WIW: Last minute switcheroo aka K/S this sweater & shirt?

Yesterday's outfit was not at all what I had planned to wear. It was a last minute switch to some closet orphans when I realized the weather forecast had changed and they were now forecasting not only chillier temps but also a high wind advisory.

While I'm not at all crazy about the look of the outfit that I threw on I am so glad I did. The winds were craaaaaazy yesterday. So the hat with elastic in it stayed firmly on my head and the ultra thick wool sweater really stopped me from being freezing cold.

So the vintage cropped irish knit wool sweater and the Lucky brand Fuji Rose western style corduroy shirt are orphans that I'm trying to decide whether I should keep, sell or donate.

I've been hanging onto this sweater because I thought it would look cute styled with a striped long tee under it, BF jeans, and my Valentino rockstud pumps (similar to how Atlantic Pacific has one style in the photo I've included here).

The problem is the sweater is very thick and warm and it rarely gets cold enough to merit wearing it in SoCal. Additionally, if it is that chilly (as it was yesterday) then I find I don't want to wear a sock-less shoe option (ala rockstuds) --and lastly, my skin is very sensitive/reactive, so I HAVE to wear more than a tank or tee under it or it feels rather scratchy on my skin.

The vintage inspired western-wear shirt is another orphan. I do wear it occasionally (I have worn it in the last year, prior to yesterday) because I love the colors in it.

I used to really like the fact the front was very tattoo-print-looking. Then tattoo prints went and got all popular and Ed Hardy and Christian Audigier sort of ruined my love for them. I also am not usually a fan of plaid shirts. I included a couple of photos of the shirt on a hanger so you can see what it looks like overall, since it only pokes out the bottom and top of the sweater in the outfit photos.

So.... three questions:

1. Did the outfit sort of work?
2. Should I keep, sell or donate the shirt and/or sweater?
3. If keep, what are your ideas for other ways to style each?

Thanks for your input/advice/ideas on what to do with yesterday's WIW orphans!

Rest of outfit deets:
knit newsboy hat: unbranded (via consignment store)
sweater: vintage irish knit shetland wool (thrifted a long time ago)
shirt: Lucky Brand (via Zappos years ago)
jeans: j brand (via ebay)
boots: Frye Reina boot in coral (love the color on these -- it's like a lightly distressed coral/pink/red/orange and the boots themselves are incredibly comfortable and good to wear/walk in all day!)
ring and bracelet: Lia Sophia
brass pegasus earrings: vintage (via NYC flea market years ago)
bag: Marc Jacobs Petal to the Metal Sascha

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12 years ago

Laura J

Active Member

I love the shirt! I think your outfit worked well. I'm not sure what else I'd wear the shirt with. But if you love the shirt and will wear it, why not keep it?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like the shirt and the colors on you, while I think the sweater looks a bit bulky and itchy (or maybe just because you said so). I would probably be more inclined to keep the former and sell the latter. Also the sweater takes up more room. I love the boots!

TraceyLiz65

I love the boots! I also like the shirt, but the sweater isn't really doing anything for me... Not sure if pairing the sweater with a top not quite as long would improve that?

Golden

All of it is great, colors, pieces, all except for me the proportion of the cream sweater is off...too thick, short and boxy. Not a lot but enough.

Ledonna N.

1. The Outfit sorta worked,
Yes, To my eye it would have worked if the collar was tucked inside of the sweater just showing the flash of orange and plaid.

For that sweater, one good shrink in the wash on hot water wold do it. Perfection.

2. Keep or Donate
Keep the Button up absolutely
Sweater shrink it see if the fit works if not you can still donate.

3. how to style differently
Button up - you could rock that with orange or brown or even teal pants
take the rocker influence and pair it with waxed or black coated denim or leather like leggins. and those bad boots you had on the other day.

Rock it out-go for a pattern mixing with a plaid scarf or a flower print in a cheery color go big.

rabbit

For me the sweater would work if: a) it wasn't too itchy to wear a t shirt under, b) you lived in a cold climate, c) you were into more avant garde minimalism, I could see it being intentionally bulky/boxy with narrow black pants or a long pencil skirt. Since none of these seems like it applies, I'd say rehome it.

I like the shirt a lot and think it's interesting (and works much better graphically then Ed Hardy stuff I'm familiar with). If you weren't always as fond of the plaid (although I like it, especially since it's your colors) anything that covers the arms and back like a jacket and cardigan could work.

I think the outfit works okay, great boots and nice jeans!

JAileen

The sweater looks too big. It's bulky and already kind of short. Shrinking it probably won't work - it'll be too stiff most likely. The shirt is very cool, and your bracelet is fantastic! I think the outfit would have been great without the sweater. How about one of your leather jackets, in a neutral?

Full disclosure: I have four Aran sweaters, and as a knitter I love them. But they are bulky. I wear them like a jacket.

cciele

I like the plaid shirt -- it's not your ordinary plaid shirt, and I didn't think of Ed Hardy/Christian Audiger until you mentioned it Keep!

Like others, I'm not that much a fan of the sweater. The bulkiness and long sleeves are a bit overwhelming on you, plus it's such a classic sweater that it doesn't fit your edgy rocker style. In my mind anyhow AP's sweater I can see on you since it's a modern interpretation of that style.

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