I’ve been craving color this winter, and wishing that my sweater collection included more vibrant shades. And yet, I keep buying grey and camel sweaters. Hmmmmmm.
I do love grey and camel. I love each color paired with other shades of the same, with black, or even together.
When this special cardigan appeared on The RealReal, I nabbed it.
Perhaps you are asking, isn’t this a repeat of what The Directrice wore in her last post? Isn’t this cardigan just like the belted one from JCrew that she showed with a suit in 2018?
If you are feeling aggrieved about redundant content, have a little faith.
After consulting with the Directice Global Industries archivist and going back through DGI Holdings 10-Ks, I can confirm that the little merino stretch cardigan is 18 years old and the belted cardigan is approximately 6 years old. Based on their ages and my excellent use of them, I think I can buy another fine merino wool cardigan in grey.
A deserved reward and an intelligent purchase, particularly in light of the unique delights this one brings to the collection.
Look first, then read on for a DIY suggestion.
Among the many teachings offered on this blog, you may remember that changing the buttons is an easy way to personalize, embellish, or upgrade a sweater, jacket, or coat.
This sweater features two kinds of buttons that are placed at different lines of longitude. Twelve satin covered buttons, with loop closures, run from the neckline to the bottom of the ribcage. Then, an inch to the right (my right) three larger, shell buttons (or plastic or resin) close the bottom of the sweater through traditional buttonholes. Interestingly, though this design was clearly purposeful, there are buttonholes at regular intervals in the placket from the neckline to the hem. The top six are just sewn closed.
The difference — in size, style, and alignment — adds just the right amount of interest to make this sweater fun. A thin black belt gives the loose cut a little polish.
New Matters: This off-the-shoulder sweater may remind you of another from the Archives. But this sweater has long sleeves, which I need at this time of year.
The off-the-shoulder neckline is so dramatic and feminine –it’s too special to reserve for eveningwear.
This cozy chenille sweater weighs as much as the lead vest the dentist lays on you before taking x-rays. It’s an odd sensation: heavy and soft.
The sleeves are intentionally long, with thumbholes. This may be my most chic sweater, but it’s not my most practical one. My most practical sweater is a warm, but very light, boucle sweater with a giant intarsia heart knitted into it, which came from JCrew’s Crewcuts (i.e., children’s) line.
Time to turn the page, figuratively.
Perhaps the Directrice scholars among you see something familiar in this photo?
A garish, sequined corsage on my sweater! This sequined applique was on a different sweater (also from JCrew) six years ago. I loved the sequins, but the sweater was weirdly uncomfortable — tight in some places, loose in others, stiff all over. So I gave it away several years ago.
But not before clipping the applique off (actually, two overlapping patches) and tucking them in a drawer for safekeeping.
Every so often over the past few years, I would take these patches out of the drawer (they were living with my silk scarves) and admire them wistfully, thinking that I should find a sweater to attach them to.
Note: I am 53 years old.
It struck me like a bolt between Christmas and New Year’s 2022 that a rich camel or caramel color would set them off beautifully.
This relaxed fit crewneck, also from JCrew, fit the bill.
In the full length shots, I tucked a white scarf into the neckline to approximate a shirt collar. The knit is very light and supple, so a cotton blouse underneath would not work.
I wondered if I should affix the patches with an elaborate felt-with-snaps docking station — for ease of cleaning — but Fatima assured me that these sequins can be dry-cleaned.
Grey cardigan: Sacai from The RealReal (there is another one there now, but it costs much more than mine did . . . a vagary of RealReal pricing); Off-the-Shoulder sweater: Jacquemus; Camel crewneck: JCrew; Bag: Longchamp (old, from The RealReal)
The sweaters are wonderful – and what’s wrong with neutrals? Digging the off-shoulder especially with the thumbholes. Also, your red lip is great!
Hi!
Just hoping that all is well with you. I’m missing your posts, in all their glory, so much. Any updates in store?
Very nice! So happy to have posts again! I have been reading all the archives these past 6 months and enjoy them immensely.
Why are you so anxious?
I love all of these sweaters. You have shown them off to great advantage.