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Victoria's Secret Sweaters

Elly

Veteran

I posted in another thread about moving to a cold climate and having to build a fall/winter wardrobe. In that interest I have been looking at knitwear, with a couple of looks in mind. I haven't had much luck at some of the retailers that are frequently mentioned on the board as far as for the shapes I am looking for, that or I know that there isn't a decent chance that a brand's knitwear will fit, as their t's don't.

I was looking to stock up on some loungewear as well and went to Victoria's secret to stock up on my favorite sweats (im tall and their pants often come in lengths). While I was there I browsed the clothing and saw some sweaters I liked that I hadn't seen anything similar to from other retailers. I was just wondering if any of you ladies had bought knitwear from Vickies or knew how accurate the fit of the pieces was? I am also wondering about their quality.

If you wouldn't recommend their knits, which places would you recommend?

I think I am looking for some basic pieces that I can wear with some of my scarves and statement jewelry similarly to the way I would wear long sleeved lighter tops in my former climate. I would also like to be able to layer t's and possibly button downs underneath, and jackets over. However, I wouldn't dismiss the idea of one of the season's chunkier knits for more casual wear. I really rarely needed warm clothing before, and had a couple fitted (non-hoodie, zip up) sweatshirts that I wore when it was cool as a top layer because kits and all but the lightest jackets were too warm unless it was pouring rain or the like (rare). I am trying to get away from duplicating this with heavier sweatshirts, as I need more professional gear, and think they tend to look dumpy in thicker fabrics.

Thank you for your help!

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from chewyspaghetti

Louise

Veteran

I'm guessing you can use a lot of your old stuff as layers and then just buy some things to add over the top or underneath. My uk climate is nowhere near as cold as yours but I wore mostly summer clothes last winter and just layered over and under them. I'm dreaming of winter here I find it so much easier to dress for the cold x

Megan

Hi Elly,

I haven't had great experiences with the quality of Victoria's Secret clothes, although I haven't had any specific experiences with their knit wear. Their pants are low quality, that pill and shrink badly

crwilson

Veteran

I've gotten knitwear a number of times from VS, and each time I swear that I'll never do it again. They just don't hold up and never look like they do online. This time, really, I'm not going to buy anymore, no matter how enticing the pieces seem. I'm sorry I can't give more positive feedback. I don't even have any good feedback for alternatives because I haven't found any knitwear that I love. I look forward to seeing what other people recommend.

Sihaya

Veteran

Unfortuantely I"m not much help either. I try to avoid knitwear as much as possible. Since I find they pill and lose their shape and structure regardless of how much I've paid for them. Instead I look for turtlenecks to wear under wovens, layer as much as I can. I also wear jackets on tops of wovens to keep me warm. I did buy a cardigan from Ann Taylor that has lasted me years without pilling but then I bought a new one that didn't even last a season. So I think it's a gamble.

crwilson

Veteran

I just thought of a sweater I have that I really like that has lasted a year with few signs of wear. It's not very warm, though, so definitely needs layers. I like it because it doesn't wrinkle and adds a little bit of warmth.

http://www.michaelstars.com/p-.....item_num=1

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Last year, I wanted one really warm sweater. I found one at VS that fit the bill. I didn't wear it much, but was so glad to have it on the coldest days. It held up fine, and I am considering another sweater for this year. The sizing seemed to run big on the sweater, but I don't know if that's across the board since I don't have anything else form there.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I also found the sizing on sweaters to run big, I bought one *really* warm sweater and it washed up nicely and held up fine thru the whole season...unfortunately it was one of many that was accidently given away, so I hope someone is still enjoying it!

Scarlet

Veteran

Have you checked out sweaters from Land's End? They tend to have a good balance between quality and price. I would focus on cardigans. They are really the way to go for layering. You will probably go from freezing cold outdoor temps to overheated classrooms. Keep an eye on sales from J. Crew. Angie also has a couple of sweaters from the Gap in her store, I believe. I would look for one in a cotton blend and one in wool.
Also silk long underwear is the best and is not necessarily so expensive from L.L. Bean or WinterSilks. Keeps you warm, but it is very thin and does not bulk you up under your clothes.

(no idea about VS sweaters, sorry.)

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I would steer clear of J Crew unfortunately. I've been disappointed by their knitwear in the last few years. Pilling within the same season I bought it.

Elly

Veteran

Thanks for all the advice ladies-- it sounds as if VS is a no go except for the chunky knits (or that is what I am assuming from you ladies that bought one "really warm" sweater). I will be avoiding J Crew anyway as they are the company I can't seem to fit (a largish chest and very broad shoulders and suddenly I don't fit in an XL no matter what their size chart says-- on more fitted clothes that is). I am a little afraid that Lands End will look matronly on me-- I know they now have some more modern cuts, but I have a large chest and shoulders and a small waist and even slightly conservative cuts can look boxy because of the larger size I need.

I'm sad to hear that knitwear is so problematic for so many of you. I know that layering is a great strategy, but most of my current long-sleeved stuff is super casual and very lightweight and just not very warm. However, I have absolutely failed at being able to layer it other than a long sleeved T with a light sweatshirt or jacket over. I have a hard time layering jackets over sweat-type stuff, because jackets with broad enough shoulders are hard to find. And of course, layering sweat jackets one over another is not a good look. From my experience my current strategy for layering will be too cold in the classrooms (the college is working on an environmental initiative, and this summer they only ran AC or heat when absolutely necessary) because the classrooms this summer were quite cool with no AC running-- can't imagine how cold they will be at 8 am after a night of below zero temps, even with the heat on! Although I should take into account that they might overheat some of the buildings, especially in the afternoons. I was wearing my fall and winter clothes in the classrooms this summer and not warm by any means.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Elly- I run super cold, and I finally figured out some things that worked for me last year, so I hope you don't mind my sharing-
1) layering to the extreme.
When I heard 'layering' I was thinking of one or two light-medium weight garments, but that wasn't enough for me. Last winter, I always had a base layer of wool tights or silk long underwear under pants, and a base layer or long sleeve silk underwear top under my layering top. It's not uncommon for me to wear 3 tops and a jacket. I often wore two pair of socks (one knee high and one shorter) over my tights and under my boots as well. I made sure that my coat fit over jackets, so that I could wear both at the same time as well.
2) fabrication
Animal fibers like wool and angora in soft blends are no brainer for staying warm, but I also found that synthetic blends (like ponte knit pants) could be great.
3) specialty garments
Last year, I discovered Uniqlo's Heat Tech line. They are specialty designed tanks, tees, etc to keep you warm, but still look like 'normal' clothes rather than base layers. I bought two turtlenecks, but I am planning on greatly expanding this year and using these for all of my cold weather layering tops. They come in a range of colors and styles, are really lightweight, but do keep you warmer than a cotton T. Unfortunately, they are only available for a limited period of time (starting in October, I believe).
I always thought that one thick garment would be better for keeping warm, but it's not necessarily true. Many lightweight layers of quality fabrication will do just as good of a job. I feel a little bit like a sausage in all of those layers, but I am not cold like I used to be!

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Have you ever tried CuddleDuds? They usually come in a set of both a long sleeve top and long underwear and are SO incredibly warm and thin so they are not the least bit bulky! I wore them faithfully under my polo shirt and pants when I worked at Cub and in front of the constantly opening doors when the temps were well below zero and wind chills often were 10-25 below zero and they kept me warm thru many hours of work.....they have several types for different temps to choose from...ps- yes, the VS sweater was a chunky, heavy knit, plenty big and stretched too...

Lisa

Veteran

I'm with Khris, I wear a lot of layers in the colder months. I start with thermals from Target for top, bottom and often both. Then tissue long sleeve t's, then a sweater (often cashmere or wool blend) and finally a blazer. Sometimes I carry the blazer and wear a heavy winter coat and change when I arrive at my destination. There's always a lot more laundery for me in winter months.

Elly

Veteran

Thanks ladies-- I will have to look into the long underwear and check out all the different options available today.

I guess I will have to experiment with layering as it cools down a bit this fall. I was really hoping to avoid more than a couple layers, just because I tend to find lots of layers, even thin ones uncomfortable and constricting. Maybe I can find a way to make it work. Layering is definitely important, as I will be in and out of the cold.

I will check out cuddle Duds-- thanks. And I will consider carrying a blazer for those really cold days. A bit worried about it getting wet though! lol

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Just make sure your layers are loose fitting- it makes a big difference.