Reviews: Leifsdottir Cardigan, City Garden Cardigan, Shimmering Pin-Up Cardigan


Let’s get right to it, shall we? I remembered this Leifsdottir cardigan immediately from their Spring 2010 presentation. I’m glad to see that the finished product looks just as beautiful. I remember the sample being cropped and I’m glad they decided to add a few extra inches to it. It’s not on the website yet but if the sample name was any indication it will be something having to with cranes. This sweater was $198. Here’s the tag.

I tried on the medium which fit perfectly. The crane pattern is interspliced with fauna and flora. It’s made of a thinner wool that is somewhat sheer. Despite its dark navy color this is definitely a spring piece. I love this cardigan — I was oh so tempted to pick it up right then and there but I already own a couple of navy cardigans. I’ve added it to my wishlist for now.


Next I tried on the City Garden Cardigan ($88) by Tiny which you may recall seeing in the tonal outfit set. This looked pretty much exactly how I expected it to — widening. I tried my true size medium and was comfortable.

The stripes run diagonally which would help to streamline if this cardigan was a universal length. But the short back makes the sweater look odd…like I’ve pulled everything around to the front. The belt included with this sweater is laughable. Take a styling suggestion from the outfit set and use a wide belt instead. This was a complete pass for me.


I did find more success with Moth’s Shimmering Pin-Up Cardigan ($88). In this case the long front helps to create a long, lean shape. I tried on the “ivory” (read gold) in my normal size medium. It took me a few minutes to find the buttons for pin-up styling — they sit under where your arms naturally fall.

Loved it, loved it, loved it. This is a great transitional cardigan. It wasn’t itchy though the material is somewhat rough. I like how there is metallic thread included in the pattern. I have read reviews online though noting that the thread is prone to coming loose. I haven’t seen this myself but you should closely inspect this item and if you’re concerned wait for sale. Wishlisted for now.

25 Comments

  1. February 4, 2010 / 5:53 pm

    oh i'm disappointed in the garden cardi, i was so excited about that one! I love the other two on you though. And off topic, but i have a pair of Hedy Platforms I just got in a 37. I havent decided yet, but MIGHT try to sell or return (or trade!?). I really need a 36.

  2. February 4, 2010 / 6:01 pm

    I'm a sucker for a bird… It's hard to type while making grabby hands for that cardigan… but $198?! WHY LEIFSDOTTIR WHY *cries and waits for sale*

  3. February 4, 2010 / 6:07 pm

    Tried on the Moth cardigan as well and I liked it just as much. Great bit of sparkle for spring. It looks great on you. I didn't notice any quality issues at my store.sugarandspiceandnice.blogspot.com

  4. February 4, 2010 / 6:14 pm

    Love, love, LOVE that Leifsdottir cardigan. I wonder if it will pop up in my store soon. Better for me that I don't see, so I'm not tempted to buy it. I am a sucker for Leifsdottir, and I am a sucker for birds. Put the two together and it's cryptonite!

  5. February 4, 2010 / 6:30 pm

    Ack, I LOVE that Leifsdottir cardigan! So unique! And I don't have any navy cardigans. Boo for being unemployed 🙁

  6. February 4, 2010 / 6:33 pm

    Ooh, I love anything with birds and this cardigan is no exception! But OMG $200 price tag.. so sad.

  7. February 4, 2010 / 6:33 pm

    I tried on City Garden Cardigan. The length of the sleeves didn't work for me because my hands only reach the lace part of the sleeves. Plus way too much material in the front. A lot of people seems to like it at the stores though.

  8. February 4, 2010 / 6:34 pm

    I tried on that shimmering cardigan last weekend at Anthro…i loved the fabric/colors but hated that long in front thing…i thought it looked bizarre on me, but i'm only 5'4". and i wouldn't do the button on the side option because hello i have big hips already…pass for me. but it looks good on you Roxy!

  9. February 4, 2010 / 6:44 pm

    Roxy~Just wanted to say that I absolutely love coming here. Effortless Anthropologie (and a few other blogs that I <3) are my "happy time". You update your blog so frequently-your blog is like my Daily News hehe. I live in LI,NY. I think it would be awesome if we could do a NY meet-up. I would love to do a guest blog review one day too. I always wanted to do something like this. 😉 Thanks again for bringing many smiles, styles and work-arounds for Anthro's confusing as hell website!

  10. February 4, 2010 / 6:44 pm

    Naomi's mom – I had high hopes for the cardi too. I realized while looking at the outfit set that the ruffle blouse underneath really adds something to the cardi. Maybe if I repeated that look I'd like it better.Stephanie & Taryn – here's how distorted my view on money is thanks to living in NYC — I originally thought this cardi was $298 and when I saw it was $198 I said to myself it was a steal! (I need help.)JenLynn – Good to know you didn't see any quality issues either as I plan on buying the cardi this weekend. :)Tien – LOL. I think it would look lovely on you! The birds are fantastic to be sure.Lauren – Boo indeed. 🙁 I hope you're able to find something soon!ellie22 – I saw an employee wearing the cardigan and she looked pretty good in it. Just did not translate on my body at all.Sharon – I have hips as well, and I really thought the cardigan would emphasize them. But it really didn't at all, it hid them in a way. Houdini cardi!

  11. February 4, 2010 / 6:46 pm

    Karazy – Must have just missed your comment. 🙂 I am THRILLED that you enjoy the blog, you're so kind! Please do write a guest post whenever you have time — email me with ideas! I really hope to work out an NYC meetup. I'm going to Rockefeller on Monday to try to talk to whoever it is I need to talk to.

  12. February 4, 2010 / 6:47 pm

    Aww, for some reason I'm so disappointed you hated the city garden cardigan! I tried it on over the weekend and loved it so much I just had to get it. I thought it was really unique and comfy. On the other hand, I guess if the most people don't like it then maybe it will go on sale! ~Sophie

  13. February 4, 2010 / 6:53 pm

    PS. I *love* your blog and your style! It has been great motivation for me to care more about what I wear.

  14. February 4, 2010 / 6:54 pm

    stumbled across your blog and i just want to say THANK YOU for all your honest reviews of anthropologie's clothes! i love the store but i can't possibly afford everything i like and your reviews (with pics!) help me narrow down which pieces i really want to shoot for. 🙂

  15. February 4, 2010 / 7:00 pm

    The Leifsdottir cardi is beautiful!! I can't wait to see it IRL. The City Garden Cardi looked like a hot mess on me. It just seemed to produce more and more fabric and I couldn't control it. It was like a beast! 🙂 You did a much better job of keeping it under control 🙂

  16. February 4, 2010 / 7:10 pm

    Sophie – I secretly enjoy it when other people don't like items I'm into. Nothing scares me more than the thought of 20 outfit clones walking down the street. Love that the blog is fun for you! Makes me smile. :DJoy – Yay! Glad the reviews are useful for you. I too wish I could afford everything. I make grabby hands way too often.Alicia – hee. =) Totally a wealth of fabric in the front. So close to being right too.

  17. February 4, 2010 / 7:22 pm

    Naomi's mom- unfortunately, I think 37 is the smallest size the Hedy Platforms come in (what Anthro stocked as a size 6). If you really love them, try foot petals at the heel and sole inserts to make them work. Otherwise, I'm sure someone in the community would love to take them off your hands 🙂

  18. February 4, 2010 / 7:47 pm

    Thanks Jamie. Yup I've tried footpedals and just didn't feel like they stayed on right. I'll go home and try them out when I can walk around better (rather than in the office!!) But if anyone is interested, shoot me an email amymtwei at gmail dot com. note they'll fit a 7 or 7.5, definitely not a 6.5!!

  19. February 4, 2010 / 7:57 pm

    I have not even seen the Leifsdottir Cardigan yet, but cranes do not really "speak" to me, so I doubt that I will be adding that to my wishlist.I loved the City Garden cardigan though! The only part I disliked was the belt. Once you add a wide belt, it is MUCH less widening. Tiny has another one that is similar now. The Soft Patch Cardi. I love that one too!As for the Shimmering Pin-up Cardigan, I have one and I love it. It goes so well over dresses and always looks great. I could see how it could snag easily, but I am careful and I have not had any problems with it.

  20. Fiona
    February 4, 2010 / 8:09 pm

    Birds freak me out (courtesy of a traumatizing childhood encounter with a flock of canadian geese) so Leifsdottir cardigan doesn't do anything for me– except for making me cringe. And I was looking forward to the City Garden cardigan but now I'm not so sure…it seems like it would be a hot mess on me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Moth cardigan. Though is it super sparkly, like gold lame sparkly (noooooooooo!!!)? Or is it more of a gentle sparkle?

  21. February 4, 2010 / 9:04 pm

    Reiterating how amazing this blog is- since I live hours away from an Anthro, I have to either do charge and sends or order online, both of which can become frustrating and expensive when the items turn out much differently than the catalog or product shots.I rely on your (and the other bloggers') reviews before placing an order. I especially love when you comment on the quality of the material or construction, since that's something you can never really tell from the product shots. It definitely cuts down on the disappointment that occurs when I receive what is essentially a cheap tee that I could probably find a knock-off of at Target for half (or less) the price.

  22. Anonymous
    February 4, 2010 / 10:03 pm

    I have a question for this wonderful community. I bought the draped pumps (Miss Albright, green) in a size 6 (36). I love love love these shoes but my heels keeps coming out. I guess it's a little too big. Any suggestions? Someone mentioned inserts. Where do you get them? Anything else? Can't believe I'll have to add to the cost, but honestly, as a lover of shoes and as a short person, these shoes are so awesome and comfortable despite their height. I can't even find the shoes on the website anymore.

  23. February 4, 2010 / 10:20 pm

    Anon- What I've found that works for shoes that are slightly too big for me is to put the Foot Petals Heavenly Heelz at the top of the heel area and add the Dr. Scholls' high heel inserts if you still need more help.

  24. February 5, 2010 / 4:24 pm

    wow! the shimmering pin-up cardi looks so interesting…i will have to try it next time i visit anthro!


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