ISO: Black Sleeveless Cowl Neck Top

lwc

I want one to wear with jeans and white clams.

I tried the Express cowl neck top that Angie posted about a while back, but it doesn't fit me properly. It gapped around the armholes.

I found this top online, and am interested in ordering it:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....me=product

Still, I'm wondering if there are some other options out there that I don't know about, and lower price points too.

Any ideas of where I can look? Or should I just get the one that I posted???

17 years ago

Shopping

9 replies

Latest reply was from marianne

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Old Navy has one:
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=653468002

and so does New York & Co
http://www.nyandcompany.com/ny.....=cat350008

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sorry that didn’t work out, Lesley, but Express has since brought out a multitude of great, cheap, layering knit tops in fairly good fabric (I can’t help being fussy about fabric). Look online and order the XS. These are the ones I have had on my body and I think you might like them:

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=11
Good little tailored basic.

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=13
Date night.

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=11
I have three of these.

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=11
I personally liked the grey, but you’d look fab in the white!

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=11
Sweet.

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=10
Nice and breezy. I like the volume.

http://www.express.com/catalog.....dItem=true
Sweet.

http://www.express.com/catalog.....dItem=true
Adorably boho.

http://www.express.com/catalog.....dItem=true
Nice banded top.

17 years ago

lwc

Active Member

Thanks for all of the suggestions, Angie!

I tried on most of these tops today at a local Express. They were cute. However, the XS size was loose on me. What?!?! I should be able to put on an XS at Express in a basic knit, and walk out the door. Not so with these tops. Needless to say, I left frustrated and came home empty-handed...again.

I'm beginning to think that in order to get the right style, fit, and price, that I may need to spend a bit more. It seems kind of ridiculous to pay $60 for a basic knit, when most people are scoring deals at Express, ON, Target, etc. I also think that it is sad that I found killer jeans and white clams, but can't manage to "top them off." I'm really having issues with style, fit, color, and price. What to do?!?!

I will try the ON top that Chewy mentioned, but I definitely need a variety of tops. I try not to do multiples...I like to "spread the love," so to speak.

Also, as an inverted triangle, do you think that I can pull this off? Or should I stick with more simple, structured shapes?:

http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....;id=910138

If you have any other suggestions about where I should shop for tops, let me know. I'm wide open...

Thanks much!

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hear you, Lesley. Rotten luck. Thanks for trying, though. What size top do you usually wear and what brands do you have that fit well on top? Don't worry - we'll get there!

17 years ago

lwc

Active Member

I usually wear a size XS top.

The brands that I have/had that fit well on top include: J Crew, various brands at Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Gap, Express, and ATL.

Current rants about the aforementioned retailers:

J Crew - ruffles and pastel colors galore. I prefer their clean-lined clothing in saturated colors (i.e. Jackie shells, simple cardigans, 3/4 sleeve button downs, tees, tanks, etc.).

Anthro - potential boho overload and their prices. Seriously? Are they living through the same recession that I am???

BR - not really feeling their styles at the moment, and their color stories have been off for a while now.

Gap - poor quality and an identity crisis abound here. These folks need to get it together, or they are seriously going down.

Express - who was their fit model this season???

ATL - despite a nice array of colors, their basics can be boring.

Okay...I feel better now. *sigh*

17 years ago

April

Veteran

Lesley, I had the same issue with pants in Express. Can't remember which style it was, but the smallest one they make was huge (and I'm not saying it was a tad loose; there were handfuls of extra fabric around the middle).

I know that probably everyone feels this way, particularly if you're on either enf of the size and shape bell curve, but it's not pleasant to have the impression that you are being ignored by retailers.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I fully understand, Lesley and April. I have similar challenges. (Express sizes are all over the place at the moment). April, you’re petite, and can actually order 00P online. Taylor does that too. Lesley is not petite which makes things a little trickier – correct me if I’m wrong Lesley, but petite clothes don’t work for you either, right? It’s all too short everywhere. (That’s the problem I encounter anyway).

Your best bet is to shop mainstream Euro brands and prêt a porter online because their fits are smaller (mainstream affordable Euro brands like: Benetton, Zara, H&M, French Connection, Mango). Also, do you have a Club Monaco close by? Canadian stores ROCK. Their fits and styling might tickle your fancy. Try places like bluefly.com too. They are always on sale. Also, have a look at Bebe and Arden B. Loads of young stuff but treasures are a plenty and fits are slim.

When it comes to dresses, cuts by Maggy London, Maxx Studio, Donna Morgan and Donna Ricco are often cut smaller. I can go into the world of designer stuff with you too, but prices are high so we’ll leave that for now. I hope this helps.

17 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Oh to have an XS be baggy on me! LOL
I'm just excited to not have to be shopping in the plus size stores anymore. I did actually go into Express the other day and see the cowl neck top- I was highly tempted, but what I was really looking for was leggings.

*caution- thread hijack ahead*

Angie- I'd love to see you write something about making the most of your shopping with limited options/online shopping. I live in a kind of isolated area due to mountains and desert. We do have a mall, but have recently lost two (only four to begin with!) anchor stores. Now JC Penny's and Sears are the only local dept stores. My local choices can be counted on my hands- mostly teen or discount stores. I have to travel an hour to get to a decent selection of shops, and even then I usually have limited time because of the kids. I try to make the most of it, but it can be difficult and any tips would be appreciated.

17 years ago

marianne

Active Member

Hi Lesley, sorry for off-topic, but you mentioned somewhere that Brulees were to wide for you - have you seen Clarks Dusky Hill sandals? I saw them IRL and they have similar profile and come in different widths. It might not be your style, but I thought I'd mention that.

17 years ago

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