Seven Days of Style: Big, comfy cardigans

Posted Oct 4th 2006 at 6:35PM by Sarah J. Gim (Subscribe to Sarah J. Gim's posts)

Filed under: Fashion, Best of the Season

Yay! It's finally sweater weather! OK, actually, in Los Angeles, it's sweater weather after the sun goes down, but still! I've been waiting for the mercury to drop so that I wouldn't look like a fool wearing this season's big, thick, chunky, funky sweaters. This fall, sweaters, whether they are turtlenecks, V-necks or tunics, are all going big. The weave is big, the shape is voluminous, and the lengths are long. Today, we're going for seven cardigans, which won't mess up your hair when you take them on and off; because really now, I still can't put one on until after6 PM or so.

Sunday -- They call it a "Ribbed Long Cardigan," though this cardigan sweater by Free People is not exactly what I would call long, but made with 100% lambs' wool it's definitely cozy, comfy for a lazy Sunday afternoon. The details are where the cardigan shines: big collar, shiny faux tortoise buttons (looks more like Mother-of-Pearl to me, though), and bright lime stitching. The sweater is $98 on the Free People Web site.

Monday -- Victoria's Secret might be known for the sexy lingerie, but it does have apparel, including this mohair sweatercoat with romantic ruching detail for $99. The sweater is shown in pink, but also comes in black (I love pink, but for this particular sweater, I'd go with the black), which would be great to throw over whatever you're wearing to work.

Tuesday -- You can't go through sweater season without a chunky cable-knit sweater, and this oversized cardigan by Adam+Eve is perfect for the big trend. At Shopbop, the cardigan comes in either heather grey or ivory for $495.

Wednesday -- You might not want all that volume around the body, but this oatmeal-colored wool cardigan by Casch Copenhagen will still feel roomy with a large funnelneck. How adorable it would be with a little skirt and tights. The sweater is $198 at Anthropologie.

Thursday -- Perfect for showing off that wide belt you bought, this 40 percent cashmere, 30 percent alpaca, 30 percent wool sweater by Vince wraps around and needs a belt to stay in place. It's hooded, so it's casual (though I can't really see anyone actually pulling the hood up over their heads), but with a dressier belt, it can go from work to dinner.

Friday -- It's your Friday play-date, and yes, a big roomy cardigan sweater can still be dressed up. I love the draped, yet fine look of this dolman-sleeved cardigan from Laundry by Shelli Segal with a deep V-neckline that elongates the body. The cardigan is made of silk, cotton and cashmere, and comes in light gray and black. At Nordstrom, the sweater is $165.

Saturday -- It's college game day, perfect for preppie rugby-ish stripes, right? Big loud stripes alternating red and white (Ohio State!) are always fun, but if they're a little bit too much, this long cardigan sweater by Lux has subtle, sheer striping. The sweater is $54 at Urban Outfitters. Again, I love the black, but it also comes in eggplant (which looks more like a magenta), and mushroom (a pale brownish pink).

Tags: cardigans, sweaters

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

bonho 10-05-2006 @ 10:05AM

...curious how few comments there are on your non-giveaway blogentries...

Are any of these sweaters wool-free? Even cashmere is a metaphorical pea that makes this princess itchyitchy. I'm always on the lookout for fashionable silk/cotton/polarfleece cardigans/tnecks/other sweaters. I don't know what I'd do without ebay and the keyword search for

Sandra Howarth 10-11-2006 @ 11:19AM

I'm curious if anyone has tried to knit any of these sweaters. A lot of them are more stylish than the ones often shown in knitting magazines.

chris 10-10-2006 @ 3:55PM

Virtually all of these sweaters are unattractive in cut and style--they are just plain weird. The last couple are nice. When will clothing manufacturers realize that the average American woman is a size 14 and that they don't look good in styles meant for the Uber-skinny? Let's see some REALISTIC styles in REALISTIC fabrics meant for comfort. I agree with bonho--texture may be in, but these itchy fabrics, mohair, wool, cashmere and even ramie have to GO. Don't even get me started on "the price women must pay for beauty." That's so cliche. You don't have to be uncomfortable to be beautiful. There are many shades of beauty, and it is, in the eye of the beholder. This beholder finds most of the sweaters in this article UGLY. Even Heidi Klum would look hideous in them.

Susan Brown 10-10-2006 @ 8:04PM

These sweaters look minimally attractive to unattractive in still, posed photographs. I wonder how bad they would look after an hour or two of normal movement, sitting, bending reaching.

comfortable fashionista

Susan Brown 10-10-2006 @ 8:04PM

Janice 10-10-2006 @ 4:18PM

I agree with the comments already posted - the fabrics in these cardigans are itchy and impractical. The styles are just plain ugly - they look like something someone pulled out of Grandma's attic. All that's missing are the moth holes. Come on designers - get those creative juices flowing! All you're doing is repeating the same old stale styles over and over again. Did you think we'd forget?

Pat 10-10-2006 @ 4:48PM

Well, if I was 21 years old and weighed 95 lbs I might look good in these sweaters....have you all heard of the "baby boomers" - there are lots of us and we need to keep warm too! You might want to modify some of these a tad.....we need good quality, looks good on size 8-16's and comfortable for us who are working......really none of these fit the bill except maybe the last 2 (but modified). And remember, we like them long to cover faults.....thanks!

lori 10-10-2006 @ 6:18PM

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Ginny 10-10-2006 @ 6:27PM

I agree with #2...The average size of women in America is 14, and with a price tag of $99.00 and $495!!! Who could afford these sweaters?!! How about making sweaters for the average (size and financial) woman in America....

Mellie 10-10-2006 @ 8:29PM

HI ALL, IT'S MELLIE AGAIN.
JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW
THAT I HATE THIS LOOK.
I'M A BIG BEUTIFUL WOMAN!!!
AND IF YOU ARE ALSO BIG AND FLUFFY
DON'T WEAR THIS STYLE !
IT WILL MAKE YOU LOOK UNKEPT.
JUST STICK WITH GOOD FITTING SWEATERS
AND THEY WILL BE ALOT CHEAPER
SO YOU WILL HAVE MORE CLOTHES IN YOUR CLOSET.

Barbara Landreth 10-10-2006 @ 7:00PM

YUK!!!!!

Sally 10-10-2006 @ 7:27PM

I keep seeing all these clothing sites and women complaining about them, i.e. how small you have to be, how young you have to be. If "mature" women would start wearing "mature" clothes and realize they are 50 (just an example) and not 25 and quit buying clothing that looks good on a 25 year old and not a 50 year old, soon the manufacturers would have to change. Until we have to suffer with little choice while you see Great Granny in spandex!!! lol

Debi 10-10-2006 @ 7:27PM

I am not Big. I am a size 4 Even I would not wear these hideous sweater/cardigans. The last one is ok but the rest need to go back to the drawing board!

Barb 10-10-2006 @ 7:43PM

Ugly! Nobody would good in those.

Melissa 10-10-2006 @ 7:50PM

#2's comment is rediculous. Why get jealous that Some women are skinny and can wear nice cardigans... I believe that if you are bigger...There is a Store called Lane Bryant or possibly Torrid.

m12 10-10-2006 @ 7:51PM

no what it means is that all you "average size women " need to lose weight you fat bitches

m12 10-10-2006 @ 7:53PM

you do not see size 14 running through europe or asia learn how to eat bitch

Lorene Poe 10-10-2006 @ 8:29PM

My opinion?
Ah! The twin to the pink bath robe I got for Christmas last year. And Grandma's bedspread remodeled. Different? Yes, I grant you that.
Fashion? Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll?