Speaking of cardigans....and the frump factor

nancylee

IK's post yesterday got me thinking about cardigans, so I went through my closet this afternoon and pulled out a few cardigans that haven't been making me feel so great lately. I'm thinking of at least putting them away for now....thoughts?

#1 - soul-sucking beige from Ann Taylor (don't tell Angie!)
#2 - blue Eileen Fisher
#3 - yellow ikat print from JCrew

13 years ago

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from nancylee

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Oooh; I love #3 - that print is so cute and the cardigan looks terribly nice with the dark pants. I vote keep that one... and maybe put away the beige and the cascadey-front one.

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I love 2 and 3 is really fun for spring. I'd dump 1 - you are too fab for this color and style.

13 years ago

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I concur with AG.

#1 makes me think of when Nina Garcia on Project Runway calls a garment 'sad'. Even on someone as elegant as you, that sweater looks sad.

13 years ago

dizzys

Active Member

One is the least favor of mine......the last one is a keeper..especially for spring.

13 years ago

Day Vies

Veteran

LOL! Stop with the "soul-sucking" beige. Admittedly it is doing nothing for this outfit but you can use it to tone down a really vibrant color (something in the near neon range -- very of the moment!). Beige on beige, however, is kind of pass-me-by sleepy-time.

The other two are fabulous. I love the drape on #2 and #3 is a happy burst of color. I see nothing wrong with any of them.

13 years ago

jennifer

Veteran

In my opinion all the sweaters are nice pieces . The issue is the mix. In pic #1 you are wearing a completely Traditional/Classic outfit shoes,dress,and sweater.
In pic#2 you have a somewhat modified/updated cardigan with a more trendy bootie and a traditional/classic dress .
In the third pic the elements of the outfit are All updated (very cute look!)

I think that the beige sweater could be used with something semi-wild/trendy to tone it down (shove the sleeves up and wear over some cargo pants? Maybe with a lace tank layered under? ) (maybe with a bold-wild print dress?Pants? ) (maybe worn over a long tunic white bd shirt over skinnys /leggings?)
Hope the ideas help,but if there isn't any happiness factor with the remixes then just ditch the wardrobe offenders.

13 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

Wow, lots of great (and diverse!) thoughts here. I was ready to shove the soul-sucking beige in a far-off drawer (it is definitely the least of the three), but you've given me some interesting ideas, jennifer.

It's so interesting that everyone loves #3 (the happy yellow cardi). My husband has always loved that one, but I hardly ever wear it! Thanks to your intervention, ladies, its life has been spared for now. (hehe)

Hm. I'm thinking of sending the first two to closet purgatory (not get rid of them yet) until I can find a better way to style them.....then, if that's not possible, I'll get rid of them.

13 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Nancy, I have #3 in the violet color and ONLY wear it buttoned up like a pullover sweater. I LOVE to wear it that way! I would pass on the other two

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Nancy, do you know how I wear the Eileen Fisher one? (Yes, the one you so graciously sent me last year.) I wear it constantly. But rarely out of the house. Instead it has become one of my absolute favourite lounging pieces. I am wearing it right now, in fact. And I love it for that purpose! It's soft, cozy, comfortable, sort of elegant in a way....I have on modal PJ pants from DKNY, a lighter grey T...and I feel FAB!

As for the other sweaters, I don't know....do they fit with your style aspirations? That's the main question. If not, heave ho!

13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I am not really a fan of any of them. I like #1 the least, but that is because of the color. Maybe if you paired it with a old vibrant color it would work.

Not liking the drape of #2, and not a fan of the bottom on #3. The waistband throws it off to my eye, although I like the happy color.

13 years ago

Niefern

Active Member

I guess I am the only one to say this, but I prefer #1, it fits you so well and is flattering even if the beige colour is very subdued. I agree with Thistle that #3 is a great colour but the waistband is not so flattering, in my opinion.

13 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I don't like the color of #1 on you. Try to make it work with trendier pieces and let it go if it doesn't work out. I really like #2 and I think keeping it as loungewear is a good idea, if you don't wear it with your normal outfits anymore. I wear my grey merino waterfall cardigan more often at home now than I do outside. But it's really nice for that! I do like the pattern of #3, but I agree with Thistle and Niefern that the cut is not as flattering. I'd wear it buttoned as a sweater, like Aida suggested. I think that would be awesome!

13 years ago

Jules

Veteran

I agree cardis make great house clothes. I keep my house a little cool in winter and usually wear a "house" cardi indoors over my outfit or PJs, but I can quickly take it off if I get a little warm doing vigourous chores or something. I keep it on the back of my bedroom door with my robe so it's always handy and rarely have to wash it.
That said I think all these cardis have potential with the ideas given. I would style #2 with a white t and black skinnies for a take on the blue/black/white formula. Although it technically "goes" with the dress it's not doing anything much for the outift, no colour contrast, the shape isn't unflattering but it's kind of obscuring your (lovely) figure.

13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

I think overall all three of the cardigans are great on their own terms. Rather, I suspect t's just that your style has moved on and they no longer appeal therefore...?

If any of them work when re-styled per the many suggestions you already have (and you actually could use more in the loungewear drawer!), great. Otherwise, if they're just dragging you down, put away or give away by all means. It should NOT be too much work, whichever approach you take.

13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I really like #3. If none of them are doing it for you, then I'd say pass them on. I really like the style of #1 and I wonder if you could dye it a darker shade of brown that would work for you.

And in defense of soul-sucking beige, I think it has to be worn very carefully. I have a beige boyfriend cardi that I love to pieces when I wear it with deep jewel tone tops.

13 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

So much great advice and wisdom on the wearing of cardigans! Thank you all.

Aida, that is an interesting idea to button it all the way up. Hm.

Suz (cardi twin!), I'm glad you found a use for the cardigan. I actually worried that you'd feel bad about this post since I was calling our cardi "frumpy." Glad you've found a useful solution!

Thistle and niefern..maybe it is the hem that's always bothered me about cardi #3. Good observation.

Astrid, Jules, and ManidipaM...good advice about when to keep and when to retire. And when to keep as "loungewear." I can't believe I didn't even consider that clever option!

Kristen, like you I don't reflexively hate beige. I think it has its time and place...you just have to be careful, like you said.

13 years ago

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