Pick of the week: a chic & versatile cardigan
Whether for travel or just getting the most from my wardrobe, I’m always on the lookout for pieces that can be worn multiple ways. Here’s a casual holiday outfit with a striped cardigan/sweater.
Casual holiday look with a striped sweater
Yes, it’s really a cardigan. 😉 Thanks to the more open neckline, you can easily wear it with the buttons in the back as I’ve done here. I’d wear this outfit for a casual holiday gathering. But you could also dress it up quite a bit more thanks to those metallic stripes.
It’s offered in sizes XXS to XXXL, and has relaxed fit. I’m wearing the X-Small.
My lipstick color is “Thrillest.” I’ve been going through my stash of lipsticks, and experimenting with some of these brighter colors again. This one’s more pigmented than what I’d usually wear for daytime, but could be a fun choice with an evening party look.
Layering necklaces or other jewelry is another way to make a casual look more festive. I love this mix with a bit of sparkle from Austrian crystals. “French Kiss” necklace with pyrite beads, chain necklace with crystals & pendant.
Last year I purchased one of these cardigans in the camel color, but for some reason didn’t wear it much. When I was planning what to pack for last week’s staycation, I decided to add it at the last minute, and wore it most days as below.
Which color cardigan should you choose?
I’ve been asked which colors would work for which seasonal palettes, so here’s a breakout by season (haven’t seen all of the colors in person so am judging based on website images):
Spring: Ecru/Gold, Ecru, Red, Pastel Yellow, Pastel Pink (maybe), Green Flash*
Summer: Mottled gray/silver, Vintage Blue, Mid Grey, Pastel pink (maybe)
Autumn: Ecru/Gold, Ecru, Rosewood, Sage, Nature Green, Light Beige (maybe), Red (maybe)
Winter: Electric Blue, Fuchsia, Black, Mottled gray/silver, Green Flash*
*Green Flash lands between Spring’s Leaf Green and Winter’s Light Emerald. It could work for some in either seasonal palette.
The Red looks like a warm red to me, so I’m calling if for Springs and some Autumns (if you can wear the more vibrant shades).
For those of you who can’t or don’t wear wool, I’m pulling together some options for you, and hope to post soon.
If you live near or will be visiting the Los Angeles area and are interested in an in-person Color Analysis, you can learn more and schedule HERE.
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Hi Susan: I’ve been looking at the Gaspar sweater. Are you finding it itchy at all? I haven’t had trouble with JCrew’s merino wool or cashmere. Just wondering….
I’m not sensitive to wool, so don’t find it itchy. It’s not as soft as a cashmere sweater, but not as itchy as some other sweaters I’ve tried.
Hi Susan—I’ve never ordered from this company before so have no idea about fit and quality. Have you had any problems with purchases or returns? I’m interested in the gray with silver stripe or electric blue (which I believe they don’t have in my size). I am a winter and usually wear a 6 petite or petite small. What size would you recommend?
Are both of your sweaters in the same size-xsmall? Maybe it just looks different depending on which way you wear it. When you wear the sweater backwards, do you button up all the buttons? I would have loved to have seen a backside picture.
Any information you can provide about this company or product quality, etc. would be appreciated, I’m always apprehensive when I can’t speak to a company on the phone. It appears their preferred means of contact is email.
Hi Rose, I’ve never had a issue with quality from Sezane. Returns are easy…they even include a return label in the package. The brown sweater is from last year; I do find the striped one has a slightly larger fit. I did keep all of the buttons done in the back. Regarding fits, I find sizing is usually consistent, through some items have more relaxed cuts than others.
Susan, what size is this sweater? It looks more fitted than the stripe…
Both are X-Small. The brown sweater is from last year, and I think has a slightly more fitted cut.
I love what you did with the scarf. Do you have other suggestions for
concealing “other than perfect” necklines as we age?
I have followed your blog for years and look forward to all the
wonderful suggestions for styles and colors that you come up with!
Thanks so much, Mary! I don’t worry too much about covering my neck, except to keep warm. But scarves are one option, turtlenecks another.
Tying the scarf – I have forgotten how to do the one you used with the animal print. I experimented but cannot quite get it. Do you have a link or mini-tutorial? Happy Holidays!!
So…let’s see the back of the sweater! I’m curious as to how it drapes when worn backwards. I often wear tanks and camis backwards to create a higher neckline, but never thought to reverse a sweater.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for taking the time to give seasonal direction on the colours. I’m loving the purple and wondering if you could suggest which season it would fall…I’m hoping winter! love the blog!
Thanks, Terri! I didn’t include the purple as all of the images had a somewhat brown filter, but my best guess would be Winters and some Blue Autumns.
I am SO in need of a solo vacation and was thinking how much I’d like to head out to LA (where I really don’t know anyone) and do a consult with you and Brian. Not going to happen right now but it’s in my head. The colors I gravitate to are jewel tones, vibrant jewel tones. I just re-dyed my hair purple and teal (when the gray comes out it just looks variegated, like I meant that) and man, it makes my eyes pop. I love it. I was born blonde, but went auburn at 40 and did that for a long time, and was very happy with it – people thought it was my natural color. But they also thought it meant I’d look good in oranges and yellows, and NO I DO NOT.