- too blah?

5 - i know it's navy, but is this particular shade too airline stewardess?

6 - too loosy-goosy, unless someone really feels otherwise
7 - too boring with jeans
8 - fit weird?

. Any keepers here? Anything that definitely must go? Thanks! Be ruthless! #2 and 3 are the ones I feel should be more fluid in the fit.

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4 years ago

Gretchen

Veteran

1. I like the stripes, because stripes!
2-3. Agree tighter fit. Would you wear them under a topper?i don’t know if you would reach for them, as standalone
4. Toss - you have better options
5. I like the color and would love to see w a sparkly necklace or scarf. Good base for accessories.
6. Toss - agree it’s big
7. Love the color. Do you need an outfit lab?
8. Toss - I think the fit is off.

JAileen

I like all of them except for 6 and 7.

Becky

Sure, I'll play! Take my opinions as just that: opinions. I'm certainly no expert.

1 - I like it. It doesn't look too loose or tacky. I like the color combo and stripes.

2/3 - 2 does seem like it's very thin in addition to being fitted, and I can see, for example, where the waistband of the jeans/pants are. I think it would best be worn with a cami underneath to help smooth the waistband area if you still wanted to wear it. Those are the kinds of things I am conscious of for myself. I don't see that same issue with 3, though.

4 - I don't think this color does your beautiful natural coloring any favors.

5 - I don't have a problem with the color, but maybe that shade has kept you from choosing that sweater in the past? Do you have other navy sweaters that fill the need? Maybe combine it with white or gray jeans/pants?

6 - Yeah, it seems boxy, yet not in a boxy/cropped combo that would work with high-waisted jeans.

7 - Maybe try with white jeans?

8 - I'm not sure about the fit. I'll defer to others.

Suz

(website)

#1 is really great on you -- (stripes/ colour) BUT -- those sleeves would drive me berserk. The sweater doesn't look too big, but the sleeves are loose. How are they scrunched? Will they stay scrunched?

#2-3 -- tight if you consider them tight. But how do they work if you semi-tuck? Do they feel more fluid then?

#4 -- colour not wonderful on you.

#5 -- I cannot comment since there is no blue that I don't love.

I'd pass on the others unless you can wear the teal one semi-tucked in white bottoms. It's a great colour for you and would be fluid fit with the tuck or semi-tuck.

slim cat

Vote to toss/donate #4,6,7 and maybe 8.
The fit in #3 is fine and #2 could be relaxed a bit with some tricks .
The sweater in #5 is fairly dark - some scarf could help.
It's up to your feeling good or not so great to decide on the final judgment.

Jane

Love the stripes, and 2 & 3 are a tighter fit but would look good beneath a jacket. On 6, this seems to have something, but I am not quite sure what. I think I like the fit, but the colour looks too heavy maybe? The others I would pass on.

Nice to sort things out with DD there!

Helena

Thank you all for your feedback on this and the other threads! Reading every comment and revising piles based on what you're sharing ... Soooo appreciated!! Xx

nemosmom

OK - Disclaimer: I do not have a good eye for fit, so I leave that to the others. I haven't read the responses, but based on quick look through the photos, here are my thoughts:

1. I like stripes for you, but I'm not sure about THESE stripes. Maybe if the stripes went all the way up? Maybe it's the eyelet-type texture? I don't know, but I am inclined to say pass.

2. LOVE the color, but it seems short with those jeans... maybe with a higher waist skirt or higher-rise jean? Or topped with a jacket?

3. keep!

4. pass.

5. seems like a good canvas for a long necklace or something up top. I guess I am used to seeing you in Vnecks - so maybe the neckline is throwing me...

6. looks like a great loungewear piece, but slouchy for what I perceive as your OITW style. pass.

7. I love LOVE LOVE the color of this, but something looks off... have you tried wearing it backwards (seriously)? Or maybe semi tucked with a belt?

8. pass.

Sorry TG, I feel bad telling you to pass on so many of them!

Anonymous

My clothes are mostly neutral so I might keep 1 because it's the kind of thing I like to toss into the mix every now and then but not to buy often. Also 5 because I like the way it fits you. I can't see the fit problem with 8 but "fit weird" is not a happy thought so maybe pass it on.

"Just don't like anymore" is enough of a descriptor for me to justify letting something go on to a new owner so maybe you're just done with these things?

Nemosmom, don't apologize!! That's exactly the kind of candid feedback o was hoping for. I have more than enough without these pieces and I'd rather pass them on to someone for whom they might be perfect to discover. I really appreciate it!!

Sal

I think all of these are fine but none are spectacular. I would keep any that are genuinely useful ( eg black or grey as good basics or the cardigan for lounging) and consider moving on the ones that you never wear. The teal is a really good colour on you and might be styled differently?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

WOOOHOOO! I love a good closet edit! And you have excellent companionship

#1 is by far the best fit! Nothing else as good. Pass on unless you want to have a go at blocking #2 and #3 to adjust the fit.

I'm being very strict with your fits, Helena. Since you wear simple sweaters as your statement piece - they need to fit perfectly (which amps up polish).

Angie, please do!! I am very open to feedback about the fit of things ... I agree, since I keep it so simple, the devil is in the details, and fit is one of those things I'm not skilled at (I tend to have a 'good enough' attitude but need to be stricter!)

After reviewing your OOTDs this a.m. Angie I do feel I need to err on the side of smidge looser rather than tighter ... I feel I'm often between sized and need to go up if that's the case. I don't care about what the label says, it's just habitual ...so an easy fix now that I know!

I appreciate your candid feedback on this and the other threads, and I appreciate everyone else's feedback too!

smittie

I have a bunch of BR merino they have tightened up (or I have billed up!)
I really like them as base layers under another sweater, or under a jacket.

So i think you should keep the two v-necks.

Jaime

Unless you enthusiastic about the striped I would toss them all, although I think the brown in 6 and the teal in 7 are great colors to keep in mind.

Zaeobi

The V neck jumpers are the most flattering to my eye (3, 4 & 7). I think you wouldn't need #5 if you kept #3, but I agree with the others that you would need to think about how you would wear them (not too tight unless you plan to layer underneath them, & you could either tuck them into high-waisted bottoms or belt the natural waist if you're worried about the shape).

Bijou

The only sweater I don’t like is #4.

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