363: I'm dressing for my neck

V-necks, scarves, and blouses with fussy built-ins.

I’ve had this thing about necks lately. And a phrase stuck in my head: “neck-centric.” Like, eccentric…neccentric. It’s not very clever or useable, but it’s the pin sticking all of my favorite dressing together.

I’m not historically much of a necklace person (how normal people would highlight their necks), but I’ve been feeling incomplete without some affectation wrapped around my trachea or draped over my collarbone. The fleshy spinal connector from my head to my torso demands attention, and so, before I leave the house, I’ve been throwing on my beaded Carven twilly (OOS, but check this out) or my Norlha yak woven with a Flore Flore racerback tank rather than a wintry sweater.

I find necks very sexy, and the game of conceal-reveal is fun to play in the season of microshorts and bikinis (possibly my favorite way to wear a scarf…the Italian coast hates to see me and a silk scarf coming).

Here within, an exploration of a few ways to center the neck.

Summer of the v-neck

High Sport Veronica Sweater, $640 / A Yoon Jasper V Tee, $60 / Alémais Bianca Silk Scarf, $190 / St. Agni Large Connolo Bag, $365 / Jamie Haller San Diego Sandal, $455

I saw the double-v-neck with new eyes recently while having lunch with my mom at Sugarfish on 20th. I think we underrate the New York corporate workforce, largely populated with high-earning young women who can afford nice clothes and understand how to command respect and comfort through their outfits, and not in any way connected to whatever “office siren” was.

Obviously, the woman I spotted sporting this trick wore…not a sarong…but my expression as a self-employed work-from-homer in the business of being less-than-corporate lands naturally here, looking, strangely, a little Miuccia.

Khaite Verda Jersey Maxi Dress, $616 $880 / Xero Shoes Genesis Sandal, $49 / Vertigo Onyx Ball Collar, $700

I’ve been getting great mileage out of this Khaite dress, if you haven’t noticed. But I was tickled to discover how the onyx sphere of a Vertigo collar perches just so in its lowest point: the v-neck-as-cradle concept.

Summer of the built-in neck accessory

Bode International Blouse, $950 / The Row Lilas Pants, $1,450 / Cawley Leather Drawstring Collar Bag, $1,064 / Martiniano Black After Party Heels, $545 / Saint Classic Leather Belt Silver, $161

Bode’s scarf shirt is shaping up to be essential dressing for me and others this season. Are we so literal to be steering here following morning news briefs? We are not serious people! The women’s version of the blouse (here’s the men’s) features an attached kerchief that offers so much enrichment/choice. Wear it both ends hanging loose in the front, one slung over a shoulder (as above), or even wrapped around all the way and fixed with a smart knot at the nape of your neck.

Helmut Lang Relaxed Cowl Shirt, $535 / Doen Albina Skirt, $398 / Éliou Nina Wrap Necklace, $185 / Louboutin Raratonga 55 Leather Mules, $795

Here, we have the panel shirt. This Helmut Lang acts as both window and frame; a peek at the solar plexus and perhaps the delicate triangle bra beneath, and an anchor against which a dramatically long corded charm can hang. There’s also a dress version of the top, and one in white, and actually, even a similar sleeveless style that’s reversible and dares to plunge way deeper and bring summer’s neck-centrisism all the way to the navel.

Summer of the scarf

Shereen Mohammad Ishq Set, $630 / Aeyde Daphne Leather Toe-Post Heeled Sandals, $340

This set I’ve long pined for from my friend Shereen finally arrived, and while I’m eager to explore it piece by piece, its debut is perfectly all together just as intended. If it rings a bit bridal, you wouldn’t be the first to notice—I saw Shereen in the neighborhood the other day, and she told me more than a couple of brides to be have come to her to feature this set specifically in their nuptials.

For me—two years married, one quasi-eloped wedding down—it’s less my inner bride that’s activated and more my sunglasses-in-the-convertible-with-the-top-down persona. In a dining-al-fresco-on-cobblestones mood. On my best skinny-cigarette-lit-with-a-lighter-that-isn’t-plastic behavior.

Emily Dawn Long River Shawl, $310 / 6397 Coated Pitched Baggy Jean Copper, $450 / Khaite Loop 35 Beaded Leather Sandals $960 / Nina Runsdorf Dome Earring with Brown Topaz Emerald Cuts, $650

A brilliant piece by my friend Emily (Dawn Long…impossible to ever just say her first name, my brain requires me to complete the scripture), the River Shawl creates a dashed line across my chest when I drape it this way. It hides our usual first giveaways (neck, shoulders) and upturns the gaze’s expectations by flashing slices of skin just below. Worn other ways—which are infinite, really—River’s subtle concessions give glimpses of all the season’s lesser-centered bits.

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