I’m not the only one staring at the sun.
So Anthropologie has discovered {another} one of my weaknesses, which is bold flower prints. I’ve already succumbed to the siren song of the Wild and Wondrous Cardigan ($118, review here) and though it is quite similar I found myself under the spell of the Cadena Vest ($118) by Adore.
The vest comes in two patterns: bold flowers with vertical stripes (orange) or abstract rectangles down both the front and back (blue). A SA told me this piece has been in-store for awhile but a new display spot really made it jump at me. I tried on the medium which fit perfectly. I love the look of this vest. It’s light yet intricate and a definite conversation piece. I am going to a gallery opening for a friend next week and this would be the perfect top layer. Wishlisted!
I initially guessed the Precious Materials Cardigan ($118) to be a Field Flower concoction. I was wrong though — it’s actually by Moth. The top triangular black instantly calls the Charlie Brown theme song to my head. The bow on the front looks a bit like a moth when viewed from afar. Needless to say, I was instantly in love.
I tried on a medium and…not quite. There was some definite pulling at the buttons and I also felt the shoulders were cut a bit small, which I can’t recall ever being an issue before. I’d need a large. The bow accent looks a bit like terry to me with schmutz in it. Up close it’s clear they’re sequins. I imagine getting a ton of use out of this cardigan for work. I hate to support a cardigan that costs $$$ though!! If last year was the year of discretion for Anthropologie pricing they’re certainly trying to push the bar the other way already. Boo to that Anthro. Wishlisted, but with a wag of the finger.
I would just like to point out that it was 100+ degrees when I tried on the Van Wrinkle Sweater ($98) from Moth. Wool. Perfect! This is the medium. I found it tight around the arms. I also found it short. And the shape in real life was depressing compared to the shape on the product page. The wavy-ness was missing from the front.
Then again I just could have been grumpy due to the temperature. I know it’s chilly in some parts of the world right now (including parts of the USA). But we’re in a heat wave in NYC. So I’ll probably try this one on again in, say, September. For now though it was right back to the rack.
Maybe it’s just Moth releasing cardigans?? This is the third straight item from them in this reviews set. Love you Moth! This lovely piece is the Yemaya Cardigan ($98). It’s a cotton mix that comes in either tan or purple. I tried the purple in a medium. No complaints about the fit. It stays close to the body but with plenty of give to move.
The open face with striped underlayer is what makes this piece different and wonderful. I found it easy to put this sweater on pullover style, though the buttons are in fact functional. The scarf accent is removable if you so choose. The color is very summery which draws me to it now — but would I still like it in December? Not like it matters right now. I am not ready to buy cardigans. Wishlisted!
Does someone on Anthro’s web team have something against Deletta? I ask because for the second time in the space of a week one of their items is mislabeled as C. Keer. Don’t worry Trailing Vines Cardigan ($88), either way you are a winner. I tried on my usual size medium.
This cardi has little rimples on it. I haven’t liked the rimples in shirt form or dress form but this time around I find the accents darling. The difference to me is the open airiness of this cardigan, and the placement of the rimples. They’re not running diagonally across the front. They just accent the front and create a nice cinch in the back. This is a great lounge option and was already on my wishlist. Glad to see the real-life try-on was successful.
I paired the cardigan with the AG Crops (now $100) in Nic. I tried a size 32 because the 31s were too tight around my calves. The waist was definitely loose but these are soooo low rise that I’d rather have the looseness so I can raise and belt them. 8″ rises SUCK! I would kill for a tall version of these with a longer rise. Grumble, grumble. They also stretch as you wear them, about a full size.
I already have shoulders. So when I saw padding in Cartonnier’s Hello Sunday Blazer ($98) my smile turned sadly upside down. I knew how silly this was going to look on.
My usual size medium was a bit tighter than I’d like closed. Were I just wearing this open a medium would be fine but to wear it closed I’d want a large. I felt very used cars salesman in this jacket. It has strong lines that I feel work well with sleek under layers. This time of year now all I’m trying to do is wear as little as possible while remaining decent. You know the drill. Pass.
Roxy, have you tried the Always Sailor-Stripe Cardigan from J.Crew? It has a similar look to that blazer without being so severe. Clearly it's just a knit cardigan, but I thought it looked pretty sharp!
The Precious Materials Cardigan looks lovely! I can't wait to try that one on. The Hello Sunday Blazer, shoulder pads aside, looks great on you! I found that the elbows were really snug though… Still hoping it makes it to sale!
My favorites are the Yemaya Cardigan and the Precious Materials Cardigan. I totally get what your're saying though about not being in cardigan buying mode when it's 100 degrees outside. I haven't tried many on yet myself because it just feels wrong and I know they'll probably be out for several more months anyway.
Thanks for bearing the heat and trying on all these sweaters!The Van Wrinkle cardi is high on my wishlist right now, so I hope it works for me (and doesn't look hot mess-like, a la Herb Field cardi) – I like how it fits you even though the ruffles seem a little unwieldy.I had to splurge and buy the Hello Sunday blazer at full price – I LOVE the piece, but I agree the sleeves are a tight and think most folks will need to go up one size. I think you look pretty good in it – and the shoulder pads can always be snipped!
Amy – I have not! I will give it a shot though, thanks for the tip. :)British Anthropologiest – it is sooo lovely, and a very you cardigan. (Also a very me cardigan. Can we share it?)Sara – at least the heat makes it easier to wait for sale, right?Lisa – I love the blazer…you're right about cutting out the shoulder pads. I think I'm more weirded out that they were there than anything. Anthro + shoulder pads = weird to me.
I bought and love the Hello Sunday blazer. The torso is very fitted and, since I have no shoulders of my own, the fitted nature together with the shoulder pads helps me look more hourglassy. I think it looks great on you. It's too bad the sleeves are snug, because I think going up a size will ruin the fitted effect through the torso. This is one that I do not recommend anyone size up in, it's just not going to look as nice. Two friends of mine and I all tried it in S, and the effect was no where near as nice as when we tried the XS.
Roxy, you look great in these cardis! I have to say, I wasn't understanding all the blog-love for the Yemaya cardigan, but I think you're beginning to convert me on it. It looks so good on you! But I agree that it's hard to think about buying sweaters mid-July.
Roxy: I'm with you on the 8" rise. :-(Fortunately for me the Hello Sunday Blazer's shoulder pads would give me some. I am a bit narrow in that area. Shoulder bags slip off all the time. I loved the Yemaya Cardi on you.@Desert Flower: good to hear about the shoulders, except I wonder if I need a M or a L if the arms are tight. My arms aren't fat, but they aren't skinny either.Yes, it's been 100+ the past couple of days in the tri-state area and I actually think NYC was cooler than NJ on Tuesday. NO SWEATERS! Now, I feel better…….
Loooove the Cadena Vest on you! And I totally see all the Field + Flower-ness to the Precious Materials cardigan! I always play the game where I have to guess the brands with new Anthro items and I was stuck as to what that one could be — it was Field and Flower in everything but the color scheme, which was sort of Moth-y (yes, I'm insane and spend way too much time shopping at this store, sigh).I tried on the Hello Sunday Blazer. Or tried to try it on. I made the mistake of picking up a S and I couldn't get the sleeves past my elbows. I was too horrified to proceed any further.
I tried the Precious Metals cardigan on yesterday @ my store and would have sworn it was Wendi Reed too – so funny! I absolutely love it on you, and it was all I could do to not buy it, but $118 is sooo pricey. *Sigh*. I really do love it though. I also love the Yemaya Cardigan and you know it's a fav of mine – I bought it right away. I think it's a dusky lavender which will translate nicely to fall. It looks lovely on you.
I've had that Hello Sunday blazer on my wishlist since it arrived! Thanks for the review – I'll certainly wait for a sale on this one.Also, I send what Amy said about the J.Crew Always SS Cardi. I bought it in both colors. It's adorable!
The hello Sunday blazer is identical to the Givenchy one from the spring 2010 collection. I couldn't take my mind of that blazer but the price tag was outrageous! Thank you Anthropologie for answering my prayers!
I was wondering how the Twining Vines cardigan compares to the Dawning cardigan in terms of which is more lightweight. It's hard to tell from Anthro's web site, but it looks like the Dawning cardigan might be a tad sheerer? (Which is what I'm looking for.)
rock goddess, I have the Dawning Cardigan on my wish list as well. I don't have an answer for you because I haven't seen it yet but I will look for it this weekend in-store.
Awesome, thanks Roxy! Looking forward to it!
loved the van wrinkle sweater on you…I had to be careful not to drool onto the moniter..but its too hot here too…impressive drive to model wool in this infernosmiling..I give you the thumbs hiked way up to my ears with a huge winsome smilexps love your bloggity blogging …aps ps I TOO LOVED the twin of the cadena..
Desert Flower, I agree — I think that sizing up in the Hello Sunday blazer is not advisable. I tried it (due to the snug sleeves), and it looked sloppy. I wound up buying my regular size M and just dealing with the snug sleeves.Bloomingdales' house brand (Aqua) has an identical blazer at the same price point. I haven't tried it on, but it may be worth a shot — who knows, the sizing may be a bit different. And Bloomies has sales more often than Anthro does :).I really like the Yemaya cardigan. Will definitely be trying that one on.
I love the Yemaya Cardigan! Totally scooped that up even in 98* weather lol