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Knit pullover recs? (Moving away from cardigans)

Anonymous

I would like to move away from the tshirt+cardigan look at work. I just don't think it is structured enough.

I thought of picking up a few knit pullovers with 3/4 or 1/2 sleeves that would give a bit of weight to my proportionally small upper half. (This idea was inspired by Angie's recent post about essentials, and how one of hers was a white knit pullover.)

Do you have any suggestions in the under $100 range for knit pullovers? I've seen the J Crew tippi sweater but it is a bit thin.

Angie posted a few options from Ann Taylor but they seem to be sold out.

Is this one of those items that comes out later in the summer?

Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Are you going to like the sweater over sweater look? It can come off as a bit twin-set.

Diana

Veteran

Try these cotton blend Halogen ones from Nordstrom. I saw some yesterday and I think they feel nice and are fairly streamlined. They're similar to the NAS lemming floral sweaters that many of us have (although the one I have is 100% cotton) and I wear mine under jackets sometimes. I do have to agree with UmmLila that I don't like them under cardigans, both because I don't do the twin-set look but also because the two knit sleeves over one another will bunch. For under cardigans, I'd go for a sleeveless top myself.

Three Quarter Sleeve Sweater (Regular & Petite)

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Anonymous

Oh Diana -- that is a very nice option. I'll look into them myself. Thank you.

Anonymous

Ummlila: What I mean is, I want to wear a sweater instead of a cardigan. I would wear a camisole or layering tshirt under the sweater. Sorry for the confusion! I realize the way I wrote it wasn't clear.

Diana: Thanks for the rec.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Banana Republic often has nice lightweight pullover sweaters at this time of year. Last year I got a couple of silk ones.

Roxanna

Veteran

Hey smittie - I love the Tippis and i find they work really well for this purpose - I usually layer a silk blouse underneath (see my WIW from today: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....and-cognac)

Keix

Veteran

I don't like to invest too much money in knits because they don't last very long no matter how much they cost. For value and style, I'm still a big fan of the J.Crew Tippi sweater. The solid colors I own, mint and red, are a bit too thin to wear with a colored bra (nude works fine), but they wash very well in a lingerie bag on delicate in the machine and laid flat to dry.

unfrumped

Veteran

EF has great knits but need to stalk sales.
Talbot's has a wide selection of better knits in cotton and linen (thicker than just their casual T-tops); sometimes can read stodgy depeding on how boxy or straight they are. AT has some good knits and continually put on promotional discounts, but I have to "see" them in person, so it's harder for me to shop AT as I have to order online and can't always tell if I will like the fabrication.

Also, if you like structure, I look for tops with princess seaming or darts, often in ponte knits--these are random finds that turn up in AT, WHBM, and some more expensive brands in the dept store. Some peplums and some just structured knit tops.

Silk & Cotton Bateau Neck Boxy Sweater (Regular & Petite)

$278.00 $166.80

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Lacy 3/4 Sleeve Sweater

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Envelope-Shoulder Sweater

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Linen Dolman Sweater

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White House Black Market

Moto Ponte Bodice

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Banana Republic

Raw-Edge Knit Top

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shiny

Veteran

Club Monaco has really nice sweaters. I bought four spring-weight pullovers there about 3 years ago and all are holding up very well. Quality reminds me of what Jcrew & BR sweaters used to be.

My only problem is that they don't offer petites, so that rules out many of their sweaters for me (too long / wrong vertical proportions).

Dee

Veteran

I've been feeling the same thing lately when it comes to cardigans. I'm wearing one of my few remaining cardigans and a tee today and I'm not loving it. I feel so much more streamlined, look-wise, in a pullover.

I second JCrew and EF for quality knits. And if you're open to online only, I have a few heavier weight sweaters from Everlane that have held up beautifully. I think they have some lighter weight options too.

Anonymous

Thank you, Dee, Shiny, unfrumped, KL, Roxanna, Elizabeth P, and Sterling, for your suggestions and comments.

I checked out the Halogen pullovers that Diana suggested...the neckline, sleeve length and cotton are are all great --- but there no real neutrals except grey! Maybe they'll have some more colours as the season wears on. There's a pink I rather like on sale...

Elizabeth P: I have tried on a couple of lightweight merino sweaters at BR and they're great, but...the neckline is very high, and I find they fit rather tight through the middle. Still, I'll keep an eye out at BR as more stock is bound to come in.

KL and Roxanna - I really like the neckline of the Tippi. Is the Tippi a little loose in the abdomen? Like you KL, my tummy sticks out after a meal, and I would like that to be covered up.

Unfrumped. I found a couple of basics that might fit the bill at Talbots! Thank you for this suggestion, as this is a store I overlook. Do you happen to know how the sizing runs?

Dee, we're on the same page about cardigans Mostly Everlane is too slouchy or too body con, but I did find 1 or 2 sweaters that are sort of in the middle.

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Three Quarter Sleeve Sweater (Regular & Petite)

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Lace-Up Side Cotton Rib Knit Sweater (Regular & Petite)

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Piqué Curved-Hem Sweater

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Textured Sweater

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Roxanna

Veteran

@smittie - yes, that was one of the reasons I liked the Tippi. It is not clingy, particularly int he tummy area. I cought these right after baby #2 and sized up - I found them perfect for covering up with a slouchy (but not overly so) drape.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Smittie, this is a find for the BR silk one I was referring to. Again, last year, so not overly helpful, but you never know what might turn up this year. I also hate high necklines.

Banana Republic

V-Neck Pullover

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Anonymous

Thanks Roxanna and Elizabeth. I still haven't bought anything yet. The forgiving midsection of the tippi is a major selling point,so I'll likely get it but whoah! there are hardly any colors left in my size!

Elizabeth, I'm going to be patient and keep waiting for things at BR. I'm sure more work-appropriate sweaters will come in.

I also want to go into Talbots just to see if there are some plain basics there. I've never gone in this store before and I feel like it's worth a shot.

viva

Veteran

I second the Tippi recco. I also find that the sizing has some give - meaning I could probably wear an xs, s, or m depending on the fit I wanted and still have the proportions work well. Nice thing too, is, once you find the right sizing, it comes in a zillion colors and there are usually some colors on sale at any given time.

abc

Veteran

Not a sweater but would you consider a knit blazer?

Anonymous

Well, ABC, I would consider anything that looked nice, but blazers tend to bunch in front due to slightly sloping shoulders, so I tend not to try them on.

abc

Veteran

I have sloping shoulders too. I just like Blazers because they give structure. A knit blazer is the best of both worlds in my opinion - it gives shoulder structure which I need yet is knit and soft and not restricting at all. Just throwing it out there as another possibly option.

Anonymous

I'll keep an open mind about knit blazers. Thanks ABC.