Oatmeal is generally not a good color on me. And bulky sweaters make me look thick. But  for various reasons, I keep a few somewhat unflattering sweaters, and I use scarf tricks to make them work.

This sweater was handknit for my husband’s grandmother by her best friend. When Grandmother passed away, I became the sweater’s lucky inheritor. It is all wool, very warm, and just beautiful. It is not a good color on me, however, and is itchy, so I wear a long-sleeve tee (rolled the sweater sleeves a bit) and a silk scarf with lots of rose and orangey colors that are flattering.

I added these Bass canvas oxfords (the design is printed on the canvas!) I found cheap at Marshall’s–cute, comfortable, on-trend, and vegan!

My other bulky sweater is a turtleneck, which tends to make my bustiness even more ginormous. But I love this sweater; it’s cozy acrylic, probably from the ’60s, and makes me think of hot chocolate and fondue by a fire in the Swiss Alps.

So I wear a long colored scarf with it like a necklace–which, by the way, is much more kid-friendly and doesn’t snag–to create a long, vertical line and distract from all that bigness. Pushing up the sleeves helps define a waist, too! Black skinnies (Ross) and Airwalk slouchy boots (Payless, years ago) balance the bottom half. I wish Airwalk still made these; comfortable and durable.