Should I keep the Brora tank?

[LoveSandbanks]

I ordered a Brora cashmere tank in the sale. It's still £225 which I consider a pretty large sum for a single garment. The colour is amazing, I love the colour but I'm erring on the side of sending it back but then worry that I'll regret not keeping it?

It looks shit without anything underneath it (on me at least) and I had visions of wearing it over shirts. I don't currently have any shirts. The only thing I've got that I could wear under it are some long sleeved t-shirts.

Or I could order a few shirts to wear underneath it before I make a decision?

It's the ONLY item of clothing that I've bought this Winter, apart from a pair of loafers (from Russell and fecking Bromley). I have made a few things tho'

OMG. In short, is this an investment piece that will last forever, if I look after it, or is it too indulgent especially as I need to buy things to go with it (that I was going to buy anyway ...)

Adding my voice to the chorus of send it back, you can do way better.

Send it back. You can make something much nicer. The shape & neckline don't do much for you.

Send it back, looks very ordinary and will surely be too small with a shirt underneath?
Colour is too school uniform too!

I love the lower v-neck, that’s definitely something I need to look for but I’m not loving the fair isle.

Am I missing something, if I order it will I be surprised?

What an unnecessarily bitchy comment! I don’t love the OP jumper (although do love the colour) but I think this mint green thing is pretty hideous and maybe wouldn’t be the OP’s style if what she’s actually purchased is plain in a strong colour.

I don’t think it looks worth it OP. If you like nice quality knitted tanks I would check out Me and Em, Wyse, Whistles or Cos. Think you would find one there for half the price of the Brora one which would have some money for a layering shirt to wear underneath. Me and Em have lots of lovely layering shirts.

@LoveSandbanks I get what you say about being persuaded by a colour you like - but why did you buy it when it doesn’t work with your wardrobe?

I mean, if you liked shirts you’d already have some, surely? The necessity of buying several of a garment you’re not interested in wearing, to accommodate an expensive tank top doesn’t seem sensible (even to me).

Why not buy a piece of knitwear with sleeves, so you can wear it without extra effort or expense?

I e not had a chance to read all the comments but it seems to be unanimous, send it back.

I’ve ordered things before wit the intent of retuning them (sometimes you need to scratch the itch) but when they’ve arrived I have to have them in my life. The R&B loafers were ordered with some cheaper ones but won hands down and I’ve worn them almost daily since they arrived.

I love the colour of this tank and will never agree that it’s “school uniform” in colour😂 but agree that the fit isn’t great (but I’m losing weight) and I don’t feel that I have to have it in my life and, at that price point, that’s definitely needed

thank you all, you’ve been a huge help. I’ll spend some time going through the suggestions on other tanks 😘

Crossed you so you may have missed my question; why buy a tank top when you don’t already have a wardrobe of shirts you enjoy wearing?

I am so delighted with it. And the maker is a sweetheart.

I’ve already bought another piece - a one off, plant dyed jumper. Under £250.

All my cashmere is Boden, J Lewis, and Uniqlo.
I did receive a jumper from N Peal from a relative (and the label was on in case I needed to return it- £250) and it's lovely but not much different.

I do notice on MN that there are many 'monied' posters who will suggest designer brands (like me&em) etc as if this is normal, which are simply way out of reach of most people.

But cashmere isn’t the only option for knitwear. (I know you’re not saying it is, @Gremlings.) And I would far rather have high quality UK produced wool than poor or average quality cashmere.

I don’t know about ‘monied’ … Most of MN seems to spend what seem to me vast quantities on highlights and gel nails and professional brow grooming and tanning and pedicures and, and, and … I don’t do any of that; I just like clothes. If people ask for suggestions I offer what I have found to be the best choices and indicate where those things can be accessed within the OP’s budget - whether through sales or pre-owned sites, or wherever. And then I shrug my shoulders at posters who completely miss my point.

I do get the cost thing, honestly I do. But if you love clothes, it’s a pleasure to look at beautiful things. Also, you might find yourself spending £250 over the year on fast fashion (if not a lot more), whereas that could get you one utterly beautiful, joy giving thing that lasts for years.

Op just look at your body language! You really don't seem in the least bit comfortable/ excited about the new purchase - send it back

The tank is not cut well - it doesn’t look great on the model (who’s striking quite a pose to model it which underlines my point - it’s a rubbish cut!) so please don’t take away that it’s your body shape at issue here as it really isn’t.

On another note, I’m keen to see those loafers 😂

At £225, it’s very plain and, dare I say it, quite frumpy. It does absolutely nothing for you.

If you keep it, do you honestly see yourself wearing it more than once before it sits in the wardrobe as a “really-expensive-nothing-to-wear-it-with-but-can’t-bear-to-part-with-it” item?

ETA just seen your last response - good choice. That’s £225 to spend on something that makes you look and feel amazing!

Sorry OP it looks like something a bloke in an office would wear when they reach 60. It’s a sweater vest not a ‘tank’ imo

I’m almost 58, I make a lot of my own clothes (including bras). I’m very comfortable with my body shape and it genuinely hadn’t occurred to me that my body shape was the issue, but thank you.

I actually have an “uncommon” body shape in a lot of ways but I don’t see it as an issue, any more than my eye colour iygwim. I know enough dressmakers to know that we are all unique and runway models (who we all allegedly aspire to be like) are the most unique of all!

All of us should know, when something doesn’t fit right, it’s always the clothes, never the body

The shoulders are too wide on that which is making your torso look square. Send the bugger back indeed. (I am also not sure the colour quite suits you).

Designers do the high V for those of us without much boob. I need a high V, or no V! Sending back, you’re doing the right thing on your figure op!

@LoveSandbanks have you thought about knitting? I took up knitting in lockdown (knitted as a teenager but rarely since then). I’m knitting a vest thing atm and prefer to knit tank tops as I love them and they’re quicker and I only manage to knit something once a year!

Kate Davis Designs had loads of great designs.

Current knit is this, but you could knit it plain ….

Can I just say @LoveSandbanks that if that pic is you without a bra, you're blessed with fantastic breasts 🥰

I was picking up on your comment about losing weight hence making the point that the top wasn’t cut well

That’s such a personal and intimate comment from an anonymous poster not known if really a man or a woman, we really shouldn’t comment on people’s bodies and not intimately to strangers. No matter how well meaning it is icky.