Style suggestions? Sweater coat...

I chose the pattern for this hand knit sweater coat in 2014, long before I settled on my current style preference for long sleek vertical lines. In 2014, I managed to complete the font and back sections before putting it aside while to help DS who started to fail HS due to many absences from an illness.
DS difficulties lasted 2 years and I completely forgot about this project Flash! Flash forward to 2021 when I found it on the high shelf of my closet in a box. It needed sleeves, collar and a button placket. Rather than start a new project, I decided to finish this one first. I might have preferred a wider button placket to give more vertical emphasis but I did not have enough yarn.

Thinking of the color challenge. I quickly tried it on with a hat and some shoes in a similar color. I don't love the monochrome look....and would love suggestions for how to style it...

Thanks!

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3 years ago

Katerina

Veteran

First of all, what a beautiful sweater coat! I admire your skills. I love the color on you - spot on! I think the monochrome look is very nice. The sweater gives beautiful texture and also depth. The patent sneakers some shine and the jeans and hat yet another textural interest. The outfit is interesting and striking.
The sweater coat could be styled in a number of ways. You could pick up one of the grayish blue colours in the wool and add such bottoms if you have them. Or wear it with white or cream, or why not petrol. Or black or navy if you would like more contrast. I could imagine this sweater worn with a midi pencil skirt or tube skirt for an architectural look. Or a pair of full length flare pants. Maybe leggings and tall boots? You could also have the buttons undone like in pic 3 and tuck in a thin scarf (silk, cotton, thin cashmere or any other thin material) in any colour you like wearing near your face and repeat in a bag, bottoms or shoes….

ChristelJ

So impressed! A beautiful, special piece. My first thoughts were to try flare or wide leg full length pants, or tube or pencil skirt, as Katerina suggests. You look lovely in this outfit, too. Great hat.

RobinF

Nice job! Beautiful sweater. I like it as you have it, especially the shoes. What about with dark wash jeans? Love Katerina's ideas!

Anonymous

Impressive! I'd like to see it with lilac on you! Agreeing to try with a pencil skirt.

April

I do love your monochrome (the variegation of the sweater keeps it from being monotonous) and prefer the coat with buttons undone. Bookending with your blue shoes and adding a column of black beneath also seems like it would be fabulous.

cat2

Can you build a column of grey underneath? That might give you a long line you would otherwise be missing.

JAileen

It’s very pretty on you! I notice the hem turned up. Have you blocked it? You can make adjustments to fit. The bodice looks a little snug, and blocking can help with that, and the button band will lie straighter. I love the monochromatic look, but grey, white, navy, chartreuse, pink would all look good with it. Congrats on finishing! I have a few UFOs, too…

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER cute hand knit job! The colours are GORGEOUS with your hair and those sneakers

I like the way you styled it here. Are those white buttons? If so - white tank underneath when un-buttoned. Or light grey. Try it with light grey separates too.

Joy

I like the ideas expressed of pairing the sweater with white or light grey.
this is a beautiful piece and the color is lovely on you.

Tanya

What a lovely sweater. I like the way you have styled it. I also think it would look great with white/cream. light grey, taupe and lilac.

Wonderful sweater! I like the monochrome styling. Could also try over black leggings for a sweater dress look

Sloper

You are inspiring me to finish a piece that's been stuck in limbo for almost a year!

Beautiful colors and hand-work!

I like the ideas above of trying with grey and white.

Runcarla

Oooh! Great colour for you. I just picked up a new beret and I’m looking for a sky blue scarf and possibly a bag to make a compliment.

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by Runcarla

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Jaime

Fantastic work and gorgeous color on you! I like the idea of wide legs with it too.

Bijou

That is a beautiful knit and such beautiful colours on you. Do you have light grey jeans as I imagine they will look great with this knit. Your hair is beautiful at this length.

Staysfit

Katerina thanks for your lovely suggestions. I will definitely try a pencil skirt/tube skirt! I also love the suggestion for leggings and tall boots. I have some OTK boots and a dark column of color with those boots, leggings the sweater, and a thin scarf tick all my boxes!

ChristelJ, I have a pair of wide grey silk pants and could pair them with a grey top to make a grey column of color as also suggested by Cat2.

RobinF, I would like to try this with dark wash jeans. I tried to find some at NAS but did not, so I am hunting for a new pair....mine have faded....

Suntiger, I need to think about lilac. I have some a lilac pantsuit and could use the trousers. If I wanted a lilac top it might be difficult. The necklines of my tops may not work with this sweater. Maybe a white or grey top, or possibly blush? Would that work? Blush, lilac and this shade of blue/grey?

April, I think the sweater is a bit snug right now, as pointed out by JAileen. I agree it looks better open than closed. I chose the pattern size in 2014 when I was still running marathons. In 2014, I took care not to lift weights in a way that would build bulk on my torso or shoulders; now I do lift weights in ways that could build more bulk....so my torso is broader.

JAileen, It sounds like you know how to knit! I would love to learn more. When I realized that I was short of yarn, I asked the local yarn store owner for help. She provided several options on how to proceed. The option I chose most likely resulted in the ruffled button placket because I had to pick up many fewer stitches for the placket than the pattern called for. I am not positive, but I assume that it would lay straighter had I picked up more. The shop owned did not think blocking would straighten the placket, and she advised against it....I am not sure why? Maybe it has something to do with the type of yarn? Instead, she said I should steam press the bottom edge.....which I will do this weekend. She also told me the torso has enough ease and will stretch to fit me better as I wear it. Also, I absolutely love the idea of chartreuse....I have a tee that color and it looks great! (Never would have thought of it!)

Angie, thanks! The buttons have a pearl finish. Light grey separates or a white tank underneath! Yes!

Joy, Shevia, thanks!

Tanya, taupe would be nice. It makes me wonder if this would work with the brown jeans I purchased for fall?

Nikki, I like the leggings, sweater dress idea.

Sloper, I hope you finish your UFO's and share the finished items with us!

Runcarla, too bad I don't have enough yarn left for a scarf to match your hat! I love the color of your new beret!

Bijou, the last time I had my hair cut my stylist added some long layers. I am happier with it now than I was when it was all one length.

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