Monday, December 14, 2009

Three Archetypal Ski Sweaters. Even If You Don't Ski.


I had dinner with my mother at my aunt's house this weekend. Upon walking into my aunt's kitchen, I couldn't help but notice her sweater. Yes, since you ask, we do enter through the kitchen. She has a mudroom. I love that moment, coming in from the rain, stomping on the floor, shaking the umbrella outside before you close the door. Warmth. But I digress.

I should point out, my aunt is the archetypal Sturdy Gal. Raised three boys. Computer-literate from way back. Hung her own wallpaper. And, to this day, has resisted any culture pressures to conform to the Northern California artsy way of dressing. Turtlenecks without apology.

She was wearing a sweater like this. Hers was 3/4 zip, but very similar. Aha! I thought. Sturdy Gal style. We deserve our icons just as much as Grandes Dames and Artsy Cousins do. The Annabelle. $184.
Comes in black for the urban Sturdy Gal. They do exist. Mostly in hiding. Cities remind us Sturdy Gals that cool is not our forte.


I dug further into the website. What do you know. Neve is broad-minded. Ski sweaters for the Grande Dame. Technically a jacket, I suppose. (Although not as grand as this ruffled navy number at Couture Carrie...). The Sophia. $273.


And for the Artsy Cousin. Would of course require some serious accessorizing, but I think the potential is there. I will have to ask my sister. Or DocP. The Finley. $129.
Now go dig that long underwear out of the Rubbermaid tub in the garage, or basement, or attic, and head to the mountains. It's snowing in the Sierras.

*I had never heard of Neve. No money or product has been exchanged. Although my aunt made some delicious short ribs.

** A post describing the three High WASP women fashion archetypes.

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21 Comments:

Blogger Vix said...

You know, with all those vertical lines the red (or black) sweater could be quite flattering. If the fit is shaped vs boxy it could even be...sleek.

If she chooses black, I could see the urban Sturdy Gal crossing paths with her hipster or Audrey Hepburn-channeling doppelganger. [The others, not so much, ha.]

December 14, 2009 at 7:34 AM  
Blogger tintarosa said...

Sturdy Gal or not, I think it would flatter most figures.

December 14, 2009 at 8:33 AM  
Blogger Menopausal New Mom said...

I love the first two sweaters, so modern and sophisticated looking! Wow, wish I had some spare cash!

December 14, 2009 at 8:53 AM  
Blogger hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I'd like one in black!
Very versatile sweater and it has quality written all over it!

December 14, 2009 at 9:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love your blog! A daily picker-upper for this mom:)
I had one of these, and didn't know it had a name. Was from The Gap, circa 2005. Hubby bought it as a gift for someone. I took one look, loved it, and bought a substitute gift. Stained and stretched it horribly when preggers. Looks dreadful now.

December 14, 2009 at 9:35 AM  
Anonymous Jan said...

While being a Sturdy Gal to my toes, I must say I LIKE that Artsy Cousin sweater. Oh, yes I do.

December 14, 2009 at 10:09 AM  
Blogger Sue said...

It is official my ski week in northern Michigan over the Christmas break is ruined. Every outfit I put on will pale in comparison to the Scerveno, the navy ruffled number at Couture Carrie. I adore that number. Ruined I tell you, ruined, hehe. Off to sulk...Well, maybe I will have a look around at Neve eventhough that Sophia falls short of the Scervino...
Hope you are well and enjoying the season. I always enjoy your posts.

December 14, 2009 at 10:11 AM  
Blogger Susan B said...

Very nice! We're starting to think about our annual Colorado ski trip, and about this time of year I always start poring over the Gorsuch catalog. But these sweaters look just as nice and at a much better price.

December 14, 2009 at 11:09 AM  
Blogger CRICKET said...

Beautiful! These would last a lifetime.

December 14, 2009 at 2:35 PM  
Blogger QueenBeeSwain said...

Love ski sweaters, love! MoMo gets a new Dale of Norway sweater every year since she surely has ice running through her veins based on how cold she claims that she is during the winter!

PS- thank you so much for your kind words and suggestion- it means a TON coming from you :)

xoox

kHm

December 14, 2009 at 3:30 PM  
Blogger Princess Freckles said...

I just reread your post about the three types of women, and now I'm wondering where I fall into the mix? I know I'm not the artsy cousin, but I'm sure I'm either grand or Sturdy.... hmmm you got me thinking once again.

December 14, 2009 at 3:39 PM  
Blogger Beth Dunn said...

Love the ski sweater! I wear them even when I'm off the slopes. xoxo

SC

December 14, 2009 at 3:54 PM  
Blogger materfamilias said...

On-screen, at least, that red Annabelle looks to be the perfect shade of red. What a great-looking practical sweater, very smart!

December 14, 2009 at 7:48 PM  
Blogger Joyce Lau said...

When I was a kid, I had a sweater like The Finley, which I hated. It had the same pattern and zipper, but was an awful pink-lavender. And it was itchy. But maybe if it was black and soft, it would have been OK.
My Hong Kong mom was always overdressing us for the New England winters.
I don't even want to think about my old turtleneck collection.
Oh, and snowpants. Do kids even wear those anymore?

December 14, 2009 at 8:53 PM  
Blogger Duchesse said...

These sweaters are chic! When my sons were small and pulled their turtlenecks on backwards, we called them neckleturts.

December 15, 2009 at 7:36 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Give me the Sophia ;)

December 15, 2009 at 9:29 AM  
Blogger Hopsy said...

Chic and fun sweaters. I love the black and red, they actually look quite flattering!

December 15, 2009 at 2:33 PM  
Blogger Miss Whistle said...

Love these. I have an Norwegian one and the minute the cold comes to California I whip it out and parade around Trader Joe's in it. Fab.

Miss W x

December 15, 2009 at 2:40 PM  
Blogger LPC said...

I keep walking around today thinking, "Hmm, do I wish I had the Sophia, in black, or the Annabelle, in black. And I think neckleturts is the cutest thing I've ever heard.

December 15, 2009 at 2:54 PM  
Blogger LPC said...

BTW, yes, I think snowpants still exist. In the wilds of Utah, for example.

December 15, 2009 at 2:54 PM  
Blogger The 5 Bickies said...

My Mother just received a NEVE sweater from my snow loving brother in Vail. One touch and we are hooked!

December 29, 2009 at 8:45 AM  

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