August 12, 2019
While the first 6 pieces of this wardrobe are versatile, our heroine could certainly use something to keep her a bit warmer, and give her that “finished” look that you get with a jacket or cardigan…
olive cardigan – L.L.Bean
I’m a fan of keeping this first cardigan (or jacket) as simple as possible; simple = versatile when we’re talking about clothes…
In all of the earlier weeks, we’ve been looking at pants, so I thought that I would show that a good cardigan is the perfect thing to wear with a dress. If you want to look more casual, or wear a summery dress when the weather cools down, a sweater is the answer!
Why yes, that handbag is absurdly expensive… But I like the way it looks here; I’m sure we can all find something a bit less expensive…
pearl earrings – Mizuki; washable wool cardigan – Banana Republic; dress – J.Crew; wristlet – The Row; sling-backs – Linea Paolo
This next dress is very summery, but I think that the color makes it very suitable to wear all year ’round…
cotton cardigan – L.L.Bean; scarf – Johnstons; dress – James Perse; tote – Longchamp; boots – Børn
For those who have invested in an amazingly lovely sleeveless dress, and want to get their money’s worth from it, but aren’t always comfortable showing their arms…
cardigan – Madewell; scarf – Madewell; dress – Max Mara; bag – Brahmin; shoes – Eileen Fisher
A dress that you might wear to something festive can be “toned down” quite a bit with the right sweater:
necklace – J.Crew; cardigan – Banana Republic; bag – Salvatore Ferragamo; shoes – Nina; dress – Banana Republic
A dress that’s a bit too… fitted for work might be just fine with a sweater over it, eh?
scarf – Faliero Sarti; cardigan – Chelsea28; dress – Chelsea28; bag – Hobo; flats – Eteinne Aigner
And if you don’t wear dresses, you can still look quite dressy with the right sweater and a pair of lovely trousers…
scarf – Vince Camuto; cardigan – L.L.Bean; crewneck sweater – L.L.Bean; boots – UGG; pants – Lafayette 148 New York
I buy myself 1 new cardigan every autumn… This year I bought the marled grey cardigan that I show with the charcoal summer dress…
If you were getting yourself 1 new sweater for this autumn and winter, what would it be?
love,
Janice
p.s. 3 years ago I added accessories to a beige wardrobe with orange and bright blue accent colors…
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And don’t forget that cardigans can be worn buttoned up which gives a different look to the dress + sweater. A good way to get more mileage when traveling as well. Enjoying this series a lot!!!!
I like your grey cardigan! I smiled when I saw your olive jacket, as I bought myself something similar in May, though without a collar, and with buttons. I saw it styled over a Breton and a chambray shirt worn open, and as I had almost exactly those things already, I finally gave in to temptation. I only got to wear it one weekend, as the weather warmed up, but I love it. Over the summer, I have kept thinking, I’d love a cream one for a lighter look, and will get one if I see one. Another possibility is a longer length, relaxed cashmere crew neck. I am short, and have short arms, and always buy the smallest size I can so the sleeves aren’t too long, but this year I have seen a relaxed sweater which I think will still be long and loose in the smallest size, so I may go for that. In the event I go for both, I have promised myself I will not buy the Uniqlo jacket I have been considering. There, I’ve written it down here, my TVF pledge, so I can’t back out! BTW I really like this series, too.
I have splurged on an Irish sweater in a teal that I can wear with many things I own, but I may add a couple of accessories in that color. However, I am very pleased to see your black merino sweater because I must replace one that I have loved but make the mistake of sending to the dry cleaner. The manufacturer had labeled it hand wash or dry clean, but that was wrong. I thought I was being careful by sending it to the cleaner, but it shrunk terribly. I also am considering replacing my cotton olive cardigan and cotton olive pullover–both have given years of service and need to be retired. They are never worn together, but work with the same “bottoms”. I wonder if I would like the zip up cardigan for a change!
I like the dresses very much even though the sleeveless/cap sleeved ones are too light and thin past early fall here in Montréal. There is more to a winter dress than colour, if you live in such cold cities. A leather skirt is a good idea here, and most dresses need a strategic underlayer like silk or merino long underwear.
Oh, you are so good if you only buy one cardigan per year. Sweaters are my weakness! I have far too many, in all different fabrics. Linen, cotton, rayon, wool, cashmere, i love them all. TJ maxx always has an amazing selection at great prices — they feed my addiction.
Sweaters are my weakness too but because I have so many now I also try to only buy 1 per year. This year what I am looking for is a lovely grey cardigan in a medium tone. My preference is cashmere – I love the feel of merino wool but find it terribly warm for in the office.
Ironically I’m heading out tomorrow to purchase my fall cardigan sweater. It is a gray and black snake skin pattern from WHBM. It will go with black, gray, denim, cream … lots of colors. I have others in solids to go with my wardrobe colors but decided this time to get the pattern for some subtle personality ?.
The real question is, should I get the snake skin pattern skirt, too? Or would it be too much? ?
My first instinct is to get the skirt, but don’t wear both pieces together…
hugs,
Janice
I have eyed that olive cabled cardigan from LL Bean for a month. It speaks autumn and back to school in the Northeast where I grew up. A classic —although it lacks pockets!
Last year I bought a similar cardigan / jacket as the olive one in blue and I’ve worn it like crazy! It’s perfect with everything, fits over everything (a lot of my cardigans have sleeves too narrow to wear over blouses), and is the perfect weight for chilly offices and mornings/evenings alike. I think my sweater purchase this winter will be a similar style.