Today, we return to our series, Sweaters of Substance.
Or, put plainly, here I am wearing another old cardigan.
I am, however, wearing it with purpose: to demonstrate that a sweater with some visual heft can take the place of a jacket on a day when you are working in the office and have no important meetings.
This sweater is made of a fairly lightweight wool with some springy synthetic fiber mixed in; it’s very stretchy. An interesting placket, distinctive buttons, and attached scarf give it a substantial look.
I’ve paired this sweater with knit pants. I have previously advised you to snap up knit pants when you find a pair that fits you well. Eileen Fisher sells such pants most winters, but this particular pair came from Ann Taylor.
Unfortunately, that was many years ago.
In case you are wondering about the substantial architecture encircling my neck (and protecting me from vampires), I will unwrap myself.
Rewound. I always forget how to do this tidily and it takes two or three tries each time I wear this sweater.
Come closer and see the elegant buttons.
Because we are not taking ourselves too seriously today, an Orla Kiely laminated bag fits the mood. This outfit, in addition to working well for a quiet day at the office, is the kind of thing I wear when the weather is cold and wet.
I found a few more sweaters for your consideration . . . although I do agree with Erika’s observation (last week) that a cardigan is more substantial than a pullover. But these are charming!
Before I ready your caption, I too thought that the Theory Off the Shoulder Sweater would look charming with a menswear shirt underneath.
This blog is really a hive mind.
I love everything about that beautiful orange sweater. Where did it come from? Can I get one too?
Oh no, Lisa. Now I feel terrible. It’s years old — the brand is Leifsdottir, which used to be sold by Anthropologie and Neiman Marcus CUSP.
That’s okay! That’s how it goes sometimes 🙂 It looks great on you!
The sweater is beautiful. The color is very good on you and the background with the lovely tree foliage is great. The photographer has done a very nice job as he usually does.
What a beautiful sweater, esp juxtaposed against that gorgeous tree. I assume you just stood there all day, reveling.
🙂
Love it when you serve as our personal shopper! P.S. That Theory sweater looks preposterous on its own.
I love your sense of humor and how it shines through this blog. Your fashion sense is impeccable; I’m always impressed with your finds!
You spoil me, Lisa! Thank you for reading and commenting.
I feel that when you wear that fabulous cardigan you ought to be able to pick up that matching tree and carry it around like a sunshade/umbrella accessory.
You are absolutely right, Ursula. I love the visual image in what you’ve written. At a minimum, I ought to be able to buy an umbrella silk-screened (or perhaps digitally printed) to look like a tree in the prime of fall foliage, shouldn’t I? Wouldn’t that be beautiful?
I so dig this sweater/jacket/cardigan/hoodie/wrap! The color is admirable and the shape is very flattering -fitted with even gathering at the shoulder. Just so sweet.
You read my mind! I am poking around for the perfect sweater pattern to make with red wool jersey.
I was thinking about this: https://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7693
Or this: https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v8982
Or this: https://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v9214 (but not the pleated-knee pants!)
Could add a neckline scarf to any of these.
Erika: I am extremely excited to be adding a new term “neckline scarf” to my glossary! I never would have come up with that on my own. Good luck with your project — I particularly like Vogue 9214. Makes me want to go to G Street and paw through the pattern books and drawers even though I am not an accomplished needlewoman.
Oh you should definitely do that. So fun. Sewing wool jersey is easy, since you can just let the edges roll rather than finishing them. marcytilton.com has some nice colors right now.
How do you prevent your knit pants from stretching out in the knees?
For whatever reason, these pants maintain their shape very well. Perhaps the knit is particularly dense or resilient — there is definitely a small amount of synthetic fiber mixed into the wool. And, I have them drycleaned every few wearings (but not after every wearing because . . . poison).