Turtlenecks //
Hope Philly Sweater | $378 at Totokaelo and La Garconne (more sizes), in gray at Steven Alan – there’s a Free People version below that’s cheaper, although more “flimsy” in person
Inhabit Cashmere weekend sweater | $88 at Inhabit (only a couple sizes/colors left)
Scarves //
Carolina Amato scarf | $97 today only at Need Supply co
Steven Alan Plymouth Wrap | $395
Well, that’s it. It’s pretty much winter here in Dallas, and now I’m thinking I might actually need a coat. But I digress. It’s pretty tough for me to stay warm, but I know at least that my neck must be covered, preferably in a turtleneck sweater. I’ve always loved turtlenecks, and although at this point, I only own two – an Inhabit heavier-weight cashmere turtleneck sweater, and another lighter-weight stretch Inhabit cashmere turtleneck, one seems to always be on my shopping list – specifically the HOPE sweater above, although I’m sure it will swallow me…
But I also love a good scarf, and have several that I use all the time as it gets cold; my favorites being my beloved Virginia Johnson shawl I’ve had for many years, and a VKOO (now defunct) cashmere infinity scarf.
Ultimately, though, I think I’m more of a turtleneck girl. Simpler, you know? But not by much. I like the look of a scarf, and that I can also use my Virginia Johnson shawl as a blanket when traveling.
Which do you prefer? Scarf or turtleneck?? or neither?
More scarves & turtlenecks:
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I’m definitely on the side of scarves. I want to like turtlenecks, but they really don’t look great on me (I look better with a more open neckline). And, if I get too warm I can take a scarf off, but harder to take a turtleneck off.
LOVE that Steven Alan wrap. And the whole outfit, too. Maybe it will go on sale…
Scarf all the way. It is frequently too hot indoors away from home or in my car for a turtleneck, and my neck is super sensitive and gets itchy. A scarf gives me sooooo much more control.
Scarf definitely. I can’t wear turtlenecks anymore. Apparently I inherited some weird gene from Mom & Grandma where I hate to have things around my neck (I can’t wear short necklaces either).
Big change for me as in high school, turtlenecks were pretty much all I wore from Nov – March (private school dress code – no t-shirts – up in New England). When I moved in with my husband, I had a trunk with ~45 cotton turtlenecks in it, including 23 that were white.
i know!!! i would wear the HECK out of that steven alan wrap. the lighter color is already sold out…but there’s always crazy black friday/cyber monday sales, maybe it will be marked down then? or they will have a code?
that is true…but i’m weird about stuff like that, and usually consider the scarf part of my “outfit” – so i wouldn’t take it off. that is a major reason why i hate coats…it’s sort of annoying, actually 😉
my sister is the same, she can’t stand things around her neck, even scarves if they’re too constricting!
Definitely scarves. I love the look of a turtleneck but often feel overheated in them indoors.
I like both for different reasons. I have rather long neck so I feel good wearing turtlenecks, preferably in darker colors (navy, black or charcoal grey) with slick up hairdo and interesting not to big earrings. I like scarves for their versatility (my favorite is by Chan Luu) and sometimes I wear two at the same time, it adds some depth and interest to the outfit.
During long midwest winters I wear a turtleneck and a scarf at the same time.
Scarves all the way! But that Inhabit weekend sweater could make me reconsider…
haha! yes, i’ve had that sweater on my wishlist forever…but i never have enough money in the budget to get it when it goes on sale!
Team Scarf here. Like others have said, I need to be able to take it off when I get too warm. I’m also too busty to wear turtlenecks well – they make me look like one big, solid block from chin to waist. Sometimes a thin, fitted turtleneck can work with slim pants if i roll up the sleeves. to show some skin somewhere. Grechen, do you have links to any pix of you wearing the Virginia Johnson shawl???
of course i do!!
most recent picture: http://grechenscloset.com/outfit-travel-day-1-airport/
http://grechenscloset.com/madewell-erin-boot/
http://grechenscloset.com/outfit-2013/
they all sort of look the same though – i tend to wear it only one way ! i’ve had it since 2007, it has been WELL worth the $195 i paid for it…
Scarf! I love scarves, especially big blanket scarves. Madewell is sometimes really good for affordable wool scarves (although theirs can itchy, so check). And I love infinity scarves as well. I bought that VKOO infinity scarf last year after you recommended it. I also have a nice cashmere infinity scarf from Gap of all places.
I live in your area and am trying to adapt to the sudden onset of what passes for winter in north Texas. (Going from 81 to 41 in a day was wicked!) I am a devoted fan of turtlenecks, but I usually add a scarf, as well. For indoor wear I prefer lightweight, non-silky fabrics, and for outdoor wear I love heavier shawl-type versions. I work on a university campus and often need outfits that can go from the classroom to an outdoor tour, yet still look professional. So I’m always seeking professional work attire that can adapt to frequent indoor/outdoor changes – and in university colors, too – no pressure! I don’t often shop at Chico’s, but this year I have bought their Darcy turtleneck in almost every color. They are a good weight for our winters, but trim enough to fit under suits, and they wash well. Weekends find me in outfits more like the ones you’ve shown above, and I can’t wait to break out the new sweaters I’ve bought this year with jeans and my new boots!
Scarf! Some turtlenecks can be awfully hard to pull off with larger boobs. Monoboob!
My first instinct is to say neither! I was never really a fan of either turtlenecks or big “wintery” scarves. Growing up, the thought of having anything around my neck gave me the heeby jeebies (is that even still a thing people say?). Turtlenecks (especially the itchy things my mom bought me) got a big “no way” from me and I tend to prefer thinner, less warm scarves. Thick wooly scarves do not combine well with wind-chapped winter skin.
All that being said, I might be forced to go for both turtlenecks and thick scarves this winter, just as a means of staying warm (and you know, alive). As excited as I am that it’s cooled down in Dallas, I’m not sure my body can handle the cold after the past few years in sunny Southern California! 🙂
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so cold!!! i totally wasn’t expecting this so soon…although i do remember the year my grandmother died near thanksgiving that dallas got snowed in and we got stuck here…so i guess it’s not unheard of.
i love turtlenecks with suits, i think it’s so chic!!
can’t wait to wear my VKOO scarf again. i guess it’ll be sooner rather than later with this weather 😉
i’ve never purchased a wool scarf from madewell, but i have had some of their lighter weight scarves. also zara seems to be a good place for scarves, but i have vowed not to shop there anymore, because i tend to accumulate too much when i do 🙁
Thank you! It looks great and I love the size of it. I’ve wanted one forever. I’m not thrilled with the designs and colors on the site now, though, so I’ll probably hold off.
oh, yeah, the current designs leave a little to be desired…i’m hoping she’ll bring back the camel, that’s the original design i wanted, but went with the “pebble” design because camel was sold out! she brings it back every once in a while though…
Both! (Not at the same time, silly!) I used to be such a turtleneck girl before my neck shrunk (I swear it did! Or my shoulders moved up to my ears.) plus, I’m hot all the time, so I’ve got to be able to cool off quickly, so cardis work well for me. And scarves, *sigh*, I’d wear one everyday, except for the overheating issue.
Beautiful choices, Grechen!
Those lightweight Chan Luu scarves are AMAZING, and so beautiful!