It has been so chilly here in London since I returned from France that I have been wearing my navy MeandEm chunky navy sweater nearly every day. Now reduced to £94, only size 14 left in navy. Still available in cream and khaki.
I wear it mostly under my parkas or winter coats. On the odd occasion when the sun has shone I have been able to wear it on its own. As the days lengthen and hopefully the temperatures begin to rise I will be able to wear it as an outer layer more often. I envisage keeping it in my wardrobe for at least another three months before I pack it away for the Summer.
As it is a long tunic style sweater I have played around with how I style it. I am wearing it here with a narrow belt. Belts are coming back into fashion as an on-trend accessory, having been out of favour since the 80s. I am lucky in that I have a smallish waist.and provided I don’t pull the belt too tight I find that it works. If you are curvier around the middle or petite this may not be a good look for you. You can see how I wore it without the belt in an earlier post.
I have teamed my sweater with a pair of straight leg navy trouser. Straighter or wider trousers are beginning to return after many years of the “skinnies” taking centre stage. If you are petite I would advise sticking to a narrower leg trouser.
Hoop earrings (similar) and pearl bracelets Claudia Bradby.
The photo above was taken by Laura Hines in Battersea Park London. Follow her on Instagram
If you live in a cold climate and are still in the market for a classic sweater that will last you several years I have done research and below are my recommendations:
WoolOvers navy cashmere rollneck Ted Baker navy roll neck Finery have a lovely red chunky sweater Baukjen have a gorgeous pink chunky roll neck
Love the colour but as you say this is not an outfit for petites!
Really like this look… and that pink lipstick is very flattering…
That’s a great look on you Josephine. Definitely worth a try though my waist is not as slender as yours!
Hi Josephine, I’ve just recently started following you, I love your style. Could you tell me what height you are and what size you wear please. Love the jumper.
Hi Judith
I am 5’7″ or 170cm and I normally wear a size 12. Sometimes I wear a size 10 on the top depending on the cut.
Hi Josephine, It was good to see information on sizing. Given that this particular sweater is stated as really oversized, did you find that you needed to size down in it?. I think it’s great on you and I love that you were able to style it so successfully with your belt.
Hi Kari
I tried both the 10 and the 12 navy sweater. The size 10 fitted me however I particularly wanted it oversized so took the 12. I felt that the 12 hung better as I have quite wide hips. If you have a straighter figure a size down would be fine.
I think I may have to get it dry cleaned otherwise with the weight of water it might grow. I normally wash all of my sweaters.
Absolutely love & look forward to seeing your blog in my mailbox. All the sources you mention are helpful. It would be great if you could mention more styling suggestions for those of us who are short and rounder. Your bright coat blog was uplifting especially for our snowy, cold days. Thanks!
Love the look Josephine, also think your hair looks great at this length! This is definitely going to be shown to my stylist, who’s amazing, on my next visit. My hair is a very similar colour to yours, and gets several comments. Always love your look but am unable to carry some off because I am definitely a ‘petite’. Love your inspiring blogs. Thank you so much,
Thank you for all your lovely comments. I hear you about the “petites”. I am going to do some research together with my colleague, who is petite. I will then put together a couple of outfit suggestions and some tips on how to look good as a petite.
This is such a chic outfit, Josephine. I am a big fan of navy blue. It’s a color that anyone can wear successfully and is much softer than black. I have a navy blue sleeveless sheath that I wear all the time. Can dress it up and dress it down w/just a few accessories. You look lovely in this ensemble. Make the most of your waist. As I always say — A waist is a terrible thing to waste! We don’t have them forever.
It’s been absolutely frigid here on the east coast (US). as well. I’ve been wrapping up when I go out as if I’m preparing for the Iditarod.
Cheers, M-T (The French Touch)
I just bought a VELVET BLUE BELT!Have NO idea what I will do with it but maybe YOU have inspired me!However, I am BIGGER THAN YOU so we shall see!
YOU look GREAT in BLUE!
I believe “Life is an occasion dress for it.”
This article suits to this quote.
Hi Josephine, you look great in the me&em sweater. I was inspired to buy one when you alerted me to the fact
they were in the sale. I have since bought several items from their sale and am really pleased with the quality and style. Thank you for all your good ideas.
Hi Josephine,
I forgot to say, that I too have a lovely pink coat similar to yours, I would not have thought to get some magenta gloves, they look really good and I will be sending off for some. They really make a difference to the outfit.
Love the sweater, looks really stylish. I can’t get my head around wide leg trousers at all though, although I’m quite tall I always feel drowned in them, don’t like them flapping round my legs. Do you think the sweater would work with straight leg ones instead?
Hi Bron
The trousers I am wearing are not that wide. They do flare out at the bottom but don’t seem to flap. Yes you could definitely were the sweater with straight or even narrow trousers. I often do.
Just found your site. Love your style. I am in my sixties and love to dress nicely every day. Life is an occasion — dress for it! So true!
Welcome to my blog Jeanne and thank you for your comment.
A really lovely, and functional wardrobe piece! But, please, do you really ever wear a parka in London? Forgive me, I live in Toronto where the parka is king!
Yes, I wear Parkas most of the time in the winter in London. I probably took it off to photograph the sweater.