Have you ever been so frustrated trying to find a shirt or blouse that isn’t cut so low that your bra shows. I just took someone shopping this last week and she loved the blouses but they were all cut so low that she had to get a shirt for under the blouse. And, of course, there was not even a camisole in that particular store. Ok, so there was one, but it was a shapewear item. It had spandex in it so strong that the XL size looked like an XS!
Now, for Fall and Winter that is not that big of a deal. But, for Spring and Summer, who wants to wear two shirts?! And the warm weather blouses are soooooo revealing. I actually had someone ask me about that this week, too! So, what’s a person to do?!
Unfortunately, a second shirt is about all one can do. Now, there are some half shirts. I do like them, very much. I have found that the largest selection of styles and colors come from Halftee.com . I like that they have short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, and long sleeve. The short sleeve and the 3/4 sleeve is good for women who just don’t want to have their arms exposed. (You will understand when you reach 60-ish.)
Two other companies have layering tees, Down East Basic and Sweet Salt, however, there are more choices at Halftee.com.
So, when you see the lady or girl wearing a spaghetti strap sun dress and a layering tee underneath; don’t scoff or say she has ruined the look. That is simply what she is comfortable wearing. The lady or girl that wears the sheer top and obviously has a layering tee underneath; don’t scoff or say she has ruined the look. The lady or girl that wears a low cut blouse and has a layering tee underneath; don’t scoff or say she has ruined the look. The lady or girl that wears the shirt that is cut open along the sides and has a layering tee underneath; don’t scoff or say she has ruined the look.
Do we see a pattern? Seriously, don’t be the sales associate that says, “You can wear the low cut, it’s not a problem,” while rolling her eyes. Yes. This was a true scenario that one of my clients had to endure. I quickly replied, “That is what she wants, don’t bully her into something else.” The sales associate looked shocked.
And, then there was the time that we were looking for dress for prom for my daughter who is a plus size. The sales associate was showing her items when I walked in. My daughter had ‘that look’ on her face, the one of ‘get me out of here!’ She then said, “Is there anything that has sleeves?!?” The sales associate looked at me, then at my daughter, ‘It’s okay, you can wear these styles,” as she pointed to the spaghetti strap, the sleeveless, and the strapless dresses. And my daughter looked her right in the eye and said firmly, “No. I don’t WANT to!” And my daughter walked out of the store, with me following and not saying a word. Oh, I got an earful in the car, she was so angry at that sales associate for being so condescending to what her style and what she wanted.
So, designers, and sales associates…not everyone wants to wear low cut, sleeveless, strapless, or spaghetti strap dresses. Deal with it, and listen to them. And, be nice.
Carolyn Bendall 