I believe crew neck tops get a bad rap. So I had my group come up with different neckline options, and we all used a crew neck piece of clothing.
Quote of the day: “Collaborate with people you can learn from.” Pharrell Williams
The things I hear about crew necks are:
“They aren’t flattering.”
“They make my neck look short.”
“They’re just boring.”
But here’s the thing I’ve learned after decades of playing with clothing and helping women rethink their wardrobes: most items aren’t the problem. The styling is.
A crew neck by itself can definitely feel basic. But when you start layering other pieces with it, suddenly the neckline becomes interesting. It adds dimension, contrast, and personality.
So the three of us decided to put this idea to the test.
Instead of avoiding a crew neck, we each wore one and styled it with a different neckline underneath or over it.
I think we came up with three outfits that look completely different, even though they all started with the same basic concept.
If you’ve ever written off crew necks, this might convince you to give them another chance.
Crew necks are one of the most common necklines out there. They’re simple, round, and sit close to the base of the neck. Because of that simplicity, many women assume they’re not flattering or interesting.
But let’s change our mindset and think about how, instead, a crew neck acts like a blank canvas. It allows you to layer other shapes and textures to create contrast.
Instead of thinking of it as the neckline, start thinking of it as a base for a different neckline combination.
Layering lets you:
And the best part? You can do it with pieces you already own.
We’ve discussed crew necks in the past with
–Necklaces to pair with a crew neck
–Accessories with a crew neck
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Charlotte took the cozy route and layered a turtleneck underneath a crewneck sweater.
The turtleneck peeking out above the crew neckline adds a pop of color and an extra layer of warmth. It also draws the eye upward toward the face.
This is one of my favorite tricks during colder months because it turns a simple sweater into something that feels more styled.
This pairing is also fantastic if you have a sweater that feels a little too plain on its own. Adding a turtleneck underneath instantly gives it personality.
-I showcased this skirt in a FB video when I had a comment asking about styling a skirt that is too big.
-The purse brings in an unexpected color combination that is a chef’s kiss.
-Yes, the necklace is in the shape of an owl…my mom has quite the collection.
I figured I could layer a V-neck over the crewneck since we all Love a V-neck sweater.
Most people assume you wear something low-profile under a V-neck. But pairing it with a crew neck actually frames the v shape beautifully.
It’s a simple trick that changes the whole look. I consider it fashion geometry.
It’s especially helpful if you need more coverage with your V-neck or want a different color near your face.
-The proportions are not ideal because I let the leopard shirt hang out AND the jeans are cuffed, but I tried to make it interesting by making the sweater asymmetrical with a brooch.
-I also added a brooch on each denim cuff for fun.
-There’s no orange in the base outfit, but I added an orange purse, earrings, and glasses for an unexpected accent color.
Valerie went with a classic styling trick: a collared shirt layered under a crew neck sweater.
This look is one of my faves, and for good reason. It’s polished, structured, and incredibly versatile.
The collar instantly adds personality and detail around the neckline. It turns a basic sweater into something that feels styled and elevated.
It’s a great option if you want to add interest to a simple sweater. And don’t think it can’t work until you try it.
-The bow on the purse strap is a barette from Just Be Youtiful used as decoration.
-I was blown away by how fabulous the light blue looked with the brown/green shirt under it, but then again, the necklace has that same colorway.
-The sunnies are ones that go over your glasses. She found hers at an art fair, but even Walmart has some inexpensive yet cute ones.
Stylist tip: Look to some of the colors in jewelry and scarves for ideas on different color combinations.
After styling these outfits, one thing became very clear:
Crew necks aren’t boring.
They just need a little creativity.
By layering another piece with a different neckline, the crew neck becomes a foundational piece instead of the focal point. That shift opens up so many styling possibilities.
You could also try:
The possibilities are endless once you start thinking of necklines as layers rather than single elements.
One of the reasons I enjoy these little style challenges, where we all wear the “same thing” yet differently, is that it reminds us that fashion is meant to be playful.
After years of blogging about personal style and helping women rethink their wardrobes, I’ve realized something important:
Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is simply show new ways to wear what you already own.
You don’t always need new clothes. Often, you just need a fresh perspective.
That’s exactly what experimenting with a different neckline can do.
Instead of dismissing a crew neck as unflattering or dull, try layering it with something unexpected. You might be surprised how quickly it becomes one of the most versatile pieces in your closet.
And if nothing else, it’s a great reminder that style isn’t about following rigid rules.
Because the fashion and textile industry can be a major contributor to landfills and other environmental pollution, we decided that the mission of this group is to focus on second-hand items.
Thrifty tip: Don’t forget to check out the men’s and kids’ sections of the store because you might be surprised.
Check out the other members of the Thrifty 6 group below for all kinds of different necklines.
“I have had this blue thrifted dress for years but this is the first time I have worn it. I was drawn to the color and the unique embroidered neckline when I purchased it. The silhouette is not very flattering on me so I have struggled to style it. Enter this newly thrifted floral robe which completely hides the unflattering silhouette and allows the beautiful cobalt blue color and the fancy neckline to shine! It was the perfect piece to highlight for this thrifty theme.”
"This top has a neckline I don't wear very often. I usually don't like high-necked tops. But this one is so cute. The print, of course. It's a bit of a Peter Pan collar. The top has buttons at the back and a trumpet sleeve. The top is pre-loved, from the brand I worked for."
“Necklines’ is the T6 theme for March, a fantastic opportunity to shamelessly display the most attractive part of any woman’s body – the collarbones!
Regardless of your age, shape or size, it’s highly likely that you have great collarbones. I’m always more than happy to reveal mine to the world!
So here I am, completely unabashed in a scarlet red wiggle dress, freezing cold but feeling like a Hollywood film star!”
“I don’t like turtlenecks, but cowlneck tops are a nice alternative. For this look, I wore a thrifted CJ Banks cowlneck top in a fabulously versatile denim blue color and comfortable tech fabric with a pair of thrifted plaid Old Navy pixie pants. I usually wear animal print shoes with these pants, but to stay true to the thrifted theme, I wore thrifted floral Target loafers instead, and I loved the combination!  (Finding fabulous new pairings from our existing closets is one of the best things about participating in style challenges.) I finished off the outfit with layered necklaces and a memory wire bracelet (all homemade except the tassel necklace) and a simple pair of gold hoop earrings that were part of a grab bag purchase.”
“I’ve seen collarless jackets are back on trend, and although it’s not a style I would typically go for, I decided to challenge myself to see if I could make it work for me. I’d completely forgotten about this longline jacket that I bought in a charity shop a few years ago until I reorganised my coat rail and found it underneath another one. It was the colour that appealed to me more than the style. I’ve never worn it before – it still had the price tag on it! After trying various different combinations, I settled on a cream floral print top with a shirred neckline and pale green trousers for a spring colour palette.”
If you don’t have great secondhand stores near you, then another great option is online thrifting. These are the ones I’ve used more than once (except Swap, but it comes highly recommended by a friend)
thredUp—FIRST50 gives you 50% off your first order.
Poshmark — here is the post about how to shop the site.
Preworn–10% off with code JODIEFILOGOMO
Etsy
ebay
Swap
Uncommon Closet— a nonprofit to help women.
Gild the Lily–a local Michigan store that sells online.
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Jodie Filogomo is a retired cosmetic dentist and fashion blogger behind Jodie’s Touch of Style, where she has been helping women over 50 experiment with style in fun, creative ways for over 12 years.
Find out more about the crew, because I love to showcase all ages, body shapes and women who love different styles.
The post How to Layer a Crew Neck Top to Create Different Neckline Options appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
