Cardigans -frumpy?

[fatfacefantastic]

What makes a cardigan frumpy? They are for sale in every shop year after year so I don't ever see them not being in fashion, people clearly wear them year round but what makes one frumpy?

[DarlingCoffee]

I couldn’t tell you. I love a cardigan.

[LaGoulueRevenue]

I don't know, I don't wear frumpy cardigans.
Maybe like a really cheap quality polyester one with cheap buttons? Or maybe those arm covering ones that just hang open?
A cardi which gives a nod to a current trend or a classic style which is in a really high quality cashmere or wool in a nice cut would both be stylish as opposed to 'frumpy'

[ilovecherries]

I don’t think an entire class of garment is intrinsically ‘frumpy’. There are styles, lengths and fabrics that I wouldn’t give space to, but I have a lot of cardigans and wear them with panache. (So I believe 😀)

[toastmeahotcrossbun]

frumpy = waterfall cardis or those round necks with cheap buttons in the same colour as the cardi. Also depends on the colour

[fatfacefantastic]

Yep I often hear waterfall cardis are frumpy and I get why.

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

I have embraced cardigans since WFH!

I like a v-neck, slightly boxy/cropped shape, and my preferred shops for these are Other Stories and Arket. I had a few prior to lockdown but have bought another couple. My favourites are OS ones which have dinosaur buttons.

[Floisme]

15 years ago I was wearing round necked cropped cashmere cardigans over dresses.
These days I prefer a more mannish, slightly oversized v-neck style with trousers.
And in between the 2, I was into knee length v-neck cardigans with skinny jeans (to disguise my chunky thighs).
All cardigans but all very different. The cropped cashmere ones wouldn't work with what I wear now but that doesn't mean I won't go back to them at some point. It depends on what your style is.

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/knitwear/cardigans/product.dinosaur-button-knit-cardigan-beige.0693070003.html

I have the grey and the black version of this - wearing the black today over a black and white polka dot midi dress.

[Panticles]

I think here frumpy simply is denoting the opposite of sexy. It also tends to denote a garment where the function is central to its existence rather than the for. A cardi useful to the wearer for its ability to be layered, done and undone, sleeves rolled up or not. This is only really for the wearer not the observer and therefore ‘ frumpy’.

[LaGoulueRevenue]

I have the dino cardi in black, @Judystilldreamsofhorses I just love it!

[thinkofablinkingnamewoman]

Argh I love the dino cardi but they only have pink left.

[Twaddledee]

I think the chic way to wear a cardigan right now is without a top underneath, tucked into high waisted trousers a la sezane

[Endlessmizzle]

@Floisme

15 years ago I was wearing round necked cropped cashmere cardigans over dresses.
These days I prefer a more mannish, slightly oversized v-neck style with trousers.
And in between the 2, I was into knee length v-neck cardigans with skinny jeans (to disguise my chunky thighs).
All cardigans but all very different. The cropped cashmere ones wouldn't work with what I wear now but that doesn't mean I won't go back to them at some point. It depends on what your style is.

This PP is my cardigan doppelgänger

[thedevilinablackdress]

Cardigans are wonderful.
What do you mean by frumpy? People use it in such different ways.

[HelloChompy]

@Judystilldreamsofhorses

www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/knitwear/cardigans/product.dinosaur-button-knit-cardigan-beige.0693070003.html

I have the grey and the black version of this - wearing the black today over a black and white polka dot midi dress.

I'd buy that for the buttons alone! Shame both the grey and black are sold out, I'm not as sure about the beige.

[Moonshinemisses]

I love a long cardigan. My autumn/ winter look this year is skinny Jean's, silk camisoles & blouses with chunky ankle boots and long cardigan. I've also treated myself to a coach trench, Cant wait. Just need the summer to bugger off now. My new wardrobe awaits

[Bluewavescrashing]

I love them and have loads. My place of work has cold and hot areas so I need layers!

[minnieok]

I wear them, they keep me warm

[AlwaysLatte]

I really love that Dino cardigan but I can't see how you can get long legged spiky dinosaurs through button holes 🤷‍♀️

[Spottyegg]

Arket have some great alpaca merino cardigans here - I just can't decide how oversized I want it to be.

[OrangeGinLemonFanta]

I have bought a boring black cardi to wear over summer dresses in this transitional weather. It is not sexy, oh no, but then neither am I and God knows I'm not trying to impress anyone.

[Floisme]

I've been eyeing up those Arket ones too Spottyegg and wondering whether it would mean sizing up as they don't look particularly oversized on the model. I'm also not sure why it needs 6% lycra?

[OhRosalind]

I think a bit of slouch is needed to avoid frumpiness, nothing too neat, fussy or fitted even if tucked in. The cardigan should dress down the outfit and look effortless, thrown on over a silk cami/flirty summer dress/tucked in tee/with nothing underneath. Basically the opposite of a fitted round neck over a smart dress (the cardigan equivalent of a pashmina) or waterfall.

[Spottyegg]

I find Arket hard to gauge, tops seem to come out either enormous or too small. I have the roll neck cashmere jumper - I needed to size up, but it is a rib and quite stretchy.

[Craftycorvid]

I like a good cardi’ (even own one that could - vaguely, mind - be classed as ‘waterfall’). Depends how and what you wear them with really. The waterfall ones look a bit cliched over little tops and jeans with heels of some sort, but ok if dressed down.