WIW: updated cardigan

Yesterday while shopping at Nordstrom for skincare (taking advantage of triple points), I browsed through the clothing, keeping an eye out for sweaters or tops that look more current than some I've been wearing. I spotted an extra-long cardigan in charcoal gray to try on. Since I was trying that piece, I figured I might as well give the Vince Camuto tube skirt another go. (I think I had tried one on ages ago and just wasn't on board with the body-con fit across my hips.) This one had ruching, and these skirts have been such a hit here on YLF, I had to try it. I came home with both items!

Today I'm wearing the cardigan. Initially I wanted to mix patterns, and I put on the outfit in 6, with a reptile print cardigan and floral tee. I did not get out of the house in the outfit; I couldn't decide whether it coordinated or clashed. What do you think--yay or nay on the pattern mix?

Then it struck me: wear the new cardigan! I felt great in this outfit (photos 2-5). Wanting to wear my white bootcut jeans prompted me to reach for the floral tee, which is relegated mostly to sample-land: i.e., I use it as a sample to show my students when I'm teaching a t-shirt class or how to sew with knits. The new cardigan also made me feel fab in this near-orphan t-shirt. Who knew?

I even decided once I got home with the new cardi that I could discard the boyfriend cardigan in the same color (photos 7-8), which is several years old. It was a favorite for a couple of years, and lately I've felt it may be past its prime. It's not pilled or worn out, but it just seems a little tired or lackluster. What say you? 

Oh, and I'm wearing some pumps that I love but that don't get much
wear--because I think of them as special-occasion shoes. Some recent post here inspired me to make more of an effort to wear my pumps.

It's amazing how an updated item can breathe fresh life into a look or a wardrobe, isn't it? I know this is what "refresh" means, relating to one's style or wardrobe, but to experience it makes the concept hit home.

The outfit (worn for a day off): white bootcut jeans (Lucky, Lolita); red, pink, yellow, and gray floral print tee (made by me); long charcoal cardigan (Halogen); black, gray, and silver metallic belt; black and burnished gold cap-toe pumps (Anyi Lu); black and brown reptile print cross-body bag (Aimee Kestenberg); silver rope half hoop earrings (Brighton); silver & black scarab design cuff bracelet (gift of DH, from Egypt).

Thanks for looking! I welcome your comments, ideas, and suggestions!

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23 Comments

  • replied 9 years ago

    Oh, I can see why you love the new cardigan. It looks so much more, sort of luxurious, due to the generous length compared to your old BF cardigan. I like the side split and dropped hem at the back. I also think the proportions work really well with your top and boot cuts. I'm looking forward to seeing the new skirt styled too.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thank you, Diane. It occurred to me as I was posting, the proportions might not be as wonderful as I thought they were. It's nice to have your validation. I don't exactly trust my eye on this issue.

  • Staysfit replied 9 years ago

    I love the new sweater.  It's length is wonderful and elegant looking.  It's very flattering and gives you a long sleek line.  I can see why you would want to give away the old sweater.  Your pattern mixing seems to work well.  I like it.  I also like the bag!  

  • frannieb replied 9 years ago

    The long sweater is great - the proportions are great.

  • carter replied 9 years ago

    Love the long sweater! Adds elegance to every outfit (although yours was already pretty great).

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    I love the new updated cardigan on you. The proportions work to my eye. The printed tee pattern mix is great but in like it best with your new cardi.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    I'm wearing a crazy-long cardigan today, so I am a big yay! Great look.

  • Aubergine replied 9 years ago

    Love the new cardigan! I wish I had the height and build to pull off the extra-long kind like that.

    I actually like the older one too, probably because I have one that looks very similar, but it definitely is more basic-looking. I'd probably be tempted to keep it to have an option that works with different proportions, but getting rid of it if you're sick of it is probably wiser.

    Love the pumps too!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Aubergine, are you reading my mind? When I put on the old cardi for these photos, I thought it looked good, too, and was/am tempted to keep it. Here I thought I was going to do the one-in-one-out thing, and I'm hesitating. It will go into the donate pile, but the pile won't be going anywhere soon. I gather up a good amount before I take the stuff somewhere.

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    Love the white boot cuts with long cardigan!  Score.  And I think the bf cardigan is still fine but maybe not with boot cuts, try it with a different bottom.

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    The long cardigan is stunning Firecracker! I am glad it came home with you. It looks fab with the white jeans and I am now wondering if similar but lighter weight and toned cardigan I have might work with my almost orphaned white jeans. You look gorgeous, and thank you for the inspiration.

  • Joana replied 9 years ago

    The outfit with new cardigan is great! Really suits you.
    I am eyeing these extra long cardigans, but I wonder how they match with outerwear over them? Is it supposed to be completely hidden under say coat?

  • tulle replied 9 years ago

    I can't believe you made that fabulous t-shirt!  It really suits you, and the new slouchy cardigan balances it beautifully.  I can see why you felt great in that outfit--you LOOK great in it.  I think you were probably right to reject the older cardigan--and the reptile print one, though I like it, and think it would be wonderful with the white jeans, same belt, and a white shirt with a lower neckline, for a column-of-color effect.  It should look good with the new skirt, too.  So true about the power of one or two new things to refresh a wardrobe!

    T.

  • minimalist replied 9 years ago

    Love the long cardigan. And I have white-jean envy.

    Do you ever sew your own cardigans?

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thanks, everyone!
    Denise, I can try the cardi with some other pants. I used to wear it with skinnies.
    Deborah, I'm delighted to have inspired you!
    Joana, I wonder the same thing. I think I have a coat long enough to wear over this one, but I'm not exactly sure! If not, I wonder if wearing a coat that leaves at least several inches might be best, so as to look intentional?
    Amy K., yes I have sewn some cardigans--drapey, open styles.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    I love the new long cardigan on you! I think you should purge or put away the shorter version. Why not just wear the terrific new one rather than force yourself to wear the one you feel meh about?

  • Deb replied 9 years ago

    Because you are tall, you wear that long cardigan so well. It looks fabulously modern Firecracker and I can see why you feel the old one looks dated. It doesn't have the pizazz of the long one at all. It'll still pass for house wear though. I imagine your new cardigan would look good over an equal length skirt or dress too. A really nice choice!

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    OMG that new cardigan is amazing on you! The length makes it SO perfect. I like the other one and it may serve a purpose, but that new length just amps it all up for me. Wow.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    shevia, you are so right--I want to make more of a point of wearing the things I love.
    DEB, great idea. I will try the long cardigan over a similar length dress or skirt. IThank you!

  • Gracie replied 9 years ago

    More love for your long cardigan, the proportions look great to me. Amazing how one piece can make outfits look totally fresh and current. The cardi looks like it has just enough body without being overwhelming. I just bought a similar one in autumn brown, and have yet to wear it. I also think the bf cardi looks good. My least fave is the printed one, since it reflects what Angie called classic but now "saturated" - round neck and cropped (or short anyway) and now I'm thinking I need to cull a couple I have of the same style.

  • Asingh replied 9 years ago

    That floral top looks gorgeous!

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    Great new sweater! Isn't it nice to refresh your wardrobe every once in awhile? The old sweater is still good, but the new one is longer and more current. I am not loving the pattern mixing in #6, good call on changing. And I love the tee that you're wearing - you should wear it more often, not just as a sample to show your students! 

  • Sheila replied 9 years ago

    You rock the Long Cardigan... the long line is good for you !

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