I'm probably the only one here who hates layering in warm weather. Hate it! I cannot stand layers clinging to my ribs when I'm hot and sweaty. And 95% of the time garments that plunge, gap, or have huge armholes never get a second glance.
For that fabulous 5% I'm willing to make exceptions. Especially if that doesn't involve a full cami: Some beloved eShakti dresses with a deep V get a folded square of white fabric, attached with fashion tape, for church and work.
But I also have a wonderful deep lavender jersey maxi dress, very Grecian with rows of elastic smocking from the waist to the underbust, and it must have a cami for both the plunging V and the armholes. I make this work with a short black woven cami that came with a sheer blouse some years ago. But black is pretty heavy for my summer look, and I'd like a white one for other uses (some more fabulous 5%) as well.
What I'm looking for:
- Woven fabrication that is neither tight nor unnecessarily loose (creates folds when layered). Knits won't work because they:
- Create a unibust and/or otherwise compress/distort the bust. I've gone to a lot of trouble to find bras that give the shape I want; I don't want a camisole that changes that in the slightest.
- Climb up my hips and bunch on my waist. (My hips will conquer ANY "stay down" cami.)
- Cling to my midsection for unpleasant warmth.
- Natural fiber. The only fault with the black one is that it's polyester, and though fine, is tightly woven and does not breathe.
- No lace or other trim. I do not want to call attention to this; just enough to register that I am covered. (I made the mistake of a blush one once...)
- Thin/spaghetti straps.
Angie highly recommended the Second Base camisoles last year.
http://youlookfab.com/2015/06/.....t-weather/
I'm willing to try despite the knit, stretch, and maybe-considered-synthetic, but I do have questions.
- How much stretch do these have? Do they put pressure on the bust as they stretch to fit?
- What about the sizing? The Amazon chart in the listing is (a) generic and (b) shows bust 36" = size XL. O RLY???
- Are they REALLY that cool? I walk 10 minutes from my building to my car, which has been sitting in the sun for 9+ hours. Avg temp at that time from June - September is usually 95-100F; parking lot temp usually 5F higher. Car temperature another 15-20F higher.
I have other criteria, but it will come down to "I have to try it." Any input appreciated!