How fancy can a cardigan get?

October 6, 2009 12:32 PM

I am looking for formal, professional-looking cardigans for work. I'm a petite female who is basically trying to avoid wearing a blazer.

I'm a bank teller, and suit jackets seem to be a bit more common on females than at my previous job. I do not want to wear a jacket for many reasons, though if you can magically find a blazer that will actually fit and flatter a girl my size I'll be amazed and corrected.

I know a cardigan is never going to be as formal as a jacket. However, they work a lot better with my wardrobe, I can roll up the sleeves if needed so they're not dragging through stacks of cash, and I just like them a lot better. I'm trying to find cardigans, or maybe pullovers, that are quite formal and workplace appropriate. People do wear sweaters where I work, so this isn't some crazy harebrained scheme that's going to get me fired.

Complications: I'm an XS or petite small in US sizes. I'm about five feet tall and a hundred pounds. I easily fit into children's and junior sizes, and clothing lines for full-grown normal-sized ladies sometimes won't fit right unless I can find an extra-small. There are certain stores where the sizes run small (ex: Anthropologie, Bebe) and I don't have problems, and there are certain stores where the sizes run large (ex: Wal-Mart) and I can't fit into anything.

My work wardrobe style is generally something like this; a tailored dress that hits on the waist, opaque tights, ballet flats, and a cardigan. I need help with the last component. Online options, suggestions for brands that carry work wear in smaller sizes, and store recommendations in Chicago proper are all welcomed.

posted by Juliet Banana to clothing, beauty, & fashion (27 comments total)

J. Crew's Jackie cardigan has been a staple of my wardrobe forever. They come in a lot of colors, the XS fits me perfectly (my height/weight's the same as yours), and they're usually on sale (especially around Christmas). And they last forever.
posted by oinopaponton at 12:38 PM on October 6

Ann Taylor's got your back on this one.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:38 PM on October 6

I really like the Valerie Separates cardigans; I have several in cashmere. They look nice enough to be worn to work, in my opinion, especially because of the fabric. I am about your size (I'm actually shorter) and the XS fits me well. I got them at Lord & Taylor a few years ago, I am not sure if they still carry the line.

Along the lines of a blazer, I have only found one that really looks decent on my figure. It's a MaxStudio piece in a size 2. I got it at Marshall's a few years ago. It is still not perfect (it sort of makes me look like a box) but it does the job for interviews etc.

I've not had much luck with Banana Republic cardigans. The arms are always much too long, even in petite.
posted by k8lin at 12:39 PM on October 6

Talbots petites? (I know, you are young, but look at the item apart from the model or the presentation outfit...) They have a size "PP" which is smaller than "PS" so I assume "PP" is a petite extra small. Check the sale and outlet pages.

Dunno if Ann Taylor has petite or not.
posted by jgirl at 12:40 PM on October 6

Along the lines of a blazer, I have only found one that really looks decent on my figure. It's a MaxStudio piece in a size 2. I got it at Marshall's a few years ago. It is still not perfect (it sort of makes me look like a box)

Let me suggest that you have it taken in a bit. If it's your classic interview jacket, it's worth the investment! Tapering the waist of a too-boxy jacket is something most tailors can do well. This is advice that may help Juliet Banana as well.

Juliet Banana, The Talbot's PP (as suggested by jgirl) works well for a friend who is about your height and weight, so do try that if you can get to a Talbot's store.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:46 PM on October 6

Ann Taylor does have petite, and I forgot to mention that I have had some luck with their petite sweaters. I've never bought a button-down cardigan there, but I love an open-front cardigan that I got there over the summer.

Talbots is also a good place to look. I hate going in there because I'm the youngest person by about fifty years, but their clothes are well made and they have great sales -- especially in our size.
posted by k8lin at 12:46 PM on October 6

Also, keep in mind that a plain cardigan can also be dressed up a bit with the right belt worn over it. The key is to make sure the cardigan is cut a bit slim (it doesn't have to be body-hugging, but it shouldn't be boxy or baggy) and that the belt isn't clunky or too casual.
posted by scody at 12:49 PM on October 6

H&M's quality can sometimes leave a bit to be desired (they're sort of the Ikea of clothes), but they're a reliable source of inexpensive, slim fitting work-appropriate clothes for both women and men. There appear to be a couple of them in Chicago.

Also check out Uniqlo (basically a slim / small Japanese equivalent to the Gap) for on-line shopping.
posted by dersins at 12:49 PM on October 6 [3 favorites has favorites]

If you ever get yourself out to Old Orchard mall in Skokie, you may want to check out Zara. It's like a more mature H&M - European-inspired styles and fit, which is good for smaller people, but pretty inexpensive. Hell, if you want to take a shopping trip just let me know - I've got a car and would happily trade a ride for some Juliet Banana fashion advice.
posted by misskaz at 12:51 PM on October 6 [1 favorite has favorites]

Vintage Pringle or St John Knits? Un-stunning examples in the links but good brands to chase after.
posted by kmennie at 12:55 PM on October 6 [1 favorite has favorites]

I'm about your size, and I've had very good luck with Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft and Bebe.

You didn't mention a budget, but I thought I'd throw this out there anyhow. If you're not in a position to spend $89 on a cardigan (though that Ann Taylor ruffled cashmere cardi is made of adorable. And cashmere), hit up a thrift store in a nicer area of town. In my experience, (and I've been thrifting for years) the nicer the area in which a thrift store is located, the more likely you are to find the abovementioned brands in very small sizes.
posted by Flipping_Hades_Terwilliger at 12:57 PM on October 6

Ann Taylor Loft Petites...and you have ADORABLE clothes!
posted by radioamy at 1:04 PM on October 6

Try Paul Smith for the blazer. You'll be pleasantly surprised. I saw them in a store the other day.
posted by Zambrano at 1:09 PM on October 6

Paul Smith makes beautiful clothes, but they're not sized for the shorter woman. (The jackets work fine on 5'9" me, for instance!)

But that makes me think of a label that never works for me: Tahari. Since their "regular" sizes seem to be cut for someone around 5'4", the petites should be great for 5'0" folks!
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:20 PM on October 6

I like Landsend fine gauge cardigans. They have petites, you can almost always google up a coupon for free shipping, and returns can be made at Sears. You can get a matching crew, for that retro twinset look.

LL Bean also has fine gauge cotton and cashmere cardigans. I have a vintage black cashmere beaded cardigan that I love, and I urge you to invest in a cashmere cardigan. Add pearls and all of a sudden you feel the spirits of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelley nearby.
posted by theora55 at 1:36 PM on October 6

As a counterpoint, I think Banana Republic petites are perfect, and they come in XS. J.Crew stuff is too long in the torso and the sleeves for me, even in XS.

For blazers, you might want to try something with 3/4 sleeves. I have a really cute black pinstripe blazer by Laundry by Shelli Segal that has 3/4 sleeves and just clips in the bust area, rather than have the full, boxy button-down look. I can't find it online anywhere, but something like that would be really cute on you.
posted by booknerd at 1:42 PM on October 6

Boden has lots of cardigans.

I am a smaller person and bought their cashmere cropped cardigan for fall. Yay for a cardigan that doesn't make me look frumpy!

(Note: those are UK sizes!)
posted by thaumatrope at 1:49 PM on October 6

As you know, I'm your size. Ann Taylor Petites ftw.
posted by desjardins at 1:56 PM on October 6

Besides Bebe, Club Monaco and Armani Exchange have sizes that run small (including xxs and 00).

Based on your photos, you might particularly like the styles at Club Monaco.

You can also shop by size at Nordstrom.com, whose user interface allows you to shop specifically for xxs-xs sizes in their sweater shop (and evens allows you to shop for cardigans only).

I've also found that Alice + Olivia, theory, and American Eagle have sizes that fit me.
posted by cranberryskies at 2:22 PM on October 6

I have a Theory blazer in size 00 that fits like a glove, and I'm smaller than you. I wouldn't give up on the idea of finding one nice jacket if your budget allows (probably $200 or more).
posted by slow graffiti at 2:31 PM on October 6

I'm about the same size and find that Banana Republic petite XS works well for me. I have a couple of great cardigans from them that I wear all the time. I think they even have XXS/00 in some items now. My size problem with them is that stuff can be long in the torso on me (even petites) but that shouldn't matter as much with a cardigan. I like BR stuff for work because it's generally dressy without being fussy. Btw, if you sign up for their email mailing list, you get discount coupons almost every week, and you get notified when stuff gets marked down in-store and online. I find Ann Taylor--even Ann Taylor petite--too big so if you have that problem try BR petites.

I was in Gap earlier today and saw some cute cardigans that would layer well, maybe check those out? I didn't try them on so I'm not sure, but you will probably want to go online for petite with those, their regular XS is usually on the large side.

Also, check Brooklyn Industries--I've gotten some great blazer-y/jacket-y/sweater things there, and they run very small/slim fit. They have a Chicago store.

I love your style!
posted by min at 2:49 PM on October 6

Seconding H&M, recently bought two cardigans from them. Also, try Zara.
posted by alona at 4:23 PM on October 6

I'm taller than you, but have a birdlike torso that makes cardigans and jackets hang like sacks on me.

I never had luck with Lands End and LL Bean; their stuff is all too wide and boxy for me. I scored big in upscale consignment stores though. It seems to me that the more expensive clothes were slimmer. For mid-level brands, nthing Banana Republic and J Crew's XSs.

Corporette is nice source for ideas on looking fashionable and professional.
posted by desuetude at 9:07 PM on October 6

To make it a bit fancier for work, try using a skinny belt around the narrowest part of your waist. This works for both short and long cardigans. I think even with a petite frame this helps proportion out your shape. Both skinny and wide belts work I think.
posted by like_neon at 1:14 AM on October 7

Ralph Lauren makes beautiful knitwear that is often dressy. I love the quality of their fabrics.
posted by i_love_squirrels at 4:57 AM on October 7

2nding that Zara is definately worth checking out for basic sweaters. (I've had the most luck with items folded to the sides of the store, their main displays tend to be their trendier stuff). If United Colors of Benneton has a sale - otherwise it's a little overpriced - they have some good sweaters. There's one on Michigan and another at Old Orchard. Last, I've had really good luck with Express cardigans. Small usually works for me and I'm 5'4 so the XS should be the right size.
posted by ejaned8 at 6:16 AM on October 7

After an endless dreary slog up and down State Street braving the loud dance music and perfume sample clouds of the shops, I got one of these in black at Forever 21. Not exactly fancy, I know, but it fits correctly. I think I'm going to buy the one in navy online as well, since it's cheap as chips.

Land's End only has Smalls and no Petite sizes in store, but the Regular Small was boxy enough to make me think a smaller version would still be proportioned weird.

I saw some Theory items at Filene's; the blazer sleeves are too long but if I'm ever in real need for suit they can be altered. It's a good brand recommendation.

You know, I've been in Talbots (I am a sucker for bright pink and lime green and they seem to be rocking the Lily Pulitzer palette in there) and the petites seemed pretty big, but I might have been looking at PS instead of PP.

Since the cardigan I got will probably fall apart after three washes (it's F21 after all) I'll be keeping an eye out on the suggestions y'all recommended.
posted by Juliet Banana at 8:20 PM on October 8