Love this shot. Although if she put a powdered wig on this could double as a Revolutionary-era photo. The embellished cardigan space has gotten much more crowded over the last couple of years. I bought my first cardigan ever at Anthropologie but since then it seems like every designer, retailer and homebrew has gotten in on the act. It’s hard to make something special these days.
So while I liked Tabitha’s Beribboned Buds Cardi ($88) I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d seen it somewhere before. Many, many times. This ‘purple’ color option is rich (it also comes in grey) but J.Crew has about 5 merino cardigans that are very similar to this. I guess the J.Crew ones would be super thin and sheer though. Ann Taylor Loft has similar stuff at a price point $40 lower although that means trading in cotton for acrylic. The main thing Anthropologie has going for it is the higher quality of materials used. That’s something worth supporting.
I tried on my true size medium. It closed without gaps and was just long enough for me. The placement of the fanned grosgrain is good and high on the front. No sheerness, no itchiness, no worrying about the fan coming undone. If it’s quality you’re after this is the cardigan to go for.
This super cute cardi is Guinevere’s Snowmelt Cardi ($68). It comes in the same colors as the Beribboned Buds Cardi. I guess purple and grey were the standard issue colors for Anthro cardigans this year. I just adored this cardigan on. The ruffle trim fell so perfectly in my true size medium and this would be a great top layer over dresses and tank tops…come Spring Anthro. The knit is fairly open stitching so the cardi is sheer. I love the wide ribbon. This little piece was an unexpected joy that’s now on my wishlist.
I have been waiting a month for this Moth shawl cardigan to appear on the website but it’s yet to appear and it turns out it’s a fall item that has already sold out online. It’s the Fallen Ruffle Wrap ($90, thanks Lauren!) and comes in XS/S or M/L sizes only. This is the tag for SKU purposes. I’ve only seen it at the Soho Anthropologie. I like the dark charcoal color and the layers of ruffles which almost look like tendrils. There is one dark brass button closure and only one arm.
I tried on the M/L. I didn’t find it itchy or scratchy though the material isn’t soft. I can’t decide if I like this or not. On the one hand it’s got a lot of workmanship in it which I like. But I felt a little off-balance with the ruffles only on one side. In-store they showed this wrapped more like a big scarf. I think that would work — in which case I wish there was no arm on the cardigan. It’s an interesting piece and on sale I’d take the plunge.
Roxy, that last item is the Fallen Ruffle Wrap! I purchased mine about a month ago, and was also waiting forever for it to appear on the website. Then last week, I had a eureka moment and discovered that it is actually an older item from early in the Fall season, and must have somehow missed it from the shawl/scarf section of the website!
I saw the Fallen Ruffle Wrap in the North Brunswick store and couldn't figure out from the hanger what to do with it. Nice to see it on someone. Not my taste, but an interesting piece.
Ah, thank you so much Lauren! I thought I was going crazy with the item never being online. I'll update the post now. 🙂
Boy looking at the product photo I am totally wearing it wrong. No wonder I wasn't totally in love with it.
It's definitely a unique piece. I know that when we got it in, myself and several of my associates snatched up the bulk of them. Only 1 remained out of a shipment of 8-10. Actually, I purchased one for my mom as a Christmas gift, and she wore it over the grey version of with wind-rippled tee with a skirt on NYE. I have yet to figure out how I want to wear mine lol
Love, Love Love the Snowmelt cardi Looks smashing on you. Must look for it.
I tried on the Beribboned Buds Cardi yesterday and thought the same thing- I have seen this all over the place. The color is pretty, I will give Tabitha that, but the detail on the shoulder isn't enough for me to think it special. My store paired it with a Splendid black and white horizontal long sleeve top under it and the look was unique.
Finally got home from vacation and I got part of the Anthro sale items (some friends held my packages for me while I was gone) I bought during xmas break which included the Many Mood skirt, I totally LOVE it!!!! I can see why you like that skirt so so much. It fits perfectly and it's hard to fine denim skirt that fits so well and the right lenght.
*to find instead of fine
I also think the Snow Melt looks perfect on you. That might be on my wish list now. I'm still not one hundred percent sold on cardis with normal jewel necklines because they some how make shoulders look broad. The Fallen Ruffle Wrap I don't remember seeing either, but it's kind of cool — maybe in another color?
I was in my local Anthro today to return something (I bought two of the stained glass tee since I didn't know what size I needed) and there wasn't a lot of stuff there. Many ones of alot of things, so it seems like they had a good holiday with sales. I did see the Snowmelt cardi and it looked very nice and the Beribboned cardi. The purple/fuschia color is a beauty. I only saw one Horizon Line dress in the red and really not much of anything else that is new. I heard from the SA's that they expect alot of new Spring stuff over the next 2 weeks.BTW: they had a decent amount of sale stuff in the back sale room. They had tons of the Skirted Peacoat and I can't remember the name, but the Missoni inspired cardi there were lots of.
Thanks so much for this review! I agree the Fallen Ruffle wrap is really unique but hard to pull off the one armed-ness…Have my eye on the Beribboned Buds cardi now…
I agree. The beribboned cardi has been done so many times now. Thanks for highlighting the differences for those considering an embellished cardi purchase. I definitely have a problem w/the sheerness of J Crew's versions of these. I like the wrap cardi. Very cute for spring.
I have the snowmelt cardi, and I like it more each time I try it on. It's just so soft and feminine, and perfect for southern California over a long tank. I also picked this up at f21:http://tinyurl.com/ycpgdnwIt's so much better looking IRL- much more expensive looking and the beading is secure.