I quite like it when what at first blush seems like a random sartorial urge turns out to be a trend. Gives one so many options to choose from. Most recently, in my retirement dressing quest, I realized that I don’t wear much wool any more. Too hot. Too annoying to handwash or dry clean. Sweatshirts seem to work better, but they are so, so, sweatshirty.
So how about quilted? The extra structure appeals, sophisticates one’s look just a tad.
You’d have to watch the length. Cropped or long past hip – good. Indeterminate middle waist – bad. No need to channel a 13th century gambeson. For a few choices, I present a nifty little widget, using the RewardStyle, um, widget tool, and my exceptionally limited Photoshop skills.
Gratuitous and fatuous commentary, as always, is no one’s but my own. What say you, to quilting of casual vestments?
30 Responses
love quilted things. this is my favourite recent sentence:
“I was seduced by a buttercup-coloured quilted cashmere gilet from Loro Piana…” from a piece in the FT.
Loro Piana had me at hello:).
Haha at someone somewhere putting a zip on it. So true.
And are you suggesting by your avoidance of wool that my use of my washing machine’s wool cycle won’t prove helpful to my clothes in the long run? That would be a shame – I’ve only recently grown to grow wool, tropical transplant that I am.
For my short-waisted self, the quilted sweatshirt threatens to look boxy, and I miss a v-neck, but I do like some of the embellished sweatshirts depending on weight/drape and length.
As for wool, though, so easy to look after if you have a delicate cycle on your washing machine. I’ve even thrown in tailored wool pants, on occasion, and with reasonable success (they were at a stage that I was willing to risk them — I wouldn’t recommend the approach normally. But hey, once upon a time, needs must, no?). Throw a wool sweater in the delicate cycle, cold water, a gentle detergent (I have one that’s a knitter’s favourite). . . When it’s clean, grab it from the machine and block it out flat on the drying screen nearby. It’s almost always dry by morning, the lightweight cashmere even faster. And wool deters bacterial growth so my merino running gear doesn’t need to be washed after every run . . . Oh, whoops, might be a fan of wool, might have appropriated your site for wool proselytizing. Sorry. . . . ;-)
I think wool-lovers are in the majority. It’s a latitude thing, in part, I believe:).
I’m not particularly fond of sweatshirts – I’d rather don a tank or tee with a cardigan if it’s that chilly – simply because they make me look a bit too much like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from “Ghostbusters.”
Having said that, I quite like the navy “Whister” one.
Cashmere lover here….and the retirement Merino tees are getting lots of wear.
Up north we are seeking comfort and warmth at this time of year. The grey rainy daze that settle in just beg for wool. Sweatshirts like these will get play time in the Spring and summer boating. You live in such a moderate climate that I can understand you shunning wooly garments.
Lisa, you do not find these to be a bit stiff?
I like structure. It works well with broad shoulders.
I LOVE sweatshirts and have a fine selection of grey – as well as a few posh versions in snakeprint, velvet and sequins. Maybe I should add quilted to the mix…
I can’t get the widget to work. It just says The Privilege-Go-Round. I’m on Firefox on a Macbook.
same here! latest firefox-version in use.
So this is odd. I write on a Macbook, using Firefox. Have you disabled Javascript? The widget does require that I load JS onto the page.
haha! love all of those, and of course, i’m the one who would want to put a zipper on it…that 3.1 phillip lim sweatshirt has been on my wishlist…
then again, sweatshirts are my thing ;)
So they are!
The slideshow is fabulous fun, LOVE! Have always loved the quilting of cottons, and goooo Lake Shore Jr. High Warriors [maroon and gray], because that Topshop number appears to solve my wintertime at-home rages which is/are pushing my sleeves up to do this or that domestic chore when it slides right back down, gets soaking wet and makes me curse.
Only the Madewell for me. It has almost the same vibe as a cable knit sweater.
In general I think that the quilting just adds bulk, which is fine for you, lucky Lisa, but some of us have issues with bulk. …Oh, and the day that I spend over $300 on a sweatshirt… something about Hell and the polar vortex!
They’re great for cuddling up at home in, but I just do not look good in them at all. I tend to go for a sweater instead. But this quilting takes us far from dowdy.
Really like some of the patterns, especially the fireworks. Winter up here in Toronto means wool in some form. As for sweatshirts in warmer weather…. can’t get past the hip band on these styles, not what I need in that area!
You know, I bought a sweatshirt at J Crew–it had tone on tone tulip embroidery all over the front panel, but sent it back because it was, as a commenter noted, too stiff. Maybe a cashmere sweatshirt?
It really is about texture and washability – two qualities I love. I dislike the waistbands and cut them off, which give the sweatshirts a bit more looseness and flow. I also hack into necks as I hate close necklines! Somehow, I also love wearing scarves, so we won’t examine that paradox too closely. Loving that dark red Topshop sweatshirt.
I’ve figured out I should only comment/post in the mornings, CFS means my brain is so not with it in the afternoons/evenings. The discussion was tomboy chic and I wrote soignee. I meant degage…
Either soignee or degage uplevel the language around here:).
Lots of nice choices, and I love the French terry sweatshirts that James Perse makes. That Stella McCartney is beautiful, but sold out. I think I’m a very clean person, but don’t seem to wash/clean cashmere or wool enough that it’s ever a problem – I always wear a cotton tee (Petit Bateau) underneath, so it seems unnecessary?
I love your elegant spin on things, always, and know you could rock a quilted sweatshirt. To me, though, a sweatshirt–even quilted–just says “frump.” Fundamentally, the cut is not flattering. Like basic crewneck T-shirts, sweatshirts (unquilted, please) generally look better on men.
It’s the inner fleece that’s so beguiling, however. So bring on the creative and flattering designs of fleece in fun, beyond-gray palettes. For example: Bobeau’s Asymmetrical Fleece Wrap Cardigan (available at Nordstrom) which is stylish, eye-catching, and fun–and just as cozy as any favorite sweatshirt. Yum!
Getting a sweatshirt with the right cut/length to be flattering on me is difficult. But when it works I love the idea, and the nod to the community of comfort. I definitely prefer your quilted sweatshirts to the standard version, although it seems to me that no matter what the style or garment there is someone on whom it looks good, and perhaps even stylish.
I like this quilted idea! I have one with a cotton lace front that I think is my favorite and it has sort of a quilted feel to it, so I think I could wear one like yours very easily.
xo Mary Jo
At some point, when my sewing (and cutting! the worst bit) skills have improved, I am planning to Chanelify a sweatshirt:
http://whoeverhasthemostfabric.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/jackets-from-sweatshirts_27.html
Otherwise, I prefer knits or T-shirts or (usually, in this climate) both.
I hope to make one of the sweatshirt jackets before 2015. I’ll let you know!
Quilted garments delight me, though they do add bulk. For very think woman, that’s even desirable.
I’m with materfamilias about wool; we are Canadians, it’s in our DNA- and our climate. And I have not handwashed or drycleaned (save a wool coat) in decades, handling as she says. Cashmere is one of the great joys of life.
Oops, typo, that should be “for very thin women”- but perhaps I meant, thin women who think about it!
Loving the idea of the quilted sweatshirt. Coco Chanel would approve! She was first & foremost into comfort. Her early adaptation of the French mariner shirt was the first attempt at sportswear for women. I can’t imagine playing tennis or swimming in those “costumes.” We’ve come a long way, baby!
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