MY HEWI - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

About: Stock Up On Sartorial Favourites

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

MY HEWI

Anonymous

There is a certain style top that I embrace for any number of reasons. Unfortunately, this style is not always available in retail in a fabrication that I want to wear. I have found them this year. I AM stocking up in all colors and possibly some multiples.

Women's Short Sleeve Supima Sweater

View Info

Top Pick

0

Banana Republic

Silk Cashmere Elbow-Sleeve Pullover

View Info

Top Pick

7

Banana Republic

Stripe Italian Linen Short-Sleeve Pullover

View Info

Top Pick

2

Banana Republic

Silk Cashmere Elbow-Sleeve Pullover

View Info

Top Pick

8

Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Susan

Sterling, being a dedicated t-shirt girl, I'm wondering what the qualities are of this particular style that you love but often find elusive. Fabric? Length? Neckline?

Anonymous

Hi Susan -- These are the dressier version of a tee shirt. The fabric is a nicer quality (e.g., silk or linen or fine cotton with a slight gleam). The cut includes very tiny features that distinguish them from ordinary tee shirts (sometimes a lace border, structure, band along the bottom). Even the color, which is often saturated, distinguishes them from the tee shirts I own. Finally the crewneck suits me.

I hope I am not kidding myself. I wear them as a professional alternative to a tee shirt. I "feel" appropriately dressed, yet still feel comfortable.

Sisi

Veteran

Yay! Findig a hewi is worth celebrating.:) I know how hard it is .

Summer

Veteran

Very satisfying, Sterling. Isn't it great when that happens?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I've noticed that there are many short and elbow sleeve fitted tops for sale this year -- much more than usual. You are doing well to stock up! Lovely colours, too -- but you knew I'd say that.

Runcarla

Veteran

You are a woman after my own heart! Though I dabble with button downs for variety, I am a card carrying member of team T-shirt/sweater - preferably with elbow or 3/4 length sleeves. I like the heavier weight T's (vs 'tissue' weight) and flat cotton knit sweaters. Of your 'finds' above, is there one you like better for weight and feel?

Anonymous

Great question, RunCarla -- My real test in life is to wear the garment for its intended purpose.

I wore the Banana Republic silk elbow length in navy to work. It met every one of my intended purposes. It felt dressier than a plan tee shirt. The color was rich. It coordinated perfectly with white jeans. The fabric was light weight (but not tissue weight) on my body and oh so soft. And I loved the very slight fitting. There does not have to a lot of fitting to elevate it above an ordinary tee shirt. Although I haven't washed it yet, I do recommend it.

The linen is a lot heavier (not yet worn). I am not concerned about it being heavier because my experience has taught me that linen really does breath well in my climate. I like the added interest of the stripes.

I have yet to wear the landsend. I can tell you that it is a nice cotton and soft. It might have been a bit shorter in body length than the Banana Republic. I can't swear to that, it was something in the back of my mind.

So in summary Banana Republic for the win!!!

Anonymous

I can tell from your posts on this top from BR how happy it makes you - and I'm smiling along . In fact, you are so convincing, both in your logic and happiness , that I'm going to swing by the store today and try one of these on. I am wondering what to wear this summer under jackets in place of a t-shirt - and these may fit the bill. To be perfectly honest, I've always passed by tops like this without consideratio because they've struck me as too "missy" and classic. I'm seeing them in a new light,thanks to you !

Anonymous

How you feel about these tshirts is exactly how I feel about mine!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GET THE STRIPE. Stock up while you can.

Banana Republic

Stripe Silk Cashmere Elbow-Sleeve Pullover

View Info

Top Pick

15

Banana Republic

Stripe Silk Cashmere Elbow-Sleeve Pullover

View Info

Top Pick

7

anne

Veteran

Great news Sterling!

Anonymous

These are terrific - you have chosen such a nice variety of colors. I admit to being tempted by that BR linen one. I need to stop by the mall today for an errand - I better stay away from BR or my shopping fast may end prematurely.

Penny

Veteran

Wonderful news, and glad that you are stocking up. And the fabric and cut make them very professional from my perspective.

Bonnie

Veteran

I really like the BR silk tops. Thanks for sharing these tees - always a HEWI for me, too.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Those are nice, and you are so clear on what you are looking for. It's great when it all comes together like this.

tulle

Veteran

Love these slightly longer, slightly more fitted sleeves--so much more flattering to most women--so I get it completely. And thanks for the reminder to stock up while they're around! Have you seen the elbow-length cashmere sweaters from the Pure company?

Greyscale

Veteran

Hooray! I've definitely noticed more tops in that style this year. It seems like such a useful essential because it's always nice having things that are a step up from a tee, and these definitely fill that niche.

I've been meaning to try the BR sweater -- I bought a v-neck in that same material this winter. My challenge with this style is that my upper arms are large relative to the rest of my size so depending on the brand, they can be tight. BR will probably be better than (for instance) J Crew for me.

Anonymous

Ryce -- don't break your purchasing fast!!! I think they'll still be around in the near future. If not, we'll find you even better options.

Angie -- the reason I avoided those particular stripes is because the stripes look like taupe to my eye. That makes them harder to coordinate with my existing closet.

Tulle -- I have not looked at Pure. Perhaps I should.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Get the navy stripe!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Sterling, how's the length on the BR one? I like the look of it as a t-shirt alternative.

Nebraskim

Veteran

The longer "short" sleeve and longer torso length are very flattering. I may have to check these out as I have stopped wearing short-sleeved knit shirts as the sleeves are way too short. I buy long-sleeves or bracelet length. And never sleeveless. Thanks for posting these.

Susan

Ohh, I totally see what you mean, Sterling! And in my humble opinion they absolutely work professionally. My work is done from my home office but I like the idea of elevating my tees, something I had actually already been thinking of. For me I prefer 3/4 length or short sleeves and a boat neck is my first choice. Any recommendations for where I might start looking for a top that fits those parameters in a more drapey fabric that will work with my more casual look and lifestyle??

Anonymous

Hi Laura -- I am 5'9". I worry about the length of tops all the time. I wore it on Monday with low rise jeans. Nothing was exposed. Yay.

If you need a measurement though, let me know I'll run upstairs and measure it for you.

Susan - I love the simple elegance of boatnecks. Unfortunately, I stopped buying them because sometimes they exposed my bra straps. I have been in the malls a lot these past couple of weeks. I'll shop around for you. I'll be in touch after the weekend.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think the elbow length, more fitted tee, is coming back as part of the return to more fitted tops generally. I got these 2 from uniqlo and also a black version (all in cotton, yay for that!) from Aussie retailer Witchery.

women Ribbed High Neck Half Sleeve T-shirt

View Info

Top Pick

1

women Ribbed High Neck Half Sleeve T-shirt

View Info

Top Pick

1

Anonymous

Thank you, Brooklyn. I have long admired your acquisitions from Uniqlo. I've shopped most of the tops you have so generously shared with me.

As a side note, I do want more fitted in my life. I am so sick and tired of oversized. I didn't really like it in the first place, but resorted to buying it when I couldn't find any else in the stores. Mistake. I am slowly winnowing all those pieces out of my wardrobe. Lesson learned. Do not compromise.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Yes, I am also "over" oversized! I still enjoy fluid and semi fitted tops (especially in summer) but I am gradually getting rid of the seriously oversized pieces. I am glad you found the uniqlo recommendations helpful

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Sterling, thanks! I remember now that we are the same height. I may give these a try; I had a similar silhouette and fabrication a few years ago that I wore to death.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Sterling, your criteria for a tee shirt sound very close to mine, down to (or up to ) the neckline itself. My HEWI is a white tee, and I have spent more money than I like to admit hunting down the right one. One cannot not know really about all the details without wearing it IRL. I wonder what's the drape/structure and the clinginess of your find? It could be something worth a try for me...

Anonymous

Ornella -- I am not sure I have the vocabulary to describe drape and structure. I can tell you I am picky. I try and reject so many pieces. I kept these because they felt so perfect to me. They are not clingy. There is the slightest "fit" to them that make them dressy. The fabric is oh so soft.

12