The BR merino cardi - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

The BR merino cardi

shiny

Veteran

I already have this cardi in black and in cobalt blue (same color as my Jcrew Madeline coat):

http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=606708

They are my favorite cardis this season and I've worn both endless numbers of times. The black one gets slightly more use, but the blue one goes well with several knit tops, patterned blouses, and scarves in my closet, so it has also had a lot of wear.

I've been watching these cardis go on and off sale for weeks now, and been contemplating buying just one more. I happen to also have a $40 reward card, which means I'd practically get it for free. However the reward card is good through July '09, so I could hold on to it and use it towards something for spring instead.

Questions:

1) For those who've seen this in the stores, what other colors does it come in that aren't online?

2) If I was to buy one more, and order online, should I go for green (my signature color) or the purple? Or should I buy both since I have the reward card and it'd be like getting one for free?

3) Or should I hold off and wait to use the reward card on something for Spring (not too terribly far in the future now... )

I don't NEED another cardigan. I have plenty of clothes to see me through the winter. But, I do like this cardigan a lot (fits very well; v-neck is quite versatile; mixes and matches easily; wears well; is quite warm; the two I have are my "go-to" cardis this season), and I do really love the jewel-tone colors.

What would YLF do?

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from Julia

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Shiny,

I have actually bought it in teal two days ago. The store had cream, black, teal and purple. I would definitely get at least one more ( or maybe even two) considering how useful they are for you. I remember you mentioning that this is ideal length for you and very difficult to find.

shiny

Veteran

Guess it doesn't matter - apparently I was looking at regular sizing and the petites are already sold out!

Maya

Veteran

Shiny, I saw it in the same colors Tanya mentioned...but only in regular sizing. It might be available in petites, but it really depends how extensive your petites section is. Some of the stores have a less generous selection than others.

shiny

Veteran

We're probably hitting the mall tomorrow - after this snowstorm is over. We have to exchange some stuff; can't hurt to swing by BR while we're at it.

I live near the very first petite store, so they have a fairly extensive offering, including some items that never make it online. I think they must be a test-market store.

But if I go in the store, I may find myself swayed by seeing the new arrivals and decide to wait. I'm ready for spring now! (Wishful thinking, since it's snowing and cold.)

Tanya, is the Peacock more like a Teal than a green? I already have a teal cardi (different style).

Tanya

Veteran

Well, I'd certainly call it teal, although I'd call it more of a green-ish teal than blue-ish if that makes sense.

Donna

I agree with Tanya, if the fit is really good (especially the length) then it may be a good investment. The teal color could be worn in the spring mixed with white and another color.

Shiny, I have a question on fit if you don't mind. What size do you wear and what is the length measurement? How do BR sweaters typically fit, true to size or not? Also, does anyone know the difference between petite sizes and regular sizes in length. I'm a bit taller than Shiny (just a couple of inches) and am thinking of ordering a regular small. My bust measurement is about 33".

Thanks for any info you can provide.

Tanya

Veteran

Donna, I am not petite (5'6"), but I would not order a regular S, but XS. I am 32C, bust around 34", and always buy XS in BR sweaters. Some of them are sometimes even too big in XS ( though around the waist, not around the bust).

Maya

Veteran

I am 5'2 and used to wear an XS but since my chest is large I usually go up to a small now. My waist is 27" and would probably be fine in an XS, but my bra size is 32DD. I would say their sizes run pretty big, but I feel like all places run big because I don't consider myself especially tiny.

shiny

Veteran

Donna, I'm 5'0", 33 in chest, B cup, 28 inch waist. In BR tops and sweaters, I am usually between an XS and a Small petite.

I tend to spend a lot of time in the dressing room, endlessly debating between the two sizes!! The XS tends to be perfect in vertical proportions, but can sometimes be too tight horizontally. But this is much more true with blouses and tops than with sweaters. Most of my BR tops this year are Smalls, not XS's.

However, for this cardi I definetly prefer the fit of the XS. I think it works fine because it's a V-neck. The V gives more room for the chest. And it gives me just the right length. Because I layer them, I don't like my cardis to be too long. I like them to either be cropped, or to hit right at the widest part of my belly. Something about that length helps disguise my trouble zones! I then wear a longer top underneath.

Here are the measurements of the XSP, laid flat:

13 inches from shoulder seam to shoulder seam

21 inch sleeve (from shoulder seam to cuff)

16-1/2 inches across at bust (measured just under armpit - (therefore total of 33 inches; note that the first button hits an inch or so below this measurement)

19 inches long (measured from the neckline in the back to the hem)

15 inches across the bottom band (so 30 inches around)

I have tried this cardi on in a small, and thought it looked enormous. The shoulder seams hit at the wrong place, and it was much longer. There seems to be a big difference between the XS and S petite.

So I don't know... by your chest measurement, I'd recommend the XS. But since you're a few inches taller, you may prefer the longer length. It depends on where you want the sweater to hit. Perhaps an XS regular and not petite?

Maya

Veteran

Shiny, your waist is 28 inches? I thought it was only 25 or 26. Just wondering if it's a typo.

shiny

Veteran

Oops, that was a typo - but no, my waist is not as small as 25 inches. It was - back in high school.

Since I have the tape measure handy, I just measured... it is 27 inches if I don't suck it in, 26-1/2 if I do. And yes it *does* hit 28 inches during that time of the month!

That is at the smallest part of my waist - not at the belly button. At belly button I'm 30 inches. At widest part of hip, I'm 33 inches.

As I said... I'm the master of disguise!

shiny

Veteran

Adding in ...

My girlfriend, whom I've known since 7th grade and who moved here last year, recently gave me a pile of her clothes she couldn't fit into anymore since having her son. She's just a smidge taller than me, but much more hourglassy and has long been much more fit (very athletic). I couldn't fit in any of her clothes.

The tops - that was a given (she's a DD). They fit perfectly in the shoulders and sleeve length, but she has a knack for finding tops that leave enough room on top, because I couldn't fill any of them out. I didn't recognize any of the brands either. I think she must've bought them while in CA at some boutique specializing in curvier clothing. She does say that tops are the hardest item to find.

The skirts and pants - she must've had a 23 inch waist before her pregnancy. I couldn't zip any of them up. And yet, her clothes would leave me swimming in the hips. I think she must have had 36 inch hips. I think she was 36-23-36. (And will soon get back to that again, since she is working out a lot).

tarzy

Veteran

Shiny - I have been really struggling with cardi's this season. Maybe I should take a hint from you, and try them cropped.

What happens to me is they get this "roll" in the mid-section, I think because I have a large bust, small waist, and large hips, so they pull up from the hips, and then sort of settle down. Not a good look.

I love all your cardi outfits you post here, and I would love to get the look, so maybe cropped is the answer? By the way - I was just at GAP today and they didn't have a single cardi on the floor!

Donna

Thanks so much Tanya, Maya & Shiny!

The information is extremely helpful especially the garment measurements Shiny. I agree with your assessment that a regular XS is the way to go.

Tarzy, I think a cropped cardi might be perfect for you. I have a different body shape, but I also don't like the extra fabric in the mid-section area, so the cropped length is good for me.

dee2do

I just bought the black cardi today. Thanks for pointing it out. It's a little short but I guessed it's supposed to be and hopefully will look ok with a longer top underneath. They are selling out of everything so fast, the store was practically empty. Ann Taylor Loft was the same way.

shiny

Veteran

Tarzy, this cardi isn't cropped-length on me; it hits right about at my waistband. Still too short to wear without a longer layer underneath, but not quite cropped, if that makes sense. To me, cropped hits closer to my waist (smallest part of me) than my waistband (near my belly button and my trouble zone).

I wear it with only one or two buttons closed - always leave the bottom button (or two) of any cardigan open - which eliminates that roll you are talking about! And, it creates an "X" visually, which I think gives the illusion of having more waist than I actually do. Whatever top I wear under, usually has a bit of volume, to further disguise tummy bulge. The cardi helps to nip the volumey blouse in at the waist, where it is buttoned.

I don't wear as many cropped cardis in the winter because 1) they are harder to find and 2) they are colder!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is quite the cardi conversation. I'm impressed.

Tarzy, I'd like to see a picture of the "cardi roll" you're referring too.

Shiny, how about duplicating the black one?

Julia

Thanks Shiny for pointing out this cardi! I bought a black one and love it completely! I've tried a lot of cardigans in the past few days, this one is a winner for sure. I'd duplicate it if I were you.