fashion

Reader Request: Perking Up Your Evening and Dinner Outfits

by Sally on May 16, 2013 · 8 comments

perking up dinner outfits

Brenda popped this one into the suggestion box:

I’d like some thoughts on day versus going out to dinner clothes. I wear dresses and jackets/blazers to work, and they seem dressy enough to wear out to dinner. I’d like to pick up some ideas for adding a little “wow” so that my dinner outfits still feel like me, but they also feel a little special. P.S. In the Portland, Oregon area, so many people wear jeans to everything and tank tops are common in the summer, even at fancier places. I need to blend in a little!

Here in Minneapolis, things skew pretty casual, too. But that doesn’t stop me from putting on the glitz when I’m feeling the urge! Since Brenda is working with a base of outfits that feel dressy enough for dinner and evening events, but hoping to perk up her looks a bit so they feel more special, let’s start there:

Try statement jewelry

Seriously, friends, what did we do before giant, flashy, fun pieces of jewelry became the norm? In my opinion, the quickest and easiest way to take an office-friendly outfit and make it seem more fun and evening-ready is to add some sparkly jewels. A big, eye-catching necklace would be my weapon of choice, but a stack of bracelets or gorgeous chandelier earrings would work, too. Slapping such items onto an actual suit might seem odd, but sweaters with slacks/skirts, or jackets with dresses? Ideal. And statement jewelry works beautifully with jeans, too.

Want more help with jewelry?
Necklaces and Necklines
Necklaces and Necklines Revisited
Finding Quality Accessories
Jewelry Resource Roundup
Balancing Earrings with Hairstyles

Swap your accessories

If you’ve been wearing solid opaque tights at work during the day, switch in a pretty patterned pair. Add a bright patent belt to your dress, or throw on a printed scarf. Do a stack of bright, funky bangles. Items that might feel cumbersome or annoying during the work day may be easier to tolerate during the evening hours, so consider adding new touches or switching out a few key accessories before heading out for the night.

Want more help with accessorization?
Accessorization and Figure Flattery 101
Successfully Deploying Your Tights
Finding Quality Accessories
Building Accessory Collections
Working Those Colorful Tights
What Belting Can Do for You
What to Do with Brooches
Flattering Hats for Every Head
Accessory Balance
Befriending the Scarf
Belted!
Other Already Pretty posts on accessories

Slip on amazing shoes

Most shoes that work for work are at least slightly practical and comfortable. More spectacular and less pragmatic footwear can be saved for nights perched at a flashy bar or chatting with friends over cocktails. Shoes can truly transform the feel of an outfit, so just swapping in a more glamourous pair can change how you look and feel.

Want more help with shoes?
Incorporating Colorful Shoes
Casual Shoe Basics
Shoe Basics

In terms of general guidelines for day versus evening clothes, that is SO subjective. Especially in environments where super casual dress is the norm. My thought is that – in most non-dress-code-contingent cases – evening dress is down to personal choice and preference. Picking items and embellishments that make YOU feel special and dressed up will help you create evening-appropriate looks. Because, naturally, you can wear statement jewelry, patterned tights, and great shoes to work or at home or just about anywhere. They are not the sole domain of nighttime gallavantery! But if you deploy them with the idea of feeling and looking fancy in mind, you’ll feel and look fancy. In fact, just dressing differently might be the key. If you do glitter and bright colors for day, try a sleek, minimalist look for evening. If you wear your fanciest shoes wherever you go, focus on a different part of your outfit or look for dinner: An intricate updo, patterned blouse, or artful set of layers.

What else would you suggest to Brenda for going out and dinner ensembles?

Image courtesy Dana LeBlanc.

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Bridging the Gap: Straddling Between Standard & Plus Sizes

by Ashe on May 9, 2013 · 53 comments

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Heazure asked, Could you do a post addressing people on the “cusp” between plus sizes and straight sizes? I’m a 14/16 and it’s maddening, and I was happy to share my experiences and insights.

For most of my life it’s felt like no matter WHAT my size, I’ve always straddled the “cusp” between standard sizes and plus sizes. Size 10? Well, that’s still a size 14 and we don’t stock it. Size 20? Well, your arms, legs, bust and hips are too small to fit in everything.  Most of my life, I’ve straddled the 14-18 range, and it’s effin’ hard. I stopped wearing oversized everything in high school, so it can feel especially difficult to find a fitted shirt, dress, or skirt when I’m on the cusp. (You’re on the cusp! You’re plus, but not! You must hide your body!)

Many standard clothing stores stop at a size 14 (and some stop at a 12). Many plus-size shops begin at a 14 … and yet there’s this huge difference in the way those two size 14s are designed. Many women find that at the standard shop, you’ll get a little muffin top, the thighs may be too tight, but when you pop into the plus-sized shop, you’re finding that the pants are falling off of you everywhere.

For a comparison: The Limited, Express, and Eloquii are all sister shops, and you can see how their sizes compare:

  • At Express, a size 14 has a 40″ bust, 32.5″ waist, and 43.5″ hips.
  • At the Limited, a size 14 has a 41.25″ bust, a 34″ waist, and 44″ hips.
  • At Eloquii, the size 14 Women’s has a 42″ bust, a 37″ waist, and 45″ hips.

Between the Express and Eloquii size 14s, you have a 4.5″ size difference. And what happens if you’re between that Limited 34″ and Eloquii 37″ waist? A 3″ gap is a pretty big!  And yet, when you’re on the cusp of clothing sizes, that’s a pretty frequent occurrence.

Shopping is already a difficult, anxiety-inducing task for many of us. When you’re a size that’s on the cusp (and that could be another cusp — perhaps you’ve got a very petite frame and a 0 or 00 is a bit too big!), it just feels like extra work. You’re too large for one shop, too small for another.

Another factor that contributes to this is grading scale for patterns. In a standard size shops, clothes are usually graded with a 1″ difference between sizes; yet as soon as you hit size 10 or 12, the grading jumps up to an 1.5″.  Once you’ve moved into full-on plus-sizes, it’s not uncommon to see a 3″ variation between sizes, which means it can be difficult to find that perfect fit.

It’s Not You.

Sally says this all the time, and it’s true. Straddling the cusp isn’t YOUR fault. Don’t beat yourself up, think your bangin’ bod is odd, or swear off fashion forever.

They’re just clothes.

Each store has their own version of the ideal customer, vanity sizing, and sense of draping. Even if you absolutely love J.Crew, Anthropologie, or Nasty Gal OMG SO MUCH, their styles may not work with your body.  But the amazing thing about shopping and the internet? How much easier it becomes EVERY DAY to find the styles you want, a size that fits, and a brand you love (and can afford!).

Know which Shops ARE Designed to Fit You.

It took me a long time to learn that the woman Lane Bryant designs for is not shaped like me. And neither is the girl Urban Outfitter designs for.

I’m sure you’ve found a few places where you’ve bought clothes and felt good. What is it about those items that do work? Is it ample room in the bust? Extra space in the hips? A slim cut thigh? Do you need a junior’s fit, a standard fit or a women’s fit? Once you know what brands work and what it is you want from your clothing, finding that perfect fit becomes a bit easier.

I’ve personally found luck with places like ASOS, City Chic, Modcloth & Ruche’s plus selections. I have luck at places like Macy’s, Kohl’s, Target, or Old Navy, where the standard range may run from 0-20 and they have a variety of junior’s, standard, and women’s fit.

If you’re having a hard time finding brands that work for you, a service like Gwynnie Bee may help. For a monthly fee, you “rent” clothes from a wide variety of brands. Sizes start at 10 and go up. I received a one month free trial from Wardrobe Oxygen, and my quick and honest thoughts are: For a woman going through weight change, starting a new job, or who has a tendency to wear clothes a few times and then buy new items, it’s WELL worth the cost.

Find Inspiration in People Built Like You.

I may have a fashion blog, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have days when I hate fashion. I love looking at women of all shapes and sizes, because a great eye for shape, pattern, and styling is universal.

But finding other bloggers built similarly to me? It’s a huge relief.

It doesn’t matter if they’re a size 2, 12, or 22; I know which bloggers aren’t super busty, who gains weight in their stomach, and those who may have a long torso.  For those who fall into a similar size range as me, I check out the places they shop. As a result I’ve found tons of new shops I’d have never known about. They’ve lead me to independent designers who create custom clothes for women of all sizes.

The average American woman is a size 12-14, which means a larger portion of women are likely straddling the cusp than we realize.  If you’re in that cusp, I’d love to hear your thoughts — what tips and tricks you’ve learned for shopping or what fabrics or styles you’ve found are great and easy to adapt for your body.

_ _ _

Call her Ash, Ashe, or Ashley– she doesn’t mind! Already Pretty contributor Ashley began blogging in 2007 about fashion and style to fill a void in her life while living in the wintery tundra of Indiana. Her blog Dramatis Personae focuses on food, life & style.  Ashley’s love of fashion began at 10, when she bought her first issue of Seventeen magazine; this also began a life long battle with learning to love her body (she never looked like the girls who graced those pages). As a plus-sized woman, she loves promoting fashion for all women and shops that want to make all ladies feel beautiful.  She currently calls New Orleans home and share her little house with a wonderful fiance and two brilliant and playful Maine Coons kitties.

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This Week I Love …

by Sally on April 30, 2013 · 44 comments

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… the street wear produced by athletic clothing companies. Kind of a mouthful, but hear me out.

I’m thinking mainly of Athleta, Horny Toad, and Title Nine. Lululemon and Lucy have some cute street wear options, but definitely focus more on workout gear. The first three, however, have nearly as many non-workout options as gym-only duds, and they’re fabulous for so many reasons:

They are durable.

These clothes are made for women leading active lifestyles, so the fabrics and stitching are designed to take some serious wear and tear. As someone who can rip and snag with the best of ‘em, I appreciate truly durable clothes.

They are washable.

Nothing dry cleanable here, friends! Fabrics are selected for washability and ease of care. With the exception of a few linen pieces, most stuff is wrinkle-free and ideal for packing and travel, too.

They are comfortable.

Although these are street wear garments, they are aimed at a very active consumer base. So no itchy fibers, constricting waistbands, or digging seams. Fabrics are typically soft and breathable.

They make the concept of wearing a dress less stressful.

I mean, if you hate dresses, forget it. But if you’re an active mom, do lots of outdoor work, or have a lifestyle that makes delicate, frilly dresses impractical, you may have written off the entire garment category. But these dresses – especially the Title Nine ones like their classic Tomboy Dress – are durable, washable, and comfortable! They are MEANT to get dirty and messy, then thrown in the wash.

They are NOT cheap, but they are well made.

My Athleta dresses have been washed and worn dozens of times and they are still kicking. My Horny Toad dress has been wadded up in suitcases, scrubbed for stains, and worn through weather both hot and cold. I’ve only ever handled and tried on Title Nine duds, but in person they feel and look amazing and beautifully constructed. You won’t find anything at Target bargain prices, but this stuff won’t fall apart after two seasons of wear.

I have had clients who have many young children at home, clients who work in dirty stockrooms and don’t want to ruin their good duds, clients who need to go from classroom to field in a heartbeat. And I’ve pointed them ALL to these three brands for dresses, tops, skirts, and pants. Anyone who worries about being hard on her clothes might find a few great items at any of these retailers.

Are you a fan of the street wear produced by athletic clothing companies? Ever poked around Athleta, Horny Toad, or Title Nine?

Image courtesy Athleta.

**Disclosure: Actions you take from the hyperlinks within this blog post may yield commissions for alreadypretty.com. See Already Pretty’s disclosure statement for more details.

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Fascinating and Fashionable: Denise, Owner of a Plus Size Boutique

by Sally on April 12, 2013 · 7 comments

I was present for the grand opening of Bombshell Boutique in St. Paul, and have been a fan of owner Denise Alden’s fabulous shop ever since. She stocks gorgeous, covetable clothing and proves to her customers that style has no size. Let’s hear from Denise!

denise_alden_bombshell_boutique

What inspired you to launch Bombshell?
In a word, beauty. Or rather, the lack of diverse images of beauty in the world. Beauty encompasses so much, and so many, and yet we’re subjected to images that all look exactly alike. That, and I figured I couldn’t be the only fabulous babe who wanted clothes to match her personality!

Do you have a background in retail or sales?
None whatsoever. Talk about a steep learning curve!

What was the biggest challenge you encountered in getting your business off the ground?
It’s hard to say. Looking back, there were lots of challenges and learning on the fly when we began, but I now know that opening a shop is child’s play compared to keeping it open, you know? Financing is a big challenge, and balancing work with your life. Everyone always says that when you have your own business, you never stop working, and I used to think they were wrong or overly dramatic. Not so much anymore: I have to make a conscious effort on a regular basis to make sure I’m not always thinking (or, god forbid, talking) about the shop.

How did you select the lines that you carry? How often do you consider adding new lines?
Okay, maybe this was, and continues to be, one of the biggest challenges of running my business. I knew I wanted to carry lines like Igigi and Kiyonna, but I also did lots of searching for lines that weren’t available, or that were from very small designers, or from Canada and Europe, to really bring the designer experience to my plus size market. When I select lines, I really look for fit first. Our aesthetic is about celebrating beauty, and that philosophy is one that many vendors selling plus size clothing were (and are) confounded by. I look for fitted, tailored clothing that shows off the figure, not over-sized clothing designed to hide something. I am always looking for new lines, because believe it or not, in the short time we’ve been open, several lines we once carried are no more.

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What do you wish you could tell the current group of plus-sized clothing designers?
I don’t know that I have anything to tell current designers of the clothing I buy, but I would caution new designers, large or small, to really do their homework on fit. Many large companies will add a plus size line onto their straight size line simply by “adding inches.” This practically guarantees poor, crazy fit. You have to commit to plus size, and that means a size 18 fit model.

Do you think high-end designers will ever make good on promises to manufacture clothing in plus sizes?
No. There are lots of reasons for this in my opinion, but it is a chicken and egg problem if ever there was. I can’t buy plus size clothing if it’s not available (duh), but on the other side of it, I can’t manufacture clothing that plus size women won’t buy. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard some version of this: ‘Well, if Gucci (or Marc Jacobs, or Chanel, et al) made clothes in my size, I’d buy them.’ However, the same person will balk at spending $200 on a dress or jeans in a boutique. Designer denim could run $1200: are they really going to spend money on designer clothing? I don’t think so, and neither does the market.

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Can you recommend any plus-sized style or fashion bloggers that inspire you?
I am in love with Stephanie Zwicky; I think I first discovered her through you and your blog! I enjoy Nicolette Mason; I really like her point of view. I am also inspired by Anna at Curvy Yoga, as well as Advanced Style. And I am thoroughly entertained by Tom and Lorenzo. They judge stylists’ choices, not celebrities (well, not too much!) and they feature the few plus size celebrities there are. I have learned a lot about styling from my gay uncles (that’s how they refer to themselves). They’ll post a photo of an actor in designer duds, and then post the look from the runway. I’ve found it invaluable to see how things fit and are styled outside of a fashion show.

Any plans to create an online shop for Bombshell?
No. We do so much here that doesn’t translate well to the virtual world. Interestingly, Chanel doesn’t sell their clothing online (yet), either. Here’s why, according to Bruno Pavlovsky, President of Fashion at Chanel: “We sell a lot of clothes. Our clothes are quite sophisticated and one of our strengths is alterations. To be able to wear Chanel clothes, you need to try them on. You need to be in the fitting room. You need to have a tailor who alters the clothes to fit exactly to your body. I think it’s part of Chanel. It’s more than just our service. It’s part of our differentiation to have ready-to-wear that is perfect for our customers.” Well, we are not Chanel, of course! But we feel just as strongly as they do about assisting our customers with fit: whether that’s selecting silhouettes for her figure, or suggesting tailoring, or even offering styling advice when it comes to colors and accessories. We can’t do that online, and we’re really about creating memorable experiences and lasting relationships with our customers.

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The Skirt Zone

by Sally on April 8, 2013 · 37 comments

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I wanted this dress to work. Oh my, did I ever. I got it on final sale from Ideeli in three colors for SUPER cheap and it looked completely perfect online. Long sleeves, high waist, full skirt – three kinds of yes. And it is so close to working … but not quite right.

This is the kind of dress that HM tells me is “too short.” And back in the day, I would get pissy about it. Because I love, love, love my legs and I love, love, love showing them off and I didn’t want anyone saying that I shouldn’t. But eventually I found out that it wasn’t scandalous shortness that he was reacting to, it was garment proportion.

Mini skirts generally hit high on my thigh. Maybe a hand’s width below the crotchpoint. Middle-length skirts – the kind that are most widely available for sale and most often worn to workplaces – hit just above my kneecap, in the kneecap realm, or just below. Midis hit mid-calf, and maxis sweep the floor. What I’ve discovered – much to my dismay – is that there’s a no-man’s-land on my thigh that falls between mini and middle-length, and that skirts hitting in this area just look wrong on me. They aren’t short enough to be mini skirts and they aren’t long enough to be traditional middle-length skirts, so they look like they’ve been shrunk in the wash. They also make my legs look stockier than they are, and fail to divide me along golden ratio lines. It’s subtle, but they look wrong. Worn with tights or a floaty skirt layered underneath, they can sometimes pass. Worn alone, they look undeniably odd.

I’ve encountered this problem with the occasional client, too. It seems that many of us have this middle-thigh no-man’s-land where skirts just fail to work. Any hemline that hits in there divides us strangely and fails to flatter. Have you found that there’s a skirt zone on your own figure that causes proportion-related havoc? Got any work-arounds to suggest? Or do you just avoid/donate skirts that fall in this zone? (I love this dress so much I’m considering taking it to the tailor to see if a band of fabric in a similar color/weight could be stitched onto the hem … but I’m pretty sure that would end disastrously.)

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Guest Post: Style and Privilege

by Sally on April 5, 2013 · 59 comments

This post comes from reader N., who contacted me a while back with some astute and eye-opening feedback. I’ll let her explain.

* * * * *

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I first emailed Sally a month ago when I first got into reading fashion blogs. I started thinking about the feelings that I got when I looked at incredibly gorgeous people in incredibly gorgeous clothing. I’m talking about blog envy, of course.

It’s something most of us have felt at least once, “Why didn’t I think of that color pairing first?” “If only I could work an SLR.” “I wish I could afford a closet full of Jimmy Choo’s.” “My legs never look that smooth and tan. Not fair.” We see it. We envy it. We get over it. It’s inevitable. It just comes with the territory of fashion blogs and readership.

However, when I started to read this blog in particular, I came to the conclusion that most of the envy I felt towards blogs sounded less like what I typed above and more like, “I wish I could just stand in the street and take pictures of myself,” “Why can’t I just wear my purple dress outside?” “I wonder what would happen if I stood outside in that outfit.” Let me explain.

As a teenaged girl just recently recovering from an eating disorder, I learned that fashion was the only thing that made me feel amazing. (Ironic, I know.) I didn’t have to do anything because I could just throw on something beautiful and I would feel beautiful. With my hair done, makeup put on, shoes shined, and guns blazing, I could actually hold my head up high. I’m not quite sure if everybody feels that when they first discover fashion, but I sure did, and it immediately became one of my favorite things in the world. However, fashion is and was something that I kept inside the house.

By the great, wonderful chance of birth, I happened to be born in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in one of the most dangerous sections of one of the most dangerous cities in America, give or take a couple of statistics. As much as I love fashion, it’s simply impossible for me to throw on my favorite outfit and step out of my house unscathed. You see, where I’m from, something as simple as what you choose to wear can mean catcalling, people touching you, and even driving up beside you and asking, “How much?” And they’re not asking you how much your new wedges cost, either. I’ve even had family members and friends get mugged because, duh, being somewhat fashionable shouts, “I have money! Please relieve me of it. Thanks.” My neighborhood is called “the Badlands” for a reason.

Most days, I just throw on a ratty school sweater, jeans, and an old pair of moccasins before going out. I throw my hair into a messy, frizzy bun (hair that’s the texture only a biracial girl like me could have) and I’m out the door. Did I mention the same people that harass you for daring to wear pretty clothes also harass you for doing the opposite? I’ve had the words “ugly,” “trifling,” and “ghetto” all thrown at me while walking down the street and to be honest, it feels uncomfortable. Not because random people are shouting at me, but because me-in-a-raggedy-sweater doesn’t feel like me. Just the same way I’m sure Sally or Audi or Gabi or Weesha would feel out of place in ugly clothes they feel don’t represent them or who they are. As a young girl recovering from several years of an eating disorder, it feels doubly awful because the one thing that I always wanted to be was pretty and now that I have the mindset to convince myself that I am, my environment still prevents me from physically showing people how much I’ve come to terms with myself. Many people forget basic privileges like this.

If any of you reading this have a fashion blog, I’m not sure you know how great it is that you can just step outside and take a bunch of pictures with your head held high, showing the world your fiercest/cutest/sweetest poses. And when you open your closets or your armoires or your bureaus in the morning and you say to yourself, “I’m wearing X, Y, and Z today and I’m going to look awesome!” you probably don’t stop to realize that many people can’t really do that. Realize how much of a privilege it is to simply be yourself when you step out the door. How you can present yourself as a vintage pinup or the sleek, embodiment of androgyny or a walking Alexander McQueen mannequin and the most you have to worry about is a few stares or sideways glances.

Be happy with yourself and your choices. Not all of us can show ourselves to the world.

Image courtesy Infradept

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This Week I Love …

by Sally on March 19, 2013 · 11 comments

salma-hayek

… Salma Hayek.

I have a mad-rampant girl crush on Salma Hayek, and Husband Mike knows it. I find her to be absolutely electrifying on-screen and completely charming off. She’s smart, driven, funny, talented, visionary, gorgeous, and self-aware. She has the enviable ability to laugh at herself, and the even more enviable ability to praise herself without seeming remotely pompous or self-absorbed. Here are a few more reasons I adore this amazing actress:

“Frida“

I love Frida Kahlo for her ferocity, vision, and passion. I loved Hayek’s biopic for its unabashed emotion and stirring performances. But mostly I loved that this movie – with all of its flaws and inaccuracies – introduced a strong, talented, fearless woman artist to new generations of fans.

Her suits

Hayek is married to French billionaire and PPR CEO François-Henri Pinault, who is one of the most powerful (relatively under-the-radar) men in the fashion industry. (PPR owns Gucci, Bottega Veneta, and Balenciaga, among others.) So our girl might actually have even better access to gorgeous, custom-fit designer duds than the average a-list actress. And yet, she is often seen in menswear-influenced pantsuits that sometimes seem to fight her voluptuous curves. And you know what? She doesn’t care. She loves those suits and she wears them proudly, traditional figure-flattery priorities be damned.

Her activism

In addition to working to supply life-saving maternal and neonatal tetanus vaccinations to developing nations, Hayek is a board member for V-Day (founded by Eve Ensler) and has worked on increasing awareness on violence against women and discrimination against immigrants. She uses her power for good.

This quote

“People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder.”

Are you a fan of Salma Hayek? Have you seen Frida? A fan of her artistic or charitable works? Love her style?

Image via Celebrity9.

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Late-breaking Layering Tip

by Sally on March 15, 2013 · 21 comments

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I moved to Minnesota after spending two years living in San Francisco. That was 13 years ago, and I am STILL re-learning how to layer. Although I did a post very recently that contained my main layering tips, I’ve found myself dishing out this particular piece of advice to readers and clients recently and thought it was worth sharing.

Many layering issues arise from trying to fit sleeves inside of other sleeves. Even if your outer garment is lined in a slippery material – and that’s a big “if” – long-sleeved shirts shoved into long-sleeved blazers, jackets, and sweaters can feel tight and awkward. If it’s cold enough, you might not care. But in my experience, multiple layers over your arms don’t add all that much to your overall body warmth. Warmth generally radiates outward from your core, so keeping your core warm will help keep your whole self warm.

I’ve started using my layering TANKS far more frequently than my layering long-sleeved tees for this very reason. I’ll layer a silk or nylon cami underneath the colorful cotton tank, then do my sweater or jacket over that. My arms are free to move without that “stuffed” feeling. Tanks also tend to have scoop necklines which makes them ideal for funky statement necklaces. However! The tradeoff for warmth, here, is covering my neck. A scarf that covers any exposed neckline and neck will do far more to conserve my body heat that doubling up on sleeves, so on truly cold days I skip necklaces in favor of scarves.

Does this fly in the face of my recent comment about needing my arms covered in order to be truly warm? Well, yes. Kinda. I’ve found that I need my arms covered from shoulder to wrist to keep comfortably warm, but also found that wedging two long-sleeved layers onto my arms is often more uncomfortable than it is warm. One long-sleeved layer over a tank with an added scarf keeps me both cozy and comfortable.

Thoughts? Does the mere idea of wearing a tank top as a winter base layer make you shiver? Or do you find that layered sleeves are more of a hassle than they’re worth? Does covering your neck keep you as cozy as it does me?

Image is of Bella Ladies’ 1×1 Rib Tank Top – of which I own many.

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