Keep or return: sweater and blazer - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep or return: sweater and blazer

sarah

Veteran

Hi, please bear with me for another game of keep or return.

#1 - cable knit sweater from JCrew. I love the green, but am wondering if the cables are less than flattering (sort of chest-broadening), and/or if it's too short. This is how I'd wear it - over button downs (especially this one ; ) ) on the weekends...

#2-4 - basic blazer (brown/charcoal tweed) from ATL, not really styled, but hopefully you can get the idea (*please* ignore the pairing with the boots in #4). Is it too boring? Or a practical addition to my work wardrobe?

ETA: I do need more "work" blazers/jackets, as I wear them alot. I currently have a navy one, a black one, and a couple of "multi-colored" tweed ones (NOT these colors).

Ignore the blonde boots - they'll be the subject of another post!

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30 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I love that green sweater! The length and cables are fine by me....i see what you mean but i don't think it looks bad.

I'm not an expert on blazers so i don't have much input on it...it could be a staple if you don't have any blazers already?

sarah

Veteran

Thanks, Nicole. I added a sentence above to clarify that I am feeling like I need more blazers/jackets - I wear them a lot at work.

kellygirl

Veteran

OMG, lurve the basic grey blazer! It looks smashing with all variations. The sweater is cute but it seems like it needs to be more fitted through the body. I think the cropped sweater over the button down is very current (I saw this in the Nordie's catalog) but I think it needs to be more oversized or more fitted. Of course, I am not very fashion forward so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I'm loving the cream colored Frye's--can't wait for that thread : )

ETA: I don't think the blazer looks at all boring the way you have styled them.

fern

Veteran

I think the charcoal blazer looks terrific - #2 especially. It looks like it fits well, except maybe the sleeve-length?
The sweater is lovely but it is boxy. I think #2 is so much better then 1, so I vote return the sweater.

Makrame

Veteran

Love the blazer, looks like it fits you great. I especially like it with the gingham shirt.

Is this it? http://www.loft.com/loft/produ.....Color=7137

I would return the sweater, to be honest, although it maybe that my eye is still getting used to boxy, cropped sweaters.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I tried on a similarly shaped sweater at All Saints yesterday. Both the sales associate and I thought it made me look bigger than normal. I think it's very difficult style to wear unless you are very thin. There's no movement in it.

nancylee

Veteran

I think the cardigan is so-so...you could probably do better. The grey blazer, on the other hand, is fabulous every way you've styled it. Plus, it fills a hole in your wardrobe. I say go for it!

p.s. You must divulge details about the blouse in photo #3....so fab! Where is it from?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Before we get onto the subject at hand, may I just say that I really like your UNDER layers? I mean all of them! The checked button down, the blouse and the dress are all great pieces. Love the patterns and neutrals on the blouse and dress.

I think the sweater is nifty. It's not the most figure flattering item, to be sure, but it's a great colour and texture and it seems to suit your casual weekend style. Having said that, if you have doubts, maybe pass on it for now.

The blazer looks like a solid workhorse; nice cut, nice fabric, and you say you need one. And this colour seems to work with your other clothes.

Can't wait to read the blonde boot story!

Anonymous

Ack! I can't ignore the blond boots. They are beautiful and bookend your hair perfectly. I especially like outfit #3 followed closely by #4. Please say that you are keeping those boots!

sarah

Veteran

OK, there is starting to be a consensus here. I really want some pullover sweaters, but it's so hard to find styles that work for me.

@Fern - yes, I think I may have to shorten the sleeves a titch. Darn. I like to do those alterations myself, but I'm not sure I want to deal with the lining.

@Makrame - yep, that's the blazer. I actually had a bit ol' coupon, which was nice. I'm not sure if there's till one floating around, but I believe it was 30% off. (It seems like the Loft has discount deals often).

@Kelly - *winking* you'll have to wait to hear about those boots.

@Anna - yes, I think that the tall, thin JCrew models look terrific in stuff that doesn't look so great on me.

@Nancy - the animal print blouse is also from the Loft. http://www.loft.com/loft/produ.....Color=8945. It looks like it's sold out online, but I did see some at my store last weekend, so you might check in the store.

sarah

Veteran

@Joy - *chuckling*

nancylee

Veteran

Thanks, Sarah!

crwilson

Veteran

I love the color of the sweater, but like others, I don't think it's fantastic, so I vote return. I do, however, like the blazer a lot and think you will find it very, very useful. I already really like the way that you've styled it.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I think the blazer looks like a really good fit and the neutral color will make it very versatile. I agree that the sweater is a bit iffy. If I just look at the sweater, I think it is fine but when I look at the blazer outfit in quick succession, it is a far more flattering cut on you.

kellygirl

Veteran

You are teasing us! I adore the boots--you must start the thread soon!

Heather

Veteran

Okay, FWIW (nothing perhaps), but if YOU look bad in that olive JCrew sweater, then I should throw away every sweater I own. I also would like to give you a standing ovation for pairing the purple gingham with the olive. Love it.

The blazer is a keep for certain. Do you own a sleeveless denim vest? I think this could be paired with a button down, vest and the blazer atop. Not to mention all the ways you can wear it for work: over dress, with skirts, trousers, jeans! Also have fun layering some scarves.

*biting nails* BLONDE BOOTS!!!!

Kyle

Veteran

I just love that olive and lavender combo. Yes, the sweater adds bulk, but I think the whole look works for you. The blazer is great...I really like it. Outfit number 3 is very pulled together, flattering and current!

MNsara

Veteran

Ooooh - I love that green!! I love it with the purple gingham too! I think it's a great sweater and it does have a bit of volume on top, but you've done such a great job of balancing that with the skinnies and boots. BTW, I think that your legs look so long and lean in that pic!! (In that you're petite that must mean you've proportioned everything perfectly

I think the blazer is great, too! It has some interesting details, but it's overall simplicity is what allows you to pair it in so many ways - like you did here. I bet you'll find it's very versatile for work and for fun.

(You've got my curiosity piqued with your blonde boots. . .)

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I love the blazer and the boots. You must keep the blonde boots. I think the cable sweater looks very warm and cozy. I think it's a nice color for you and nice for OTG weekend looks.

sarah

Veteran

Hmmm...now the opinion is shifting...does this mean I have to decide about that sweater for myself?!

@Heather - *blushing* - honestly, woman, I'm sure you rock every sweater you've ever put on!

@Sara - all 5'1" of me thanks you for the long and lean leg compliment!

Sylvie

Veteran

Without looking at what anyone else wrote...

You can make the sweater work but it's not a 10. I feel like it wants to either be more cropped/fitted OR longer.

I like the blazer. Thumbs up! The styling in #2 is great.

Scarlet

Veteran

I really like the green sweater. I am a fan of cozy sweaters and have no fear of bulk. I like the way you styled it with the checked shirt.

The blazer looks like it fits well, but it is a very conservative basic style, so it depends if that's what you want. I could also imagine you in something sharper. Is there a possibility for some comparison shopping here?

Looking forward to the boot thread cause those look, um, freaking awesome.

Kate

Veteran

I am too in love with #3 to be coherent. Ah........okay, now then, about that sweater. Color is gorgeous on you, but I'm not loving the shape. I think you can probably do better. Those blonde boots, however, are fabulous. You look absolutely adorable in blazers, in everything, in fact, and did I mention how much I LOVE the outfit in #3.

Deborah

Veteran

Sarah, I think the sweater looks great. I think the nature of those types of knits is that they add a bit of bulk and look snuggly and warm. Having said that I don't feel this adds too much bulk. I like the color and the way you have styled it. I am guessing it will be weekend and running around attire? If so, it's perfect. I would keep.

Definitely keep the jacket, it fits beautifully and it looks amazing over pants. I don't love it as much over the dress but this could just be my own bias at the moment as I struggling with jackets/toppers over this style dress.

Ok now getting very serious.. the boots!! Amazing, cannot believe how they bookend with your hair. They are fabulous... I think I need them

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

The sweater is a nice color but I'm not loving the boxy cut and neckline...I prefer V necks myself, otherwise it looks a bit boyish. But I love the blazer on you and so versatile the way you have styled it! I love outfit #3 and 4 especially with the blonde boots bookending your hair!

Queen Mum

Veteran

LOVE the blazer. End of discussion on that. Outfits 3 and 4 are Killer!

I think the sweater is really cute... love the color, love it over that checked blouse, and it's really cozy looking. IKWYM though about cables adding bulk. Plus, every time I try a sweater like that it wants to ride up all the time in the torso which just makes matters worse. I suspect this might be one of those that photographs well for the still shot, but IRL might not behave as well as you would like. Wear it around the house for a bit and check the mirror from different angles as you go about and see what you think then.

MNsara

Veteran

I had to come back and comment further on the cable sweater because just in case you have the same chunky love/hate relationship:

1) I am always drawn to thick, chunky, textural knits (not to mention GREEN!)

however, by the time we get to mid-January

2) I am SO sick of wearing bulky anything and feeling like the Michelin man just to stay warm, that I avoid my bulky sweaters for the rest of the winter Maybe it comes when I always need to put a bulky coat over a chunky sweater?

Whatever, those chunky knits don't pull their weight in my closet. . .

sarah

Veteran

@Sara and Kim - good points about the sweater. Truth be told, we keep our thermostat reasonably low in the winter, and I DO love having sweaters to curl up in when the temperature drops and snow falls. But I have SUCH a hard time finding pullovers that work for me, I think because of my short torso (sweaters are mostly too long or too short - the old Goldilocks syndrome). I think I will wear it around more and see how it behaves.

Sara - my last cable sweater has been passed on to the niece...

Isis

Veteran

Sarah,

The blazer is a no-brainer. Keep. You'll wear it lots at work and it looks like it'll go with everything!

I like the sweater. It's sort of like torso-surrendering. But I like to be warm and cozy and the winter, so I imagine it'll be perfect for wearing in a cold house. I love the color and the textures. Sounds like a perfect idea to wear around the house and see if you like, or at least don't mind, the torso-surrender.

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