cowl necks

BrieN

Do others out there have a hard time with cowl necks? Is there a trick to it? I was trying them on in the store and they just not working - just hanging there, limply.

7 years ago

Dressing

36 replies

Latest reply was from MTBGirl

Anonymous

Yes, cowl necks aren't my favorite. Occasionally I give them a try, but thus far don't care for them on myself. Plus, fussy.

7 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm not loving them so much lately myself. I think they somehow emphasize my sagging jawline.

7 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

I have trouble with them. They make me fidgety. I always feel like they are draped wrong or something. I like them on other people, just not on me.

7 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I think you have to have the right one. I Have 2 that I love. 1 has drape but, not a lot of fabric. The next is stiffer but loose enough. I don't like a lot of material.

7 years ago

Anonymous

I absolutely cannot wear them. I was told it was because I have a larger bust. Whatever the reason, I look ridiculous in them.

7 years ago

El Cee

Veteran

I agree with Ledonna. The cowl has to have the right fabrication and thickness in order for it to drape well. Yes... they are tricky. I have 2 that work for me, but that is it.

7 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

Agree, they are too fussy for me! I think I have gotten rid of the few that I had because I never wore them.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Agreeing with Ledonna and El Cee.
I think you just haven't found the right one. Aren't they supposed to lie there limply? You wouldn't want them bouncing around up into your face and having to swat them away.

I really like the graceful look of cowl necks, so I wouldnt dismiss them entirely!

7 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like the look of them but not the feel of them and although in theory they are supposed to be good for the likes of me (small bust) in reality I find them too fussy and messy. I do think the fabrication can make a big difference, though, and I live in hope!

7 years ago

jill58

Veteran

Not my favorite neckline--particularly with outerwear--they can get kind of bunched up. I have a couple of cowl neck tunics but I only wear them at home-- they're super comfortable and warm. I got them at Target a couple of years ago so it was a minor investment. I wouldn't buy an expensive sweater with a cowl neck--as others have said, too fussy.

7 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I like them for my small bust and let them ( the cowl necks not the bust) flop where it will. With deeper ones I wear a cami underneath as there can be a modesty question when one leans forward. The best have a small weight sewn in the front.

7 years ago

Anonymous

I must be in the minority because I have a sweater and a top with cowl draped necklines and they always seam to hang ok and not move. Mind you I made both myself and I was careful with fabrication.

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7 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I like them and wish that I had more. My favorite top has one.

7 years ago

calmwave

Active Member

Also love them. Not small of boob, either, so must have lucked out on fabrication each time.

7 years ago

kerlyn

Veteran

I love them on others, but I feel fidgety in them.

7 years ago

shedev

Veteran

They are one of my favorite necklines. Mine are mostly lighter weight fabrications. I mostly don't do the really deep cowls or huge thick sweater ones so I don't find them too fussy.

Custom Find

by shedev

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7 years ago

BrieN

Veteran

This is interesting. I didn't realize the neckline that shedev and DianeG posted photos of were called cowl necks. I LOVE those types of necklines. I've always called those drape necks.

I was thinking about the sweaters I tried on; those cowl necks are kind of like turtlenecks that got way stretched out around the neck--there is a roll of material all the way around (even behind your neck). Am I using the wrong terminology?? They are very modest.

I am large busted so maybe that's part of why I didn't like the cowl neck (wide turtleneck version) as Sterling mentioned, although I didn't notice it as an issue when I was trying them on. But as almost everyone mentioned, they are very fidgety.

7 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I absolutely agree with BrieN - I thought the necklines posted here were drape necks and not cowl necks. I always thought a cowl neck had the large neck sewn on and that it went all the way around the neck, like a much larger turtle neck.

Either way, I like drape necks, and cowl necks are fine for me provided the fabric is soft and drapey and not stiffer. I generally do not like sweater knits with a cowl neck, but I have a soft velvet tunic with a cowl neck that I adore.

7 years ago

jill58

Veteran

Yes, when I think of a cowl--I think of a large turtleneck that hangs down.

7 years ago

Bennett

Veteran

I can never get cowls to sit attractively. Something always seems just a bubble off. Yeah, I shun the neck of cowls. : )

7 years ago

MTBGirl

Veteran

I used to love buying cowlnecks and then dislike them on me when wearing them. I learned about "structure" on YLF and think that is why. I do love a good turtleneck or mock neck though.

7 years ago

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

The tops in this thread have cowl necklines. The "large turtlenecks" are simply oversized roll collars. The fashion industry isn't exactly known for using correct terminology.

7 years ago

Bennett

Veteran

Hmmmmm...?....

7 years ago

Bonnie

Veteran

I looked up cowl neck sweaters on Nordstrom's site and found these. They look like what I think of when I hear cowl necks. I haven't had one for years but maybe I should give them a try.

Nordstrom

Caslon Side Slit Cowl Neck Tunic (Regular & Petite)

$69.00

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

ASTR Cowl Neck Pullover

$59.00

View Info

Top Pick

7 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think fabrication makes a big difference, and like so many things, all cowl necks are not created equal. I don't mind the smaller drape necks. And I do still have one or two bulkier type -- in fact, one is a convertible sweater, believe it or not. It's a V neck with a detachable cowl portion, almost like an infinity scarf. It sits nicely though. Some of them just flop around and look either limp or unwieldy.

7 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Yes, I think it's a matter of just finding the right top for you. A couple of years ago, I ordered a cowl-neck sweater from AT. When I tried it on, I could not for the life of me adjust the cowl neck to look flattering. It went back. I'm still looking for a good cowl-neck sweater because I really like how they look.

7 years ago

lyn67

Veteran

Love them, one of my fave neckline, and I just don't mind them "hanging there, limply"...if they do so-but I am well endowed naturally under their limpiness:-).

7 years ago

Anonymous

I've given up on them. They just don't work for me.

7 years ago

Anonymous

I want to amend my response. Although I personally cannot wear a cowl neckline, I see many women in real life wearing them effortlessly. These women look graceful and elegant.

7 years ago

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