The weather’s starting to cool down and sweaters get their turn in the review carousel. Something familiar and something new awaits!
Note: If you’re wondering my sizing measurements/height/etc, they’re detailed on this page.
In a case of being careful what you wish for, the Dimensional Petals Cardi ($168) is both everything I want from Anthropologie and everything I worry about. When I first saw this cardigan in the October 2012 Anthropologie catalogue I was in love! And when I first saw the sweater that lovey-dovey feeling didn’t wane. It feels soft and the petals are gorgeous with their mix of ivory and black petals with woven beads acting as stigma. Large buttons down the front are the same color as the material, which is a mix of wool and alpaca. Be warned — I’m very itch-tolerant and found this sweater really itchy. Small fibers poke out of the knit and tease the skin.
Fitwise, this sweater runs slightly large. I am in a small above, which was loose at my midsection but annoyingly still pulled at the buttons. The length of this cardigan is excellent! It is lovely and long, hitting low hip. The sleeves are bracelet style, hitting a couple of inches below the elbow. The neckline is busy but easy to wear.
I think this cardigan will be polarizing — personally I love the idea of the large flowers but have to admit that I didn’t love the sweater on me. It’s just too much. If the flowers were smaller or perhaps one large one spread across it would be more doable for me. The medium weight gives it seasonal versatility.
While I love this cardigan and think it’s well-made, it’s a pass for me. I just can’t think of when I’d wear this.
If you like the collared neckline trend happening right now but prefer something a little lower maintenance, give the Peter Pan Pretender Sweater ($98) a try. I looove the catalogue styling of this piece and am a sucker for metallic thread. Though the combination of neutrals may be a little ho-hum for some, it makes a great jumping off point for a wintery look. I was already thinking about wearing the sweater with my green Goban Pencil Skirt (review) from last year.
This sweater is an unholy mix of wool, nylon (for the thread), alpaca, viscose, polyester, spandex, and puppies. OK, maybe not that last one. At the waist are two subtle lines of ribbing which help the fit immensely. It’s details like this we love, Anthropologie! The sweater hits at low hip.
I was torn about what size was right on me. Above I’m wearing my usual size medium, which was a bit tight across my hips. The large was comfortably loose but way loose in the arms. I turned to a SA for advice and she recommended the medium. So based on that I’m calling this true to size. But if you are a pear you may want to size up. This sweater is soft and not itchy. The metallic thread is a little tougher on my triceps than I expected but overall the silhouette is still pleasant. This sweater is between medium and heavy weight — it’s much more a winter item than a fall piece in my opinion.
The longer I had this sweater on the more styling ideas came to mind, so I ended up purchasing it at full price. It will get OOTD’ed on my tumblr later this week!
Although beautiful, the Flounced Cables Sweater ($228) has some quality issues that keep me from truly loving it. I was first intrigued by this piece after seeing it on a Soho dress form (check out the right dress form in the top photo from this recent Eye Candy post). Upon closer inspection I loved the design. The trio of box cables running down the front and the dual ruffle bottom make me want to head up to Stowe right now and plop down in the front of the fire with some hot chocolate. I also love the shoulder line of buttons, though I was saddened to see many of the sweaters in-store had already broken some of their button loops. The loops seem very fragile and prone to separating from the sweater. Bummer.
I tried on my usual size medium and I’m pretty happy with the fit though I think my chest makes a large worth investigating. This sweater has an old world regal feeling to it that’s no doubt from Leifsdottir’s late 19th century Finnish inspiration point. The neckline of this sweater lies right up against the throat which is worth noting for people who are sensitive in that area. Turtlenecks can be troublesome for me but this sweater was fine. The alpaca material may be itchy for some. I found it soft and not itchy, though I am highly itch tolerant.
A delicate sweater with perhaps too much fragility. Wishlisted for reconsideration at sale time.
Nearly every year Anthropologie releases a sweater like the glorious Transverse Placket Sweater ($228). In 2010 I hemmed and hawed over the Best of the Bunch Cardigan (review) repeatedly. I bought it, I returned it. It went on sale, I bought it again, I returned it again. The issue with the 2010 version was the length — it was really too short on me. But I wanted to love it so!
Now I’m glad I held out, because the Transverse Placket Sweater is so much longer and a much better fit on a tall gal like me. I miss the folds of the old version, but this one is pretty fun too! It’s a rusty red with tinges of orange in the cabled placket. Up on the chest and neckline funneled folds run on a bias, and the neckline comes up high like an officer’s uniform. The jacket hits high thigh, clearing my hips entirely. The sleeves run just a little big, loose and long. They hit about mid-hand on me.
I was boiling as soon as I put this on in a size large. (Weather incongruence and hot pot lights will do that to you.) Which means that in the winter this sweater will keep me nice and warm. I was amazed by the way this thick sweater hugs and shows off curves. It looks fantastic! The neckline looks good open or closed. I only wish this came in the same mossy green as its predecessor.
Here it is with the neckline open. I never imagined saying this but this sweater is kinda va-va-voom! Or at least as va-va-voom as thick boiled wool gets. Wishlisted!! (And likely a full-price buy. Although a sweater promo would be nice. Hint, hint.)
Curves are not a drop-waisted sweater’s friend. The Drawn Pleats Cardigan ($148) looks cute and adorable on the model and neither on me. I was hopeful that the tuxedo pleating and soft wool material would add up to something flattering but instead is was more like a reminder of all the parts of my body I need to work on. It’s also short, hovering magically above my waist.
I tried on a medium and aside from the very long arms it fit fine. I wouldn’t call it flattering though. I found the buttons pulled no matter what size I tried on (and sadly a dress form in the store was suffering the same fate). The very top part of the cardigan is a sheer panel that will show bra straps. Don’t like that. But I do like the lace trim along the bottom and the design of the front.
Sadly this cardigan just doesn’t work on me. I wish it were a little bit longer. Pass.
Another sweater that totally disappointed was the Eyelash Lace Pullover ($128), a sweater that looks great on the table and weird on. You might notice that this sweater is sheer. Super sheer. Thank god I was wearing a cami when I tried this one on. And it’s kind of short, hitting high hip with a rough-hewn hem. And the sleeves are oddly poufy, especially down at the wrists. I guess I had a very different image of how this sweater would look in real life.
I took it to the fitting room any way. I have to say the fit is exquisite, my usual size medium skimming my body without hugging too tightly. And I love the eyelash lace set in a v, slimming and creating a pretty shape. The neckline is also nice, a very thinly ribbed scoop. Unfortunately the cons outweigh the pros. Here’s another case where the old Anthro is nearly here but not quite back.
Way too sheer, way too poufy in the sleeves. Pass.
A single-button waist-nipper sounds good in theory but the Waved Placket Jacket ($148) turned out to be tricky on the bust. It has the shape of a riding jacket and the structure of a blazer, both of which appeal to me. The tuxedo lapel is a nice menswear twist, especially when matched to nubby wool. (Well, wool and polyester.) The sleeves are a skosh long and loose. The jacket length is fantastic on my 5’8″ frame.
The sizing issue came in to play though. You see me in a 10 above, and when buttoned the blazer refuses to shape over my chest. It’s an annoying problem I run into with many blazers but especially at Anthropologie. The blazer looks much better open…
…and while my usual tactic would be to size up and tailor, the 12 was so large in the arms and waist that when I showed the photos to my tailor he just shook his head. I need the body and sleeves of a 10 and the front panels of a 12. Unfair!
Fit issues make this one a likely pass. Boo.
I did a little better with the Pleated Collar Blazer ($128), which has a more traditional shape with a pleated twist on the right lapel. It’s these kind of classics with a twist that I appreciate! The wool of this lighter grey version reminds me of a sweatshirt, though the turquoise version looks much more wooly. What’s great about this blazer is the deep v. If the button sat right on the waist it would be perfect.
I found a 10 to work well, though again the sleeves were pretty loose. The front is very flattering on large busts and I like the pocket placement. I just wish the button sat on the waist to truly flatter. In the back a small vent helps create a waistline.
Overall this is a cute blazer and would work well in traditional office environments. Wishlisted!
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