How to wear heavy sweaters? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

How to wear heavy sweaters?

catgirl

Veteran

I feel foolish asking this, considering where I live... I have no really warm sweaters. I tend to want to wear one layer. Does anyone here wear bulkier or heavy sweaters, and if so, how do you look reasonably fab and like you have any shape? Visuals would be appreciated!

Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from judy

Kari

Veteran

I don't usually wear very bulky sweaters due to my bust size - but were I in Alaska I'm sure I'd need to! If I wear a bulky sweater I try to keep the sweater long, not tunic-length but not ending too far up the hip, and keep the bottom half of my outfit very simple (a plain skirt or slim pants.)

MNsara

Veteran

Una - I think you've got the right IT shape for a sweater with some bulk and should definitely pair it with some skinnies. I'd also make sure the size isn't also too loose (overly boxy Eileen Fisher styles come to mind here).

I also agree with Kari's length recommendations.

For my own pear parts, the bulk on top just balances the pear below and I look generally beefed up Or maybe I'm just wearing bulky sweaters incorrectly.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Heh, all my bulkier sweaters have usually been shorter hip length. Now that I'm aware of longer top length for pants, I've a bit of a problem with these winter weight sweaters since I'm not likely to don a skirt in the snow. Hmmm. First pic isn't so great but it hits just a tad lower than the pink mohair. I used to pair it with slim jeans and my sweater boots.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Have you seen some of my posts with my Pendleton cardigan? That is not a small beast.

Jonesy

Veteran

I think the most straightforward way to do it is with skinny or slim pants on the bottom, with some sort of heeled bootie or shoe (pic 1, from Chloe pre-fall). Or you could do volume with volume and pair the sweater with some slouchy or wide-legged pants (pic 2, also from Chloe pre-fall).

ETA: Note the patterned pants!!

ETAx2: I've added another pic; this one is from a non-model (read: not someone who is super-tall) fashion blogger at The Coveted. I think it looks fab on her! IMO, a giant or big sweater is not really about "figure flattery" at all, but I don't think that's what you're necessarily going for anyway, Una?

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

MNsara

Veteran

Not terribly bulky, but not a fine knit either. Cute patterned leggings: http://us.asos.com/ASOS-Sweate.....NrL1Byb2Qv

They refer to this as chunky knit w/ more skinnies: maybe a better length for petite you
http://us.asos.com/Vero-Moda/V.....+poppy+red

Not exactly a bulky knit, but a voluminous sweater top and they don't clearly show the legs, but I'd bet they're skinnies:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/on.....wordsearch

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I prefer to wear my bulky knit sweaters with slim pants. I've also noticed that if the sleeves are fairly close fitting a sweater knit out of bulky yarn doesn't seem as overwhelming to the figure as a bulky sweater with big sleeves.

Also look for waist shaping in the sweater. That helps a gal feel less like the Michelin man!

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Kate

Veteran

I only have one. I think the shorter sleeves and somewhat open front (it only has that one big button to keep it shut) help make it obvious that it's the sweater that's bulky, and not me. All of my previous thick sweaters just made me look bulky. Of course, the short sleeves aren't great for your weather, but luckily these ones look good over long sleeved knit tops.

#4 is how I used to wear big sweaters. You can use it as an example of what not to do

ETA: Also, I'm under the impression that there are plenty of high quality, thin, yet really warm sweaters out there. My mom got one of these for herself, my sister, and me, and they're quite warm and not bulky: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/on.....er/3185573. It might be far more basic than what you're looking for, but at the very least it can be inspiration that thin, warm sweaters exist!

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Anonymous

Una, you are tiny and it will be very tricky to get proportions right for a bulky sweater not to overwhelm you. However, if needed to stay warm, who cares. You have slim hips and can wear a slim shape. I'd suggest a sweater that isn't so bulky but in a really warm fiber like alpaca.
http://www.peruvianconnection......er-coat.do
http://www.peruvianconnection......ardigan.do

rae

(website)

Veteran

I would opt for coats/jackets and Uniqlo Heattech tops, but that's just me... I feel like a really bulky sweater would swallow you.

Parsley

Veteran

Una, I think you'd look great and be warm in something like this sweater. It's really warm and cozy, and kind of flares out at the bottom and is longer in back. I wear it with skinnies and boots.
(Please ignore that I just threw it on tonight to show you: messy hair, barefoot, etc...)

My daughter has one like it and looks great with it belted, which might work for you.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Sylvie

Veteran

I empathize with your problem as I haven't found a good solution either. I have all these beautiful handknit sweaters (which are always going to be bulkier than something at the store).

I find that bulky cardigans are the most flattering since they can be left unbuttoned or partially unbuttoned, to provide a vertical line or v-shape.

Waist-shaping, as Amy suggested, also helps.

A tunic length sweater could be worn belted and with leggings.

For a hip length or cropped sweater I like skinnies tucked into boots to maintain the long lean line as much as possible. Otherwise, if I wear boot cuts, I want the highest heels I can reasonably handle.

Refugee

Veteran

I think the big thing with making heavy sweaters work, is proper fit. This is one of those areas where too big is just too big
Angnagybe's Pendleton is a heavy sweater that fits her well and looks fab. If it were too big it would just look wrong.
I think you have to be really picky when purchasing a heavy sweater. Almost just won't cut it.

Marley

Veteran

How to wear a heavy sweater? Just don't.

IMO there is absolutely no way that someone your size can look reasonably fab in a heavy sweater. I have tried and tried it myself and I always end up feeling like a mushroom with little stick stems sticking out of the bottom (my legs!) I also think it puts about 15 more lbs on my frame which makes me feel like I don't belong in my body. I think that if (at my height) I can't pull it off, I really can't see you doing it at your height! It would just swallow you up and all we would see would be this tiny head sticking out of this big bulky blob. Don't do Una - don't do it!

Do I sound harsh???? I do, don't I? I'm so sorry - I hope that I am not hurting your feelings!?!? Obviously, I have a "thing" about big, bulky sweaters

Stephanie

Veteran

Una, I thrifted a Joie cropped wool/cashmere cable sweater a couple of weeks ago that absolutely made me think of your style as soon as I saw it (I'm not sure why, exactly). I picked it up because it was only a couple of dollars. I'll try to experiment with it sometime this week and post some pictures. (I don't know how well I'll do, but I'll give it a shot, at least!)

Irene

Veteran

Una, it's not terribly cold in Barcelona, but I hate layers so I'm a chunky knit wearer. And I can get chunkier than some of the women in this post... it's not the best look on my slim and curvy shape, but I don't know, layering cardis makes me feel cold!!! And when my friends complain about the weather in their slim, fine clothes, I'm like 'eheeee' and warm and cozy. Usually, I pair them with skinnies. I've discovered that tall boots help give some proportion, since they widen the calf area a bit, also elongate legs. My chunky sweaters tend to be rather long, and not very fitted. Most of them are high necks too. Being a 28G girl, that's not easy to wear, but I think I've finally managed to look pulled together. Necklaces -big and long ones- help too. It will always give you a sort of 'cute and young' look though, so beware of that!

I'm 5.4''

#1: Super sweet and warm sweater, has a collar, it's quite long and not too chunky.
#2, 3: I've found that this one is harder to wear because it's shorter and the sleeves are a bit dolman-like. It's not the best choice, but I like that it's a bit different.
#4, 5: This I stole it from my dad. It's HUGE, but I might be weird and like the vibe.
#6: Black looks awful on me and doesn't photograph well, but this is a more fitted sweater and a bit shorter. It looks good paired with skirts too, specially fitted ones.

I have more chunky sweaters -like five more, one of them a long cardi- but I think these are proof enough that it can be done. I have the same kind in dresses too. Guess I'm a sucker for the chunky wear!

This post has 7 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Vildy

Veteran

I love chunky sweaters, too but I "can't" wear them because they make me look burly in the shoulder/upper arm area and hearty in general. I acquire them from time to time and end up purging them. I can't wear fitted/skimming sweater coats, either because they sag around my otherwise pert bottom.

I do wear, for a casual little runaround jacket, an oversize heathery fleece zip jacket, colorblocked in oatmeal, chocolate, charcoal. Why this works for me is the fleece is not clingy and a big plus is the nylon lining that lets it pop away from my body and so I don't feel stocky. They used to line sweaters in olden times but this would only work with a cardigan. Also, nothing says you can't take in the sides of a sweater, if that would help.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've all but given up on bulky sweaters. I have one or two I keep mainly for sentimental reasons and might wear around the house on a cold day, but that's it. I just don't feel fab in them and I'm not wasting my time anymore trying to make something work for me when it makes me feel big and sloppy.

This hits home for me right now because I'm about to return two batwing type sweaters I ordered online just to see if they'd work on me. I hemmed and hawed, wishing I had the body type to look sleek and cool in this silhouette (tried them with skinny jeans), but it just ain't happening.

Isabel

Veteran

I also love bulky sweater, but I only own them in cardigan/open style, like the others have shown. I also like them longer and tend to wear them as sweatercoats. The one that I have on is a heavy, cabled wool :

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....veryonewiw

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I gave up on them once I sized down in coats to fit only over thin layers. I used to buy coats that would fit over suits/shoulderpads, etc), and I was swimming in these coats any time I wore only a thin layer.

I am not sure you need to go bulky with all the fabric technology out there these days. I just ordered (finally!!!) some Cuddleduds long sleeved tops, and I'll be adding thin merino sweaters, etc to the mix.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think you can make it work Una if you keep the length longish and the neckline lowish and pair it with skinnies and boots. It may not be the best silhouette ever for you, but you're in Alaska... I would think it would be a great weekend uniform.
I have one chunky sweater that I wear in this way... not when I want to look ultra fab, but I feel that I get away with it on a casual day.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Hi Una!

I believe in layers unless it's loungewear. Even then, I feel like one bulky sweater is either too hot or not warm enough - bulky *cardigans* may be your answer.

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks everyone! I see that chunky sweaters are not getting a whole lot of love in general, which I totally understand. Airin, your photos are fab - I love the"'dad" sweater! You're obviously quite slender which helps with the oversized look.

The only reason I'm asking is that it's been extremely cold here (it's -16 at my house right now!), and I am just freezing. A couple of thin layers are okay for work, but here at home or when I have to go out even on errands, I just want to be warm and comfortable! A year ago I would have just worn my camping gear. Maybe I should just lapse for the sake of warmth.

My mom loves Cuddleduds - I need to get some for myself.

Stephanie, would love to see your sweater!

judy

Veteran

Hi Una and all...

I have added a couple of chunky knits to my wardrobe this winter after having several years of not liking them so much. Sorry no pics at the moment. One is short waisted and I can wear it over silk tunics or tuxedo shirts and the shirt hangs below. The other sweater is fuller volume wise and hip length. I wear them both with skinny or kind of skinny straight legs, and anke boots, flat in my case because I don't do heels. Having little volume on the bottom helps to make me feel cozy yet still streamlined. I bought both of them while visiting in Boston for a month over Christmas and it was so much colder than here in Seattle. I too, just needed them!

Isabel

Veteran

Una, if it is to feel cozy warm inside, then IMO, who cares about the style of pants. I have always owned at least one, big cozy piece. In college, of course, it was the uber-sweatshirt. Today, I have two very heavy black and charcoal merino wool sweaters that cozy me up. I wore one out once in single digit weather and it was very difficult to deal with. So I do agree that when you are out and about, one very bulky piece is a pain. BUT for home or running an errand, I think that it is great.

Someday, I am going to splurge on a bulky cashmere fisherman's sweater !!!! Just because.....

rachylou

Veteran

Ya. Scraped ice off my car this morning. When I went out to walk the dog last night, I totally switched out for my long parka, "baklava", fat socks, and thermal boots. All the way I was thinking thoughts like, "If I put on a colorful scarf?" or "If I added a belt?"

Ya. The equivalent of putting on an LED Santa pin to jolly things up.

I think Bed Head is really the only way to do heavy sweaters in an appealing way. Long in the sleeve, boots unlaced so you shuffle along in a cute way...

Anonymous

Una , I hope you will still read this.I haven't time to post during the day ! Of course you can wear chunky sweaters! It's not THE most fashionable thing, but can be cute!
Look!
#1 Chunkiest knit ever. I wear it with leggings or skinnies . No waist definition, but hey, pretty color, nice wool knit handmade by a friend of my mom's.
2#,3 #Literaly my finance's sweater and a belt. ( When I steal that, I wear skinnies, I was just to lazy to change for the pic).
#4-end A short chunky hoodie sweater. If you find a nice one, you can wear it like here, or with skinnies ( like I went to my final exams in year for of college - those halls weren't well heated)
Also, all chunks don't embrace well belts. The first one looks really awkard belted. So I just embrace the dark side of the force and surrender my waistline. I think you wouldn't be in trouble because you already do it .

Go warm sweaters:)!

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

catgirl

Veteran

Anya, you are so adorable I can't stand it! I love the first look, and the others are fab too. I am glad to see these visuals because they really help me see how this can be a cute look if intentionally done. Thank you!

catgirl

Veteran

Here's an idea of the kind of sweater I was looking at. Unfortunately, it's sold out in the colors I'd like (red or grey). The blue is nice too.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/56613?feat=611-GN1

12