Keep or Donate Advice Please? Charlotte Tarantola Sweater - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep or Donate Advice Please? Charlotte Tarantola Sweater

LACeleste

Veteran

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ch.....an/2909805

Hi Everyone,
I am trying to break a terrible habit of buying things I love and never wearing them. Years ago, I bought this Charlotte Tarantola cardigan (link above) in black. It spoke to me--and maybe I should have told it to be quiet?!? It must remind me of a sweater I loved from my very happy childhood. Tags are still on and it's languishing in a drawer.

I love vintage/retro looks but I worry that if left to my own devices my style would be very bad "Mother of The Bride" (lace, embellishment, etc.)

I have read the article "How to Wear Vintage When You Are A Little Vintage Yourself." and realize that it is all how you style items and it's so important to keep it modern.

Can this sweater be styled or should I send it to the donation bin? Thank you for your help!

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from LACeleste

Emily

Veteran

I agree that it would be hard to style, but since you obviously loved it (once!) you might as well try before you decide to pass it on. I think the rest of the outfit would have to be modern and not too prim. Maybe with bf jeans, slouchy tee, and a sleek shoe?

LACeleste

Veteran

Thanks Emily. I really like your ideas and that is where I was hoping to go style-wise. We will see what the other fabbers say. Thanks again. I know it has a prim retro floral faux fair isle vibe. hmmmmm

Glory

Veteran

Since you own it I say give it a try with some jeans and boots. I think you can make it work!

LACeleste

Veteran

Thanks Glory! I think I can. I think I can....

D'Ellen

Veteran

Yes, I was also going to suggest jeans and boots...something to counteract its primness. It really is a lovely sweater! I have your same habit of buying things I'm inexplicably drawn to and never wearing them. These days, when I fall for something that seems out of my realm stylistically, I try to analyze just what is drawing my attention. Sometimes it's a memory of a well-loved item from the past; sometimes it's a vision of a fantasy occasion in the future; sometimes it may be a pleasing color combination or a whimsical pattern that's giving me a happy vibe at a time when I'm feeling down. If I can pinpoint the attraction then I can enjoy admiring the item in the moment and move on, instead of acquiring yet another closet orphan that will make me unhappy when I eventually purge it unworn.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I vote go for it. Either with jeans and boots or you could try it with Angie's holiday formula today as your dressy sweater!

LACeleste

Veteran

You are truly wise Blonda! I am remembering lovely embellished sweaters bought by my parents from Best and Co. in NYC and feeling so happy and stylish! Well, I'm not 6 any more---need to keep moving forward. I tend to be overly practical and analytical by nature so these emotional purchases sneak up on me.

karymk

Veteran

Love what Blonda said! Sometimes I have to stop and analyze too. I tell myself its okay to appreciate things, but that they may not be right for my wardrobe at the moment.

I think that sweater could work a la Anthropologie style if you tried. Go look on their website and see what they are doing with fair-isle ish sweaters.

LACeleste

Veteran

Thanks karymk. I went to the Anthro site and yes--my sweater would look right at home there. Lots of vintage-y and embroidered looks (which I am drawn to) which work for 20 somethings (which I am not). I have never been in an Anthropologie store. A visit might be the proustian madeleine that sends me into a reverie and shopping frenzy during which I buy beautiful things (which work better for others).

Thistle

Veteran

As others have said, you have, try to makeit work! Boyriend jeans, maybe leather? Maybe something studded? Pieces that add juxtaposition would be key.

unfrumped

Veteran

If you are going to give it a shot, I'd do it right away and say find 2-3 ways to wear it in the next couple of weeks. If nothing looks right, let it go.
It's one of those things that can either turn into an interesting outfit-maker or guilt you into continued struggles. You may already have a sense of which, or not. Many times I can't tell the difference. I don't think just having it is enough to say you have to try.

I'd think, does it help make an outfit you need, or channel your style vision somehow? For example, if you still like this type of item, maybe you want more practice at modernizing the outfits.

I also have a cardigan that needs either tossing or remixing in a big way. Not sure I want to do the latter, but the sweater has potential for my need for warm indoor-weight "jackets" for layering in winter. If I can make something really happy with it, I may keep it. Otherwise if it's just another so-so outfit component, or if it only works as jeans outfit # 20 ( I don't wear smart casual jeans outfits all that often), I don't need it.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I was thinking leather/pleather pants, coated jeans... something to offset the sweetness and make it look more modern.

LACeleste

Veteran

Hi,

Very valuable perspective unfrumped.

I am taking all of your great advice. I am wearing cardigan now buttoned up with my DKNY distressed BF jeans rolled, "the belt that makes everything better" (studded Michael Kors animal print--doesn't show but makes me happy and is necessary) and black suede Report studded slipper flats.

I am feeling good about this experiment!

Going out to lunch with DH for sweater's maiden voyage.

Please accept my heartfelt thanks!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Photo?

Enjoy your lunch.

Emily

Veteran

Ditto Ornella

E

Veteran

Oh I love it! I was expecting something much crazier from your description, hehe. I just peeked at your profile and this seems like it could fit into a romantic eclectic category, as long as you styled it right. Have you tried it buttoned up as a pullover? That will avoid any MOTB reference since it seems quite sleek and formfitting.

And I'm suddenly so tempted to go embroider one of my cardigans...

E

Veteran

Oh I just saw that you put it in an outfit and are feeling good! Yay!

peacechick

Veteran

There's a prairie/Western/boho appeal about it. I would play with those styles. Or if you just want modern classic, I agree with Thistle's suggestion of boyfriend jeans.

rae

(website)

Veteran

On my phone, but I think you can do it! Ripped jeans? Combat boots and skirt? Flared skirt? Slouchy pants?

LACeleste

Veteran

Thanks all! I wore w/ studded flats today. Next time I will try lace up boots!

Gigi

Veteran

I think others' suggestions (jeans and leather) are better than what I have to say, but the first thought that came to me would be to pair it with a really sleek pencil skirt (body-con) that would pick up one of the colors in the embroidery, only in a brighter, more eye-catching hue. This is the same idea--updating the sweater with a sleeker, not-so-prim vibe.

I do like the sweater too, by the way! It's vintage but not frumpy.

LACeleste

Veteran

Hi Gigi! Thanks for helping me. I am going to look for a bright pencil (I only have tan and black) because I really like your idea! I'll work on showing some pics soon.

I am very happy you like the sweater! It is so soft and a pleasure to wear.

PS: I mentioned the designer in my title because apparently Charlotte T is/was known for out-there knitwear--more wacky than traditional.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I was thinking along the same lines as Gigi - this sweater says ' Wheels and Dollbaby' to me, if you ever wanted to go with a really fiercely retro look.

I would go for broke at the holiday party with the a pencil skirt like Gigi suggests, and some sheer black stockings with a back seam. I dare anyone to call that sweater 'mother of the bride', then

LACeleste

Veteran

Hi La Belle D,

Checked your link. Vavoom!! I like the femme fatale/noir vibe. Maybe my Mother of the Bride (failed) style descriptor is just a cover-up!

I'll be working on my L.A. Confidential styling for this sweater. Nothing too crazy---something appropriate for a 40 something vamp.

Thank you!!