Odvex.Admin
Save time and money by checking the latest rankings and discounts on Odvex.
There is a specific “Grandpa Chic” aesthetic that takes over every autumn, and I am not immune to it. I wanted a cardigan that felt like a hug but didn’t cost a fortune like the wool ones from high-end brands. That led me to the Saodimallsu Striped Chunky Cardigan on Amazon.
I’ve been wearing this sweater for the last ten days—mostly while working from home, but I also took it out for a coffee run on a breezy 55-degree day. I wanted to see if the “chunky” claim was real or if it was just another thin, synthetic disappointment.
🔍 The ‘Truth’ Test
The first thing I noticed when I unpacked this was the volume. It actually takes up space. This is not a flimsy, lightweight cover-up. It has legitimate bulk.
The fit is aggressively oversized. I ordered my usual medium, and I was swimming in it slightly—but that’s the look, isn’t it? It hangs off the shoulders and the sleeves bunch up at the wrists. If you want a tailored look, this is absolutely not for you. If you want to look like you stole a giant sweater from a 90s sitcom character, this hits the mark.
🧶 Build & Design Audit
I inspected the materials and hardware because these are the usual failure points for budget knitwear.
The Yarn
It’s 100% acrylic. It feels soft and spongey, not scratchy. You can wear a short-sleeve tee underneath without irritating your arms. However, because it’s soft acrylic, it feels a bit “slippery” compared to the grip of natural wool. It also generates a lot of static; expect your hair to stick to it when you pull it off.
The Buttons
This is where the quality dips. The buttons are large, tortoiseshell-style plastic. They look fine from a distance, but they feel hollow and cheap when you tap them. On my unit, the stitching holding the buttons was a little loose. I suspect I’ll need to reinforce them with a needle and thread within a month.
⚙️ Real-World Performance
I lived in this thing for a week. Here is how it actually functions.
The “Draft” Factor
I wore this outside without a jacket. It’s warm because the yarn is thick, but the knit is loose. The wind blows right through the stitches. It’s excellent for a chilly office or a movie theater, but if you are standing outside in the wind, you will freeze unless you have a long-sleeve layer underneath.
Daily Wearability
The sleeves are long. I have average-length arms, and the cuffs cover my fingertips. I spent a lot of time rolling them up. The good news is the cuff is tight enough to stay rolled. The bad news is that when rolled, you have a massive donut of fabric around your wrist which makes typing on a laptop keyboard annoying.
Pilling Check
After about four wears, I noticed some fuzzing under the arms where the fabric rubs against itself. It hasn’t formed full pills yet, but it’s coming. This is standard for soft acrylic, so you’ll need a fabric shaver eventually to keep it looking fresh.
📉 The Downsides (Critical)
It’s cozy, but it’s far from perfect. Here are the issues I found:
1. The “Boxy” Silhouette
There is no shape to this garment. It is a square. If you have a larger bust or broad shoulders, this cut can make you look much wider than you are. It doesn’t drape close to the body; it tents out. You have to be okay with looking a bit blocky.
2. Button Gapping
Because the knit is stretchy and heavy, the front placket droops. If you button it all the way up, the spaces between the buttons tend to gape open when you sit down. It looks much better worn open than closed.
3. Heavy when Wet
Do not get caught in the rain with this. Synthetic knits like this absorb water and become extremely heavy and saggy. Drying it is a pain because you have to lay it flat for a day; hanging it while wet will stretch it out by six inches.
📊 Pros/Cons Table
| Pros (What I Liked) | Cons (What I Didn’t) |
|---|---|
| ✅ Legitimate chunky weight; feels cozy. | ❌ Boxy fit adds visual bulk to the frame. |
| ✅ Soft texture with zero itchiness. | ❌ Buttons feel cheap and are sewn loosely. |
| ✅ Bold color blocking looks trendy. | ❌ Wind cuts through the loose knit outdoors. |
| ✅ Cuffs stay up when pushed/rolled. | ❌ Sleeves are excessively long for typing/eating. |
⚔️ Head-to-Head: Saodimallsu vs. Thrift Store Wool
Saodimallsu 🆚 Vintage Wool Cardigan
A vintage wool cardigan will be warmer and last 20 years. However, it will likely be scratchy and require dry cleaning. The Saodimallsu is machine washable (delicate cycle) and soft against the skin immediately. You are trading longevity for instant comfort and convenience.
Saodimallsu 🆚 Madewell/Free People
The expensive brands use better buttons and usually a cotton/wool blend that breathes better. The Saodimallsu mimics the look perfectly, but it lacks the breathability. If you just want the aesthetic for the season, save the money and get the Saodimallsu.
⚖️ Expert Verdict
After testing, I see the Saodimallsu Chunky Cardigan as a fun seasonal piece for lounging, but not a wardrobe investment.
You should buy this if:
- You want that oversized “boyfriend” sweater look for Instagram or Zoom calls.
- You are sensitive to wool and need 100% synthetic softness.
- You work in a cold indoor environment and need a wearable blanket.
Skip this if:
- You are petite and easily overwhelmed by fabric (you will drown in this).
- You want a fitted, professional look for the office.
- You hate pilling and high-maintenance fabric care (shaving fuzz).
It serves its purpose as a cozy, trendy layer, just don’t expect the buttons to last forever.
