By: Emily Carter
Updated: Aug. 3, 2016
Originally Published: Aug. 29, 2015
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it seems that as we clear out our summer wardrobes (and yes, it’s still July), the cowl neck is making a triumphant return. I can hear your collective groans—trust me, I share your dismay at the resurgence of this neckline disaster. A few seasons ago, the cowl made a brief appearance, but thankfully, it fizzled out quickly. I thought we had bid farewell to this fashion faux pas, yet here we are again, facing an onslaught of cowl necks. It feels like a conspiracy against our style sensibilities.
Now, I know that not every cowl neck is created equal, and I shouldn’t lump them all together. Fashion designers would like us to believe there’s a cowl for everyone, but I’m yet to meet a cowl I actually like. Designers often showcase the wide, bulky cowls made from heavy knits and juxtapose them with the softer, more elegant drapes of finer materials. Still, I remain unmoved—my disdain for cowls runs deep and unwavering.
As style-conscious women, we need to band together and push back against this cowl neck invasion. Honestly, who thought a cowl would flatter women of all shapes and sizes? Did fashion moguls like Calvin or Ralph have a lightbulb moment and think, “Cowls look fantastic on monks; let’s make them mainstream!”?
My aversion to cowl necks started in my teenage years, a time when young women are exploring their identities and figuring out how they want to present themselves to the world. I distinctly remember trying on various styles only to firmly decide that cowl necks were not for me. When friends asked for my opinion as they slipped into their trendy outfits for a night out, I would awkwardly munch on a cookie, hoping to avoid any comments that could be construed as support for the cowl.
You have to understand, being small-chested in high school when cowl necks were everywhere was a struggle. In 1983, every store, from Foxmoor to Jordan Marsh, seemed to scream, “Cowl!” I simply didn’t get the appeal. Cowl neck shirts, dresses, and sweaters were all around, particularly those pastel angora sweaters (don’t even get me started on those). Every time I tried one on, it never draped as it should. And honestly, when I looked down, I wanted to see my toes, not a swath of fabric obscuring my view.
I felt confined by the cowl and other similar styles, like turtlenecks that zipped up at the back, making breathing feel like a chore. You know the ones I mean, the kind with snaps at the bottom? Those were the days. With limited options in stores, it felt like I was being forced into a cowl neck prison. Going without a top would have been liberating, but I was too concerned about societal perceptions to even consider it. Back then, there were no online shopping oases like Zappos or Shopbop to escape the cookie-cutter mall selections.
To make matters worse, my own mother—a known cowl neck enthusiast—was not on board with my boycott. She looked great in them and assumed I would too, constantly gifting me cowl neck sweaters. I vaguely recall a few dinners where she practically had to wrestle me into one to avoid embarrassment.
It’s not that I don’t think cowl necks can look good on others; they absolutely can. My mom rocked them, and I remember Loni Anderson looking fabulous in hers. But maybe it comes down to this: you need a certain body type and style finesse to pull off a cowl neck effectively. How many of us truly fit that mold?
In moments of self-doubt, I wonder if I’m being too harsh on the cowl. Maybe I’m the one failing to appreciate its potential? After all, I struggle with the bunching fabric right at my modest chest. However, I refuse to accept this as a personal flaw.
It’s important to note that there are plenty of other necklines out there that I can confidently wear. Halters and strapless designs suit me just fine. The variety of non-cowl options available today is vast—or at least I thought so. Yet, the abundance of cowls in my local shops suggests something sinister is brewing in the fashion world. Just the other day at Marshalls, not a single sweater was free from the cowl curse. Is New Hampshire the epicenter of this trend, or is it a widespread issue?
We can’t let this happen, ladies. I refuse to go back to the dark days of the cowl. Soon, I’ll be surrounded by women at work donning these necklines, and my eighth graders will be strutting around in the latest styles from Forever 21, convinced this is the ultimate trend. And heaven forbid my mother digs out her old cowls from the attic!
It’s simply too much to handle.
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Summary
The cowl neck is making a comeback, much to the dismay of many women who have long opposed this style. Despite the wide variety of fashion options available today, the cowl neck persists, often leaving wearers feeling confined and unattractive. This article explores the author’s personal journey with cowl necks, urging women to unite against this trend and embrace necklines that truly flatter.
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