V-neck or round?

[SweatOverdose]

Which is more versatile? Want a plain jumper for office wear, to go with a shirt with or without a collar. Or is it the case of if you wear a shirt, you should have a v neck and if you have a round necked top you shouldn't wear a v-neck?

(Hoping to return to work, at the moment I live in fleeces! I don't have any smart jumpers)

I feel like v necks really arent that popular at the moment.
Seems like crew necks are all the thing.

I look awful in round/crew necks so, regardless of fashion at any given moment, I wear V necks (or scoop... or square... even sweetheart).

Oh. How do I know if I look awful in them?! What features do they not go with?

I can’t wear a crew neck unless it’s quite large/low. I tend to only buy a V neck jumper or vest. Do both suit you? I’d start there…

edited to add - just saw your last message. Crew neck’s tend not to suit me, possibly because I’m an E cup. I’m a 32” rib so quite small framed. Crew necks always make me look like I am a walking bust.

V or a variation dip neck is the only option if you have larger boobs unless you like the shelf look and don’t mind looking like your clothes don’t fit.

Try them on and look in the mirror?

I honestly don’t think there’s any consensus - so if your aim is to look smart, stylish and contemporary I’d suggest you look in shops / on websites that have those qualities, and choose the knitwear that appeals to you and suits your purpose.

By the way, given that we’re already in Spring I’d be wary of buying too many jumpers as they’re likely to be too hot for most offices. Unless short sleeved, maybe.

A stylish alternative for smart casual (rather than corporate / City smart) would be a cotton twill chore jacket worn over a decent t shirt or a dress.

If you browse:

Community Clothing
Uniqlo
& Other Stories
Cos
Arket

and, more expensive but good for styling ideas:

Margaret Howell
Studio Nicholson

You’ll see countless examples of smart casual work wear. But you do need to experiment with what suits you.

I have a black suit and a white/mid blue striped shirt. These, both from next. I want a jumper to wear with them - what colour should I go for?

Goodness. Does your new job have a very, very formal dress code? Or are you going to be outside all day?

Presumably you wouldn’t want a jumper if you’re going to be in court? I don’t think many offices require black suits for day to day wear, post-Covid and working from home.

But I’m sure you know what you’re doing!

A mid-blue sleeveless jumper might work with your outfit. Or something in a similar pink to the scarf / lining.

If you have a large bust a V neck will look better as it slims it down. If you don't then either is likely to work. However if you have a short neck then, again, a V neck is likely to be more flattering as it elongates the neckline.

No, suit required only 7 times a year! The people I met the other day were wearing dark jeans and a collared shirt, one of the women also wore a blazer. I don't know if that was just because of interviews or what they usually wear. I'm always cold, hence wanting a jumper. So I think I need to plan for a proper shirt until I find out what's what.

I wore the shirt, then a fleece, then the suit jacket and a puffa coat to get to the interview. Had to ask to use the loo as soon as I got there to de-layer!

@Londonmummy66 and if you've a double chin

Fair enough …

But have you had your iron levels checked recently? It’s miserable being cold when no one else is.

I just started a job and clothes have been a nightmare! So many considerations.

Do you leave the house early in the morning when it's cold - warm clothes needed
Do you walk far to work - will get hot
What is the internal environment? Is it temp controlled or not? IME temp controlled is a bit rubbish as it can end up a bit chilly if it's cold outside.

My experience was that my throat is freezing - I either need to wear my hair down around my neck, or a scarf, or a roll neck. I hate scarves at work so for me it's either hair down which keeps me warm or a roll neck jumper.

Problem is walking to work which ends up boiling if I've got a cashmere roll neck and a duvet coat. Plus we are coming into spring - that highly confusing season! Next week I'm going to look for a new trench coat and then build outfits from there.

For now I'm rotating between a crew neck cashmere jumper from John Lewis - I do think universally boat neck is slightly more flattering than crew, a cotton roll neck and a cashmere roll neck.

Gosh it's annoying how MN automatically links when you type the company name - I haven't actually linked to the jumper!

I wear long sleeve but thin thermal tops under shirts in the winter to avoid wearing jumpers with suits. In the spring/summer I wear vests under the same shirts instead!

If super cold outside I’ll wear a cardigan to the office then remove on arrival

Boat neck is the one thing that, as a broad shouldered, short necked person, I refuse to consider.

But I sympathise with the travelling to work wardrobe dilemma. I once spent a year commuting between the North West and London. I’d dress for an Arctic train platform; hail, wind, fog, cancellations - and then by midday in London everyone was in shirt sleeves and bare legs. And my study institution wouldn’t give me a locker, so I had to carry all my outdoor wear around with me all day. Utter nightmare.

If you are fat and busty like me a v shape is more flattering!