The Vine: October 15, 2010
I live in Wisconsin and the weather is already starting to get colder. The past few falls/winters/springs I’ve worn low-rise capri-length tights under my dress pants and various CuddlDuds tops layered under sweaters. The CuddlDuds tops are okay, but they only come in things like pale pink, white, and black and I’d like other colors.
And most have lacy edges which is fine, but not my style and definitely not meant to be regular clothing items.The tights and tops are good but I’m always looking for more ways to keep warm.
I recently found out about Uniqlo Heat Tech clothing, which are warming layers that look good enough for my office and meant to be seen.They seemed perfect for me — great colors, not lacy, regular clothing style, etc.But I can’t buy them here or online, only at the store in SoHo! (Not planning a trip to NYC any time soon.) I’ve got a search set up on eBay to alert me when the Heat Tech items are offered, but I don’t think I have the patience to wait for the items I want since it doesn’t seem like they come up often.
So I’d like to ask the collective TN brain if they have any suggestions for attractive insulating tops that will work well with layering (probably a jacket or cardigan over).Price isn’t much of a consideration since being warm and comfortable is important to me, but I’d like to not spend $50+ per item.
I see that WinterSilks has some nice items and a few come in colors other than the neutrals so I might place an order with them, but please tell me any other suggestions that come to mind.
Features I want (must meet most of these criteria)
- feminine, stylish, appropriate for a creative-casual wardrobe
- no lace
- v-neck or lower-cut scoopneck (not the ultra-modest kind that could almost pass for a loose crewneck)
- colors other than white, cream, buff, pale pink, or black
- look like regular clothing, not shiny
- not thermal waffle weave
Thanks Sars and everybody!
Chilly in WI
Dear Chill,
A few suggestions — Lands’ End’s new “Canvas” collection; American Eagle’s Aerie; and Victoria’s Secret basics, which Gen has had good luck with and certainly aren’t “ultra-modest.”
You could also try Athleta, but they aren’t shy about charging $68 for a tank top, so you may have to haunt the sale section.
Readers?
Tags: Ask The Readers health and beauty
Have you tried “Icebreaker”? It’s a New Zealand company that makes clothes almost exclusively from merino wool. They definitely use fun, funky colors and not a scrap of lace in sight. I’ve worn some of their clothes for athletic pursuits (skiing, running, etc.) but they have a number of pieces that would be totally work appropriate.
FWIW, I can recommend WinterSilks for warmth. They’re not always the most attractive but when worn underneath other things, they keep you hella-warm.
Title Nine (http://www.titlenine.com/) also has some really nice cold-weather stuff; as with Athleta, it’s not what I’d call budget, but it lasts really well.
Hello, fellow Wisconsinite! I’ve seen tops that look like they’d fit the bill at Ann Taylor Loft — they tend to stock those kind of things at the back by the fitting rooms.
That said, I have another suggestion. The office building I work in can’t seem to decide whether to crank up the heat or blast us with cold air. So I find that the snug layers underneath don’t work as well for me, as I’ll be cold one hour, comfortable the next and sweating later on.
Instead, I’ve picked up an assortment of fun scarves. Not knitted winter-coat scarves and not shiny old-lady headwear. Nice weaves, colors, and textures, long enough to drape. That way I can drape it like a shawl or wear it like a scarf, and take it off easily when the heat cranks up. I’m also a big fan of funky cardigans for the same reason — layering that’s easier to undo.
I would try looking in the Burton “Softgoods” and “Apparel” categories… http://www.burton.com/womens-jackets-pants/womens-home-outerwear,default,sc.html
Chilly – Like Icebreakers, already mentioned, Smartwool and Ibexwear have tank tops and short- and long-sleeved tees in some pretty colors and styles. I have a couple of Ibexwear pieces and they don’t feel like wool at all – really soft and comfortable. I did a Google search on “pretty base layers” and found some interesting things.
I would take the old fashioned route (or is that old-fashioned? Old fashion? Sars, help me out!) and contact the store directly and ask them if you can pay by credit card over the phone or send a check and have them mail the stuff to you. They’d be crazy to turn away a paying customer and postage shouldn’t be that much.
Another option is to go to western wear store in your area. We have Big R here in Oregon. They tend to cut the clothes tighter and they’re designed to be layered since farmers and ranchers go out in all weathers but still manage to work up a sweat.
Finally, hit the old school lingerie stores in your area. The kind where the mature ladies have a tape measure around their necks and no qualms about wrestling your flesh into the right sized undergarments. They often carry practical long-johns or are willing to research and order stuff.
KTB hit the nail on the head – Icebreaker is what came to mind for me too. I am a big outdoor sports nut and first started using their stuff for that, but quickly realized it worked well with my casual business wardrobe too. It’s pricey but a few strategic googling sessions will help you find it at pretty steep discounts – there are always places clearing out last year’s colors/designs/etc.
And if you think wool next to skin will be itchy, you haven’t tried this stuff. I actually wear their underwear and bras. Yes, 100% wool next to sensitive bits. It also lasts forever – the first Icebreaker top I got…maybe 5 years ago?… still is looking as great as the brand new one I bought a couple of months ago.
I’ll 3rd or 4th the love for Icebreaker, but really, any good-quality lightweight merino wool or heavyish silk jersey should insulate well and be comfortable. Pure Collection makes nice, dressier stuff but it’s a bit expensive. Big sporting goods stores carry a lot of different brands and there are usually a number of items which don’t have big XTreme Sport graphics which can work for officewear. Personally, I wear SmartWool knee-high ski socks almost every day, October-May. SmartWool is very good quality and lasts a long time. I haven’t tried their shirts but I would expect similar performance.
I’m a huge fan of some Hot Chillys turtlenecks and leggings that I got on Amazon a few years back. Tons of colors, very light and wicking, but still really warm. They hold the shape through the day pretty well, also. They’re not as constricting as the Underarmour that I have solely for outdoor exercise in the winter that hits the plains.
I’ll third (or fourth, or fifth) the Icebreaker selection. I tend to favor Icebreaker over Smartwool for tops because I’m addicted to thumbloops…but very few people have jobs where thumbloops are appropriate (they’re very practical for the Ski Instructor part of me)
Either way, I strongly suggest looking at backcountry.com for all your baselayer needs — plenty of selection and often discount prices.
I also recommend calling the store. When I worked retail, we sent stuff to people who called over the phone, and just processed the purchase by typing in their credit card info for a “send sale.” It’s great to branch out, but sometimes you just want what you want.
I would go with Nanc’s idea completely. I’ve had great luck calling the store ( not in their busiest hours) describing what I want and having them ship it, with the agreement that I can return things I don’t like. A great advantage is that if you always deal with the same person, they learn your taste and can call you when your style comes in.
I sixth the Icebreaker suggestion – they also do great underwear (although I am not sure if they sell it online, as I am from NZ and bought mine there). Icebreaker can be a bit more expensive but it lasts forever – I have Icebreaker tops which I have worn every winter for 10 years and they’ve never worn out.
There is another New Zealand brand called Untouched World which makes more upmarket clothing from Merino wool, it might be worth checking out their website (www.untouchedworld.com) for basics.
Count me in on the Icebreaker love – their stuff is fantastic and I also adore the thumb loops! I’m heading back to NZ next week for a short visit and will be visiting their factory shop in Levin, to pick up some end-of-season bargains.
The company also has a great record on things like treatment of animals, if that kind of thing is important to you.
So far I’ve looked at Land’s End Canvas Collection and Icebreaker, and seen nothing for plus sizes. What gives? We gotta stay warm too!!
@Amy: Weird — I feel like I *just* got an email from LEC saying plus sizes were coming soon. Let’s write a letter.
I was in Uniqlo about a month ago and asked a salesperson if they had an online store. They don’t, as you know, but they will process an order for you over the phone, as other commenters have suggested. I have no idea what the shipping and/or return policy is, but if you really want to try their stuff and won’t be in NYC, it is possible!
Original poster here: Thank you everybody so much! I’ve learned about things I didn’t know. I hadn’t even thought that athletic/sports items would be fashionable enough to wear to work. Thank you for all the suggestions.
I second the WinterSilks suggestion, and they do make some in prints. Do you like leopard print?
I’d suggest don’t overlook the TOP layers for insulation, either – wools, wool blends, wool/cashmere, silk/cashmere, silk/cotton, silk, and/or cashmere, sold as T-shirts (upper garments) or sweaters, or garment-of-choice, in ordinary stores. And don’t ignore what can be done with a tiny packet of ordinary Rit dye (or a silk-specific dye from Dharma Trading) and a boring silk thermal and your stovetop (and/or microwave). Just because it STARTED as pink doesn’t mean it has to STAY pink. And that goes for silk business shirts you’ve gotten bored with. You may find you’re better off with a couple of layered silk shirts if you find silk thermals too pricey this year.
Don’t be afraid to look in unusual places – you can often find padded silk vests (insulated with silk!) in Asian import shops, which may be just the layer you need to be warm. Even a more pedestrian vest may be the layer that you find works for you (I have a sheepskin vest, and I’m not afraid to use it! It’s short and fitted, and I can wear it under a coat if I have to.)