The other day, we were chatting about our new wardrobe updates. Like do you replace beloved pieces or do you go for something totally new? I mean in the sense, you never had a piece like that before. This post shows how beloved pieces from the past can be what influences your style.
Disclosure: Sponsored post.
Note: As usual, terms with a star * are explained in the High Latitude Style glossary (opens in a new tab).
A Citrus Boxy Cashmere Sweater Lust Evoked by a Childhood Hand-Made Dress
I recall a citrus boxy sweater dress my Mom once knitted for me. It was my absolute wardrobe favorite in my childhood in 2 to 4th grade. Ever since I am looking for something similar like this boxy cropped cashmere sweater I found accidently for just $75 at Italic, a retailer that takes the brand out of the equation. More on the retail concept of Italic).
Not only has the sweater my favorite color, the boxy cut and crewneck like my fav childhood dress, it also has the hand-finished ribbing on the cuffs, waist, and neckline. I loved this finishing back then and still today. It provides an elegant touch! … and comparable pieces – quality-wise – the material is spun from silky soft 100% 7 gauge* Mongolian cashmere – cost $100 at Everlane and $450 at Ralph Lauren.
I was so happy that I found this cute 90s vintage boxy in that amazing citrus color at Italic.com and had to have it.
The citrus color goes well with gray, black, navy, hunter green, pink and burgundy. It’s a real fashion statement. And cropped boxy is a huge 1990s vintage inspired trend right now.
What Influences Your Style: Color Analyses
When I was a toddler, Mom knitted a dress in the round using double-pointed needles. These needles are also known as wires. The skirt and chest were sleek A-line in bottle-green. Above the breast she used cream cashmere yarn and added orange knots for embellishment. I loved the fluffiness of the material, the colors and the sleek style. Ever since I loved bottle-green and orange pieces.
However, I stopped wearing these colors in the 1980s because I was “diagnosed” as a Winter. Being a winter meant that I would only look great in pink, purple and citrus. In other words, only a fraction of my favorite colors. After I read about the 12 color scheme, I realized what I was missing out all those years!
I now understood my love for my orange beret, my crotchet orange with bottle-green and white 1970s headband – of course with flower like Ali MacGraw. I am actually a so-called Autum/Winter or Deep. Guess, what? That also explained why I looked terrible in the Winter pastels.
… and I added bottle-green, orange, eggplant, saffron, olive, bright red and sunflower yellow back into my wardrobe.
I even thought that one day in a blue Moon* I will remake a dress like that for me.
The 1990s Cropped Boxy Style
I recall the boxy top style of the 1990s. I loved it! The cropped hem line draws the attention to the waist. No matter whether the piece is a jacket, sweater or top. It just ends where you are the tinniest. Compared to the width of the boxy piece, your waist looks small even when you are straight-up-and-down like Celine Deon. It’s a perfect style for everyone ruler-shaped like me. The cropped style also gives the illusion of miles-long legs. Perfect to balance the body proportions when you have a long torso.
Did you know that you can determine your body shape right here on High Latitude Style?
The cropped boxy style looks best when paired with a sleek pencil skirt, straight skirt (see outfit inspiration), skinnies or dress trousers. More on styling the cropped top trend.
The Impact of Softness for Your Material Choices
Wool and cashmere sweaters look casually sporty and feminine preppy style, respectively. Cashmere feels not itchy like sheep’s wool on the skin for which women with sensitive skin prefer the former material.
FAQ: Why is cashmere so soft?
Answer: What makes the difference are the scales of the fibers. Goat hair has fewer and tinnier scales than sheep hair. Therefore, the surface of a cashmere sweater feels smoother and softer that a pure wool sweater. More on worsted and woolen wool.
Fun fact: Did you know that it takes one Mongolian goat about four years to naturally shed enough underwool to make one cashmere sweater?
Wrapping Up What Influences Your Style
Trust your guts regarding your favorites. Think why you love a certain color, style. How does it benefit your look? Don’t fall for a brand! You would just pay for the name. Look for high quality pieces like those from Italic instead.
Tip: Retailers who cut out the middlemen, i.e. buy direct from the sources, can offer luxury products at much lower prices than other retailers.
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Photos of me: G. Kramm
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