The Fair Isle trend - testing, testing - YouLookFab Forum

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The Fair Isle trend - testing, testing

Katerina

Veteran

Dear Fabbers,

I don´t own any Fair Isle sweater, but I have always admired the beautiful knits. At the same time, I have always said that this style is not for me - flattery issues. I am however very tempted to try this trendy classic anyway.
Before I would consider ordering one for myself, I have decided to raid my DH's and DS's wardrobes, because they have some beautiful hand made Nordic sweaters, and see if this style would at all be possible for me. This is, hence, a test.
1) Outfit one is DH's hand knitted sweater in khaki green and cream wool. He almost never wears it, btw. I wear the sweater with cream wool ankle trousers and a pair of khaki wellies. To offset the green, I added a cream silk satin scarf and a pair of large pearl earrings. Then, I added a large pair of black/khaki sunnies, which I think work nicely with the pattern of the sweater. I could not find any bag which would really work, so no bag here.
2) Outfit two is a really old, beautifully home knitted blue sweater with red and cream pattern. I wear it with red wool cropped trousers and a pair of burgundy patent Chelsea boots. Large red sunnies and pearl earrings. Again, I haven´t got any bag which would look good here, so no bag.

I know what I think about these sweaters on me, but I am very interested to know what you guys think. Honest feedback would be much appreciated.

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Dressing

39 replies

Latest reply was from Katerina

abc

Veteran

I really want to jump on the Fair Isle bandwagon with you! All this talk of these beautiful classic sweaters has me wanting one.

Waiting for photos

abc

Veteran

Oh I love them! But the sweater in photos 2/3 is my favorite! I would love to see the cream pants from photo 1 with the sweater from photo 2, with a red handbag!

Eva

I really like outfit #2 on you! Beautiful colours!

Cardiff girl

Veteran

You have put together some really lovely outfits for these sweaters.l definitely think that you can wear them,they are not unflattering at all.The Navy sweater is particularly lovely and unusual compared to the shop bought ones you see.

abc

Veteran

Yes, I love the neckline of the blue one, and the colors, too. Beautiful and you certainly can wear them!

Anonymous

I do like them on you, especially with the red pants, but the exact patterns make your shoulders seem wider (possibly your posture in 3). The contrast is really good on you. Maybe if the pattern was all over or just the neckline not extending to the shoulders it would work really well!

karen13

Veteran

I think they both work well. I like the green one the best - so fresh with the cream pants, although I prefer the boot to the pump. I think the shoulder pattern on 1 puts a bit less emphasis on the shoulder line.

I also feel flattery issues with this style on me and don’t have your height to balance the pattern. But maybe a search is in order.

Vildy

Veteran

I think you make every look distinctively your own!

kkards

Veteran

I love a fair isle and you wear them well....both are fab, but for me, the green one is just TDF and looks fab with the cream pants! I think you should just sort of "borrow" it on a permanent basis

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I WANT THOSE RED PANTS.

Raiding the boys wardrobes. Why not! You added fashion flair and verve to these Fair Isles in your special Katrina way. Nicely done.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I love the first one and think you should commandeer that sweater and wear it!

anchie

Veteran

You can make even boys sweaters look like Katerina.

Katerina

Veteran

Thank you ALL for looking and for the feedback. You are awesome.

ABC thank you for the suggestions, the blue sweater would work nicely with the white trousers. Red bag would be nice, unfortunately my red bag is very structured (most are) and it looked odd with the very casual sweaters. Don’t know which shape and style would be nice here.

Cardiff girl, thank you. The blue sweater is some 50 years old, I wonder if these necklines were popular then.

Suntiger and Karen, thank you for the feedback. Funny, my area of concern is always my midsection and I have rather narrow shoulders. I normally don’t worry about looking to wide shouldered. But the blue sweater makes shoulders look really wide. DH has tried it just for fun and his shoulders looked enormous in this sweater.

Thank you, Vildy and Anchie.

Kkards and Janet, thank you. I think DH will not oppose a permanent “loan” of the green one

Angie, thank you. What a sweet thing to say.

Joy

Veteran

These certainly add visual width to your shoulders. I wonder if the width can be reigned in with the ends of the scarf hanging down or adding a vest over them. I am wearing an old similar sweater today and liked the look of a vest although I don’t have any in the right color.

Kate

Veteran

Beautiful sweaters. I prefer the green one on you. It's an unexpected color for a Fair Isle, and really pretty with the cream trousers and scarf.

Christina F.

Veteran

I wouldn't worry too much about wide shoulders - yes, it's true of the blue sweater in particular, but it's clear to a viewer that it's the sweater pattern, and not you!

I think you have enough positive proof of concept here if you want to try to find one for yourself. The green is especially yummy with those pants.

always trying

Veteran

they all look great on you. 2/3 are super, and festive. I love the unusual look.

?

they all look great on

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You are a styling genius! You've made both of these work for you. I like both outfits a lot. I agree the green is more difficult for you to wear. But the scarf helps. And you could use your new gold bag with this one.

Love the second sweater on you with those pants, or the cream ones, or with jeans.

Cee

Veteran

Beautifully styled

rachylou

Veteran

Have to say, I really wanted to see how you’d do Fair Isle. And it’s great! I think I’d like to see the green one with boots too... Fair Isle says winter to me...

Katerina

Veteran

Joy, thank you for the feedback and the styling suggestions. Unfortunately, I don’t have any vest. I don’t really wear vests. But I will certainly try to arrange the scarf in a different way to break up the shoulder line.

Kate, thank you.

Christina, thank you. I am not really sure about the concept for me, but the pattern placement and size, the colours and the thickness make the sweaters look totally different. Maybe, there is a great one for anyone....It would be fun to try a few ladies’ style on.

Always trying, thank you.

Suz, Thank you, you are way too kind. I am honored. And Thanks for the ideas. White jeans would work nicelly with the blue one and probably the green one too. I have not thought of the gold bag as suitable since it is very structured, but maybe the contrast to the casual sweater would be interesting.

Thank you, Cee.

Katerina

Veteran

Rachylou, thank you! The wellies I am wearing are brown/green rubber with leather details and they are insulated, very warm. But I can wear leather boots here too. Just was not sure which colour, I do not have any white pair or cream

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I second Suz on the gold bag idea. Give it a whirl. I love both sweaters. They are treasures.

JAileen

Veteran

The green one is gorgeous. I love it with the cream pants. You’re lucky your husband doesn’t mind you borrowing it.

Years ago I knit a Fair Isle vest for my husband, and I’ve worn it more times than he has.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love them both on you honestly. The green one is such an interesting pattern and the blue is smashing. I think they should go on permanent loan - and why not try the red structured bag with the more casual sweater? It might surprise you!

virago

I like them all, but the first outfit is my favorite! Both the color combination, and the pattern of the sweater are fresh and unexpected.

Anonymous

I think I can be objective here because I have no interest in nor personal attachment to fair isles . While I love the bold statement of the second outfit , I find the first one more flattering . The shoulder line created by the navy sweater seems off somehow while the green one creates a nicer circular effect around your shoulders and has a more subdued, sophisticated appeal . Just my two cents .

SarahD8

Veteran

I like them both very much. To me the shoulder line of the blue one looks dramatic, not bulky. I would love to see these with your metallic leather pants!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

It is amazing to me that people can make these by hand. How lucky that you have “real” handmade ones in your house!
I like the blue sweater outfit the best.

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