WIW: The cardi that broke SYB

I have had my eye on this cropped animal print (only on the front panels) cashmere-merino wool blend Lord & Taylor cardigan since I bought my L&T slouchy pants. But the price was quite high at the time and I couldn't justify it. When MIL and I went Christmas shopping on Saturday afternoon, it was there and was now 60% off. Having done well with our home repair (which is why I was on SYB) I decided to go ahead and purchase the sweater since there was only one left in my size and I could see it working with so many things in my wardrobe. Hubby was fine with the purchase BTW.

I've paired the sweater with my Lord & Taylor slouchy black trousers, a black cowl neck tee and for some colour, my red leather belt and red booties. I wasn't sure about the handbag but I knew I didn't want black and my red/animal print clutch was just too much, you know? So I went with my camel leather handbag instead to pick up the camel tones in the sweater. For some reason this handbag photographs more yellow than it really is.

On top of everything when I head out the door is my plaid cape and my red leather gloves. I know the gloves are a brighter red than the boots, but I figure they're physically far enough away from each other to not be a problem.

What do you think? Does this work? How are the proportions? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.

Sweater: Lord & Taylor
Tee: Jessica (Sears brand)
Trousers: Lord & Taylor (and altered)
Boots: Sam Edelman
Handbag: Mondani New York (thrifted)
Cape: thrifted
Gloves: Danier Leather (thrifted)

P.S. Realize I forgot my red lipstick for the picture but rest assured, I've got a red lippy on!

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23 Comments

  • replied 11 years ago

    Great sweater Shannon and good on you for waiting to buy!

  • rute replied 11 years ago

    Love!! Cape and gloves.. wow! That is so stylish!

  • Karie replied 11 years ago

    Such a pretty cardi! It seems very versatile and I like the way you've styled it here. The proportions look good to me. Your cape, purse and booties are fab, too!

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Oooh! What a great cardi! Is it from the Bay? Gosh, you do well there. I think WInnipeg's store is MUCH better than Kingston's. We get so little here....

    I love it with the slouchy trousers and thank you for the shopping...er, styling ideas.... ;-)

    That cape is terrific with it all, too.

    I see you wear these trousers with both your Sam Edelman's and your Marcies. Even though the heel heights differ. And that seems to work. This is helpful.

    The bag is the right choice I think. It looks a bit light for the outfit overall but I suspect it might be the way it photographs.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Thanks Ceit, Rute and Karie!

    Suz - yes, the cardigan is from The Bay. I was off from shopping at The Bay for years but have noticed that in the last two years, they have really stepped up their game. Better brands, more size selection and sales more often. I'm sure they can feel Nordstrom breathing down their necks! They do need to improve their customer service though - big time!

    As for the shoe/boot options with my slouchy trousers, the way Wonder Woman West tapered the legs, they really will work with almost everything because the heel height doesn't make much difference in how the pant legs drapes, if you know what I mean. I also plan on wearing them with my Jeffrey Campbell three-tone patent oxfords, my blue suede booties and all of my Docs. I'm still debating going and getting the cobalt blue ones and having the legs done the same way.

    Have you made a decision on your black slouchy trousers?

  • kkards replied 11 years ago

    Love, especially the red accents.

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    Cool sweater! Like a built-in vest. :D

  • Lisa replied 11 years ago

    Looks great, congrats on waiting to buy. That cape is perfect for fall!

  • shedev replied 11 years ago

    Great look Shannon.

  • Ornella replied 11 years ago

    Oh, so much happening.
    So much drama!

    How fabulous.

    This neutral outfit (as we know, red is neutral for many of us, and leopard is too - ask MaryK!) is absolutely delightful. If not my favorite outfit on you, then certainly most memorable. Wow wow wow!!!

  • Jenava replied 11 years ago

    So great! Of course you must buy something when you've wanted it before the sale AND it's only one in your size. That is a no brainer! I'm glad you found a way to make it work out with the budget.

    I LOVE the cape and how it ties this all together!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Rae - I didn't even notice that! It does look like a vest here doesn't it? Of course it would less so if I was wearing a different coloured top.

    Ornella - of course red and animal print are neutrals! I'm so glad MaryK taught us that. And thank you so much for your lovely compliment.

    Jenava - I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to buy this sweater. I can see it with all sorts of things and it is crazy good cozy! Glad you like the cape - it's funny how much love it gets on the forum!

    Thanks kkards, Lisa and Shedev!

  • Inge replied 11 years ago

    Yes, I thought it was a vest first as well. So it's even more versatile than you imagined, Shannon;-)
    I think you made the right decision, it's a beautiful cardi, and you already have so many ideas for how to wear it, and it was a terrific deal, love it!!

    The entire outfit looks brilliant on you, and I am in awe of your cape-wearing abilities, so stunning and cheeky!!

  • Jem replied 11 years ago

    You have been doing well at the Bay! I never find anything there, either. I'm glad you were able to get the cardigan at a deal, it looks great! I love it with your red boots and also, I love your cape!

  • JulieJohn replied 11 years ago

    Simply stunning! I love the camel handbag with this outfit, good choice!

  • Jaime replied 11 years ago

    Great sweater and love the cape! So Sherlock Holmes! (I mean that as a huge compliment.)

  • modgrl replied 11 years ago

    Sweet sweater!! Love it on you :)

  • Lyn D. replied 11 years ago

    Unusual and striking- a great way to wear animal print without being O.T.T.
    You look so cosy and FAB.

  • Caro in Oz replied 11 years ago

    A "had to have" I'd say - love the length of it with the pants & the cape is fab too.

  • Ingunn replied 11 years ago

    Another 10 from you, Shannon! This cardigan is SO fab on you, and I perfectly understand that you bought it. I'm also happy to hear that your home refurbishing is going well.

  • lyn67 replied 11 years ago

    Love this cardi and can totally relate breaking up your SYB for it as it's not a common one, for sure. Having the sleeves black only, is more slimming and makes a completely other effect. Enjoying the pops of red, including your virtual lipstick, too:-)

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    The combination of plaid and leopard, with a Sherlock-chic cape shape, no less, just about killed me... and that's before I got to the red leather accents! WOW!

    I'm sure that cardi's a versatile buy, given the print and the panels (I like the print blocking, if you will), and I'm sure you'll come up with lots of new outfits to play it in---but I LOVE the print layering of this one. Two classics do add up to extremely modern on you, don't they?

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Manidipa!!! Oh my - how good to hear from you? We miss you - how are you doing??? I do call this my Sherlock Holmes cape so your reference is spot on (as usual!).

    Glad you all like the cardi - I already want to wear it again. I think that's a good sign, don't you?

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