How to style a quality cotton cardigan for casual jeans outfits?

[Gettingbysomehow]

Please help me style this cardigan. It is a lovely heavy good quality cotton knit that will last for years but needs some pzazz. I think I will change the buttons because im not s fan of shiny gold. It was reduced enormously in a sale.
Im a casual style person I like jeans, casual styling.
I'm buying more good quality long lasting items in sales, ebay, vinted rather than high street stuff that will be landfill in 5 minutes.
Im in my 60's but dont want to look like an old lady.
Any help gratefully received. My sister csn make a binbag look amazing....me not so much.

First, push the sleeves up to 3/4 length and add a big wrist cuff.
Next undo all the buttons except the top one or two. Or leave it open.
Add a belt with a chunky or interesting buckle to the jeans.
I'd wear a strong colour or texture underneath so it doesn't get too bland - a fitted tee, or a silk or linen knit or crocheted tank or maybe a shirt if it works with the neckline.
If you go for a plain top underneath and leave the cardigan unbuttoned, add a long, slightly boho pendant.

Right - there’s a reason why it was ‘enormously reduced’ in the sales.

I Am In My 60s. It has never occurred to me to apply the words ‘old lady’ to myself. I only ever wear beautiful clothes and I’m adept at massive discounts on very expensive clothes. I would never have bought that.

Firstly knitted cotton almost never looks good. It doesn’t reflect light. And the colour is … off. (Yes you can change the buttons, but …)

The proportions are terribly awkward. When you see that sort of old school look cardigan modelled on fashionable sites it’s always with a leather or suede mini skirt, or very short denim shorts. Not with anything long , or heavy, or below mid-thigh. Is that how you’re going to wear it? (If not, it’s just a long cardigan which people will unconsciously read as style free and bought to cover the area between waist and thighs.)

The shape essentially only works with a lot of skin showing - and from the photo I wouldn’t say it’s a colour that particularly flatters you. (The blue throw over your mirror looks lovely against you, btw.) So, if you spend a lot of time on boats, in white shorts and a vest - fine. Otherwise I don’t think it’s the great buy you hoped for.

I do genuinely think your aims were excellent! But I’d suggest looking for wool, in every possible weight, rather than knitted cotton. It’s always going to look better.

i wear jeans like that — I find waist length suits that style better

I don’t wish to be rude but that no matter how much pizazz you add, that is really just not very flattering.

No idea! This isn’t my arena but I just thought id say looks like you have a gorgeous figure and I think lots of clothes would look great on you! 😁 (from a woman incase this came across as sleazy man commenting on mumsnet)

Hmmmm....yes, as PP as mentioned, the problem is that that is just not a fashionable length right now 😬.

It all seems to be about baggy jeans and short tops nowadays. Which can take a lot of getting used to if you've spent the last couple of decades carefully hiding your stomach and bum under a flap of emotional support fabric!

A broach to add some interest maybe something from Tatty Devine.

I really like your cardigan op. Although I think it would look better unbuttoned with a long pendant necklace and a bracelet.

wear it open with the sleeves rolled up. With a vest underneath, maybe a scoop neck. Bracelets. Jeans maybe try wide leg or palazzo style to go with. Trainers.

Could you return it and get a refund?

I would only wear a cardigan of that length with leggings (to cover my bum!). If you try to wear an oversized cardigan with loose fit trousers then it’s not going to look right.

Definitely wear it open and have a belt on the jeans.

The color op. It’s such a bland and boring and washed out color. I agree with pp that for that much cardigan, you need a bit of skin or something to break it up. Flared jeans adds to the bulk of the outfit. Possibly skinny jeans might work better and black if you have it.

I think you’ll struggle to get that cardigan to look stylish. The colour and the style itself just don’t lend themselves towards anything stylish, even with the buttons changed. It looks old fashioned and, dare I say it, old ladyish (I’m 70 and wouldn’t wear it)… sorry.

Is it possible to exchange it?

.

If I had to I’d leave it open with a deep v neck or low neck t shirt underneath which is tucked in. Belt on show, sleeves rolled up and some decent costume jewellery. Boots with a point might work too. I am not keen on it though.

Could you get some colourfast contrasting cotton and add embroidery or stitching? Chunky Hand-Knit Floral Pattern Cardigan Cozy Oversized Fit In Cream | CY Boutique | Wolf & Badger
Sheep Pattern Hand Knit Cardigan | CY Boutique | Wolf & Badger
Could you wear it to tone down a bright or whacky outfit?

It gives me Margaret Rutherford vibes.

I think the problem is that our eyes have become adjusted to the shorter length tops and cardis now and this reminds me of the late 1980s/early 1990s. For some reason my mind jumped to a brown pleated skirt but that's not what you're asking. The buttons are a feature you see in quite a bit of Spring knitwear.

If you have your heart set on it then wear it with cropped white jeans/trousers and a cream silk knit vest. It just might work as part of a monochrome outfit but otherwise I would agree with the tough love dispensed by @BlossomBlossomBlossom. I would also add that you have a smashing figure.

It's too long on you and very drab but as a start undo the buttons! 😊

Thanks everyone. I usually wear blue and bright colours. I have ex fat person syndrome. I used to be enormous and wear very long tops and still try and hide.
I tried it unbuttoned, sleeves pushed up with tight black trousers, tucked in teashirt and belt and it looks much better.
My stomach is flat and my formerly very large bottom is flat and a bit shapeless. I need to go to the gym really. I still have body dysmorphia. I try to be invisible.

I’m sure vast swathes of MN can empathise, @Gettingbysomehow!

Have you had your hair restyled since you lost weight? If not, that might be a good place to start - your face is probably a different shape now. And with a new hairstyle you’ll see yourself differently.

What sort of budget do you have for new clothes? Would you like suggestions of places to look? (I am determinedly not a High St shopper and love a bargain.)

If you don't love it (on you) - send it back!
I totally agree with buyer fewer, better quality items but the criteria also must include something you love and feel fabulous in.

Do you know your best colours? If you lack confidence choosing items that look great on you, it might be worthwhile having a colour or style analysis session to give you some ideas. I am crap with colour but I had it done and now know that when I wear anything in my 'best' ones, I do look better and people tell me I look well.

Im saving up hard right now because Im having a faceift in May followed by an appointment with a really good hairdresser for balyage. I grew out all my grey thinking it would look ok but it doesnt it looks horrible.
The trousers Im wearing in the photo were tight when I got the. But now they are really baggy. I think Im a size 10 now.
Ill figure out my wardrobe when I get back.

I cant send them back because I removed the labels but Im not that bothered. I Iive in a very rural area and they will be fine for my long hikes and knocking about the countryside in winter.
If I lived in town or London it would be different. Its all farms here. My social life is mostly country pubs with friends and hobby groups and I wear an NHS uniform for work.i only get the chance to dress up around 3 times a year.