Ann Taylor Long Linen Cardigan – How To Style

June 8, 2011

Ann Taylor Long Linen Cardigan, size XXSP

This fine specimen was added to my shopping cart last minute to reach the free shipping minimum when I decided I HAD to have a pair of shoes (more on that later). I thought a peacock blue, linen version of this cardigan might be kind of fun, so in the shopping cart it went. Now that it’s here, it’d like to share with you a few ways to style it!

The Straight-Jacket!

The Cape!

Or not.

Sorry, Ann Taylor.

Cute color though.

How would YOU style this cardigan?

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Tagged as: Ann Taylor Petite, Sweaters

http://threetenseven.com/ Jacqueline C. Rineer

Lol!

I was hoping when I saw this post that YOU knew how to style it!

But, yes. It is a nice color =)
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  LOL. Some things are better left alone. :P
  - Anonymous
    
    Hi Kelly,
    
    See this episode on vanity sizing by Dr. Oz. Great info.
http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed

I’d like to add here that my next “styling” attempt would’ve been to go pant-less. Aren’t you glad it didn’t go that far? You’re welcome. ;)
Couturecoco5

LOL! And that was XXSP? I’m not too sure about the colour either :/ Great effort though LOL!
http://alittlepetite.wordpress.com/ A Little Petite

lol yea beautiful color! but just a taddddd bit too big. belt didnt seem to help at all?
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  I didn’t even attempt a belt. Those darn pockets are right at prime “saddle bag” length on me. Never a flattering look. :P
Cyndi

In general I love the way cardigans that length look with skirts or dresses that fall a few inches above the knee! For this cardigan specifically, I second the belt idea.
http://www.shorty-stories.com Cynthia C. M.

THAT is an XXSP?!!! Wow, vanity sizing has really gone crazy! #1 would work well if it weren’t for the button holes – maybe. I’d wear it with something skinnier though.
http://twitter.com/shystardreamer shystardreamer

Whoa that sweater is huge. it can fit two of you :) Love the color though.
cindydiep2

You are freaky funny in this post!! :D You crack me up :D. Wow xxsp? that seem like a xl on you. Geeze.
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  LOL. Thanks Cindy! I thought I should have some fun with it since it was so big. ;)
http://newpetite.blogspot.com New Petite

You are funny! love the color but not the fit.
http://easypetitelooks.blogspot.com/ Amber

I have a few large cardigans and I just push up the sleeves and belt them. I usually wear them with skinny jeans or a skirt. Love your face in the last pic, lol
Easy Petite Looks
Anna

Yikes. That’s their idea of xxsp? Looks like I could fit in there just fine and I’m 5’8! Style this as an oversized cardigan. Roll the sleeves back, wear skinny jeans, and a high high heel. Add your red Chanel and you’re set.
http://www.mixmatchfashion.com/ Tara

Um…did they put the wrong size tag on that cardigan? lol
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  LOL. Either that or I’m shrinking.
http://stylereengineered.blogspot.com TrangT

Roll up the sleeve and put a belt on it? That’s what I would try, but I’ve never had a cardigan THAT BIG!
stylereengineered.blogspot.com
http://aredtrolley.wordpress.com Jeni

has anyone mentioned that maybe you should go pants-less? although reading your blog, i’m pretty sure that it’s not your style, but layer the cardigan over leggings and a tank, belt it, and call it a day?
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  LOL…that was going to be my next style attempt. :)
http://profiles.google.com/petitelg Petite LG

I can’t believe how big the cardigan was in XXSP! It looks ginormous on you. Even though the fit was horrible, I love love love the color. It’s so gorgeous. I wish the cut was smaller. Super cute poses though :)
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  Thanks Sydney! It’s comically big on me, so of course I had to share. Too bad because the color is fabulous!
TinkerCo

a beautifully printed dress – although i must say those long sleeves are a drag….boo hoo. 3/4 sleeves would’ve been perfect for summer!
http://theotherpocket.blogspot.com Stacey

Tragedy! The color is so pretty! You tricked me though… I thought you were going to pull out a miracle and actually style it. Sigh. How gullible am I?

Would it really shrink enough though? I know you’re the master of shrinking clothes!
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  LOL. Sorry to trick you, but this cardigan was begging to be made fun of. :)
  
  I doubt it would shrink enough, or if it did, it would probably become all misshapen and not be very flattering anyways.
Silvard

I would exactly know how to style it very nicely on my taller/bigger sister, but not on me.
http://fastfoodandfastfashion.com Elle

lol Kelly, I have to say I thought you were going to style the crap out of this cardigan in spite of the picture. But I guess some things simply can’t be done. :)

I loove all the cute faces you are making.
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  LOL. Thanks Elle! I bet you could have actually styled it creatively, seeing as you’re the queen of creative remixing. :)
Lydia

It looks a little too big. Length-wise, maybe you could belt it then wear it with skinny jeans? It’s probably still way too big (the sleeves are also too long). Agree with the color though. Pretty.
SugarNikita

I’m wondering if it’s possible that particular cardigan was mislabeled…that seems awfully big for an XXSP…even for Ann Taylor.

If it was the correct size, I bet it would look really cute!
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  I don’t think it was mislabeled…I think it was just designed to be a really roomy fit. And since most AT items are borderline too big on me anyways, this one just so happened to look ridiculous. I agree, two sizes smaller and it would actually be really cute!
thd2

I wonder if they made it big because, being linen, it would shrink up a fair amount in the wash (??)

I am scared of long cardigans in general on my petite but curvy (on the bottom) figure. But this one is especially scary! Very funny post.
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  I know what you mean about fearing long cardigans. A lot of them are unflattering on my hips too, so I can only imagine if you’re really curvy on the bottom. Especially avoid ones that have pockets down there! Yikes!
Sonia

Omigod..if AT and ATL start vanity sizing I am doomed! I recently bought a OOP BR dress and it was too big, so this is ominous.
Love your styling attempts…so funny!
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  Thanks Sonia! Sizing can be really hit or miss, so don’t give up hope yet. Pretty much every year, I swim in certain items, but fit well in others, all from the very same brand in the very same size. It happens *shrugs*.
http://underthecasun.blogspot.com/ Sunshine

i really LOL’ed! thanks for the laugh ;)
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  You’re welcome. :)
Anonymous

Forgot to add the link: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/whats-your-real-clothing-size-pt-1

so interesting. Enjoy it.
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  Thanks for the link! I love that kind of stuff! :)
Anonymous

Hi Kelly,See this episode on vanity sizing by Dr. Oz. Great info. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos…
http://www.extrapetite.com/ PetiteAsianGirl

For the cape shot, I wish you tied the arms around your neck and wore it as a true cape, superhero style. If I had an oversized cardi like this I would probably wear it with slim black legging bottoms, fully buttoned up as a slouchy cardi, but that’s not very AN now is it? And WHAT could these AT shoes possibly be given their sz 5 is too big for your lil feet? Curious…
- http://www.alterationsneeded.com/ Alterations Needed
  
  Darn! I knew I was missing something! You’re so right…I needed to tie the arms around my neck….oh well…next time. :)
  
  As for the shoes…I get these ideas in my head and just can’t rest until I give ‘em a try.
Lydia Higgins

Hah! I LOVED this. I can absolutely relate — especially right now, since I’ve just started the impossible search for petite maternity clothes. Thanks for sharing your sense of humor. :)