During a recent visit to Atlanta, I only had a couple of things on my to-do list: eat Waffle House at every possible opportunity (in Georgia, it's not just for breakfast); hit up the Trap Music Museum and the Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirrors exhibit (life is about balance), and shop at Walmart. I'm well aware of the fact that there are plenty of iconic locations in New York, but it's a different experience down south. NYC lacks a location where you can do your clothing shopping (I was in need of a plus-sized sweater) while you simultaneously pick up Hot Cheetos and Gatorade.
This fatefully shopping trip is exactly how I stumbled upon the piece of clothing that refuses to leave my body — since I refuse to tear it off: an oatmeal-colored rich and creamy turtleneck sweater by Time and Tru. Now, when I was growing up in Georgia, shopping at Walmart was, sadly, considered déclassé in middle and high school (Not that I cared, though... at least half of my wardrobe came from the thrift store, by choice). But as an adult, I could appreciate the denim tops, distressed jeans, and button-ups in the same way I might eye the fancy threads that I always see at boutiques in SoHo.
Enter said turtleneck. The material was soft-to-touch, and I really liked the seamed detail that ran in the middle of the sweater. It was roomy without being too baggy, and I had a distinct feeling that it'd go with everything. Sometimes with fast fashion, you get what you pay for... however, my sweater has held up through multiple washes, makeup stains, and more. I love it so much that I got the same one in black, and I'm having my best friend send me a couple of other colors.
Sweater weather is something that I won't be able to escape for another couple of months (unless, you know, I decide to migrate south again)... but with these great sweaters, below, I welcome it with open arms. Sadly, my Walmart find is out of stock... but here are a few others that I have my eye on.
I've been playing around with dressing in neutrals, especially since there are so many great options that work well with my dark brown skin tone. This gold open knit sweater by Rhys would be killer with a pair of gold hoops and layered necklaces. Since it's lightweight, I'd probably need to layer it a bit... ideally with a leather skirt, black tights, some killer boots, and a wool coat.
Admittedly, I've shied away from sweater dresses because they aren't always the most forgiving on my silhouette. Now, I'm kicking that notion in the kneecap. Curvy girls can wear whatever they darn well please... and blogger Kellie Brown proved that in her darling Eloquii Cardigan Sweater Dress. She layered it with a ruffle skirt, but I think that I'd wear a pair of knee-high boots underneath. Stuart Weitzman has a range of wide-calf and wide-width shoes that I've been dying to get my hands on.
I never thought that I'd have a bolero sweater on my shopping list, but here I am. Universal Standard's fiery red cropped sweater is meant to be layered in multiple ways. Since I'm on a turtleneck kick, I think that I'd play with my primaries by paring it with an oversized navy blue top.
Pink is my favorite color, and I'm making a conscious effort to wear more of it. Which is why this fuzzy cardigan needs to be in my life, stat... preferably teamed with gold hoops, cropped jeans, and booties.
I love a groutfit for any season, honestly... and the prospect of adding fun elements to one, like a cross hem and snakeskin, makes me giddy.
