slouchy pants, drapey cardi - YouLookFab Forum

Today I wore a couple of things I've made. The pants are recent, and the cardigan I made sometime in the last year. I really like the pants, but I'm not so fond of the cardigan. It's okay, just not a favorite.

I have a lot of things that fall into this ok-but-not-favorite category. I bookmarked a post by unfrumped, about safety net clothing items: those that you hang onto "just in case. . . ." I think I do that, and I think I also hang onto items that I don't love, just because I made them. If I know I will never wear them, I do let them go (donate), but if I think I might wear them occasionally, I hang on to them. I don't actively dislike the cardigan; I'm just not crazy about it and haven't found an outfit yet that I think it really enhances. Like it works okay here, but when I took it off after work this evening, I tried another cardi with the outfit before changing out of the pants. And the other cardigan--in a similar style and in a more muted teal color--works better, both proportionally and color-wise.

Anyway, here's the outfit:
Caribbean blue linen knit drapey cardigan (made by me)
gray and ivory striped tank with ruffle front (Caslon, a year or two ago)
gray washed linen slouchy pants (made by me)
pewter peep-toe cutout booties (Paul Green)
pewter skinny belt with studs and rhinestones (Calvin Klein Jeans, not recent)

Despite my feelings about the cardi, I felt pretty good in this outfit, because I like everything else I had on. Thoughts on the cardi dilemma are welcome! Thanks for looking!

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11 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love your shiny pretty shoes with your made by you (!!) slouchy pants. The blue of the sweater is beautiful. I am impressed!

ETA I would have a hard time getting rid of a made by me cardi like that, but I am also sort of over the drapey cardigan look. Do you know someone else who would appreciate it?

Deborah

I think you are amazingly clever! I struggled last night to simply turn up the hems of Master 11's school pants!!

I think the colours here work so well together. I think I know what you mean about the cardigan. The colour is fab. The design is one that I have seen in stores over the past 18 months. It's attractive but doesn't always translate well from hangar to person. In your case I think it drapes well and is pretty. I do prefer it worn open.

Jenava

I agree the proprotions look a little off. Those trousers and shoes looks so fantstic with your beautiful silver hair, though. The color choices are beautiful!

Peri

Well I am so impressed...I think it all looks great. Maybe the cardigan could look better with other things, but wow...you made that!

rabbit

I think the colors of the outfit are really beautiful. I've found in my own closet that I rarely want to wear cascading cardigans with pants anymore, it just never looks right to me, except occasionally with an untucked loose top over skinny cropped pants. I do like to wear them with skirts and dresses though to elongate the top half or cover bare shoulders, open and with the sleeves pushed up.

Firecracker (Sharan)

shevia, that's a good idea. One person does come to mind as a possibility.

Jenava, thanks for your thoughts! I appreciate your eye.

Deborah, thanks--I prefer it open, too. That's how I wore it today.

Thanks, Peri. It was fun to make. Even if I don't appreciate the clothing afterward, I do enjoy the process, so it's never a total loss.

rabbit, good insight--thanks! I have worn the cardi with a dress before; maybe that was a better look, or one I could at least try again. Oh, and yes, pushing up the sleeves! That could help. They are long, and I like that feel on a lot of tops, but not on this one.

Cerinda

May I see this terrific cardi with skinnies?

May I see these smashing trous without a topper?

Anonymous

I'm again in awe of your skills. YLF

Angie

Fashion Stylist

WOW. You and Diane G can shake skillful sewing hands.

I love the cardi worn open. Killer look, you fabulous lady. Those trousers are soooo divine. xo

JulieJohn

I just swoon over your pants - so interesting and they look great on you! No problem with the cardi but I understand what you are saying. I do have a lot of items that are safety items in my closet. That's partly because I didn't know how to shop for many years, so I would shop in emergencies only! Silly, I know that now. Thanks for giving a name to these "safety" items.

kellygirl

IKWYM about keeping stuff that you make even if you don't reach for it very often (in my case EVER--when it comes to hand knits) but I really like both of these. The cardigan un-ruched is gorgeous. I think the gathering makes it look fussy--which doesn't seem like you at all. LOVE the pants. OMG those are wonderful! Those PG booties are insanely awesome on you too. They are becoming quite the work horse!

Cerinda, I may try the cardi again, with skinnes. If I do, I'll show it here. I'll definitely be wearing the pants, so you'll see them again in a more exposed form.

Thanks Joy and Angie!

JulieJohn, glad I'm not alone. Unfrumped's post really made a light bulb go on for me.

Yes, kellygirl, I imagine it's even harder to part with a hand-knit, because they take a long time to make! Bingo, on your diagnosis on the cardi: the ruching is too fussy for me. Which is funny, because that very element was the biggest thing that drew me to the sewing pattern!

Neel

Gorgeous colors on you firecracker! I like the cardi open. Beautiful and chic. And you are one talented lady

Beth Ann

I think the cardi is a gorgeous color, and you've done a nice job with the drape and fit. I think the draped cardi has become a classic part of a woman's wardrobe, but it's not likely to cause excitement, like your amazing slouchy pants!

I support keeping items like this, as long as you aren't too scrunched in the space department. Don't feel pressured to wear it, and replace it with a better option should it present itself. The happiness factor matters, too!

Catnip

I love your outfit and admire your talent! This is a great look!

And I completely understand your "safety net" clothing. I have an entire closet full of just this type of stuff. I've made a resolution to clean out this closet and get rid of everything I haven't worn in the past year. In your case it might be more difficult because you invested time in making some of your "safety net" items. That's a double whammy, discarding pieces that cost both time and money.

fuzzylogic

I like the cardi open!

Completely impressed by your tailoring/seamstressing!

Freckles

Gorgeous! I too thought of scrunching the sleeves, they might be a bit long. Some of my cardi's are for at home night time wear only. Not because they are not divine but because I want a longer length sleeve when sitting reading/watching a movie/sedentary habits at night and they never seem to stay scrunched during the day.

Zibbets

You are so talented!
I like the cardi a lot. Have you tried it over a dress or skirt/top column of color?

Lol--I learned the hard way. I knit a bolero sweater with ruching up the front almost exactly like yours. (The ties made me crazy too.)It seemed like a good idea at first and I thought the style was cool--until I finished it and tried to wear it. I realized that simple is better for me!

Niefern

Active Member

I am sure you can find other great combinations, but this outfit looks wonderful to me. I love each and every piece you are wearing, and the colours too.

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