WIW-Cardigans - YouLookFab Forum

I have started to take pictures of my outfits again, to try to figure out what direction I want to go. These weren't all worn this week, more over the last few weeks.

I seem to have started to lean toward a uniform approach to my work outfits - pants with a long cardigan. Overall they make me happy although a few not so much.

#1-burgundy lace top and pants, camel sweater - my attempt at a warm and cold mix, which I actually like to do anyway. I notice when looking at the picture that it could probably use a long necklace.
#2-pink lace, blush cardi, black pants tucked into my tall boots. The top is a Zara that I wasn't sure I should keep but surprisingly like.
#3-brown sweater (I decided to keep after posting for advice), black pants and black/white striped top. Overall liked this but think I need a better black and white striped tee. I'll keep this one for summer but don't feel like the ties work well in this outfit.
#4-my least favorite of the bunch. I'm not crazy about the color of the sweater with the jeans and the overall look is just too plain - even for me.
#5-oddly my favorite of these, which is the only one that is NOT a cardigan, go figure. I think it is the pants though, because I tend to like them with whatever I wear.
#6-bonus pic of my daughter and me on a cruise to Alaska this past September - so much fun to spend time with her and the beautiful surroundings!

Anyway, I think I need to spice things up a bit and am a bit stumped because I'm not big on jewelry or scarves. I have been leaning away from prints and more toward texture but maybe have gone too far. Any advice?

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4 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I know all about the uniform. These look great to me though. I think 1 is great as is and doesn't really need a necklace. You could certainly add something but I think the color and textures work great together. Love the ruffled top in 2--adds just enough interest. Nothing wrong with 3 but IKWYM about the ties--I think a bolder graphic would work better here--maybe just a bolder stripe sans the ties. 5 and 6 are gorgeous. Agreeing with you about 4--it's muted with very little contrast in comparison to the others. Maybe swap out to darker bottoms? Love how your hair is growing out. So pretty!

RobinF

Thanks Kelly! Good point about contrast, maybe that is the problem. Thanks for the hair encouragement! I’m sort of getting used to it but still have days when I wonder what I’m doing!

Helena

I had the same thought as Kelly ... what about the burgundy top from 1, with 4? I agree that contrast is another great tool to add interest with accessorizing much! Alaska looks beautiful!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So fun to see you post!

I see a colour palette shift, sweet Robin. Less black and more light neutrals, which are FABULOUS with the changing hair! The earth tones are gorgeous too. My word, the burgundy and blush are soooo lovely.

FWIW, I see the palettes of #1 to #4 as much more flattering and interesting with your complexion than #5. That said, #5 is still cute

#4 is my fab fave! (Aren't I contrarian today.......) A more blingy necklace there would work too.

And fun pic of you and DD.

slim cat

I do uniform dressing for work most of the time - saves time and energy. I love your #1 and 2 because they look the most complete - texture, contrast, accessory/jewelry. Agree with #3 needing slightly different top with graphic/print. I think #5 is working fine. Very nice picture with your daughter.
About the jewelry add on - I'd try to wear two or three necklaces ( similar length or not ) together making a layering effect. It could be different metallics - good and rose gold, or gold and silver. BR got nice collection in jewelry ( tree chains in one, or two ) this season.
In the picture #4 the back side of your phone sorta adds on a print to the outfit - would you wear a mini scarf with a similar print?

Jaime

Ok, I also really liked #4 and glad to join Angie on that. And #1 which is my favorite. The darkness in #5 drags you down a bit rather than lifting you if that makes sense. Of course these are isolated pictures and things seem different in person. Fantastic picture of you with DD!

Sal

I also love 4..... and 1 is fantastic!

Nothing wrong with a uniform - whatever works.

I struggle in winter as I rely on pattern in summer. I do wear scarves but I am not brilliant with them. How about a statement boot?

I love the Alaska photo! You both look very happy.

nemosmom

Uniform dressing can be so helpful! I love #1 and 5, but I know what you mean about how lack of pattern can feel boring. What about pushing up your cardigan sleeves, maybe add a watch, and that could give you some visual oomph?

kkards

i love a uniform that makes getting out the door easier, if the uniforms working for you i wouldn't worry about....for me, you've got enough variety in color, and texture, but YMMV...

Preppy Pear

Another uniform dresser here! I really like number 3, including the tie-front, but I like 1-4. And all of your boots look great. I think that your uniform is great as is - you could try more jewelry and scarves, but I don’t find these outfits boring at all - lots of visual interest.
I’m not big on necklaces and scarves for myself because they’re often that last thing I don’t have time to figure out in the morning. Now that you mention moving away from pattern, patterned tops are my substitute for them in my uniform.

Thanks so much for the input, very helpful! It's funny that my favorite is not necessarily the consensus favorite - wonder why that is. I'll have to ponder that.

The burgundy top might look better than the blue TG, good thought. I think I need more tops in strong colors like that to give me some variety. I think you're right Angie about a color shift. I still like my blacks and grays but am enjoying the earthtones this year. Glad you like #4, that encourages me that I am on the right track.

Good idea about the necklaces, slimcat. I do like to mix metals. I enjoyed wearing scarves until I hit menopause, now they make me too hot. Interesting thought about black Shevia, I've always liked black on me. I'll have to really look at it honestly. Sal, I like the way you think! Boot shopping!

Nemosmom, I do wear a gold watch every day that looks like a normal watch but counts my steps, I love it. Must not be showing in my pics. Pushing up my sleeves might help with that. KKards, yeah the uniform dressing helps me get ready quickly, very important at 6am! I do lay out my clothes the night before which helps too. Preppy pear, you must be a shoe lover like me! Thanks for noticing! I think texture has become my print, in fact now that I think about it I never wear an obvious texture with a print because it seems too busy.

notsaf

Love #2 where you match your top and cardigan: looks very elegant to me! It's kind of the opposite to #4, actually. I (of course) like the more traditional colors in #2 and find that wearing a lighter color on the top and a darker color on the bottom is more elongating (something I like, but YMMV). Do you have a camel top you could math to your camel cardigan?

Anonymous

Another fan of #4 here. I quite like the ties and think they give the outfit interest. 1 and 5 also look great on you, to my eye. I'm less enthusiastic about the layered lace top - something in this picture is making me think you are uncomfortable in this kind of look. But what do I know? And great pic of the two of you in Alaska. Definitely on my bucket list too.

I think I'd be more inclined to dress this way too if I had an office job, or somewhere where I stayed put all day. Cardigans are too tough to layer under coats in terms of getting lengths right - but I sure do love them

Thanks Notsaf, I don't think I have a camel top but maybe something in those tones I could try. I was afraid the pink on top and black bottom chopped me up a bit and I'm pretty short so don't need help in that area! Maybe that is the vibe you were picking up Lisa. I don't feel uncomfortable really just that it's not the most flattering. Great food for thought.

1, 2 are my favorites too, due to the texture, and agreeing that adding necklaces would work. What about having a patterned cardi, and/or pants with texture?

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