Can someone explain this style to me?

[YouthsAStuffWillNotEndure]

Feel a bit out of place posting here as style & beauty isn't really my thing - of course I like to look nice if I can, but practicality/comfort matter more.

With that in mind, I am puzzled by a style of jumper which seems to be fashionable at the moment (I see a lot of them around) which has a high neck but cut-out at the shoulders. This makes no sense to me: if it is cold enough for a roll neck surely your shoulders would be freezing? And conversely, if it is warm enough to expose your shoulders won't you be far too hot in the high neck?

[prettywhiteguitar]

It's fashion innit ! There isn't much logic.....it's kind of a sexy thing to have your shoulders out ? High neck for fun

[LapinR0se]

It’s actually called a cold-shoulder top!

[YouthsAStuffWillNotEndure]

Thanks prettywhiteguitar I can see that it is intended to be sexy - but there is nothing sexy about being either too cold or too sweaty, and you are bound to be one or the other, if you see what I mean?!

[SilentlyScreamingAgain]

Don't worry, cold shoulder jumpers aren't compulsory. I've never heard of any fashionista chasing down a non fashionista and going at her jumper with a pair of scissors.

Fashionistas don't tend to be very interested in what other people are wearing, unless they are fellow clothes obsessives. I wish the same could be said for everyone else.

[SlowSlothSlow]

I saw a jumper like that the other week and was so confused about how I’d ever be comfortable in it heat wise. But to be fair I do tend to dress quite practical and have zero knowledge about fashion

[YouthsAStuffWillNotEndure]

Can't argue with that name LapinROse which tells it like it is!
(Although to " cold shoulder" someone means something different....!)

[Alabasterangel6]

Just as bad as the ones where it looks like the collar seam has come apart from
The body of the sweater, leaving a gap. Or a nice v neck ruined by this appendage of something like a choker. I just want a bloody jumper FFS.

[Housewife2010]

I never understood the sleeveless polo neck/turtleneckjumpers that Princess Di and other women wore in the 90s. Surely if it's warm enough for sleeveless tops a high neck will be uncomfortably hot.

[prettywhiteguitar]

Many things that are sexy are also cold and uncomfortable......

Said sagely

[pamelastone]

Its just fashion. That is the way it is :)

[RunRabbitRunRabbit]

I've seen unfashionable people wearing a padded gilet for warmth. Doesn't seem all that different to a cold shoulder top to me.

[flimflaminurjams]

Fashion darrrrling. It makes no sense and does look a bit odd, but then I'm biased because I suffer from highly sensitive DDG (draft detection gene) and so will basically be in 4 layers and scarves and woolly hats from now until April

[YouthsAStuffWillNotEndure]

I don't get the padded gilets either

[Ollivander84]

Padded gilets make sense to me but then I have horses
If your core is warm enough then the rest of you is, and sometimes I need room to move but want another layer on

[PorklessPie]

I have yet to see anyone able to pull off a cold shoulder top. They all look awful to me...but I'm no dedicated follower of fashion

[Housewife2010]

I also don't understand those padded waterproof hooded sleeveless anoraks my friend buys for her sons. Wouldn't their arms get cold and wet?

[trumptown]

I think they are awful. Hideous in fact. And they're everywhere right now.

[Botanicbaby]

Don't look at the toeless ankle boots then OP!

(I've only seen one person I know who suits a cold shoulder top!) i don't like then either.

[TheCatsPaws]

I hate these. For that exact reason, plus they make it impossible for me to find an ordinary jumper.

[Rosa]

I love some of the oversize jumpers around at the moment but I can't deal with the sleeves hanging over my hands- They stick out from my coat , get wet when I wash my hands as they don't stay above the elbow. I don't do cold shoulder either !!!

[YouthsAStuffWillNotEndure]

A toeless ankle boot?

Doesn't fashion need to make sense in order to have some sort of integrity? Otherwise it is just gimmick after gimmick....

[BikeRunSki]

But fashion is just gimmicks! If it was sensible and had integrity the stiles would last and last and become “clothes” rather than “fashion”.

—Feel free to ignore me, I live in strsightleg jeans and chunky jumpers.—

[YouthsAStuffWillNotEndure]

But I get the impression many designers consider it to be an art form BikeRunSki so I imagine they would not like the word gimmick?

[BikeRunSki]

I did say you were free to ignore me!!. I am no fashionista, my sister on the other hand takes it very seriously and can trace the root of any trend back to artistic / theatrical origins and identify whatever had triggered it to trend again (like that bit in “The Devil Wears Prada” where Meryl Streep analyses the origins of Anne Hathaway’s total blue Gap jumper). So, I don’t really believe it’s all gimmicks - but cold shoulder tops with turtle necks and open toe boots baffle me.

[YouthsAStuffWillNotEndure]

Just enjoying the discussion BikeRunSki sorry if it came over otherwise! I think the history & cultural significance of clothes is a fascinating subject on which your sister sounds something of an expert.

I would also add to the list after cold shoulder tops & open toe boots those jeans with lots of horizontal slashes across the thigh.