Should I Buy This Ted Baker Floral Sweater? - YouLookFab Forum

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Should I Buy This Ted Baker Floral Sweater?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

My next London trip is coming up next weekend, and I'm trying to create a shopping list that lets me get the most out of my money and the season.

Angie's last capsule had me thinking: I have a navy suit and a red pencil skirt that are a great starting point for a work/smart casual capsule. My red skirt is a bit orphaned because I don't have enough toppers for it, particularly patterned ones. I'd like to add grey, white and a little yellow/baby blue to the capsule, too. What I need is a piece to tie this together - it must work with all bottoms (navy trousers, light grey trousers, red pencil skirt), and both toppers (navy blazer, stone grey moto).

I like this floral sweater from Ted Baker, but it is a bit expensive, so I would not like to get tired of it too quickly. Florals are quite classic, right? Or will this one read very "2014" in the next couple of seasons? It has good colors for my capsule.

But, I wonder:
Is it too much floral?
Will this pattern overwhelm me? I'm bordering petite.
Should I be looking for a tee/sleeveless instead?

http://www.tedbaker.com/row/Wo.....-Pink/p/10

An alternative could be this tee from the same collection. It is a bit calmer, and half the price, too. What do you wise ladies think? Yes to one of them, or no to both?

http://www.tedbaker.com/row/Wo.....-NUDE-PINK

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24 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Anonymous

I think they are worth a try! I like that it is kind of like a painting.

viva

Veteran

Ingunn, I really like them both, and I think they address the color need really well.
I am torn about which one is best. While the tee is less expensive and less overwhelming, I think you would lose the benefit of the color if you wear a topper over it, since most of the floral would be covered. So if you would likely wear a jacket over the tee, I would be inclined to go with the sweater.
It's funny, I am generally a solid color person, but when I go with pattern I tend to like bolder pattern. So I really like the somewhat OTT floral of the sweater.

El Cee

Veteran

Ingunn -- I like both the sweater and the tee. I think that there is enough white in each of the patterns so as not to have "overwhelming floral". I also think that those prints are classic enough to be enjoyed for years to come. Don't know what your Spring/Summer temps are like… but I know that in my climate the tee might be more versatile and get a bit more play over the next 6 months. Oh… and now reading Viva's comment -- she makes a very good point about pattern placement and how pieces would look under a topper/jacket.

lyn67

Veteran

I would go for the tee. It's not that crowded and wuite love the uneven pattern placement(feels more curent and of a longer longevity to me). It also layers well, so can be worn several styles. And when layered the pattern will still show under lapels of a jacket or cardi in motion. Subtle and enough(for me:-)).

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

You are getting to the core right away - I knew I could count on you.

Thanks, Ceit! The print is actually called "Oil Painting", and I LOVE the colors and the classic flowers.

Viva, I'm with you on they "go bold or go home" attitude for patterns. I have loads of solid colored tops and shirts, but quite few patterns. Small scale patterns could easily look too twee on me. I've also thought about the pattern placement on the tee while covered, and I think you have a point.

El Cee, I know, will the tee be a better choice or not, weather-wise? I frankly don't know. My climate is never very hot except for the occasional day, and a sweater will allow me to wear it more without a topper. The sweater is in cotton, so it is probably comfortable even when it is a little warm. I will probably know this better when I can handle the fabric in person.

Lyn we double posted:) I agree that the tee is calmer and probably easier to layer. Somehow I like the higher intensity of the colors in the sweater better, but that is also why I fear I will get tired of it sooner.

Deborah

Veteran

Ingunn, these are both very beautiful. I would be inclined towards the sweater. Firstly, I can just see it on you and secondly I like that it's a statement piece. I would tire of the sleeveless blouse quickly. The sweater could work with your flared skirt (s) would look great over pants and jeans and would still make a statement under a jacket. I think it's very you:)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The prints are gorgeous! I prefer the tee because I think it may be more versatile, but I think either would be lovely on you.

Anonymous

As one who loves red but has trouble styling it, I would go with the tee. I think it has more longevity and you can more easily break up the pattern by wearing a topper over it. Both are beautiful. I like the artistic floral and colors.

gryffin

Veteran

Ingunn - I'm thinking sweater set here. The tee would be great in a neutral outfit but the sweater would be fab too. I think it's even like them together in a neutral mens wear outfit, dark skirt. I think it would be incredibly versatile!!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

A lot of Ted Baker-florals love here

You are making it clear that I will have a hard time choosing between the two. I lie both, but am probably a bit in favor of the sweater right now because it seems that the nude base has a slightly warmer cast in that piece, and it is in cotton, a favorite fabrication for me. Lyocell (the tee) is nice, but not nearly as much.

Another vote for the sweater is that I nearly never wear a blazer or moto indoors, I always take them off.

I'm fascinated that you think it is my style, Deborah. The sweater reads quite romantic to me. Maybe my self image of being a Rock Chick need adjusting - hah ha!

El Cee

Veteran

You are right about the base color, Ingunn. The ivory/nude background of the sweater might be more flattering on you considering your hair and skin tone. The base color of the tee is more of a clear, optic white.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I am a huge lover of floral and I think either of these would work well with your wardrobe. I have a bit of a preference for the sweater as I think the background color might work a bit better for your skin and hair coloring.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I agree, Shannon, but I would need to judge it IRL to make sure. Both are listed as "nude" on the website, and both have a pink cast to them on my screen, but the one on the tee is a lot cooler.

Tina

Veteran

I think in this particular case the sweater would be the better choice. The colors will make it very versatile and it's so nice to be able just put on 1 layer and go. Here you have it all in one piece, it should be very comfy and warm (but not too warm) because it is cotton, it is interesting in a classy way (I don't find the print overwhelming), and if the quality is on par with the price it should wash and wear well. The bottoms you mention should all work splendidly! I hope you get it.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think I'd have to see these on - florals are not usually my thing (even on others for the most part, with a few exceptions) so maybe I'm too biased and shouldn't comment. The pattern on the sweater is pretty busy with both the amount of floral right in front and the wide range of colors. I guess I have a preference for the tee in this regard. I think the florals are very pretty (indeed like a painting), but will you tire of this quickly as a wardrobe item?

unfrumped

Veteran

I aiming at sweater for all reasons above--warmer tones; if cotton then longsleeves are not too limiting, given climate and A/C; can scrunch or wear long; serves the purpose of print over solid, you're done, or can layer under many toppers as well.

Try-on is key, too, isn't it? Sometimes I love a pattern on the rack and then it just doesn't work. Or the neckline bothers me or the sleeves are too tight. But you'll likely know right away if it looks and feels great--that's the first hurdle; I'd be sure to try it on with some target bottoms, even if you have to "borrow" something for the dressing room--you'll want to have a sense of the proportions, how it looks untucked; then whether you will tire of it is a secondary issue after all of that.

LACeleste

Veteran

Hi!
The sweater is more special imo and I can envision it looking beautiful on you!

Thistle

Veteran

Going against the flow here. I like the tee better. Just because this is the pattern placement in the stock photo, I am not convinced it would be the pattern placement in person. You would have to see it.

Also, and this is a personal preference, I hate sweater under suit jackets. I feel constrained.

Finally, I think you will get 3 seasons out of the short sleeve top but only 2 out of the sweater (of course, that depends on if it is a real sweater or just a knit they call a sweater!).

Honestly, I think you have to see them in person and touch them.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Just looking at these makes me happy.

Diana

Veteran

I love them both but I have sugar eye for this type of floral.

I would actually find the tee more versatile, as it could be both worn alone and layered under a blazer, which means you could wear it in many seasons.

rabbit

Veteran

I think the oil painting prints are classic and lovely and you would style them fabulously. Nothing to add to the above comments except in person you will also get an idea of the quality of the print (saturation of colors, pixels etc.) and one item might have an edge over the other. Also you might not need to wash the sweater as much as the tee so that might improve the longevity of the print.

I love the placement of the print on the tee in the stock photo.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'd listen to my instincts on this type of statement piece. Both the sweater and top are lovely (and equally useful in different contexts), but I've found, when I buy this kind of statement piece, my heart has to overrule my head. A statement piece ought to be something that you just love, even if you can't quite explain why you are drawn to it.

Glory

Veteran

I have a slight preference for the t but this is me shying away from too much print. Is it possible for you to order both and then make the capsules and see which suits best? I think pattern placement will need to be correct and you need to try them IRL.

rachylou

Veteran

I tend toward the sweater, because I run cold and no one sees my tops - only my toppers. I really like it. I do think it's a showstopper, and so I would personally tend to ration wearings, so it doesn't lose its impact. I don't know if you do that and would want to spend so much on something worn less frequently...

But it really is fantastic. I have sugar-eye for this sort of floral too.