Sweater edit - help please! - YouLookFab Forum

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Sweater edit - help please!

Helena

Veteran

Hey all! After a self-imposed low edit year and a bit (I have been known to over-edit), the time has come to do a bit of a clear out. It was an effective exercise and broke my "edit everything that's not perfect" compulsion, but my closet is feeling a bit unruly lately and having added some fresh pieces, I don't want to hold on to items that might be of value to someone else, if I'm never wearing them.

Anyhoo ... I could use a little help with the sweater category. I was light in this category and now have more than plenty. Here are my questions, for anyone game to give me a hand! The angle is terrible on these photos, I know! Squeezing this in between other jobs so was rushing.

1. I haven't worn this in ages, but I think it's worth keeping, since it's a classic style and I don't have much colour in my collection.

2/3. These I think I can let go of. They are sort of neither here nor there ... not oversized enough to be cool, not fitted enough to be sleek. The gray is just meh overall. The red is not a good colour on me (too orange). I have a burgundy cableknit in a similar fit to the red which I also think I can let go of ... but if I was going to keep one, it would be the burgundy because at least the colour in nice (I don't know what became of my photo of it!).

4. I have enough black sweaters, this one is a little faded and the mockneck in black is a little heavy on my colouring. Think it's a let go.

5/6/7 - The keepers. I probably have one more tan one than I need, but they are in good condition and some are slightly lighter weight for early fall late spring.

8. I like this sweater but the sleeve has a weird shape - a bit of a half-hearted puff. Think maybe keep but have it on probation?

9. These are my merino sweaters. The ink one is a turtleneck that is quite high and it's so itchy so I think that one goes. The three ribbed BR ones I like alot BUT the itchiness! Will this every go away??? I'm tempted to keep the blue, because I find the colour quite flattering that it's almost worth putting up with a bit of itch when I really feel like wearing that colour. But let the others go so someone else can enjoy them *sob*

So - anything I'm thinking of getting rid of you think I should keep? Anything I'm thinking of keeping that you think I should let go of? Thoughts on the striped one? Thank you so much! xoxo

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33 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

SarahD8

Veteran

I agree that 2, 3, 4 can go.

I actually LOVE the stripey one! Really flattering on you and seems like it would be great for spring. Time for an outfit lab perhaps?

I would keep the maybes -- the merinos and the unpictured burgundy. Maybe in a holding zone and reassess next fall with a "when would I choose this over that?" sort of exercise. Just because of your tendency to over-edit, and really your crop of keeps is not that large! I'm just thinking that slow/iterative editing might serve you well and help you avoid overdoing it. Said with love!

LJP

Veteran

I quite like the first sweater but feel confident that you can let the others go .

Helena

Veteran

Sarah that's exactly the sort of feedback I was hoping for! Thank you so much.

Lisa thank you; appreciate your keen eye.

Current plan- the red stripes stay, the others go, the merinos go into holding for the time being. Pending additional opinions

Helena

Veteran

Oops and the white stripes might be worthy of a go this spring before it gets edited.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote #2, 3, and 4 can go.

I like #8 - but the warping around the neck and welt give me pause. Have you tried pressing the sweater? I like the sleeves!

Helena

Veteran

Oh thank you Angie, I hadn't even noticed the warping ... I'll try ironing it and see if it looks better ...

Style Fan

Veteran

The first striped one is a classic. Perfect for your style. I wish I knew of a way to get rid of the itchiness in sweaters.

Roberta

Veteran

Itchy sweaters are the worst. I have a couple of merino sweaters that I love (the rich colors, good drape) but have actually bought thin turtlenecks to wear underneath them. Then they are too hot to wear on most days.

I agree with you overall, but I suspect #8 might be too stretched out to save. I like the look and fit of #2, but I agree that it is a non-distinct grey.

Jonesy

Veteran

Ditto what Angie said! That ribbed merino sweater in that gorgeous blue can maybe stay on probation, vs. getting rid of it? Or is it just too itchy to put up with?

Helena

Veteran

Jonesy, I would put up with it for a period of time ... Say, going out to dinner or something. I think I love the colour enough to save it a while longer ...

Roberta you may be right about the stretched sweater...

Thx all for your great advice!!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Following with interest. I’m trying to do an edit but I have such a hard time letting go of items that are useful but a bit faded in color. They’re still perfectly good! But… I have plenty of others so…..

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Itchy is such a deal-breaker for me unless I can wear a layer underneath. Even then, sometimes it’s the neckline…

I like the first one. Definite keeper.

Looking at your collection here is reminding me of something I’ve been realizing lately. I have a tendency to buy sweaters and tops in patterns and prints rather than solids. I really need to pay more attention to my solid color sweaters and tops.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

First to go is anything itchy. I also saw the wobbly neckline of the striped sweater - I would consider getting rid of it if that can't be fixed.
Otherwise, you have to go with your instincts. I tend to keep functional items of good quality but store them away, but I practically have a warehouse at my disposable (storage structure in the yard).

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Umm…why are you saying “sob” about the merinos? If you like them enough to say sob about letting them go then just keep them? You have enough of a cold winter to just wear them out for a few hours when you can stand the itch surely?
I just don’t believe in the whole “let someone else wear them” thing- we have enough knowledge on how much donated clothing ends up in landfill?
2/3/4: I agree let 2 & 4 go: the grey doesn’t do anything for you and the black is not great but I really like the red. Could just be I like the colour.
I noticed the wobbly neck on the white stripe, I personally would donate that one for that reason.

Helena

Veteran

Jenni, items like the merino I can donate or sell for pennies to organizations where I feel quite confident they will be well worn rather than going into landfill (or I can give to a friend who likes merino). But yes, I am aware of the issues with donating clothes generally ... Unfortunately keeping them in the closet unworn doesn't solve that problem; it just kicks the can down the road. I like to at least try to give items a second life if I can, while they are still in good shape and not too old. And I was just trying to be funny with the sob ... I do like them, and it's just annoying that I can't wear them anymore .. I've shared before how I've had numerous sensitivities crop up. But I'm not actually crying over a few sweaters!

Thanks for the feedback on the striped one!

Tanya

Veteran

I really like the first striped sweater on you, Helena, and think the rest you are modeling can go. I also vote to get rid of anything itchy/generally uncomfortable, it is not worth it and you would never reach out for them anyway.

Helena

Veteran

Jessikams, yes I hear you on the difficulty ... the thing I come to is, how many things can I possibly wear? I'm still left with 15 or 16 sweaters after this edit! Yes we have a long winter, but still, there's only so many days in a week - and I want to wear my favourites more often; I will sometimes wear the same one twice a week! I'm not one who needs a ton of variety, so I always gravitate to the same small collection ... but at the same time I don't want to feed the purchase-edit cycle too aggressively ... it's tough!

Janet and Jaime, thank you! Janet, yes - sadly these knits can't be layered under. Yes, I tend towards solids - I like to layer accessories, etc. to add a bit of interest. Horses for courses as always!

Tanya, thanks and I'll see what I can do about the stripes, and then send to the textile recycling box if it can't be fixed.

RobinF

Veteran

Oh bummer, I also have a problem with itchy sweaters and find I just don't reach for them, even if I can stand it a few hours. But I think I have a lot more sweaters than you - some are thicker, some thinner, some for work, some casual - haha. See it can be an issue.

Anyway, I agree with your decisions and with the striped consensus. But I think you need a pretty pink sweater!

unfrumped

Veteran

I have similar issues and think you are on the right track with your criteria.

The first one looks good. I find fit snd “ looks good” is not always predictable until I wear something a few times. I have been comparing my sweaters and his they fit and I feel ( style- wise) in them and find certain ones I THOUGHT should be good, don’t give me the look I want.

Itchy is a real problem. Last fall I bought a lovely deep pink pullover from BR outlet that’s wool blend & seemed ok at first but recently wore it & was so itchy. Then I noticed the neckline was a bit saggy and the overall fit was I dunno, not as sophisticated as I prefer and then thought the color was great in isolation but probably is almost too bright for me now. So too many strikes to justify ANY itch. I feel guilty but that won’t make me wear it.

Sometimes my sweaters shrink even with hand- washing and if I can’t re- block, I lose the fluid fit that’s important to me.

I love merino and if it’s not itchy and in a classic sort of fit I’m actually able to wear it as a layering piece when I travel to cold climes & it packs light. Also more easily handwash & dry than cashmere.

The thing is, I’m sure I’ll want to try a new sweater (s) every year or so based on my style, shape and coloring, so no point in keeping lots of lesser one “ just in case”. But am trying to be much less grabby about adding new, because in retirement I no longer can wear as many as when I dressed nicely for work every day.

So— fits that aren’t right, either too tight or this frumpy rectangle fit I sometimes get; colors that may be nice in theory but are too dull or too bright or too warm; itchy without some fabulous other quality- and even then, why? except i sometimes get itchy after 6-8 hours of wear, so that might be ok for otherwise perfect item; & so on are good criteria to just let go & not look back.

Helena

Veteran

Robin, duly noted! I love pink for spring especially! I do have a favourite bright pink sweatshirt and a muted pink cardigan to be evaluated in my next round of edits :)(100% the sweatshirt is being kept; most likely the cardi too!) I'm going category by category to make the process a little easier and more considered

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Helena

Veteran

unfrumped, everything you said captures my thinking exactly ... thank you so much. My strategy is similar to yours ... trying to be more considered about what I buy, as that's the moment the "waste" is created in my mind (actually at the moment of production but the purchase is where my power lies ... but we could go in circles about this for hours I'm well aware! bottom line, there IS no perfect solution; if there was, we'd all be doing it! So just saying what works for me right now)

RobinF

Veteran

Oh gotcha! Those are pretty!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks for reply, I didn’t think you were actually crying, just that if you were saying sob about letting them go then just don’t!
I am glad you could move them on to where you know they would get worn.
The answer for each of us personally is just to buy less I agree, that’s where our own contribution to waste lies. I am trying! Only one garment so far this year!

April

Veteran

I have to say anything itchy should go, no questions asked, unless you are willing to buy close-fitting underlayers (HeatTech, Winter Silks) to protect you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, you've got good input already -- I'd have said keep #1 and donate the rest. Wobbly neckline on the white stripe would bug me. As for the merino, I will commiserate on that score. If you can't layer something. under to prevent the itch, for sure let them go. So frustrating!

I have that problem now (in my current climate) with cashmere. I used to be able to wear it next to my skin in cold, relatively dry Ontario. But here in damp Victoria, it itches me something awful. Fortunately, I can layer most of my cashmere sweaters and have kept them for that reason, but I wear them far, far less than I wore them back east. They did all get a lot of wear back there, though, so it's not like they've been wasted.

Merino still works on me out here (thankfully) and works very well -- but not the cheap kind. It has to be of sufficient quality.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WHY ARE YOU NOT WEARING MORE PINK!

Yes. I'm shouting. Soooo good on you.

Helena

Veteran

Wow, Jenni, you are doing much better than I am on the shopping score then - but I'm trying!

Thanks April!

Suz, I don't suppose you'd want these sweaters? I know black and brown aren't really your colours But they are the BR ones and yours if you'd like them ... maybe I'll post them on Style Exchange actually!

Ah Angie, thank you! I will keep my eye out for pink that would work well with my wardrobe for spring and summer ... I do have an event this summer to shop for; maybe a pink dress or pants suit is in order hmmm ....

Anonymous

Yes to keeping the first! Definitely pass anything itchy!

Sal

Veteran

I am with the others....you do suit the pink and red but I also know that sometimes neutrals get more wear.

I added two merino at the close of last winter - one is soft and I could wear all day, the other has an itch - I have other merino items from the same retailer with no itch - it's weird!

I do think merino in good condition will find a new home.

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