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Question on Shaggy Dog Fit

style_geek

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I bought a J Press Shaggy dog sweater....my first jump into shetland sweaters.

So I got the Trim Fit in Small size (their smallest size) - see picture . In general, I feel pretty ok about chest (its a little bulky but ok) and length is great but a few things I noticed:
1) shoulders and arm are baggy
2) neck area kind doesn't leave a lot of space when compared with other crewneck sweaters I have

I can't size down anymore to fix shoulders so curious if people think this look is sloppy. Not sure how Shaggy dogs are supposed to look in general. If people agree, I may need to find another brand that has even trimmer fits (if that even exists). As a heads up, I'm about 5'9 and 155 pounds...so a little on the slender side.
 

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TheShetlandSweater

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I bought a J Press Shaggy dog sweater....my first jump into shetland sweaters.

So I got the Trim Fit in Small size (their smallest size) - see picture . In general, I feel pretty ok about chest (its a little bulky but ok) and length is great but a few things I noticed:
1) shoulders and arm are baggy
2) neck area kind doesn't leave a lot of space when compared with other crewneck sweaters I have

I can't size down anymore to fix shoulders so curious if people think this look is sloppy. Not sure how Shaggy dogs are supposed to look in general. If people agree, I may need to find another brand that has even trimmer fits (if that even exists). As a heads up, I'm about 5'9 and 155 pounds...so a little on the slender side.

Looks good to me. I think bigger sleeves are more flattering. Same with chest. That being said, I think I would wear the waistband a little higher and roll the cuffs a little further back. If you want smaller, try Shetland Woollen Co. (from End or Northern Fells). Pretty sure they are both made by the same maker (Laurence Odie). The SWC ones may be more heavily brushed.

The thing that makes sweaters look too big is almost always length. The ribbing at the bottom of the sweater should be good enough that you can adjust where the sweater falls, but sometimes it isn't quite good enough.
 

style_geek

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Looks good to me. I think bigger sleeves are more flattering. Same with chest. That being said, I think I would wear the waistband a little higher and roll the cuffs a little further back. If you want smaller, try Shetland Woollen Co. (from End or Northern Fells). Pretty sure they are both made by the same maker (Laurence Odie). The SWC ones may be more heavily brushed.

The thing that makes sweaters look too big is almost always length. The ribbing at the bottom of the sweater should be good enough that you can adjust where the sweater falls, but sometimes it isn't quite good enough.
so are they supposed to fit more like a coat than like a crewneck sweater? I'm just curious how much of my vibe is a function of 1) shetland style vs 2) J Press trad (baggier vs slimmer clothes). If its one, I deal with it. If its 2, I may need to find something else.
 

TheShetlandSweater

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so are they supposed to fit more like a coat than like a crewneck sweater? I'm just curious how much of my vibe is a function of 1) shetland style vs 2) J Press trad (baggier vs slimmer clothes). If its one, I deal with it. If its 2, I may need to find something else.

This is how a crewneck sweater is supposed to fit, imo--but maybe a bit shorter through the body would be preferable. Again, you don't want to wear the sweater all the way down, you should pull the waist ribbing up some so the sweater ends higher up. This will make the sizing look much better.

Sweaters can fit different ways, but this is the type of fit I and many others like. That being said, I normally wear an ocbd under my sweaters. The collar sticks out the top and the cuffs stick out about a quarter inch at the end of the sleeves. In my experience, adding a shirt like this helps the size look more appropriate. Otherwise, the sweater can look oversized.

Tighter sleeves look less masculine. The bigger sleeve makes your arms look a bit bigger. A tigher sleeve is also less comfortable and less durable through the elbows. I think a bigger chest is also flattering. Rubato, which is a brand that is pretty popular on here, does very full chests. The place you don't want a sweater too big is length. That's what makes a sweater look too big.

Whenever you are trying a garment-type that is new to you, it will take several wears to 1) learn how to wear that type of garment, and 2) get used to how that type of garment looks on you.

Now, there is some chance that this doesn't fit. It looks fine from the angle you gave, but perhaps from another it wouldn't???
 

style_geek

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This is how a crewneck sweater is supposed to fit, imo--but maybe a bit shorter through the body would be preferable. Again, you don't want to wear the sweater all the way down, you should pull the waist ribbing up some so the sweater ends higher up. This will make the sizing look much better.

Sweaters can fit different ways, but this is the type of fit I and many others like. That being said, I normally wear an ocbd under my sweaters. The collar sticks out the top and the cuffs stick out about a quarter inch at the end of the sleeves. In my experience, adding a shirt like this helps the size look more appropriate. Otherwise, the sweater can look oversized.

Tighter sleeves look less masculine. The bigger sleeve makes your arms look a bit bigger. A tigher sleeve is also less comfortable and less durable through the elbows. I think a bigger chest is also flattering. Rubato, which is a brand that is pretty popular on here, does very full chests. The place you don't want a sweater too big is length. That's what makes a sweater look too big.

Whenever you are trying a garment-type that is new to you, it will take several wears to 1) learn how to wear that type of garment, and 2) get used to how that type of garment looks on you.

Now, there is some chance that this doesn't fit. It looks fine from the angle you gave, but perhaps from another it wouldn't???
fair. thanks for the follow-up. I'm debating whether to keep or return so I will think on it a bit. Its helpful to have context.
 

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