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WIW: for the last time? (K/T)

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I put on this outfit yesterday to wear at home, mostly, for a day off. It was a not-quite-warm, not-quite-cold day, and I thought this lightweight wool sweater over a cami should be just right. My neck was cold right off the bat, so I added a scarf. I was fiddling with the scarf most of the day, to keep the back of my neck covered. I took these photos with the scarf a couple of ways, including wearing it under the sweater, a style I saw in a J. Crew catalog I received recently. Vicki wore a scarf this way this past weekend, and it looked great on her. My rendition? Not so much. But, hey, I tried.

So I'm pretty fed up with this sweater, which I think is cute but I hardly wear, because of the low-cut neck that is always cold. I usually wear it with a top underneath that comes up higher, but I'm never completely comfortable or happy with that solution, either. I think I have a lot of other things I could wear instead. What say you: keep or toss the sweater?

I do really like this scarf, by the way, and I keep trying to find things to go with it.

The outfit: purple zip-back 3/4-sleeved pullover (Caslon); dark wash straight leg jeans (Kut from the Kloth, Stevie); light blue scarf with sewn-on geometric print silk in blues, greens, purples, black; gray shimmer oxfords (Naot, Kedma). (7-8 are bonus pics of the new oxfords!)

Thanks for looking! Your wisdom is welcome (thoughts, suggestions)!

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KUT from the Kloth 'Stevie' Straight Leg Jeans (Progressive) (Regular & Petite)

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Naot Women's Kedma Flat

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29 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

catgirl

Veteran

This is my favorite neckline other than a low V, so I'm biased. Is your neck ALWAYS cold? I find this sweater so flattering although it's not a color I've seen you wear a lot. But if it frustrates you, that's a separate issue...

And what a clever way to wear a scarf! How do you keep it from being lumpy? I may have to try it.

bj1111

Veteran

i love that sweater on you. have you tried it with something underneath, like a turtle? i don't remember if you do turtles, Sharan?
also, i loved how Vicki wore her scarf. yours looks good, just different. a bit more voluminous than hers and a less crisp fabric (?). i do like the detail at the nape the way you have placed the scarf. maybe move the bottom bits to the side like Vicki did to create a faux peplum (feflum?)

catgirl

Veteran

OK, I am totally trying a faux peplum - way to emulate the H & M asymmetric hem shirt....

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Hmmm, I didn't expect people to like this outfit--ha ha! Will have to rethink the sweater. One thing: it is a boxy fit, which I've been wanting to incorporate into my life lately. I got it a few years back, and it has been hard to wear.

Ruth, I don't like turtlenecks anymore. Scarves or cowl necks have to fill that role for me. They're not comfortable, and I don't like how my neck looks in them, even mock necks which I used to wear quite a bit.
You're right, Vicki wore her scarf more to the side, and it was so cute! I tried to get mine to do that, but something didn't work. Maybe it's the scarf, or the fact that the sweater doesn't have a welt/ribbing at the bottom to hold things in place.

Una, I'll try to find the J. Crew photo online. It was an aha! moment. My scarf is thin yet voluminous; it didn't feel lumpy under the sweater, somehow.

amiable

Veteran

I too like this neckline - it's one of my favorites, and I like everything about the sweater - the boxiness, the exposed zip and the color too. I hope you can find a way to make it work for you. (But if not, I understand - I've purged things that everyone on the forum loved because they made me uncomfortable).

Sarah A

Veteran

I am perhaps biased becuase this is may favorite neckline but I love this on you. The color is fantastic and the boxy fluid fit looks really modern!

The styling in 3 and 5 are my favs (I know 3 doesnt provide the adequate warmth, argh!) What about using the sweater under a crochet big scarf or with a poncho topper over it? I have found several times recently items that dont work by themselves are great as elements in a layered outfit.

I really like your new oxfords! The subtle metallic is lovely

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I also love this kind of neckline and think this sweater looks terrific on you. Maybe try it one more time but if you still find it annoying you are better off without it. Very impressed with how the under scarf looks, but would be nervous that I would have to fuss with it a lot.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This sweater looks fantastic on you. Its simplicity is a change, but it really lets you shine. The colour is just lovely! And the neckline is very flattering on you -- not too low (visually) in the least.

BUT. I know exactly what you mean.

Seriously. The merest hint of frost in the air and suddenly the scarves I had vowed not to wear so much anymore because I'm tired of wearing scarves are out of their storage and on my neck! Unless I am wearing a shirt collar shirt, a turtleneck, or some other higher neckline, my neck is freezing and I feel horribly exposed somehow.

In fact, a week or two ago when we had a few cooler than usual days, I posted a few photos with scarves and Angie commented on my wearing them more, thinking this was a style decision. I guess in a way it is, but if feels like a purely practical decision! And one that is interfering with my style goals.

Do other people not get cold? I am going to ask that question in a separate thread. I know it's worse for those of us with shorter hair...but still....it's weird. I would wear a neckline like this quite happily all summer. But in the fall? Shiver.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Would you wear it over a collared shirt? I'm not sure how that would look, but it might be worth trying.

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

I'm no help here as I love the sweater and think it is flattering on you...but if you're not comfy, don't suffer through. Onwards and upwards!

christy

Veteran

I think this is lovely and if I saw you on the street I would think "she is so stylish!" BUT, if it's not working for you then maybe it's time to let it go? I think the scarf is beautiful with it and could add the layer of warmth you need if you could find a way to tie it that makes it stay put.

Wasn't Vicki's sweater a v-neck? I think that might be the reason her styling worked a bit better than it does here. It's the neckline, not you!

Nebraskim

Veteran

I love that scarf under sweater look. I've never seen that before and I definitely am going to try that because I, too, am always cold. The color of that sweater is luxe on you.

Joy

Veteran

I really like the sweater, especially with the back zipper for added interest and trending boxy shape. Could you play with styling it, maybe with a shirt layered underneath, before giving up on it?

Runcarla

Veteran

Haven't seen the J. Crew advert, but Burburry f/w was all about the long scarf!

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Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

You all have me thinking I should try the sweater some other ways before giving up on it. I think part of my frustration is that I really like this neckline, too, and I really like the way it looks on me, unadorned.

But yes, Una, my neck is almost always cold. This summer, though, I actually wore a tank top a few times without anything over it. Not all day but part of the day. Maybe I should just keep this sweater for summer wear!

Amy, ha! You get it. And Ann, I like your no-fuss attitude! I will probably fuss a little more, however. That's kind of how I am.

Sarah, layering over it is a thought. Thanks for the new-oxford love. I'm happy wearing them.

Suz, exactly--my neck is the first to pick up on the mere hint of a cool breeze. I think that's partly why I was so excited to see the new scarf idea in the J.Crew catalog!

Christy, right--it's the neckline. . . . I'll try the scarf as under-layer again for sure.

Laura, I have not yet tried a collared shirt with the sweater. I don't wear a lot of them. (You'd think I'd be all over them, with my perpetually cold neck, wouldn't you?) It's a good idea.

Joy, yes, it's probably worth a try.

unfrumped

Veteran

I really like the top on you. I'd make a fabrication decision about whether it's generally comfortable and pleasant to wear. I love this neckline (even though I "should" wear higher ones). Is it too heavy or itchy to wear in warmer weather? Have you tried it with a skirt (length looks skirt-friendly).
If it's really not versatile and has too small a window of wear, I sympathize with perhaps tossing--but maybe give it some more tryouts.
For scarves, I find it's not enough to love the colors. The scarf fabric has to behave a certain way for different tops, sometimes.
It would affect the neckline view, but I posted about wearing sleevless, collared tops under sweaters, to get the neck coverage without sleeve bunching.

catgirl

Veteran

Can you post the j crew pic? I'm dying to see it... My neck is often cold too - drafty workplace - but there's not a lot of surface area.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Thanks for the Burberry inspiration, Runcarla, and for your ideas, unfrumped!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Okay, I tried to copy the photo, but I couldn't do it. (Tech challenged? Guilty.)
Here's an online catalog that shows the idea, though, with a cardigan, about a third of the way through.

Here's another image and maybe the one I saw originally.

OMG, I just added the photo! I figured it out.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That neckline as-is would drive me crazy too, Sharan. Have you tried layering it over a shirt or blouse? I like the scarf renditions quite a bit. Nicely done. xo

Anonymous

Another vote for liking this sweater! Love the colour, the neckline,and the back zip!

I think it's the weight of the back zipper that make sweaters like this pull down somewhat and expose the neck. I sometimes wear a tank under this type of sweater and always have a scarf going in fall/winter and spring when headed outside . I'm not personally a fan of the scarf under sweater look - but that's purely personal.

Aida

Veteran

Hah well this was an entertaining read ^^ I LOVE the sweater, but if you feel cold with it my vote is to layer over a button-up shirt OR reserve for spring/summer. Because, well, as you know we certainly do need summer sweaters out here. I think it's fun with the scarf, though do play around with the tail placement and see what feels best. The JCrew version is with a much simpler scarf (no fringe) folded much thinner. Your version is more arty-boho to me (and high-five for being one of the few here who leaves the fringe on her scarves!).

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

Sharan, I also love this sweater on you. I liked Vicki's stylish version of the scarf in the neckline, but I think as others have said, it was less voluminous, and I'm thinking like unfrumped--different scarves for different courses?

In other words, maybe a smaller scarf with this particular sweater that's arranged flatter...kind of like the neckline of a kimono, you know? Almost like a...dare I say it...dickie. (And, a little trick I've heard of to keep such things in place is a pair of little magnets.) ETA: Ah, yes, the added photo does show something like that but with a more fashion-forward idea of a long scarf showing at the bottom, hmm...I was thinking more like the thinner, classic silkier scarves folded into layers. Which actually keep warmth in better than one might think. But either could work?

I too swore off turtlenecks and mocks a few years ago after I realized we don't *have* to wear them (I felt like I did have to back in frozen New England :P).

(PS, it was so great getting to hobnob with you at SSIF! )

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Lisa, yes, I think the zipper pulls the back neck down even a little more.
Angie, I'll have to try some other tops under it. Yes, I've worn it layered over tops in the past.
Aida, people actually cut off the fringe?! Say it isn't so!
Suzanne, yes, exactly--I used to feel I needed turtlenecks, in the Northeast. And I want to come to Portland to hang out with you and the rest of your YLF crew there!

Aida

Veteran

I know, right!? I usually pass on scarves without them, unless they're infinity

Staysfit

Veteran

Hmm, Does the large metal zip makes your neck feel colder than a top without a zip? Maybe it's more than a cold breeze causing the discomfort. Metal feels typically feels colder than cloth.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I think it's strange that I rarely feel I must cover my neck -- even as a singer living in Chicago. I struggle with high necklines visually (on me, they look fab on others, like Sveta and Suz), but, when it' really cold, I find a turtleneck nice, but often too confining.

Love the color and the shape. I'd try a shirt underneath as well.

As for the scarf -- what a pretty piece! I prefer it flowing looser. For some reason the light floral seems made to flow, not bundle about the neck, if you know what I mean.

P.S. You look amazing in jeans -- every time!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The J. Crew styling is like a tallit!

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Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Interesting, Suz. I thought it seemed vaguely religious--it looks like something a Protestant minister wears, too, except over robes rather than under a sweater.