Fall Fashion 2009 – Chunky Knits
September 13, 2009 by Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler - The Glam Gals
Fashion has cozied up to chunky knits this fall. It’s a great look, but can be tricky to pull off especially after 40 when your body is a little rounder and softer than it used to be. Chunky knits, if worn wrong, can make you look like a frumpy old lady. Here’s some tips for how to wear them.
| Sweater coat: You don’t want to end up looking like you are wearing a sloppy bathrobe. Be sure your sweater coat fits properly at the shoulders and isn’t too bulky at the thighs. Also, look in the mirror and make sure the belt loops are really at your waist and not your hips. ( Nordstrom) |
 Unless you are skinny, stay away from loose robes or you'll look dowdy |
| Cowl neck and Boat Necks: are great for pear shaped women because they add substance and width up top to balance out your silhouette. Beware of horizontal lines like this that can add width. A solid colored cowl neck is more flattering if you are trying to hide a few extra pounds. (Saks) |
 cowl and boat necks balance out pear shapes |
| Patchwork can be aging after 40 making you look like a granny wearing a quilt. Choose modern color combinations like gray and yellow for an updated look. Also, reserve patchwork for weekends. It’s a very casual look. (Saks) |
 patchwork can be aging |
| Vertical lines: like a row of buttons, a long zipper or trim down the front elongate your body, making you appear slimmer and taller. (Saks) |
 vertical lines are slimming |
| Sweaters that cascade: are soft, and more romantic. Wear a very simple top underneath, so as not to compete with the sweater, and make sure it doesn’t cascade below your knees. These sweaters look great with leggings or slim pants. (Saks) |
 Cacading sweaters are softening |
| Petites: have to be especially careful they don’t drown themselves in oversize knits. Choose knits small-medium in size, and shorter more fitted styles. (Saks) |
 shorter fitted knits don't overwhelm petites |
Hi Deb, Thanks for your honesty on this. You make a good point. We have suggested in the past to beware of chunky knits, since they can add unwanted bulk to our bodies. (and who wants that?)… so, when buying sweaters, we love to find those on the thinner side. However some of us live in really cold climates, so we might have to bulk it up at some point!
I’m not a fan of chunky knits for any age – they look frumpy on just about everyone. Your tips are fantastic, though!
If that’s what women over 40 are wearing I’m going to start shopping in the Jrs department…were over 40, not frumby!!!!!
How do you feel about the cascading sweaters on a very short little apple shape? I’m having a hard time trying to visualize whether this would be alongating and slimming, or if it would simply call attention to my tummy. By the way, I’m an advanced level seamstress who would be making the sweater, so can adjust the amount of fullness, length, etc, and come up with a perfect fit.
What do you think of leggings on women over 40?
I bought a pair, then returned them the next day, after reading a big article in More Magazine about how women over 40 should never never wear them. (My husband agreed with the article….) ?
Hi Janet,
Yes, and we have TONS of tips that we will be posting this week! Keep coming back for more, or sign up for our newsletter and we will send them to you twice a month!
Fall fashion is great and my favorite time to buy clothes! Yeahhh! Fall is coming.