Sleeveless Turtleneck Dress? - YouLookFab Forum

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Sleeveless Turtleneck Dress?

Echo

Veteran

I am strangely attracted to this Halogen dress from the NAS, but I am stumped as to how to practically style it. I teach, and things are pretty casual in my building. We can wear sleeveless, although I generally don't. But it isn't so much the sleeveless aspect; it is the seasonally confused aspect. I LOVE the dress, but I am trying to think of a time it would be cool enough to wear a turtleneck, yet warm enough to go sleeveless.

I would wear this dress out to dinner, but its style leans more casual than "nice", making the sleeveless style even more confusing. So how would you style something like this for everyday? Does the "Don't wear toppers with sleeveless dresses" apply here? Could I layer under it without looking like... well, a teacher? (See the photo attached to see what I regard as traditional teacher attire). I keep waffling on whether to pursue a dress like this because I'm stuck on how to wear it for casual everyday when a turtleneck just doesn't go with sleeveless.

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Halogen Rib Turtleneck Sleeveless Midi Dress

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29 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The dress is mostly cotton so I would say it is a summer evening dress. Although uncovered does not mean less hot/covered mean hot in all cases for me. Out in the sun, cotton is less hot than the sun beating on your skin. I hope someone has something more helpful to say .

Anonymous

I love dresses like this and if I were 20 lbs thinner I’d most definitely wear it for drinks on a patio on a summer evening , or an early fall night too . And what rule is this about not wearing toppers over sleeveless dresses ? Or did I misread ? It would look great with a leather jacket over it , for indoors or out .

Echo

Veteran

Lisa, I was referring to this post:
https://youlookfab.com/2014/06.....heres-how/

I am not very good with rules, so I don't know if it still applies. Basically, the idea is that if a garment was designed without sleeves, it looks best that way and isn't intended to be covered up. But I love the idea of a leather jacket with a dress like this. I'm in the market for one this fall, so that's a real possibility.

Sloper

Veteran

I think that it is not about rules, but how you feel in the outfit and how it looks (to you, most importantly). So try a jacket or sweater over it and see how you feel.

But I'll also disagree with you and say that it skews more "nice" than casual to me - because of the black and the body-con and the slit.

Maybe also try layering a white shirt/blouse under it. Though I think that look works best when you can see the collar of the shirt as well.

Maybe a short sleeve white tee?

Brooklyn

Veteran

I wear sleeveless turtlenecks a lot but don’t tend to post them (worn sleeveless) here because people get so worked up about seasonal confusion.

It’s not seasonally confused to me to wear a dress like this in cool weather but I run hot and my winters are mild. So on a cool evening, say late Autumn or early Spring, I’d wear this sort of dress out with a leather jacket and boots and maybe take off the jacket later if the venue was warm enough.

In terms of layering, I like to layer long sleeve fitted tops underneath. Either plain or printed. I think a sheer mesh top can look great. Or a print that coordinates with the colour of the dress. I like dark floral prints under black dresses. You could also go for something with a full sleeve for a more trendy look. Or lace, cut outs or a broderie anglaise.

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Echo

Veteran

Brooklyn, the mesh or lace sleeves look fantastic, and that's a great idea. That would be an excellent way for me to wear this dress. And I always think people, you included, LOOK fantastic in styles like this; I just have trouble making it work for my own life!

Anonymous

I’ve never understood the vehement protestations of seasonal confusion either . Covered necks and chests while exposing arms is so chic . And practical .

Jenni NZ

Veteran

What beautiful examples from Brooklyn!
Interesting to read Angie’s old post. I notice it has a suggestion how not to look frumpy with a certain combination- I don’t think Angie has talked about “frumpy” for several years!
Maybe as we all get older

rachylou

Veteran

Brooklyn’s ideas are great! I’d also do a thin, loosely woven topper.

kkards

Veteran

As i wear long sleeve tees with shorts all the time, but find sleeveless and jeans seasonally confused, I’m not sure I’m the right one to comment on this. But if you love the dress and would wear it, and it would work in your climate, than its not seasonally confused to you. I’d at least try it

Anonymous

Yes from me and I'd definitely wear it- not in high summer but in late fall. Big yes to sheer sleeves under for winter!
Ha kkards- I'm much more likely to wear sleeveless tops + pants, never sleeved tops with shorts. But I do wear sleeved tops with skirts in transitional weather...

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like the look on others, although I personally look awful in it (fitted turtleneck styles can be problematic on the busty). I think if it’s comfortable to you, that’s what’s important. I see no reason why one couldn’t wear a topper over such a dress. I love how Brooklyn layers this style.

ETA: I clicked through to that old link about toppers over sleeveless dresses, and felt a bit like I’d fallen into a time warp. I must have missed that post back when it originally was posted. Um, pretty much all my summer dresses (all casual) are sleeveless and while yes, being cool and comfortable is part of the point, I have never thought for a moment that I shouldn’t add a jacket or topper over a sleeveless dress to make it more comfortable for climate or coverage. Maybe that “rule” applies more to dressy occasions or office environments? I certainly think that would be a bigger challenge. But even then, I feel like there are options to provide coverage that look fine.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

The “teacher” examples are more like jumpers (in the US usage; no idea what they’re called in British English). The armholes are much deeper, so they pretty much have to have something under them.

For this dress, I think finding something that works (eta without making lumps) will be a challenge. I’d go with a mesh top, a body suit, or a bodystocking.

I don’t think that post applies to this dress; it seems to me like it’s intended as a backdrop for a topper or necklace.

I think seasonally confused matters in terms of comfortable temps. As long as you are not too warm here/too chilly there, there’s nothing to worry about.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Thanks Echo. Mesh tops are so versatile. You could also layer a crew neck mesh top over the dress (like in this Cue outfit) so that you still see the outline of the dress. (As opposed to wearing a solid top, which turns the dress into a skirt.)

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The Cat

Veteran

I would wear it with toppers-- and I imagine lots of possibilities. For everyday/casual wear: cardigans, coatigans, denim jackets, bomber jackets, leather jackets, flannel shirts worn as open toppers ... For party wear: elegant blazers, or long open shirts in silk, chiffon or other glamorous fabrics.

cat2

Veteran

Most of my wardrobe consists of sleeveless things worn with toppers. I find buying sleeveless makes it easy to layer with a bunch of different jackets without having to worry about the bulk provided by sleeves. So I vote Buy the Dress, and pair it with modern toppers, not a classic cardi.

cat2

Veteran

Oh, and to be clear, I thought Angie’s post on this was one of the most off point things I had ever read from a stylist. Maybe she was referring to evening wear, but there I love toppers as well.

Anonymous

Janet - a time warp indeed . Quite interesting . I didn’t buy the theory then though and I still don’t buy it now.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I think “seasonally confused” (aside from the issue of comfort I mentioned above) is something to worry about if you’re dressing for other people.

Echo

Veteran

Honestly, it didn't feel like that post was seven years old! I remember when it was posted, and I remember the comments and threads about it, and I've tried to aim for either dresses with sleeves or wearing sleeveless dresses solo since. Perhaps I need to check dates on advice I take to heart, or perhaps it is more situationally dependent than I realized.

Either way, I thank everyone for the advice, and I hope to try either this dress or one similar to it this fall. Mesh toppers underneath and/or a leather jacket on top sound like winning strategies to make it more wearable when sleeveless doesn't feel appropriate.

gryffin

Veteran

I'm another in the camp I love sleeveless dresses with toppers. First I always wear a topper, that's me. Ann Taylor in the 90's was all about sleeveless sheaths with elegant jackets that you could cast off if you got warm, were dancing, transitioning day/night, religious/party. Many times jackets are too warm over sleeves. I did not grow up with that rule and, the courses for horses, this does not apply to me. I love a high crew or turtleneck dress. Agreed awesome all suggestions above but it's chilly you toss a cropped tux jacket, leather moto, short blazer for work, the smythe cropped styling works beautifully. So glad brookly already chimed in. She is an expert at layering this silhouette. The master has already spoken, her will be done! But my vote is love it. I have a sleeveless mock turtle, the theory wendel and it's all seasons, no confusion for me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm probably the most vehement seasonal confusion fulminator on here, so I apologize, to Brooklyn and anyone else I may have put off -- completely unintended and I'll try to mind my tongue in future.

Having moved to a new climate, I see in a new way how what is seasonally confusing (just as what is appropriate in other ways) depends to a huge extent on climate (obviously!); an individual's specific work/ roles and where those are performed; whether or not a person runs hot or cold, etc.

What was seasonally confusing (and downright stupid) in my old climate is sometimes just the thing in my current climate. Workhorses here were "barely worn" items there. And so on.

Echo, for give me if I'm wrong, but don't you live in the northeast? If so, turtlenecks and sleeveless can definitely feel a bit off -- but they can also work really well for specific situations -- cool summer nights (with a denim jacket or other topper -- and yes, that's totally okay with a dress like this!); when you are in not-so-arctic AC, if you run medium, neither hot nor cool; days when there is less humidity in summer and/ or maybe cloudy days.

I don't have a dress like this but I used to put together similar outfits with sleeveless turtleneck tops and a tube skirt. I wore this kind of combination a lot -- dressed up or down -- when I lived in Ontario. I haven't been wearing my sleeveless t-necks much lately, but I still have them because they're useful items.

I love that dress for its ability to skew casual or dressy depending on how you style it.

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Theory Wendel Ribbed Jersey Turtleneck Top

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JAileen

Veteran

I hardly wore turtlenecks last winter. I was hesitant to say anything because of my own personal prejudice against a turtleneck anytime other than the dead of winter. I do wear lots of sleeveless tops and dresses and would definitely wear a jacket with a sleeveless dress (I had to check to see if I commented back then). We could have a very warm evening where a sleeveless dress was comfortable, and then in a few short hours it could cool down and a jacket would be very welcome. If someone else was comfortable wearing a sleeveless turtleneck, well, I have no problems with that. If I had a dress like that, I would wear a denim jacket with it.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Out of interest: those “teacher” outfits show what I would call pinafores. A jumper to me is what North Americans I think call a sweater? I believe in NZ we use “British” terms.
I run cold as opposed to hot, generally, and so to me I think the turtleneck would keep me warm around the neck but my arms would get cold, so I would need something under or over for my arms.
I wonder if Angie would still write the same post now or whether her advice would have changed as it has on PPL?
I hope you keep loving the dress if you buy it, Echo! It looks like the little I know of your style- your new watch will go well with it.

Bijou

Veteran

I love Brooklyn’s suggestions. I would wear this dress with a denim or leather jacket and boots or sneakers for a fab weekend look that would take me anywhere.

DonnaF

Veteran

I've seen a lot of sleeveless turtle and mock turtle tops -- always in black for some reason. A cool girl thing?

I have a silver pleather moto that I bought with sales goggles on. Its sleeves are a bit snug so VERY uncomfortable if I wear a sleeved dress or top underneath. Sleeveless would be ideal! I run cold so I rarely wear sleeveless, so now I should. . .and get some use out of that jacket.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Echo, unlike other dresses, this dress looks good with layers. A moto as you suggested would look smashing! As would a denim jacket.

JenniNZ, you are right! 6 or 7 years ago, I decided not to use the word "frumpy" anymore. Thank you for noticing.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

cat2 and Echo, and others wondering about the reason behind the old post - if you’re interested, it was written as a guideline and suggestion taken from my real experiences working with clients

Back in a time in when most dresses were sleeveless, and most clients wanted to cover them up for all sorts of reasons. And we battled to find toppers that worked well in a dressy and office setting that made the wearer feel great, and not like an after thought. Leather motos and denim jackets were not dressy enough, and blazers/cardigans were generally not popular over dresses. A sleeved dress without the need for an indoor topper, but with a coat for outdoors, was a better solution most of the time.

Now though, things have relaxed a lot. Clients who don’t want to bare their arms can wear casual toppers like dark denim jackets and refined motos to the office over sleeveless dresses and look professional. They can also wear dressy flats, and fashion sneakers if they like!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

That’s nice Angie that you stopped using it. I think it’s a word which can seem unkind even if not meant to be, since it is also very much in the eye of the beholder.