I look lumpy in cardigans

[newyorkbreakfast]

I would like a navy cardigan but all the ones I’ve tried make my shoulders and upper arms look massive.
I am about 5’5” (164xm) medium build but with big upper arms. Is there a style of cardigan that would look good on me?
it’s definitely not a cotton crew neck….
thanks!

Anything woollen will have that effect, especially if not going across your middle to complete the roundness - it just highlights arms and shoulders. I'd try a thin long cardigan instead.

Yes this, im.not tall but I have broad shoulders and chunky upper arms i wear long cardigans

I can’t wear cardis either. I wear shirts similar to this type of thing. They are short and loose but keep their shape so I don’t look like a barrel!
https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-shirts/products/baya-indigo-cotton-twill-shirt-indigo

Should add that I wear them open like a cardi, over whatever I’m wearing.

Cardigans are hideous, imo. A boyfriend of mine once called them "the least sexy item of clothing ever" and it made me realise that I look awful in them, whether I'm trying to look sexy or not!

I have broad shoulders i feel I only look ok in long midi length cardigans, I do have some short ones, that I hardly wear, but can't let them go for some reason, I suppose they could be useful over a summer dress when it's chilly.

Edge to edge, long sleeved, longer length cardigan is more flattering

The OP didn’t state that her aim was ‘sexy’ though? She was asking for a style of cardigan that didn’t make her shoulders and arms look big.

It’s weird to assume that women’s goal in dressing is or should be ‘sexy’. Lots of women dress to look stylish, to be comfortable, to show their personality, etc etc.

In any case I think Sézane and other similar brands would disagree that cardigans can’t look sexy…

So the consensus is either long or avoid… I’m on the short side so long looks frumpy on me.

Yes. And I said it made me realise I look awful in them, whether I am trying to look sexy or not.

And sure, a young thin model can look fab posed in a cardie on the Sezane website. Many us, not so much!

I have broad shoulders and big boobs, and I'm queen of cardigans - don't give a hoot if they're not trendy! You just need to find the right cardigans.

Go for fine cotton or wool - nothing too bulky.

Choose either a v-neck style or, if scoop/crew neck, wear it open.

Choose fitted styles, otherwise everything below your shoulders looks big as well.

To disguise big upper arms, choose a cardigan in a darker colour than what you are wearing underneath, or, if you're not going to be wearing a coat over it (or your coat is very baggy 😃), you could go for a balloon-sleeve style.

Try bottom length and edge to edge, I am short and need to watch what I wear i can't do too chunky, but I have a couple of pettite cardigans that are a decent length. Tbh I don't really bother if they are too long i just don't do chunky it seems to make me look shorter.

I used to live in cardigans. They made me feel good. Now I’m ahem older, I feel shit in them. Not found one in years that brings joy (ironically I have also recently lost five stone so it’s not a weight issue). I now wear well made and well fitting sweaters / jumpers instead and feel a million times better.

Try men's cardigans, cut for larger shoulders and often the weight of the wool helps the drape. I often weat DH's jumpers, shirts and jackets.

What's your budget OP?

This one from Reiss might work, or a similar style if you have a smaller budget. It looks quite roomy in the arms. I'm short and box style cardies suit me better. I wear loads of cardies and don't give a toss about how un-sexy they might look to men.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su681535/f90021

Oh I'm so fed up with this "that only looks good on a tall/thin/teenager/model/ insert your favourite cliché] mentality.

Cardigans are great-- especially short boxy cardigans.

Sezanne styling frequently looks ridiculous with its "ooh look at me being all so sexy and French and I can't find my hairbrush or my bra or do up my buttons" posing.

@keepincoolthat is nice but a bit pricey. I might try and find a similar shape though. Liking the buttons.

@LizzieSiddalI wear a denim shirt open over T-shirts in the summer which looks way better than a cardigan. However not cosy in winter.

@AmethystAnnotationthank you I’ll try some out

I don't care about looking sexy or thin.
I am boring and am wearing more cardies for a very dull reason: they are easy to take on and off for women of a certain age who get hot. Especially on the Tube.

I wear short, boxy ones.

I have just one cardigan. Length to the top of my bum, boxy, edge to edge no buttons, charcoal grey and I look after it like a baby. I got it in M+S about five years ago. Still going strong.

All other cardigans are crap on me. I don't use my "one and done cardigan" that much but it's handy for travelling and flights which is where I use it most!

In Winter I use lightweight long/short/no sleeve thermal vests and never need a cardigan.

I'm 5 ft 3 with broad shoulders & a size 12.
I wear M&S Cashmere Cardigans unbuttoned low over a scoop neck t shirt or a lace edged Brora thermal. I always buy a couple of sizes up as a relaxed fit is best.
I front tuck the cardigan into my waistband & often wear a belt & roll up the sleeves slightly.
Unbuttoning the cardigan breaks up the square shoulders & arm silhouette. Tucking gives shape & rolling up the sleeves shows the narrowest part of your wrist.

I too have broad shoulders but a small waist. I find short cardigans flattering as they highlight my waist. I also do love a long fine one too.

The problem for me is always when they have that dropped shoulder thing going on.
Same with jumpers.
Hard to find either where there's an actual seam on the shoulder.

Sounds like a thinner knit with a v neck would be best. I think shorter, hip length is better then long in most cases.

I have so many cardies in all colours, patterns and styles (except those waterfall ones which I can't get behind).