Sweater length for layering - ideas? - YouLookFab Forum

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Sweater length for layering - ideas?

catgirl

Veteran

So I really enjoyed this outfit, although it was a bit challenging for me to pull together.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ie-formula

I'd like to find a sweater in a better length for layering to show the shirt hem a bit more. What is your sweet spot for this look? As I'm short, I have to get the length right, which may mean a "cropped for normal people" length. Your visuals and outfits welcome! And any roomy layering sweater suggestions for shorties...

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

PalmFronds

Curious about this myself. Will be watching this thread. Thanks for asking the question!

AJ

Veteran

Buy one that already does the work for you?

http://www.goodnightmacaroon.c.....rewneck-re

I also think the sweaters that have the zip on the bottom sides would work well for this look.

If you go the cropped route, is this how much shirt tail you want to show?

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/527554543822079946/

Ohhh, maybe a more fitted, cropped, thick ribbed hem version is the way to go:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/275986283390359296/

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am so glad you posted this question. I realized today that I am having a similar problem.

I can manage (sometimes) with a regular length sweater/ top -- to have a bit of the shirt-tail peek out.

Where I'm struggling is with the cropped version -- where more shirt is supposed to show.

The cropped for regular people sweaters actually DON'T work on me -- either as intended, or any which way. Because the proportion is wrong. They are still cropped on me...just not AS cropped. So they come to my hipbone, vs. my natural waist. And even though I am an hourglass/ rectangle, I have enough hip that tops poof out unattractively if the sweater ends just there -- plus the overall proportions look weird. Now I know why I struggle with this.

I had better luck in the summer with a Zara boxy cropped sweater that had side slits, paired with a longer-than-average top. So far, I have not been able to reproduce the effect with my fall// winter sweaters and shirts, despite deliberately purchasing a few different cropped options of knits.

I think your outfit actually looks good as is -- there is a bit of the plaid peeking out and the whole effect is proportional and attractive. But I know what you mean -- you would like to showcase the shirt a bit more.

Diana

Veteran

I have this dilemma too. I am currently trying experimenting with longer shirts. I just purchased a tunic length sleeveless white silk blouse to layer under regular length sweaters, and I think the new Gap plaid tunic might work under them too.

I do have a couple of super cropped sweaters (like, actually cropped for me, but they are hand made), but the problem then becomes that my stomach gets cold in the winter!

Long Silk Shirttail Blouse

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milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

Hi Una -
I'm just under 5'2", slightly longer in torso and shorter in legs. I have a couple cropped sweaters that are around 17"- 18" long - they are pretty short on me (well above my pant waistbands) and show a lot of shirt. I like that look (have in fact posted a couple WIW's with those in the past week), but want other options as well that are not so extreme. I want some sweaters that are around 20" long, but the problem is a lot of websites don't give measurements, they just say "cropped".
I ordered these pieces from BR last week. In the store, they had the regular red sweater, but not the petite and the regular fell a bit too long on me. The regular small shirt was very fitted, so I ordered a regular medium. I didn't want to go petite on the shirt because I didn't want the shirttail to be too short. I can scrunch the sleeves. I realize this color is probably not what you're looking for, but BR has a few other sweaters described as "cropped". I ordered the light blue one in regular, not petite, because I liked the color and the petite only came in pale grey (which I like, but I have so many grey sweaters). So that one may be a fail, even in the photos I can see I prefer the look on the red sweater - but it's supposed to be delivered today and I'll know soon.
I guess it's just a trial and error thing - I'm thankful for the stores with free returns!

Banana Republic

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Banana Republic

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Anonymous

Timing is perfect Una. I was just fuming away in my bedroom over a sweater and two tops I bought today without trying on (who is going to pull sweaters on and off in a hot fitting room? not me) which looked so cute on the display, but made me look, well, fat or pregnant. Neither of which I am interested in getting into , thanks very much. I can't figure this look out . Oh, gee, guess where I bought them? Yes, BR. That place is making me nuts.

The sweater is cropped - but also wide - sits right above my waist. I layered two different really cute (keeping those) tops under (one a sequinned tank, and the other a heavy cotton lace lined tank). Those were the right length. But this cropped sweater, from the side, just stuck out and looked wrong. So, my question is - where should these cropped sweaters sit, and exactly who do they work on? Perhaps I'm chest is too big for this look? I don't get it. I want to, but.....

Anonymous

Ack, sorry, I got so excited about this, I didn't contribute anything to your question. I have now been able to layer a shirt under a sweater and not look like i'm kindergarten, because it was with a silky flowy shirt and not anything cottony or stiff. Sweaters it works best on me are slightly longer - and not really banded at the bottom. I'm 5'5'' and high waisted. Banded "regular" length sweaters with a shirt under them make me look like well, a kindergartener.

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, Lisa - BR is frustrating me too! They are not for the bustier among us. I am trying to figure out both the length and the sweater hem issue for this look. It can't be so fitted/welted that it makes the shirt bell out, but it can't be so swingy that you end up looking preggo. That plus the length has me stymied. Maybe the zippers are the way to go, because can adjust?

Peri

Veteran

You know why I admire all of you so much? Because faced with this type of dilemma I tend to decide that I just won't do that look! Seriously, by the time I figure something out it is practically out of style already.

I will favorite this thread and try to learn something. I think I should work on breaking my laziness habit! Sorry...that's no help to you though!

Anonymous

Well if you're talking about the original citron sweater, I think that IS the right length for layering. Any shorter and it gets weird. Yes, zippers help too. So - the length you have seems ok, and just avoid a welted/banded bottom. Not sure there is much else you can do other than just not do it I'm not in love enough with all this layering of shirts that I am going to keep it up. It was fine for a picture or two, but too complicated irl. If something is that difficult to figure out, I'm out.

Tania

Veteran

I thought you looked great in your other post.

My layering-to-look-fab experience is limited! I bought one "cropped" top from Ann Taylor a few weeks ago. The sweater was longer than I anticipated (about high hip for me), but I kept it anyway. I have worn it on its own with a partial tuck, over an oversized Ann Taylor shirt, and over an LL Bean plaid (slightly large as well). I ordered up on the AT sweater top compared to the AT shirt. The sweater itself is heavyish and the welt falls straight.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm not busty, and the BR sweaters are frustrating HECK out of me this year, too. I have ordered and returned half a dozen of them! They don't fall in the right place on me.

I do think this is part of the reason the zippered look has taken over. But even those can be in the wrong place. (I know. I've tried.)

I have also come to the conclusion that part of my own problem is the welts -- I do better if the sweater is loose and boxy and maybe with a slit in the side. That is probably the place where not being busty pays off a little bit. I probably still look pregnant from the side, but from the front maybe a bit less so.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

ETA: Maybe there are two "ideal" lengths -- one for the cropped over long silhouette (and maybe Diana has a point, and some of your tunics could come into play there) -- and one for the boxy over boxy -- in which the sweater is maybe just a teeny bit shorter in relation to the shirt than in your picture. That might simply involve ordering a petite sweater and a regular length top?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have purchased some cropped sweaters then size up one size, so from a Small to a Medium. That gets the sweater a little longer and slouchier. Like Suz, this length is still fairly cropped on me but I find it not a bad length. I've also hiked up a sweater a bit to get the shirt to hang longer, this technique works with a welted bottom.