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Anonymous

I did a lot of shopping over the Memorial Holiday. Some of what I bought was a bust. I accept that and am moving on.

I bought this top in white from Ann Taylor. I love it. I love the feel. I love the cut. I love the proportions. Here is the problem. It is sheer. You can see my skin, bra, and the top of whatever bottom I am wearing. I swore I would never buy another sheer top.

I fear I am trying to "make" this top work because I want something to show for the work I put into shopping this past weekend. I should add that the photo below is not sheer. If it were, I wouldn't have bothered with it.

I bought other things from Ann Taylor that I will be returning because the fabric doesn't "feel" good against my skin or the color is too juvenile for my taste.

I would very much appreciate your thoughts on this top.

Split Back Sweater

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Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

always trying

Veteran

I reject sheers that I have to wear a cami under for two reasons, one is the cami doesn't cover bra straps, and 2 they are usually not as long as the tops so there is still a line of the skirt, pants or whatever you are wearing on the bottom is showing. Since yours is white you may be able to wear a white tank under it. A tank would cover bra straps and you could find a longer one.

Anonymous

A possibility. I do already own the perfect camisole. I'll try it this evening. Perhaps it will work.

unfrumped

Veteran

I feel your dilemma, and can only say, be tough! Don't let yourself feel you have to get something for your "efforts"--you can always chalk that up to Retail Research.
If you feel snookered by the sheerness and will be annoyed and/or not be able to wear it much due to that, return it. If you like sheer-over-cami and it "makes" outfits you've not been able to wear before, or is some kind of HEWI, you might keep it.
I don't wear white tops much anyway due to its not being as flattering a color for me, and also due to the way my work outfits work, but aside from that, most are too sheer and also do the grinning thing. When I add a cami, it often changes the drape enough so it doesn't look like the same top nor have the very properties I would use it for and also, shows the entire outline of the cami. Knit linen blends in particular are notorious, but also very expensive silk and even synthetic woven blouses are similar. I try to have one or 2 not-sheer white items, usually a dressy T and maybe something else, just because they are versatile and so summery, but beyond that I've given up.
I bought a BR white blouse on sale this winter because it had a double-layered kind of draped front so no cami needed.

Laurie

You could also get a cami with a built in bra. Not the shelf style, but a real underwire. That way no bra straps showing from under a separate cami. Soft Surroundings has a nice one that comes in many colors.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Don't keep it if you will be too warm wearing a camisole or tank underneath. If temps. allow, then that is a perfectly valid option. I have a white linen tee that I wear with a thin cotton tank underneath. I simply do not wear it on the very hottest days. It works for most days.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

If something bugs you about the item I would return for sure. Free space in your closet and budget for a better item which inevitably comes along.
I often have a complete "bust", especially on online items. It is life! At least you did not have to pay extra for storing your order on the border, drive an hour each way, pay tall for crossing the bridge each way - and ship everything back because it did not fit / was not what you expected, right? Count your blessings as US shopper and return what is not "10"!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It's a nice top, but I totally understand what you are talking about! I am on a search for a decent sleeveless or short sleeve white top for casual summer wear, and I DON'T want to layer underneath it in our hot humid weather. I'm so tired of this phenomenon. Even tees in fabrics like linen that I see everywhere are so darn sheer, and I'm not wearing another layer under a linen tee. That would just be ridiculous.

I tried on this top in Anthro (pictured in my Find below) and actually quite liked it, and hooray! it's not sheer, but it's actually almost too substantial. I have an odd feeling it might be the kind of fabric that is subject to pulls -- it's that slightly nubby poly blend that feels a bit like the tops my mom had in the early 70s. I left it behind, but have not given up the search -- just delayed it for another day.

I say keep looking and hold out for something that works the way you want it to.

Topsail Joggers

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Personally I'd holdout for the one that is not sheer.

Dee

Veteran

I can't handle wearing a cami in the summer heat but might be ok with it the rest of the time. It's a cute top and I can see it working with a variety of bottoms, but if you find it frustrating already, it might become an orphan.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've got a sweater that's akin to that in that it has 'holey' parts and has to be worn with a camisole, and it buttons in the back so it's similar to those tops recently where your lower back would show if you don't wear a cami. I wear it, but not nearly as often as I wear other, 'less complicated' tops.

I guess I'd just make sure you actually would be OK with wearing it with an underlayer, as far as fuss and heat level goes. I totally get where you're going with not wanting to feel like all your time was wasted - but it wasn't! Either way you searched through what was available and made wise choices, and that's worth being pleased by.

deb

Veteran

I would pass on it.

Anonymous

It is gorgeous sweater. It too is going back. I don't want to settle for something that is less than perfect.

Anonymous

The entire Ann Taylor purchase (two camisoles, two knit halter tops, the white linen top, one pair of capris, and one scarf) is going back. The color was off or the fabric was icky against the skin or the fit was poor. What has happened to Ann Taylor? I used to be able to walk into the store and walk out with certain winners.

viva

Veteran

I went to Ann Taylor yesterday after looking at some items on the Website: I was sure I would find what I needed. I walked out in five minutes with nothing. I was definitely disappointed in the fabrics. I think stellar photography on line has really created this horrible expectations-setting problem for some stores! Ann Taylor is an hour away for me. Doubt I will make that drive again.

unfrumped

Veteran

Here is another example of disconnect between AT photos and reality.
I ordered a couple of "silky tops" or something--they are jewel-neck poly short sleeved and thought they might work for a couple of outfits where I need a top that can go under a blazer for work, in neutral-ish colors. Knew of course I'd have to evaluate fit and fabric appearance.

Well, these had a 2" or so inner self-fabric facing strip around the neckline--not sure why, since many similar tops do not--and it caused a type of "grinning" where the half-circle of facing was clearly visible at the neckline and looked awful. Even scrutinizing the photo, you can't tell this is present. Of course this can't be solved by a cami, nor did I want to wear one.