I adore a good bird print! Sparrow recently unveiled its Soft Soaring Sweater ($128) and in the past few weeks I’ve received multiple review requests. I’m only too happy to oblige! I’ve also gotten a few requests for how to style this sweater so this reviews set has some layering top options too.
In this down economy, merino sweaters have suffered. From luxury brands to the discounters the wool has been scratchy and low quality. WOW what a change it was to put this sweater on. You can immediately tell that it’s real, honest-to-baaaah merino wool. The knit has the flexible ply of quality material — in other words, I would expect this sweater to resist developing holes. The tiny bird print resembles amoebas from afar while a lacy ladder trim trails either side of the opening.
I’m usually a small in Sparrow but in this case I stuck with my usual size medium. Because this sweater is open, I prefer it being a bit oversized so I can belt it closed or use a sweater clip. You’ll be fine in your normal size unless you too want a slightly bigger feel. I was able to layer a blouse under either size easily. For reference, all photos in this post are the medium.
My initial layering option is the casual tee. Who better than Pilcro to fit the bill? This is the Topsy Henley ($58), a pure cotton top that reminds me of a sailboat’s main sail. An asymmetric neckline features several tarnished brass buttons for another nautical touch. From the photos up above of this top under the Soft Soaring Sweater we know the stripes work well under the tiny print of the cardigan. (And for more on combining prints, check out Shannon’s amazing tutorial from earlier this week.)
I tried this top in a medium and was pleased with the fit. The length was just OK. I would have happily accepted another two or three inches for my 5’8″ frame. You can see my layering cami sticking out on either side of the rounded hem. It’s not a dealbreaker, though if this top shrinks more than a bit in the wash I may be screwed. I’d finish this look just the way you see it on me — jeans and a pair of boots.
The next layering option has a bit more dimension. I previously tried Fei’s Cavorting Flora Blouse ($98) in the green motif here and I was eager to give this dark blue version a try. As with its sister color this blouse is sheer and you will need to layer something under it for coverage. I love how the pattern on this top speaks but doesn’t shout. The details are revealed upon closer inspection: two pleat bunches around the neckline giving way to a soft wave drifting down. I’m not a big fan of mandarin collars but it’s not bad here.
My usual size 6 fit well. This top is meant to be loose and somewhat flowy on. Under the Soft Soaring Sweater the blouse pulls the eye in, making me look tall and lean. Love that! It softens the sweater too as your eye is drawn both up and down. Since the colors of both tops are the same they don’t compete and can be worn together. Pair these two with a pair of straight or wide leg trousers and you will look a thousand feet tall. Just watch your head indoors.
My final layering suggestion is the Linnea Blouse ($158) from Pyrus. What a gorgeous blouse. Anthropologie calls it cream but I see tones of grey. Like the Cavorting Flora Blouse this blouse is sheer and you’ll need a cami underneath. Does no one include camis with their sheer blouses anymore?!? I like that this blouse has ethereal qualities without too much of a 70s feel — it’s updated in all the right places. My favorite part? The sleeves (bigger detail shot below).
A medium felt loose in this billowy blouse, but it fit well over my chest so I wouldn’t size down. The grey undertones work to bring out purple tones in the Soft Soaring Sweater. The floral print peeks through just a bit too — very cute. The larger print of the blouse is toned down by the muted palette, so it doesn’t compete against the busier cardigan. For work, I’d belt the cardigan and wear a corduroy skirt and boots to complete the look. Either color of the Finishing School Skirt (now $40, review here) would work well.
Beautiful sleeves, aren’t they? Truth is that while this blouse is expensive I feel the price is justified. It’s high on my wishlist.
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