I went to Marshall’s only for picture frames last weekend, but who can resist browsing their clothing racks on the way to the cash register? That’s where I found two cardigans with features that I think work great on busty women, especially those like me who are around 5’3″ and short-waisted. These cardigans:
- are hip-length to elongate the torso;
- have a V- or open neck so there’s less fabric to create a bosom mountain; and
- are constructed of a thin knit (the bulky sweaters I tried that day not only added inches, but they also seemed to make me look matronly).
Although both sweaters share the features that I look for in a cardigan, they’re very different styles. This royal blue classic V-neck boyfriend cardigan in rayon from Joseph A. is the style I’m always searching for.
Although I’m still thinking about returning it, once I added a belt, I felt a lot more excited about this $25 sweater.
The second sweater is one I usually return to the rack right away, but the warm, deep pink and soft, lace-like knit caused me to give it a second look. I usually dislike this style for two reasons:
- It can be fussy, and I don’t need any extra clutter around my frame; and
- The “style” just seems like an excuse for the manufacturers to cut costs instead of paying the labor costs to create well-crafted garments with attention to detail.
However, once I put it on, I liked the way the waterfall of fabric below my hips balanced my upper half. I also like the way this cardigan adds color and a little pizzazz to my so-simple-it’s-almost-plain blue dress. Another advantage of this style? There’s so much fabric draped in front that I don’t have to tug get it to stay on top of my breasts only to watch it slide to either side of them as soon as I remove my hands.
Even so, once I took photos of this dress–after tearing off the tags ($30) and wearing it all day–something seemed to be missing. I knew what my readers would suggest, so I thought I’d get ahead of you and try it first: a belt.
There’s probably just too much going on with a black belt on top of a pink cardigan and navy dress, but I’m less excited about the effect here than I was with the blue sweater. I welcome your thoughts. The belt certainly highlights the asymmetrical nature of this sweater.
At some point, Tina may share with you her own cardigan preferences and finds in a future Corporate Curves Report. How about you? What do you look for in a cardigan, and what have you found recently? Any links would be great!
I really like the magenta cardigan without a belt. It looks arty and modern but not flakey. The blue one is good but quite a bit more conservative. I have a different body type then yours, so I can’t wear long sweaters as they hit me at my widest part (the lower hip). My two favorites are to buy an XL petite classic crewneck cardigan from Land’s End (so they end only a couple inches past the waist on me). Basically, I order one size up from my “normal” size to get boob room but the shorter arms, shorter length and narrower shoulders suit me well. This has worked for the cotton and cashmere sweaters they sell. The other sweater I love is the cardigan jcrew sells for “dresses”. It has a very cropped and fitted profile but with a deep v neck. I don’t see it online right now.
Thank you for liking the magenta one w/o a belt and saying it doesn’t look flaky, pdxeater! And thanks for reminding me that the name of the color I was looking for was “magenta”.
How interesting that the crewneck cardigans work for you. Actually, I think they work for me, too, when I don’t button them all the way to the top. I just prefer the ease of a V-neck.
Also, I’ve just had a great experience with Land’s End petites, too!! I bought a large tunic that I’m going to write about next week. I love that the sleeves hit my wrists at the correct point w/o having to roll them up. When I looked at the size and realized I’d ordered petite, I understood why. I just love petite proportions.
I button one or two buttons right under the bust for the crew neck cardigans, I never button them all the way. This works well for me, but I have a short torso, narrow shoulders and small waist relative to my wider lower hips.
Magenta is a good color on you.
I LOVE the pink one with the belt! The uneven hem is flattering whereas the blue is proportionally not so good, it’s elongates your torso and makes your legs look shorter and that button style cardi with a belt is a bit wrong in my eyes personally. But a belt with a non button cardi look brilliant. Also the pink seems to suit your colouring better than the blue even though blue is nice on you too.
You’re right about the blue color, Tina. I’m totally surprised that you don’t like the belt, however, because I was thinking of you when I tried it. I think I may return the blue sweater because I’d like something a little less severe, although I do like how sharp this one looks. Your comment makes me want to play around a little more with proportion.
it’s just that I don’t like belts with button down cardis or shirts if it cuts off the top. With longer coats it fine though. And with trousers that lenght cardi would work well but now these proportions cut you in an unflattering way. But then I feel like legs should look long and torso shorter so I don’t know if it’s just me.
and like Darlene said, will do a cardi post at some point because I find cardis the most problematic clothing items!
I think I am in the minority, but I like the blue one best! That look is polished and sharp, and the blue cardigan shapes your hourglass figure so well, particularly with the belt.
THANK YOU, Anna! I thought it made me look more hourglassy, too!
Another with a vote for the magenta cardigan. I looks very put together with the belt and the color works very well on you!
I *just* bought one of Urkye’s cardigans (the green one) and I’m hopeful that it’ll work well on me postpartum (especially since it’ll be cold here then too). Normally my biggest issue with sweaters/cardigans is that the back is too baggy so I’m hoping that it fixes that.
I’m just under 5.5 and very short-waisted. I really like cardigan this length as well. I look for: no button, V neck, thin knit and a tie belt in the same fabric. I like to tie it a little lower than my natural waist to further elongate the torso and look perkier. I generally go for a dark neutral to contrast with bright tops. Currently, I really like my Urkye (the grey one in a slightly thicker knit than the others). Cardigans are one of the few items I don’t find troublesome at all. In fact, I sometimes use them for hiding/elongating purpose only.
I like both cardigans on you, but the pink one seems like it’s a better fit.
A tie belt in the same fabric is a great idea for making things less busy. I’m going to look for that now as well.
Regarding fit, the pink is an M and the blue an L–maybe I should try the blue in an M if it’s still at the store next time I’m there. I was really delighted that the pink M fit.
I like magenta cardi better and I think that it looks better without a belt, but what it really needs is some waist definition under, it could be a belt, but contrasting top or seam on a dress will also do (but contrasting shouldn’t be very contrasting, difference shouldn’t be very noticeable under knit, and dark under layer is better then light). And I think that this magenta is really gorgeous on you.
I think that silhouette in blue cardi is better with a belt, but I don’t really like contrast of white under blue and black under blue, especially where they met. I would try it with under layer of the same color and may be thinner belt and less formal skirt.
PS Glad to see you back to posting )
I think they both look nice and are for different purposes. The blue is more formal as you are wearing it. I think the white shirt is too fussy underneathe-how the collar and neck move and go up-how about a dressy scoop tee or cami?Have you tried it open? The pink is more fun and casual-I like it a lot and better without the belt. How about adding a long pendant. It would also look good with jeans.