Wearing sweaters (Updated, pic heavy) - YouLookFab Forum

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Wearing sweaters (Updated, pic heavy)

krishnidoux

Veteran

In an attempt to make "piece" with what you can't change (in my case, winter at below 20 for weeks on end), I am trying to wear more sweaters. In the past, I have always favored cardigans but I think the non-button, over the head solution has its appeal too, and I would like to integrate it more to my wardrobe.

I just realized that it's not that I don't like wearing sweaters: it's that I seem to accumulate a substantial amount of sweaters I never wear. How come I always reach for the same ones, and never for others? The unwandted ones remain there bulking up my drawer, progressively pushed to the back. Most are beautiful. On me, I don't know why the relationship is so difficult.

Any idea why? Are you like me?

EDIT: Pics 1 to 10 are swaeters that don't work (for some reason).

1-2: Anthracite blue sweater from the French company Kookai.

3 : Best color for me But... I literally never wear it. Why?

4 - 5: Got me lots of compliments. I have to mention the texture, somewhat fluffy, and very, very soft. DH loves it. So... why?

6: What is wrong with this one?

7: When this Talbots cotton turtleneck was new (2012), it looked like a thousand bucks. What happened?

8-9-10: I thought this as cute but somehow it's not working on me... or should I accept that this is how it's supposed to look?

Pics 11-20: Sweaters that do work:

11-12: black, flattering, versatile.

13: This is just yes.

14: Surprisingly this Rodier number from 1988 has resisted times and numerous purges. Now that waists are rising again, it's coming out more often.

15: I like the fact that the back is lower, that it's not too bulky and that the neck is V-line.

16-17: Pure bulky joy. If you're going large, go large all the way I say.

18: Thank you Nordstrom! Yes, I found myself doing the distressed sweter thing. This one is so soft too.

19-20: Another Kookai pice, this one I just love. Everything about it I find flattering. It totally translates the idea of wrapping yourself in wool, which is exactly what you want to do when it's Martian cold outside.

ALSO: I gained weight this year, which was not necessarily a bad thing for me. But maybe it affects how the sweater drape on my body.

I am sorry for the tired face and the mess around me! Winter blues.

Thank you so much for your ideas and suggestions!

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Dressing

50 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I can relate! Somehow they always feel a little meh on me unless I can pop a cute jacket over them or accessorize them with a scarf orsomehow edge them up. Cardigans are the worst so they are pretty much banned from my wardrobe. I think the key is clever layering.

LaPed

Veteran

Huh, I generally prefer pullovers over cardigans. I do have a thing for boxy tops that stand away from my body and hit just at the hip. And I also love thin, body-con layering sweaters underneath a jacket or blazer. I have a small, slim torso with no bust to speak of. I wonder if I'd find pullover sweaters more difficult if I were curvier up top? I'm betting there is a fit issue at work here: bust-shoulder ratio? torso-leg ratio? Are you sweaters all crewneck, or do you have some other neckline options? Do they tend to be long and slouchy, or cropped? Are they welted at the bottom? There are so many variations... maybe you can show us pics of the best ones and the worst ones, and someone will be able to see a pattern?

krishnidoux

Veteran

La Pedestrienne you are onto something here.

A question of ratio may be the issue. The ones I don't like are sometimes long, sometimes short, but often hit at a wrong spot... just below my tummy, making my torso look straight up and down in an unflattering way.

I am in the process of buying a new phone that would take much better pictures than the very ancient and terrible 4s I have now, so pics for sure in the next days. It's a good idea. Thank you.

Anonymous

Exactly the same issues. I have , say, 15 sweaters, and wear about 3 of them. But I wouldn't say mine are beautiful though . Far from it. I think La Ped is right - there are probably proportion issues at play with yours. I think sweaters are indeed hard to get right - they add bulk to any figure, and if the combination of styling and yard thickness is wrong....there goes a wasted $200 or whatever you've spent. Do you find you can get too hot too quickly in a sweater? That's one thing I struggle with. I love cashmere, but find them hot and itchy ; cotton is too bulky ; etc etc .

Anonymous

Janet once proposed a challenge in which you wore the garment in question. You made the decision to keep it and make it work OR figure out why it doesn't work (learning lesson) and then donate it.

krishnidoux

Veteran

What an awesome solution!

Mainelady

Veteran

Sweater orphans are so sad. I think proportion and comfort are important considerations before deciding to purchase, no matter how cute the sweater is. Layering is important, too. If wearing a sweater alone, I think accessories are vital. If wearing a sweater over a blouse, a turtleneck or other layer, for me the two have to work together, to be comfortable, warm enough, but not too hot, fit well and create a nice silhouette.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Like LaPed, I wear sweaters all the time. (And bore myself silly with them; they're basically all I wear from late September until mid-April!!) But also like LaP, I am boyish up top.

Though I am a relatively easy fit for knits (ha!) I have to admit that there are sweaters I dislike and avoid and despite having purchased them. In my case, the problem usually comes down to one or more of the following:

Too square cut. I don't mind loose, oversized, or boxy if it stands enough away from my body, but square and fairly close cut, ending on the hip, ugh. Awful awful awful.

Itchy wool. For me, shetland wool is just hopeless. I will never buy another shetland sweater. Or if I do, please send me directly to jail.

The wrong neckline. My favourites (as a small busted person) are turtlenecks, crews, and boat/envelope necks. A narrow V would be fantastic but I never see such things.

The right sweater, the wrong temperature. I'm fairly tolerant of (decent quality) merino and cashmere but only in the right conditions. Cashmere (even the nicest) itches me awfully if it is too warm or too humid. Good quality merino is often better, and I can wear it across wider temperature variations, but even there, if it warms up too much I feel like ripping the thing off. I find the necks on these BR turtlenecks too itchy even today. (We have temps of -5. Outdoors it is okay but indoors I'm struggling a bit; if it were colder and less damp, this turtleneck would be fine for me.) Typically I deal with this by wearing underlayers. But I don't have a tissue turtleneck to wear underneath these. Maybe that is a wardrobe hole for an underlayer. In the meantime, ugh.

My favourite sweaters are essentially like fluid or slightly fitted, warmer tees. The J. Crew ones are actually called tees. (They don't make them now; figures!)

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Style Fan

Veteran

I have some beautiful sweaters but I always feel like something is missing when I wear them. With a cardigan, I have more options. I feel more styled. Then there is what Lisa said about the bulk being added. I have a small torso but not a small bust.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Mainelady, what accessories are you thinking of? Belts, necklace, scarves...?

Suz, wow, I can relate to a lot here. First, I think you nailed it: it's the square-close-to-body cut that doesn't cut it with me. I too own a couple of BR turtlenecks (they always go on sale) and also some from Tristan and other companies. No matter what, turtlenecks remain difficult in my case. I don't even count them as sweaters!

I remember two of my best sweaters as a teen: both my dad"s. One ribbed olive green crew neck, the other brown cashmere ample with ample v-neck. Lately I went shopping for real good quality sweaters for DH. Price range: 300-500$, nothing for less.

Olen

I have the same issue with sweaters and was just thinking about it the other day. I came to the conclusion that for me it’s the problem of “the third piece”, which is harder to do in cold weather. I don’t know why exactly but I don’t feel right in my clothes unless I add a topper to a top/bottom combination. This winter I’ve been wearing a vest which adds less bulk than a cardigan or a jacket. I’m also thinking of using certain longer scarves to pull an outfit together.
I just thought that it’s less of an issue with a short-sleeved tops, maybe because the contrast between the skin and the sleeve creates that additional line?..
Others rightly noticed that it’s a question of individual proportions.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I have too many sweaters. I am frequently cold and probably wear sweaters about 8 months of the year. However, I always seem to end up with about 10 in heavy rotation (and I am afraid to count the rest but probably at least 30 others that have nothing wrong with them). I will only wear merino, alpaca or cashmere because I hate pilling and bagging.

I like v neck, boat neck and scoop neck, but I can't wear turtlenecks because I have a short neck.

For years, my most common winter outfit has been print blouse and cardigan. In the last year, I am not feeling the cardigans as much, and I got a couple of new sweaters with a lot more textural interest, as well as a couple with bell or tie sleeves. I have also been trying to wear shorter sweaters (cropped or a little longer) as opposed to the hip length which feels a bit dated to me. I would like to find more sweaters with bottom welts.

I always wear a camisole (thank you Angie so much for the Hanro recommendation) or Uniqlo tee or tank under pullovers. And I make sure to load up on body lotion to prevent itching. I once had a discussion about itchy sweaters with my dermatologist and she told me never assume allergies to sweaters unless you've first tried using a lot of lotion on your skin.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Lotion!! What kind do you use, Ummlila? That sounds intriguing!!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Either Paula's Choice Resist Retinol, or Neutrogena Norwegian Formula body lotion.

But I will not wear shetland type sweaters either. Their fibers just get up my nose.

SarahD8

Veteran

I have a short, straight torso without much of a defined waist and a small chest. I almost never wear pullover sweaters as an outer layer. They just make my torso look blocky (or, lately, blocky with lumps). I always wear cardigans (like literally, I probably wear a cardigan 350+ days out of the year). The lines of a cardigan help "break up" the blockiness of my torso. I also like to button one button at or just under the bust to create diagonal lines. V-necks or occasionally wide/scooped round necks look best on me, and I prefer no welt at the bottom. Those "classic" cardigans with high crew necks and welted hems, oh my gosh, they are just the worst worst worst on me. Anyway, just a data point in case you recognize any of those characteristics. I have found it very useful and rewarding to figure out the details/proportions/styles of sweaters that work best for me and then stick closely to those parameters.

kerlyn

Veteran

Yes! You all just spelled out my issues with sweaters so much better than I could. I used to favor cardigans, but over the last 2 years I've stocked up on pullovers in different weights. I wanted pieces that were easy to throw on with jeans and would work under my shorter, hip-length puffer. I've really moved away from cardigans lately, as I'm finding them fussy and difficult to layer under my favorite winter coats. And yet, I still struggle with some of the pullovers. Some have proven to be good choices, and others I just don't reach for. Like Lisa P said, they can add bulk. They can be just a tad too warm, a tad too lightweight, a bit itchy, too staticky. Aargh! And finding just the right underlayer for them can seem impossible too.

Sorry I don't have some solutions. All I can offer is a bit of commiseration.

cindysmith

Veteran

I don't have anything constructive to add to the discussion, just some commiserating. I've been having trouble putting together outfits to stay warm. I've been doing well at buying pieces I love on their own, but can't figure out how to layer. I wind of feeling like the staypuft marshmallow man, or constricted like the kid in the Christmas story movie that couldn't put his arms by his sides, or somehow off in a way I can't define. I think LaPed hit on the core of my problem--proportion. I have toppers that are shirter than the tunics I love, I have tops that are a but shirt to feel comfortable with my lower rise jeans... It's just been a mess and now I think maybe I can look at it critically instead of emotionally, so thank you for posing the question and thank you LaPed for helping me find a way out of my dilemma

Anonymous

Trapese shaped and dolman sleeves seem to work best on me.
The type that have a welt that sits above the largest point of my hip looks terrible.

SarahD8

Veteran

I just remembered! Amy Herzog, a knitting designer, used to have a bunch of information on her site about how to analyze your body characteristics to pick sweaters that will look good on you. I don't knit but I found it super helpful! It looks like she has removed that info from her site now that she has published a book on the topic, but you might be able to get that book from the library and read the figure-flattery sections of it. I promise that even if you aren't a knitter it will be applicable and comprehensible.
http://www.amyherzogdesigns.co.....o-flatter/

Joy

Veteran

I was also going to suggest proportions aren't right or itchy fibers. I banned mohair and angora from my closet as I never wore them unless it was very very cold. There are also sweaters that are ok except that the sleeve arm holes fall too low- a fit issue. I also do not like V-neck pullovers on me as looking too masculine. I have one now in a bag to be returned. I bought it for the olive color but forgot that I have issues with the style.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Sarah, that Herzog book would be useful. I wonder if somebody here has it? Would love that info.

Joy, I also avoid angora. I think I'm actively allergic to that, it literally gets up my nose, as Ummlila said of shetland, and makes me go wild with itching!

I can do some mohair but only in a blend. Alpaca, meanwhile, is great. Funny how that is.

Thank you Ummlila for the ideas on creams -- I will try that!

And thank you everyone else for good insights.

I am realizing that -- by and large -- the sweaters I like for inside wear are lightweight or at least thin knits (my cashmere is not summer weight but it is not bulky) that I can layer under or over or put a scarf on. I do have a few knits that are essentially stand-alone items...but those turn out to be much, much trickier for me, because yes-- they do add bulk.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I got rid of wool sweaters a couple years before we moved here—Shetland, merino, have one cashmere left. I was sick and tired of the itching and the fibers up my nose. I replaced them with cotton and silk sweaters. They are various shapes and lengths, but I figured they were all big things that hid my figure. I’m 15-20 heavier now than I was then, and this week have been pulling sweaters out for the first time in a few years. I don’t feel that way about the figure-hiding anymore. The added thickness of a sweater can really be unappealing (in my eye) on my body right now. So even way down in Florida I can relate to this Canadian problem, at least this week.

Sterling, that “love it or leave it” challenge sounds a lot like what I’m doing with my “problem children” in the 30x30. If I can’t figure out what to do with them, they’re out. After today’s debacle, discovering that they are leggings, not pants, and scrambling to find something different to wear with them, the bootcuts are very tenuous in their position.

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

Suz and Olen pointed out two very important facts: the "itchy factor"(Suz) and the "third piece dilemma" (Olen).
I purged my sweater collection last year down to five Winter sweaters and one Spring sweater! I eliminated all itchy wools (well, except than one that will be donated at the end of the season) and restricted the neckline range: only V, turtlenecks and boat necks. Crews never worked for me.
Also, I too find difficoult to add a third piece when wearing a sweater. Either I find a very big necklace to add, or pick an outfit with a sweater on the days when I want to look "subdued" and don't really need a third piece.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Chiara, pairing sweaters with larger necklaces sounds very clever. I will give it a try.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Fashintern, that is so funny you call it a Canadian problem, but I guess it is a complication more often encountered here It's fantastic news that you don't feel like hiding your figure anymore.

kkards

Veteran

hmmmmm....well if i could, i'd probably wear a sweater 365 days....i like thick heavy sweaters, light merino ones, middle weight cotton, vnecks, crew necks, hip lenght, tunic lenght...i'm not loving cardigans right now, but....as for the 3rd piece, i use a belt and/or a scarf.
i think some people are just sweater people and some are not....there are plently of other ways to dress warmly....have you tried wool flannel shirts? layer some uniqlo heatech or similiar underneath...

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krishnidoux

Veteran

Suz, precisely, I am talking more about sweaters that are called "Skis" or "Poor Boys". Those are usually made of a thicker yarn, sometimes ribbed, Fair Isle pattern, cable knit or Fisherman. Often oversized, but not always. Olen raises a good point about the third piece issue. I guess part of my problem with sweaters is that I don't know if they are second or third pieces.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Kkards, I did try flannel shirts and I am not a fan. I am not so much of a shirt girl to start with. I do already make use of long sleeve wool/silk undergrments, so it's not so much a warmth issue. Although I will say when temperatures plummet below -20 C (- 30 C with the wind), a good sweater under your insulated puffer will make a difference. However, I see that for you, a sweater is a second piece, not a third. And that for a third piece you use accessories. This may be the key. Belting some sweaters sound smart. I will try.

All your comments are so very helpful. Thank you!

I will take pics very soon. I'm sorry I foolishly started this thread before I was able to.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Erm, actually I meant something different about hiding my shape in a sweater. Now that I’m bigger, I don’t feel it’s as possible. Every bump, even if it isn’t so much to begin with, is exaggerated by the thickness of a sweater. So I felt like my thin body was hidden by nearly every sweater I put on when I was thinner, but not now.

Do I want to hide my figure? Eh, not in the very negative way that sounds. I just don’t appreciate sweaters essentially highlighting the structural flaws in my structure.

Anyway, it doesn’t sound like that’s what’s bugging you with yours. I think cardigans are third pieces, but pullovers are not. Good luck with the accessories and toppers.

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