What's the story with Waterfall Cardigans??

[Valsoldknickers]

I don't know if I am missing something but could you tell me if waterfall cardigans are the height of frumpiness or are they really rather beautiful?

Post baby I still feel a little large around the middle. Now that the colder weather has set in I welcome the opportunity to hide in my woollies for the winter!

I have seen from past threads (some very old) that there has been a certain amount of hatred expressed in relation to them. However, they are available to buy everywhere (Mint Velvet - not frumpy through to Boden - teeters on the edge of frumpiness at times).

Has anyone got any thoughts and if you are really anti-waterfall what shaped cardigan do you rate?

[Plockplock]

I've noticed quite a bit of hostility toward waterfall cardigans, it seems they are deemed to be the height of frumpiness. However, I have three: a black hip length one bought 10 years ago from Urban Outfitters; a dark grey one from Boden; a loose knit one from Kew. They all look good and I'm neither frumpy or mumsy. I love to wrap them around me for warmth. Ignore the haters, if you like them, get one!

[leedy]

Same as Plockplock, I have a couple from All Saints and one from Boden and I get a lot of wear out of them. Look great with skinny jeans and chunky boots, I think.

[toptrumps1]

www.allsaints.com/women/knitwear/allsaints-novara-cardigan/?colour=25&category=26

All Saints still sell them, that link is just to one of a few styles they currently do. Style them with skinny jeans, a shorter top underneath and chunky boots. I think they will look frumpy with a skirt or wider leg trousers.

[leedy]

Ha, that's one of the All Saints cardis I have - it's really nice!

Yes, can definitely see how with a longer skirt it could head into "Per Una Wafty Geography Teacher" territory (though I think I've worn mine a couple of times with a mini and tights and it's looked ok).

[PeppermintInfusion]

Depends on the cut of the waterfall bit- I have a lovely one from next which doesn't look frumpy at all but I used to have one from M&S which did in retrospect.

[twobambinos]

I'm currently wearing mine with skinny black jeans and ankle boots. Have also worn it with mini coated black and black tights and ankle boots. I'm not sure if its technically a watefall cardi tho its chunkyish and kind of cape like ?? its warm and that's all i need today.

[alemci]

I think it was because Carol in EE was an advert for them and wore them in practically every episode. I don't own one but I can see they are very practical and if they work for you then go for it.

[MrsMarcJacobs]

Frumpy at the moment - long cardigan is the way to go.

[Floisme]

I think it depends on your shape. All the ones I've seen literally point towards your hips or thighs so if you're the slightest bit pear shaped, they can be very unflattering.

[Milmingebag]

I think most clothes can be considered frumpy if they don't suit the wearer's proportions.

I like the uneven/dip hem jumpers that are fitted across the bust but looser under and have a handkerchief hem. They are sometimes referred to as waterfall.

I personally like unstructured cardigans as I like to pin them at exactly the most flattering point on my apple shape but I wouldn't go for one with major layering at the front as I would look pregnant with my shape.

I wear mine with long fitted tube shaped jersey maxi dresses and that way I don't have a waistband/tops bulking out my middle but it skims so is flattering.

I think the thing is if you are an apple it is best to have no detail whatsoever around your middle, so no wrap tops or those ones with 'flattering' folds, no belts and definitely not empire line with gathering.

I find slash neck is good as well as cropped semi-slouchy jumpers. Deep scoops are good too. One shape that should work that doesn't is those drop hem ones that have the back lower than the front. From the side they almost draw a circle from arse to stomach highlighting it's girth from side on. Also going beyond hip length doesn't work for me as it creates a blocky look unless it's a loose swingy style.

I would also say anything that wraps over the front so it is double layered is not the best if the material is thick.

A cowl neck can be good if it is slouchy as it detracts from the lack of waistline.

Coming back to the waterfall thing though - that All Saints one is horrible and unflattering. If you wore it with skinnies it would make you look even bigger in the middle and with it's open flappy style expose your middle with the meerest waft of breeze.

[Floisme]

Have you seen the thighs on that All Saints model? I'm a size 8-10 and my wrists are probably bigger than that.

I hope for her sake she's been photo-shopped.

[leedy]

The All Saints one is actually quite flattering on, honest! I'm definitely more of a pear than an apple, though.

[klog]

i'm not sure what that means. i have a few long cardigans that don't fasten but they're not all uneven and flouncy. that i hate.

[Floisme]

The All Saints one does look quite long - it's the ones that end just below your arse that can turn perfectly good legs into tree trunks, in my opinion. I'm still a bit disturbed by that model though.

[Quangle]

India Knight has decreed them frumpy. But since she is not empress of the world, and since she is annoying, you can continue to wear them.

[polyhymnia]

I hate them but then I do have the sort if figure - large hourglass with very big bust - that they look horrendous on, like a ship in full sail. I do actually find them frumpy on others too but that may just be a personal thing.

[boodles]

Floisme, what is so disturbing? I don't understand why another persons body would make a person feel disturbed. Odd.

[Floisme]

It's because her legs are so thin, boodles. If they're real then, yes I do find it disturbing and if they've been photo-shopped, well why?

[Housesoftheholy]

I practically live in the woolovers waterfall cardigan in the winter I love it. I wear it with layered tops underneath, scarves, skinnies and boots. Its a layered, drapey look that suits me I think.

It's so cosy too I wrap it round me like a blanket when I'm sitting or inside my coat

[leedy]

Meh, my sister has pretty much exactly the same build as the woman in the All Saints pic, she's just very lanky. I have never knowingly found her legs "disturbing" (except when she used to kick me as a small child).

[Floisme]

Ok I will withdraw that word. My point is, why use her to model a garment that can be very unflattering if you have thighs? It's not exactly helpful.

[AWholeLottaNosy]

I love them! I have big boobs so on me they are very flattering, they skim my boobs and give me a waist. Other cardigans look v frumpy on me. I don't care if people think they are unfashionable, I just wear what suits my shape.

[Milmingebag]

Since India Knight seems to take her sartorial lead from Kirsty Allsop- I'll pass on her considered views as to what is deemed stylish in her universe.

[MrsPMT]

I like them and was surprised at India Knight, although her style is not my kind of thing anyway.

I wear them with slim fit long t-shirts, skinny jeans & chunky boots.

I have slim legs and hips.