This most timeless of knitwear categories isn’t especially having a moment right now, but I did manage to scare up some good specimens, starting with this tennis-inspired option from Kule.
This is such a good red, and really good reds are rare. But if that isn’t your thing, it also comes in ecru.
The kind of cropped cardigan I’m always encouraging you to wear with dresses. This one is an alpaca blend, and comes in several other good hues.
Oh, how I ache for this perfect, chunky sweater in goldenrod yellow.
A ribbed, oversized number in the sweetest pale pink.
I dig the deep V here.
This looks like a handmade vintage find, and also as though it would be crazy cozy.
OK, this striped one is more of a henley than a V-neck, but I liked it so much I had to include it.
And here’s a cardigan that’s the perfect amount of oversized.
Okay, maybe here and now is the time to ask something I’ve always wondered: Many of these models clearly are wearing the sweater with nothing underneath except maybe a cami or bra–that’s what makes these sweaters sexy. But without a shirt or t-shirt, don’t you get the sweater, well, sweaty?
Also: Isn’t the whole situation itchy? Or maybe I’m sweatier and itchier than most.
I’m with you Claire! I *must* wear a t-shirt under a sweater. If for no other reason then I might get hot and need to take it off! My daughters often wear sweaters with only a bra underneath and it drives me crazy. Though I have to say it’s often a better sweater look sans t-shirt.
I always wear something under a sweater. I layer t-shirts and collared shirts under v necks. If I don’t want it to show I have a couple of low u neck tees that I layer under them. As someone said it’s hard to understand all the neck and chest exposure when it’s cold. Quince and Naadam’s men section have sweaters that aren’t very low. In fact, I buy a lot of sweaters from the men section. They offer better colors, and they’re not as trend driven. I’m up to my eyeballs in cropped, oversized, dropped shoulder or what ever the new fad is for sweaters. Caroline Bessette Kennedy’s style is one I admire. Nothing she wore was over or undersized. Her clothes fit “just right”. Maybe that’s why her style is and was timeless.
I have a related issue with v-neck sweaters. I never understand what the point is of wearing something warm, but with a deep, wide open neck. It took me a while to understand the contradiction for myself, as I used to love boatneck sweaters too. If I were into it, I’d wear a button-down shirt inside with the collar out, but while I like it on other people, I feel stuffy doing it. So I stopped buying v-neck sweaters.
I really *only* wear V-necks — crewnecks are just so unflattering on me. Really, this post was a godsend. Especially since evidently no one wears V-necks and finding good ones is just crazy hard.
There used to be these cloth “patches” that one could use to line the armpits of tops and jackets. I fergit the name. I doubt if many people use them anymore, but, I do think they probably work, fwiw.
Ah, I think these thingies were called “dress shields.” Probably nobody makes them anymore. I think the no-undershirt look might be good on a night-time date, if I ever go on one. … … … I have a similar issue with sleeveless turtlenecks – I’ve never understood them. Unless, to go under a deep v-neck? Hmm.
Rabbithole!! They’re *not* extinct. Whoa Nelly. Check these out: https://kleinerts.com/pages/womens-garment-shields
… … … Though, I am not sure that people should worry so much about sweating. Maybe sweat means that you were doing something important. Anyhoo.
Okay I am going to stop talking about it soon, but, omg, this site has soooo many interesting doodads … https://www.wardrobesupplies.com/intimates.html
The only kind of sweater I can wear without a turtleneck or long sleeved tee underneath is one made of cotton. Literally everything else from cashmere to alpaca to merino wool makes my skin itch and/or makes me break out in hives (soooo attractive). I don’t know why this is, but it’s frustrating.
Thankfully that Goldenrod chunky sweater is, for me, pricey because I love it and would buy it and would look like an unpaid extra on Night of the Living Dead because that’s what yellow does to my skin. I also love the red one. You are so right, Kim…SUCH a good red!!
Sweet Jesus this round up is my bank account’s new nemesis
Dissenting opinion here: I like my sweaters fitted and often cropped, with snug sleeves so I hardly ever wear anything under a sweater but a bra. However necklines look different (worse) on me than they did when I had shoulder length hair and crewnecks can hit my aging neck in an unflattering way. A turtleneck under a crew neck solves the problem, but I don’t want the bulk of an extra layer so I’ve cut up a few old cashmere turtlenecks to make dickies. Problem solved. You can sometimes find cashmere dickies online but they’re stupidly expensive.
Being large breasted I prefer a v neck. I usually wear a tank top under which provides a little coverage if the sweater has too deep a v, and provides a little help with underarm sweat. My biggest issue is the boxiness of so many sweaters…wtf! When will this trend go away????
Friends, you are tapping into something——the sweaters are shown with nothing underneath and with models who have wild, trendy or otherwise atypical hair BECAUSE IT SELLS. Then we buy the sweaters, wear them in an everyday manner as is required by practical living (rather than photo shoots) and they look as boring and dull as dirt. That’s the fashion industry.
The striped henley is such a perfect dupe for La Ligne’s much pricier version. Love it!
I have it in a different color and had to stop wearing it every other day. It’s 100% cotton so it’s comfortable most of the year in the pacific northwest and best of all, it works with a tank top underneath so you get the best of both worlds – wearing a layer underneath but making it look like you just have the sweater on. Highly recommend!
1987. Brighton England. 20 year old me found a classic tennis sweater in a vintage shop. It was a sublime find that I unwittingly ruined with one machine wash. That Kule version is a compelling replacement.
I’m so sorry that happened!! … … … I hope this won’t depress anyone? It may qualify as a Sad Share. But, I have this old sweater from the mid 80s from London. (I am not what you’d call a world traveler, I was just lucky to be able to go that time.) I probably got it at a flea market there. I took a picture of it recently bc I’m trying to clean out the closet.
https://flic.kr/p/2o3vzzL
This is one item I’ll be keeping for sentimental reasons. In fact, if I can figure out how to clean it, I might even wear it again. Or, make it into a pillow cover. But I don’t know the fiber. Maybe I’ll take it to a yarn shop. These sweaters were all over the place back then.
Just had a look at your sweater. I reckon you could put it into a mesh laundry bag and machine wash it cold on the wool setting. Even if it’s not wool it should be fine, I do this with all my sweaters including cashmere. Oh and obviously use a gentle detergent for fine fabrics
Ooh, good idea, yes that would probably work. Thanks!! I do have some Eucalan, I’ll have to see what it says. As I recall, it was pretty warm – it might be wool.