This quirky cardigan is by NENEEE on etsy and is called "the court jester" cardigan. I've been eyeing a lot of the reconstructed clothes in her Etsy shop (I'm especially fond of her assymetrical yellow dress). Considering my love of cozy cardigans, this one was just too good to pass up. After buying it I realized it is the school colors of one of the high schools I attended...subconsciously a "super fan?"
Erin of Calivintage recently remarked that her ideal wardrobe would be a mix of designer and vintage and I thought, "So is mine!" But when one doesn't make a killing or stand to inherit a trust fund it always seemed rather infeasible to attempt at the present time. Lately though, I've been re-examining things and decided that I can bring more vintage and a wee bit of designer into my wardrobe if I start resisting frequent chain store visits. I mean, I could give up food and all shopping for a month and still not be able to afford most designer pieces, but with sites like Gilt I'm managing to find a few pieces (like my Betsey Johnson dress) for under $100. Quality over quantity and all that is a newish goal; buying a vintage dress on Etsy instead of a trendy one from F21. Now, I don't have a problem with chain stores and am quite too addicted to H&M to give that shop up, but I'd like to look for more...unique pieces.
Like this cardigan: I could have found a cardigan in a variety of stores, even some patterned ones, but this one is done by an independent designer/creator and special...









Outfit details: cardigan- NENEEE, dress- "The Clothes Horse dress" at Modcloth, belt- secondhand, socks- Thank You Mart, shoes- Seychelles, tote bag- Hayden and Harnett, nail polish- self mixed
Fabulous cardi, original and sweet! Love your shoes too.
ReplyDeleteMarie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
That is such an original cardigan, I always love balance in imbalance!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with you about mixing in more vintage into the wardrobe. I'm reminded how I should go to Goodwill more often, though F21 is a favorite of mine, too~
Such a unique cardigan. Building my vintage wardrobe is definitely a huge goal for me.. especially timeless pieces I can hand down to my daughters. I am in love with how unique this sweater is and how you paired it with the soft colors of the dress.
ReplyDeleteLove the cardigan! And the way you mix colours is very unique, and so pretty:)
ReplyDeleteyou look adorable!!! i love the rings!!!
ReplyDeleteyour bare legs must be freezing!
i love the cardigan and the shoes! =)
ReplyDeletehttp://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/
It's the same thing for me. I really want to buy unique vintage clothes, or some designer's dresses, but they're waay too expensive for me. By the way don't you freeze in short dresses like this? Looks really cold there:) But I get it, everything for a good picture:)
ReplyDeleteThat sweater is so awesome. I saw it yesterday in the wardrobe remix pool and my jaw dropped. It's insanely beautiful. I've given up buying the cheap stuff because it never feels as good as buying something that is special
ReplyDeletewhat an original looking cardigan. those were my school colors...i love it. also what a fabulous collection of rings. they go brilliantly with such a unique nail polish.
ReplyDeletewell done!
This is my exact resolution. Less cheap, more vintage, better quality!
ReplyDeleteYour clothes look really cheerful today!
So cutesy,colourful and cheery...you've brightended my winters day!Amazing cardi,so unique!
ReplyDeleteLovelove your blog...
Sofie
onetoomanywishes.blogspot.com
You know what, that is a good point—how you'd rather have a unique piece than something from a chain store. I think a lot of people are really getting into that now...quality instead of quantity. Also, there's the whole homemade 'revolution' going on, especially with awesome sites like Etsy. And well, I like it. Ha ha.
ReplyDeleteFashion is so much more than just pretty dresses and shoes—it can really say a lot about the way we live. I need to start taking my own advice. Thank you for this post especially, by the way. :)
so wonderful and quirky! :o)
ReplyDeletegreat 2 colors sweater! rings are just perfect :) & I am also think that green is good :D
ReplyDeleteomg!!! too gorgeous!! love the earthy vibe!! i can totally relate.. my new goal for this year is to have quality over quantity clothing. however, forever 21 and h&m is finally coming over here in my town. i think i would have to make some exceptions! hahaha!
ReplyDeleteyour nails are lovely, do you just mix and see if it works or do you know what works? i've never mixed nail varnishes and would probably just end up ruining a good one
ReplyDeletehttp://newgeneracity.blogspot.com/
o rebecca, i adooore!! this is a great look
ReplyDeleteim starting to recongnize your style more and its sooo sweet! this cardi is sooo cool and im loovoing the nails!
That cardigan is so wonderful! It is a great way to add a splash of color and knowing me I would think it would go with everything I own.
ReplyDeleteyou're so right about this cardigan, this whole post actually. for months, i was obsessed with finding the perfect pair of sequin leggings and after last night's mall shopping excursion, i realized the ubiquitous choices are being worn by every other girl too. i agree with you, better to search far and wide for that perfect, unique piece that may cost a little more.
ReplyDeletei'm so stoked at your cardingan, it's beyond cool !!!
ReplyDeletelove from paris
xx
i was just admiring how your outfit looks totally different when you stand one each side, for instance, in the pictures where you could see the yellow side, it's summery and bright, and the green side looks much more subdued and autumnal... :)
ReplyDeletei just love how etsy makes independent designers so much more accessible to the public!
ReplyDeletethat is just the perfect name for that sweater..and it's just in your colors too! i've been thinking about my closet too, and lack of space....unique pieces are definitely my goal for this year too.
ReplyDeletethat's exactly why I pretty much exclusively wear thrifted or hand-me-down clothes. it's way more fun to dig for your clothes and plus i would hate to see someone wearing the same clothing as me. if i ever do buy from target/forever 21/h&m i try to stick to basics.
ReplyDeleteI love how you paired the belt up with the open cardigan - so original!
ReplyDelete--
Agatha x
thehouseonbloghill.blogspot.com
I have to work on quality over quantity too. Right now my wardrobe is made up of a lot of basics and needs a bit of umfph! (it's hard to spell sounds over the internet) :P
ReplyDeleteI haven't commented in ages and ages, as I am quite lame, but ahh! This outfit is just so much that I love about clothes! It's so perfect and cheeky, and that dress! Delicious!
ReplyDeletei adore this cardigan! its so whimsical. your outfit choices are continuously inspiring and i like your views on vintage over forever 21...
ReplyDeletexo.
princesspolitico
What an original sweater!
ReplyDeleteLove the eco bag ;)
Saludos,
Clau!
darling cardy...it looks amazing!
ReplyDelete❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
it's a great cardi, i really love it with the socks & shoes.
ReplyDeleteThat cardi is genius! Love it!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat mix and match!
ReplyDeleteIt is special, but you must be chilly!!!
ReplyDeleteHello! Just found your blog, and it is lovely. :) I love the way you wear your socks with this outfit!
ReplyDeletethat is the coolest damn cardigan i've seen in my life!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful and unique! - Natalya of Wear Necessities
ReplyDeleteThat cardigan is amazing!
ReplyDeletecolormenana.blogspot.com
It's one of a kind, and beautiful! I should look on etsy more often.. Dress is amazing too :D
ReplyDeleteThis is the coolest cardigan I've ever seen! :D
ReplyDeleteBut... aren't you cold? It looks like you've got goosebumps. Take care of yourself!
that sweater is so interesting I love it!
ReplyDeleteBuying less F21 and more vintage sounds like a fantastic idea! Sometimes I'll go through my closet and easily be able to find 10 things from F21 that I don't love, and then I become quite sad when I realize that I could've bought one high quality thing instead.
ReplyDeleteLovely cardigan! I'm heading over to check out that etsy shop right now :]
Love your gorgeous two-toned cardigan!! So unexpected and your nails look so pretty! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteRebecca, that cardigan is simply stunning on you, especially the way you paired it under that belt and the way it complements your socks and shoes! Wonderful buy.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with the same chain store dilemma too. I am pretty sure I could afford one (reasonable) designer piece a month (or a non reasonable piece every 2 months) semi-easily, but instead I manage to crowd my budget with lots of reasonably-priced-individually but expensive-en-masse cheaper items. Hrmm....I think I'm better than I used to be about it, but I still need some more willpower! I am especially bad at resisting anything Anthropologie makes, although they are hardly a "cheap" chain store ;)
I do have to say that some of my favorite coats & dresses that I have seen you with, I invariably check your credits and find they are from H&M and other chain stores. So there's something in that too ;)
Oh, and this is overly long already, but I wanted to say that I loved the title of your post, it made me smile. As a former English major, I appreciate the titles of many of your entries...
That cardigan is so fun! And the green is quite neutral, making it very wearable.
ReplyDeleteI'm half tempted to cut up a few of my cardigans now, but I have a feeling it would end in disaster!
i love the cardigan, thats a really clever idea and I've been trying to do the whole quality over quantity thing too
ReplyDeleteLOVE the cardigan, and I love that you support independent designers. Personally, I very rarely shop at retail chain stores anymore. It wasn't much of a conscious effort, I just found myself being more drawn to vintage/thrift/etsy shopping.
ReplyDeleteYour cardigan reminds me of this story about a two-toned hat and how it got everyone confused. :b Looks lovely and it seems to be getting warmer in your area now that you're not wearing so many layers!
ReplyDeleteI love cardigans as well. I must say that this cardigan confuses me so much. But it is wonderful.
ReplyDeletePs. You're so lucky you don't have to wear tights where you are.
I love it, its so cute.
ReplyDeletethat cardi is adorable! i've been trying to do the same...i find f21 quite irresistible, but would rather spend that money on vintage or save for a quality designer item!
ReplyDeleteawsome two tone sweater!
ReplyDeleteI love it! the colors in this outfit fit together so well!
ReplyDeletethat cardigan is phenomanel. 'nough said.
ReplyDeletewow that cardi is so cool and fun, and goes remarkably well with the dress
ReplyDeleteeverything about this is so lovely. i love your rings and nail polish. you always have the best painted nails!
ReplyDeletelove the caridgan and floral dress. x
I love this cardigan!! Is so cool!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Beautiful shoes and cardigan, and perfect with the dress in this pretty little whimsical look. You're always so darling!
ReplyDeletexx
I've always loved a half-and-half look.
ReplyDeletethat's why 90% of my clothes come from thrift stores..and vintage stores..because every piece is unique...:D and the thrill of finding one is heart-stopping..haha!
ReplyDeletelove love the rings u have on!
gizellefaye.blogspot.com
gorgeous as usual, and I'm definitely with you on the vintage over store clothes, I'd rather wear a dress from etsy any day! they are so much more unique, and that cardigan is so great!
ReplyDeletelovelove,
http://marissaexplains.blogspot.com
and it goes oh so well with the Clothes horse dress!
ReplyDeletePS: I may or may not be wearing a printed cardigan from f21 right this minute... :-\ but I completely relate (and agree) with your new philosophy I'm headed in that direction too.
I have a friend named Rebecca and one girl used to call her Reb-Reb, but one of my other friends heard it wrong and thought they called her Red Rum. So now everyone calls her Red Rum, I think that's one of the best nicknames I've heard.
ReplyDeletethat is a clever title! so true.
ReplyDeletetotally agree with mixing high and low for the ideal wardrobe. and can relate to the whole splurging vs. saving dilemma. cheap impulse buys provide a quick fix, but i always end up feeling guilty not long after buying them. for me, it's the special stuff that get the most wear so ultimately, they end up being well worth the investment.
also, i've been following your blog for a little over a year now and never imagined making a cameo on it :] thanks so much Rebecca! this means a lot to me.
and finally, i just noticed the influence of your previous post on this one's palette. it's pretty awesomeee!
that cardigan is wonderous to say the least.
ReplyDelete-indigo
I Love your self mixed nail polish!
ReplyDeleteThat cardigan is crazy and cool. Love it paired with your namesake dress.
Lulu Letty
wow cardi is fab and i love how you tied it together with your socks :)
ReplyDeleteand omg loving the rings and you mix your nail color????? what a good idea!!==
Love the two-color cardigan.. You always look great, anyway..
ReplyDeletehttp://thenovembergirl.blogspot.com
That carigan is fantastic! I've never seen anything like it! :)You look so cute!
ReplyDeletehttp://playingdressupwithkellie.blogspot.com/
Absolutely love the cardigan!
ReplyDeleteThat is one incredibly neat sweater.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool cardigan! I agree with you on everything (as usual!!) and I'm a little disturbed by how little I'm buying vintage these days and my increased spending at stores like H&M and Topshop. Maybe it's just because I've been living in Iowa too long (no H&M within a 200 mile radius!!) and now that I've been in NY for a few weeks, I get way too excited for these chain stores that churn out cute (not always well made?) clothes every week. Hopefully, I can temper my tendencies.
ReplyDeleteI want to also say that you are one of the admirable few who always makes H&M and F21 look like a million bucks, and I love that your choices of clothing always seem so uniquely you and hardly ever seem to be trend-dated!
Okay, way too long comment again:(
xo Jenny
gorgeous darling
ReplyDeletelove it, beautiful inspiration
i really love your blog, keep it up
thanks for sharing as always
and thanks for the sweet comments
-cma
COSMICaroline.blogspot.com
self mixed nail polish? can you teach me please? i love that color. what a fun cardi. I really like it and think it works for you!
ReplyDeleteCall me a geek but these colors remind of the Slytherin house from Harry Potter, haha.
ReplyDeleteI love that cardigan though, it is so special. And I know what you mean. I am also trying to boycott chain stores but I bought A LOT of stuff at H&M recently because I got two giftcards for Christmas and because they had a super sale going on there. This year, it it one of my resolutions to mostly by second hand with the exception of sales.
never in a million years would i have worn that sweater with your dress... at least, i would not have thought about it on my own. but seeing it like this: i love it and i'm amazed that it totally works. again, bravo. love the outfit and your entire look -- everything about it is perfect.
ReplyDeleteoooh it's gorgeous! and much agreement with the mix of vintage and designer. aah but so poor. lol. hmm must go op-shop shopping soon.
ReplyDeleteanyways love love you outfit. it's like two outfits in one!
that's such a crazy cardigan!
ReplyDeleteweird to say but it really works with the dress and shoes
that's a really nice outfit :)
and i agree with the less chain store more designer pieces. That's what i do, i know i buy less than regular girls (especially bloggers) but i buy stuff that will last and have a certain quality :)
leen
i want that nail polish!!! you should sell it!
ReplyDeletelove d cardi!! wonder if I can DIY one like dat...
ReplyDeleteIt's a gorgeous cardie. Those socks look like they match the green perfectly! Plus, I'm always envious how perfectly painted your nails are...mine are always chipped! Your bare legs do make me go "bbbrrrr" though looking out at the snow and ice here and are apparent "arctic" conditions.
ReplyDeleteMy perfect wardrobe would also be a mix of vintage and designer, though I'm always short of cash and am hopelessly frugal so I can't really ever imagine having a big designer stash. I don't really mind though and more often than not I'm more horrified by than jealous of the girls who do buy the big names. I plan to buy lots more vintage though I also have a big H&M weakness!
u're cardigan so adorable...
ReplyDeleteluv u're style :)
wicked cardi girl!!
ReplyDeletebisous
annabu
The cardigan is truly adorable.
ReplyDeletehow fun! what a clever idea! love how your socks match the sweater. well, half of it ;D
ReplyDeleteGreat find! I love, love the cardigans! The tote is perfect/practical added accessories..!
ReplyDelete-Coco from Our Paper Moon
Love the idea of putting two cardis together. I may have to consider that the next time I'm at a secondhand store!
ReplyDeleteThat cardigan is awesome and Im in love with the ring on your middle finger.
ReplyDeletehttp://thedollhouse0101.blogspot.com/
Lovely outfit!
ReplyDeleteThis has got to be one of my favourite outfits of yours. The colours all look great together, and I love how you've matched the socks and the cardigan!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to try and cut down on my highstreet spending this year and go for more expensive, quality pieces.
One can definately have designer pieces on a budget if they are willing to put the work in. Scouring Last Call places, thrift stores and even places lik tj maxx... I have quite a few designer pieces that I have chanced upon at a fraction of the cost. Like a 5% fraction...yeah!
ReplyDeleteSo, I agree with your sentiment and I love your truly unique sweater.
Loving everything about this outfit! The cardi is so cute, and I love the way you've matched it to your socks. I absolutely adore 'your' ModCloth dress too, I would absolutely love one myself, but their shipping rates are so prohibitive. x
ReplyDeletethat cardigan is so quirky and adorable! it suits you well (:
ReplyDeletewhat a unique cardi!! I love it..
ReplyDeleteas always you look soo gorgeous!!
LOVE the cardi! It does look very special, and I love the fact that you matched the green of it to your socks to complete the outfit :D
ReplyDeleteyour cardigan is AMAZING
ReplyDeletexxxx
http://miucciahadalittlelamb.blogspot.com/
That cardigan is AMAZING! I've never seen anything quite like it! They should start making more two-toned sweaters like that! Haha I'd like to go out to H&M and buy two sweaters, chop both of them in half, and make two two-toned cardigans!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great sweater. I decided this year that I'm only going to thrift from now on because I'd much rather support small business owners than large corporations like Forever 21, even if they make cute things. It's certainly a challenge! Annie.
ReplyDeleteOh my ! I love the cardigan & I do agree with going out of the way and finding unique pieces that scream you. Keep up the good work
ReplyDeletehttp://www.livefashiondiehappy.blogspot.com/