K/R: In Which I Play Rugby - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: In Which I Play Rugby

Beth Ann

Veteran

Well, I don't play rugby and, while I like rugby style stripes, I don't want to actually look like a burly Rugby player so.......

Here's a warm, extremely comfy sweater I found at Kohls. I adore the color scheme and the (faux) back button, and it does fill a need warmer sweaters, but I wonder about a couple of things:

1. My shoulders are actually quite square (I like that) and reasonably broad, but not IT. Unfortunately, I don't have the slim limbs of many hourglasses, and my upper arms can make them look rounded when the seam doesn't set on the shoulder.

2. Sometimes being a bit larger (size 14) means I can pull off larger scale prints and more slouch. Sometimes it just makes me look bigger. It's the side view that makes me pause. I want it to read as "big sweater" not "big girl," if you know what I mean. Also, is the length too "cup the bounteous booty?"

My camera angle is at hip height, which allows all of me in the frame in a very small room. I think this actually makes my torso seem a little bigger than IRL. I think I'll play with camera angles this weekend.

So....... do you say:

Deserves to live in your closet?
OR
Cute, but but not fab enough?

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24 replies

Latest reply was from pil

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Love the berry shades on you Beth Ann - so flattering. I like the fit of the sweater very much - just the right amount of slouch IMHO. Unfortunately I'm not crazy about the placement of the stripes. Having your bust line cut in half by the stripe changing there doesn't work to my eye. It makes me want to tug the sweater down so the dark stripe sits underneath the bust.

carambola

Veteran

I like it a lot! Flattering from all angles, in my opinion. And I see what you mean with the booty cuppage - I have what my husband fondly refers to as a bubble butt, so that happens to me often - but it's very slight and looks cute to me, not too bootylicious at all.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My first thought was fabulous! It looks great on you - the cut is super. But now I am not sure I can unsee what Shannon sees here. I am going to come back to the pics in a few hours.

Adelfa

Veteran

Great colors on you, and I agree that the fit is nice, including from the side view. There's something that confuses me about the stripes. From the front view the top (pink) stripe seems narrower than the bottom stripe and to me this has the effect of highlighting your midsection instead of your bust and face. I say I'm confused because in the back view the stripes look equal. So my reaction is that though the sweater is good in many ways, it's less flattering than the other things you wear.

Sara L.

Veteran

I don't have a problem with the stripe placement. I think that's going to be a personal preference thing. The slouchiness of the sweater looks good to me.

E

Veteran

I love the fit & colours on you! I think this would be a fun addition to your casual wardrobe, and if I were you I'd keep it. It looks slouchy & slightly oversized, not as if you're as big as the sweater.

As to the side view, I think it still looks good. On a personal note, I've decided true profile pictures are all terribly unflattering, especially when the camera's right around midsection height, and no one actually stands at a 90 degree angle staring at me in real life, so I'm just ignoring how I look in all of them from now on. lol

Peri

Veteran

I think it looks cozy, comfy and fun...but not fab. So it depends on what you want it for. I think it would be great for some informal gatherings, casual weekends, lounging, things like that. If it was me and I liked it for the reasons you said and it wasn't expensive, I would keep it for fun.

Day Vies

Veteran

I love the buttons down the back simply lovely! I don't think this sweater is too oversized at all. I think there is just enough drape so that your shape doesn't get lost. I agree with Shannon you look great in berry shades. The fit is good and I love that button detail down the back. I guess it's a keep.

Astrid

Veteran

I like it too! Fab colors and the buttons in the back are fun.

karymk

Veteran

Beth Ann I like it for color on you, and fit is great. Shoulder area looks great. But the big wide stripes make your middle look blocky and I know it is not. I am sure you can pull off horizontal stripes, but imo they should be slimmer. I am picturing something more shaped, so you see that you indeed have a waist under there.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Just got back from a family breakfast gathering at Cracker Barrel. Ate carefully, to avoid carbohydrate stupor for a second day in a row!

Thanks for taking the time to comment --- you seem to be seeing the same pros and cons!

Shannon: lol! OK, I hadn't noticed the line bisecting my bosom -- until now! I didn't have breasts until I had my son at 38. I still forget they are there sometimes! Hmmmm

Carambola: Yes. I like to say my booty needs it's own zip code. I don't mind it, really, but I don't necessarily want to highlight it all the time!

Suz --- I'll have to look again, too!

Adelfa: What you're seeing is the result of my faux tuck. IRL, I think the eye would accept it. However, I don't like the crotch-grazing length in front. A little too long for a sweater, a little too short for a tunic. I don't do a lot of tunics. I really think this sweater should be 1 1/2 inches shorter, but I think it's intended as a tunic. I'm just longer waisted, and this is actually sizing down a bit.

Thanks for the encouragement, Sara and Astrid!

E: I agree that side views look particularly odd in static shots, although I always need to remind myself that bodies are 3-D, and these shots do accomplish that!

Peri: I think my opinion right now is close to yours. The question may be, do I require new items to be fab? Truthfully, I have enough sweaters to be willing to wait the best, although I'm a bit low on truly warm sweaters.

DV: You've seen me IRL, so your input is always helpful. Thanks for weighing in. I do want more berry -- that's a priority!

Karymk: I also see what you see. While I'm less trim in the midriff than I use to be, I still have some waist definition. I should do a camera experiment so I can get "different" views of myself.

Now....... to get gear on for gym time!

lyn67

Veteran

Great casual outfit! I like from all angles! LOL! Bossom disection, waist blocking and all! Loved the black jeans and belt, the sweater's back buttons, and the half=faux tucking, too!

unfrumped

Veteran

OK after going back and forth I am going to say the stripes bother me because they're large enough to be almost color blocking so the placement has an impact.

The color combo is totally fabulous, and that is a magnet drawing me in. This is exactly like something I would buy for the delicious colors and maybe later find it was not as great or versatile.

OTOH stripes are fun. colors great. Oh dear.
Was there a similar sweater in a solid?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay. It doesn't bother me now. I have a very similar sweater from BR (without the cool back detail) so I'm biased, but I like it. OTOH, I totally hear you on the crotch grazing length -- that was my complaint the other day about the GAP cable sweater. So...hard to say!

Echo

Veteran

Hmm, the stripe placement on the bust actually visually lifts, IMO (not that you need it). It isn't a bad thing at all. I love the buttons down the back and I like the profile as well, but somehow I'm still not sold on the sweater. It is nice, but not quit fab.

unfrumped

Veteran

Here's one way to figure whether it stays. It's casual, so for that capsule which you were working on . It should upgrade/ replace something you've been wearing-- like it's a better color or warmer for winter or something, or do a 1 in one out. It shouldn't be expensive so as to impede getting something you need in business casual or dressy, or .... shoes!

How's that for criteria!! I used those because I'm going through that now for my casual knits and sweaters and I need Rules.

bj1111

Veteran

i love how this looks and fits on you. i see what shannon sees, but i actually like it because it visually raises the girls and makes them look uber perky.

Beth Ann

Veteran

UF: Love your decision making method -- I need more of this in my life. It was on sale, only $28, so it's not a bank-breaker. It isn't a replacement, but I do feel I need one more truly warm sweater, maybe two. One thing I know --- if I don't keep this, I will look for a sweater in this burgundy.

Lyn: You get that sometimes blocky and big can be good!

Echo: I think I'm in the same spot as you with this sweater. I think I may need to see it with other items in my closet.

Suz: Yes -- this length is tricky. I don't think I'd ever wear it any way but faux-tucked, which might be too limiting. I do like rugby stripes that are lower contrast, though.

BJ: I will walk prouder in the world today, since I can give thanks for uber-perky girls!

Vickie KY

I like it - the color and the fit. YLF. Vickie

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look terrific. How fab are the back buttons on that pullover? The rugby stripes are fun and flattering, and you wear this look well, Beth Ann.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks, Angie! I liked the back detail, too. I wish the length were a little different, but, unless I start my own design house with my children's college money, I'm going to have to be flexible!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You wear this look with, panache. Good job being flexible.

Jeanie

Veteran

Cute sweater! Love the colors on you and the button detail. I think the pattern placement is good. There are many things to like about the sweater but I sense you are not sold on it. It makes me want to find that perfect rugby sweater that I never have found. We all need those elves that come and in night and makes up the clothes we have designed in our heads that we can't find.

pil

Veteran

Late to the party, but I like it. I wish I could see the button detail on my ipad!