Keep or return - green cardigan (+ coat frustration) - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep or return - green cardigan (+ coat frustration)

Astrid

Veteran

This cardigan went home with me today as part of my ongoing plan to replace most of my tops. It was on sale and I really like the colour, but is it a bit too roomy? Please help me decide.

And I'm nearly ready to give up on a new wintercoat. I was on a mission today, to maybe make use of all the sales going on, but there was nothing that was even worth considering out there. I've looked for a coat on and off since September (!) and I found nothing I liked that fit me. Now I'm thinking about investing my coat money in a new mobile, even though I'm so tired of seeing myself in my current coat.

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21 replies

Latest reply was from jayne

DeclawedJaguar

Veteran

Astrid, I love the color on you, but am not sure about the fit. It seems a bit long overall and in the sleeves. Are you planning on wearing it with bottoms that sit on the waist? Its length is probably good if you wear it with bottoms that are lower rise or sit on the hips. Does that make sense? Could you take more pictures?

catgirl

Veteran

The fit of the cardi seems a bit bunchy to me. It's a lovely color on you. Would you wear it open, or only buttoned like this?

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks for your input! The sleeves are really a bit long, but that's the case with almost all cardigans for me. I scrunch them up most of the time anyway, because I often wear a bracelet or bangles. I would want to wear it with skirts and jeans, I'll try to take another picture. Una, I wear my cardigans open most of the time, but I wanted to show you the fit buttoned up.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gorgeous colour for you, Astrid, but I'm not sure about the fit. Is it supposed to glide over the hips? Or is it meant to be close fitting? It's not really clear. But I think it will depend on how you want to wear it.

What a shame about the coat situation. VERY frustrating.

Astrid

Veteran

Suz, I'm not sure how it is supposed to fit. It could be as you mentioned and my hips are just too wide! The shoulders fit. Here are another two pics, I just threw those pants on, please excuse my look. And because of the buttoning, I have just thought about it again and I think I wear them open only when I wear skirts with a tucked in top or a dress. I think I would want to wear this one buttoned up if you think the length only works with pants.

And yes, the coat situation really is frustrating.

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missvee

Veteran

I like the cardigan worn open better than worn closed. The colour is good and if the price was right why not keep it and wear it as shown in Pic #2?
I sympathize with your coat dilemma - I have been looking for a longer parka that's not too bulky since August, and today finally hit the jackpot with a fabulous one made by Creenstone. Have you checked out this make? It's a Dutch designer whose philosophy is to make real women look good. The coats have lots of interesting seaming details, and she uses very lightweight downy linings that do not add bulk where it's not wanted. The prices are fairly high, but I see there are sales on now. Might be worth checking them out just to see if any of them appeal to you.

D'Ellen

Veteran

Astrid, the sweater is a beautiful color for you! I think I like it better open, but then it looks a bit short maybe? (Or maybe I don't know what I'm talking about ) What about buttoning just a couple of buttons at the waist and belting it?

I can sympathize with your coat frustration. I've been searching too, with no success yet.

qfbrenda

Veteran

If the sleeves are always too long, is it possible you need petite sizes?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Gorgeous cardi, Astrid! And look at you rock those black skinnies. I love it!!

What seems to be the problem with the coat selection, Astrid?

Jonesy

Veteran

I love the color of the cardigan on you, and agree with the others about it looking fab (or fabber!) unbuttoned. Seems like it will be a great layering piece for you.

My sympathies re. the coat situation :).

Sara L.

Veteran

I like the cardigan on you. I think it looks better in the second two photos you posted - with pants and unbuttoned. You could also wear it unbuttoned but with a belt for another look.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks missvee, I think you're right. It really wasn't that expensive and I think I would get enough wear out of it as it is, even if I would only wear it open. I've searched for Creenstone and they are available in several malls in Berlin, maybe I've already seen one without knowing.

Thanks bionda, I think I could belt everything! Although I don't want to sometimes...

Brenda, I'm not sure. There isn't any petite sizing available in the stores to test it - only when it comes to pants. My jacket sleeves are often too long too, but I think the rest fits normally.

Thanks, Angie! Seems like I'm going to keep it. I love those skinnies, unfortunately they are just a tad too short. I only wear them with ballet flats, I really need some booties to tuck them into!
The problem with the coat is that I don't find many styles that are knee length when I look at something other than wool coats. I wanted a puffer coat or something similar that is really warm because I already have a thinner coat and another one isn't a priority. And when they are long enough they aren't cut right. I would like something fitted on top (shoulders to waist) that then leaves enough room for my hips without pulling. Most of the styles I had found were fairly straight, so they were either too roomy on top or pulling in the bottom half. And I wanted a colour other than black, because I've now had a black coat for four years. Sadly this seems to be impossible to find.

Thanks, Jonesy!

Thanks for your input, Sara. I like the idea of belting the unbuttoned cardigan. It's okay if it looks better with pants, I've just started to wear them again this fall and need more tops to go with my jeans anyway.

Aida

Veteran

I like the cardigan best unbuttoned, the color is really gorgeous with your skin and hair!

Anonymous

There is nothing wrong with your hips! When you wear a gathererd skirt, a cropped cardigan works better. If you had a straight skirt, I bet you could button up if you wanted too. Sorry for the coat conundrum. I hope you find something colorful, warm and fun (and on sale!) when you least expect it!

Jem

Veteran

I never wear my cardigans completely buttoned. If I button them, I usually only button one or two around bust height. I don't know if that's good or not but that's what I do. I really like the color! Sorry you are having trouble with coat shopping!

jayne

Veteran

Hi!

Just wanted to give my opinion as I think I have a similar body type and feel that cardigans hit my hip similar to you....when the cardigan feels wrong buttoned I leave the bottom 2-3 buttons open which then lets the material relax and then creates a nice line to my wider part (as it is wide). It is no use for me to avoid the fact I am wider in the upper thigh area so I just go ahead and let the cardigan flow there and emphasize the curve with the cardigan opening.

When the cardigan is closed it creates a horizontal line that more 'cuts' the body and makes the curve less appealing (in my eyes) or more sudden. Can you try that? Loved the color

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, can you remind me how tall you are? I have this feeling that maybe petites WOULD do you better, if they were available. Based on my own past history, that is.

I ALWAYS had the same problem you are referring to with coats in the past. It was so incredibly frustrating. If it fit in the shoulder/bust area it was pulling too much in the hips. I don't have any words of wisdom, except I now realize that part of the problem was my shape vs. the clothes and part of the problem was with regular sizes, even though I thought the waist was fitting where it should, it actually wasn't (was too low on me) and the hip of the garment wasn't flaring out where I needed it because its flare was beginning lower.

Some, as you already know, can be solved by the right style and cut (which seems to difficult to find) and some by finding the right manufacturer (who manufactures for a similar body type). But I was shocked at how much better things worked when I went towards petites for jackets, dresses, and some coats (not all...it depends).

HeleenH

Veteran

I am not sure about Germany, but in the neighbouring Netherlands I find it very difficult or rather next to impossible to find petite sizes. You might succeed in finding shorter jeans, but otherwise... No luck.

Kappy

Veteran

I love the cardi. And I still can't believe you don't have red hair. I've always thought of you as a red-head. Sorry about your ooat troubles; sounds frustrating.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks, Aida!

Thanks, Claire! You're right that it would need to be a bit more cropped for the skirt in the first picture. I haven't tried it with my pencil denim skirt yet, but I will!

Thanks, Jem! I also like them not completely buttoned toom but it also depends on the top or dress I'm wearing underneath.

Thanks, jayne! I've tried and left the last two buttons undone and I think it really looks nicer. I think I'm going to wear it that way if I feel the need to button it up.

Suz, I'm 5'3'' (I had to look that up), so I'm exactly between when it comes to recommendations for either petite or normal sizing in German stores. I can say that petite pants are always too short on me, but maybe I would really need petite on top. It's a hit and miss with the length of my sleeves most of the time. But like Heleen said, it's next to impossible to find petite sizes here. There's sometimes petites when you order online (like with Land's End and Boden), but that's rather the exception.

Thanks, Kappy. I friend of mine actually told me just last week that she thought I had red undertones in my hair. Maybe it's just me that doesn't see it?

jayne

Veteran

My petite Irish friend here in Norway loves Mango for sizes.