sweater trifecta

Eileen Fisher stripe merino v-neck
This one’s a winner…Eileen Fisher merino stripe sweater

 

After my last closet cleaning, I gave myself a stern talking to…

mommie dearest text 2

I have nothing against crew neck styles in general; it’s just not a flattering neckline on me. I’ve kept a very few that have overriding qualities or that can be styled in such a way to mitigate the neckline, but have put in place a ban on purchasing any new ones.

For some time I’ve been looking for a warmer striped sweater, but just about everything I’ve seen up until now has a crew or high neck. So when I spied this one, I snapped it up.

All boxes ticked:

  • Subtle stripes
  • V-neck
  • Non-boxy cut. Even though the shoulders are dropped, this isn’t the kind of squarish or dolman shape that’s been the predominant style in knitwear lately. There’s a slight A-line cut to it, which I prefer and find more flattering.

And bonus points for a very soft merino wool that isn’t stiff or scratchy.

Available in Plus too.

Are there any particular necklines you either avoid or prefer?
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29 Comments

  1. I purchased this sweater too–and have already worn it a couple of times. Yes, the neckline is much more flattering than a crew neck.

  2. Lovely! I don’t like a high or tight crew neck, and I haven’t owned a turtleneck for decades. Like you, I prefer a lower neckline – you can always add jewelry or a scarf and not feels constricted. xo

  3. It’s crew neck all the way for me. Unless I have a camisole under it, a v-neck doesn’t flatter me. But I do love the softness of that E F sweater and the cut is lovely.
    On another note….I’m glad that I’m not the only one who has to give themselves a stern talking to every once in a while. With me it’s no more low rise pants…no more!

  4. I so agree on the crew necks. My best neckline is the V neck…I have a few subtle turtlenecks…but I really believe opening the neckline is the most flattering way to go! I like the neckline and the sleeves on that EF sweater!

  5. I prefer turtlenecks as I’m well over 60 with a lovely long but wrinkly neck! V-necks are out as I’m busty and they make me look even more so, plus they exacerbate the wrinkly neck. Oh my! May these always be our only concerns!

  6. Crew necks are all that I will wear! Any kind of lower neck line just accentuates the lines, and some sun spots, on my chest… and I am a regular scarf/ pashmina wearer. I even like turtlenecks …. although they are increasingly hard to find!

  7. Crew necks were always my default (crewneck Villager sweaters and button downs in my formative years) and I came to realize recently they were not flattering. I think I avoided V-necks because of Efronesque bad neck feelings, but have come to love them. Thank you for pointing out attractive, versatile versions.

  8. I agree about the crew neck: it’s not flattering to a figure like mine that could stand to lose a few pounds. I find that a V-neck creates enough length to take attention away from my torso and redirect it toward my neck and face. If I’m feeling less than positive about the topography of that area, I add a scarf. And I love this sweater! It’s soft & comfortable, and neck-wise delivers the goods.

  9. I’m like you in preferring the V-neck to the crew. Susan (High Heels in the Wilderness) posted on the turtleneck yesterday — I’ve been trying to get comfortable with that again lately, winter coming and all, but honestly, the V-neck with a scarf works best for me.
    This sweater looks like a very flexible and attractive option.

  10. I purged all crew neck cardigans from my sweater drawer recently. At one time I thought they were a versatile staple, but now realize they do nothing for me! Open V neck (not conventionally flattering for my body type but love them anyway), bateau, and ballet necks are my faves since I’m long necked, broad shouldered and small busted.
    Kathleen

  11. I have definitively banned any neckline that requires special garments to prevent wardrobe malfunctions. No low vs, no faux wraps, no plackets with not enough buttons above the sternum. And nothing transparent. Most of my current necklines are a wide shallow scoop (ballet neck?) or wide vs or squares. Saves me a bunch on camisoles and other such workarounds!

  12. Crewnecks and crewneck cardis are not flattering on me either – I do much better with Vnecks or scoop necks. Or, with a couple of crewneck cardis that I love, I unbutton the top few buttons to create a V.

  13. The one top that I like a V neck in, is that natural V that occurs when you button a collared shirt and leave one or two buttons open at the top. That’s what I live in. In sweaters, I love boat necks to broaden my shoulders. Crew necks are fine with me, ditto mock necks and some cowl necks if they are not too out of control. I like the “school girl” effect of cardigans with crew necks too, and find them easier to wear and accessorize than v neck or fly away cardigans.

  14. I’m with you on the crew necks – got rid of all mine a while back and switched to deep/wide V’s and scoops. I have a large-ish bust and also when I’m carrying some extra weight, there is just a lot of “real estate” on top, so all the extra fabric of a crew neck, boatneck, turtleneck is not flattering and makes me look larger.

  15. Agree, no crew necks for me either! Also no turtle necks as I can’t stand that tight feeling around my neck and it is far too warm for me.
    I prefer V-neck cleavages but also like boat necks. In general larger cleavages.

    Annette | Lady of Style

  16. I prefer a straight across neckline, not quite a crew, but not quite a boat neck either. It’s difficult to explain, and even more difficult to find, but when I spy one, I jump.

  17. No crew necks for me! I like V necks the best and sometimes scoop necks. Oddly, boatnecks often look good on me, despite my large bust. Maybe because I have narrow shoulders and it balances me out.

  18. Your sweater looks great. I wish more designers and manufacturers understood the figure-enhancing properties of a lower neckline on a “well upholstered” body. It is often difficult to find a garment that doesn’t present a large expanse of fabric across the chest, which immediately adds unwanted pounds to the frame. Scoops and V’s reign!

  19. D’accord – I like v-necks and that one in particular.

    I’m curious; would you share with us how you budget for your clothing?

  20. I had a similar epiphany regarding crew necks this summer, and have issued a similar edict – no more! I’m also gradually trying to eradicate crew neck cardigans, but I haven’t found all the colors I need in v-neck styles yet. Turtlenecks and v-neck tops are much more flattering, and now that it’s cold I tend to pair them. I have become a big fan of Chico’s “Darcy” turtleneck and bought it in multiple colors. That weight would be perfect for a typical Texas winter, but it’s gotten colder sooner this year, so I’m wearing them under cashmere or wool v-necks. My recent color analysis said “no black or grey near my face” but I love this EF sweater, and may treat myself for Christmas!

  21. First time commenting! I like a boat neck or ballet style (I think it’s called) on me best. Much as I love and do wear scarves, I think that this neckline, uncluttered, is the most flattering on me. I’m average height and build but have realised I can’t “carry” it like some.
    I love the clean lines of your wardrobe and reading your blog has really inspired me in focusing on what I wear well and feel comfortable in, rather than what I “like the idea of”.
    Thank you!
    Meg

  22. I need that lady in my closet, too! It’s so hard to get away from crew-necks. They look so good on everyone else (i.e. small-busted women). But, for those of us with large busts, crew necks make us look gigantic. I will think of that graphic whenever I’m tempted!